Alfa Romeo 105 Series Spider: The Complete Story

The Alfa Romeo 105 series Spider is one of the most admired drop-head sports cars to come out of Italy. Launched in 1966, its radical new look was not immediately welcomed. As prospective buyers gradually warmed to the model, enhancements were introduced including more powerful engines and higher-spec body and interior fittings. Despite its inauspicious start, production of this much-admired car lasted for twenty-seven years, finally stopping in 1993. Jim Talbott and Andrew Brown pay homage to the 105/115 series Alfa Spider. With over 330 photographs, many specially commissioned, this new book describes the Alfa Romeo company history including its philosophy of incorporating driver appeal into all of its products, resulting in some of the most desirable vehicles of their age; it details the evolution of the 105/115 series through four distinct body styles; lists the technical design specifications and every major version of the Spider and finally, discusses the issues and challenges of finding and owning a classic Spider.

An Italian car enthusiast from an early age, Jim Talbott has owned Alfa Romeos for over forty years. He has owned his Series 4 Spider for twenty-five years and an Alfetta GTV for thirty-two years. He served on the board of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club for thirteen years and has regularly written on the topic of Giulia 105/115 Spiders and Alfetta GTVs.

Andrew Brown is an artist, designer and film maker. In his twenties he joined Motor Sport, creating advertisements and drawing racing cars. After running his own advertising agency, he started producing corporate television programmes and then worked in the pharmaceutical industry. He is a member of the Guild of Motoring Writers and edited the Alfa Romeo Owners Club magazine for several years. Andrew owns four classic Alfas including a series 4 Spider.