Originally Posted by Toronto Spider
Harryf's spider deserves a nomination in the classic lounge. As far as I'm aware, harry is the most senior and still active, classic owning AOer. For the longest time his car was among the oldest on the forum, if not the oldest.
--Toronto
Well gosh, I'm very flattered. I'm off to China tomorrow for a week but I will dig up some pics. On my return.
I've now added to the fleet a white '72 GTV with tweaked suspension and engine. It is if anything even more fun to drive (largely because with a roof you haven't got to be worried about being thrown out if it rolls, so you can push it harder).
The Spider is quite interesting. It is the first RHD 2000 spider built - chassis No. 2470001, which makes it quite exciting to own. At the last check it is the only known 'first built' car on the registers. In my more vainglorious moments I like to think that in years to come it will be a little bit of AR history preserved.
I think it is amongst the best resolutions of the Pininfarina shape - improving IMO from the round tail, without the weight and addenda of the S3's. She runs the most powerful Dellorto carbs and I managed to find a superb set of Melber alloys. This was always the best performing version.
Originally green (incorrectly but appropriately called verdi inglese on the original logbook) it is now red. It is the only car in which three times I have had kisses blown at me (regrettably in all cases by men).
I have owned it for over 20 years now, always enjoying her. She has taken me from thrusting young blade, through middle aged poseur to old git. She's not perfect but is now booked for a full body restoration early next year. The old girl deserves it.
When I dig up the photos I will give you a few more updates on it.