Alfa Romeo is celebrating the millennium with a special edition of its classic open top sports car, the Alfa Romeo Spider, which will be on sale only until the end of the 20^th Century, fully equipped and priced at $59,500.

"There could be few better cars in which to see the start of the 21^st Century," says Rob Dommerson, general manager of Alfa Romeo in Australia.

"The Millennium Spider will allow its owners to revel in the luxury of hand crafted Momo leather; enjoy the envious looks that its sharp styling gathers and indulge their desire for performance," he said.

"But above all they can celebrate the dawn of the new millennium confident in the knowledge that they have secured one of the great sports cars of the 20^th century, a real classic in the making."

Alfa Romeo has provided its Australian importer with just 100 Millennium Spiders, all sharing the same high equipment and trim level.

Alfa’s legendary 2.0 litre 114 kW Twin Spark engine provides urgent performance via the standard close ratio gearbox five speed gearbox and is delivered to the road by the standard multi-spoke alloy wheels and low profile tyres.

Under the standard power operated hood lies a wealth of luxury, convenience and safety features.

The driver sits behind a leather wrapped steering wheel fitted with one of the two standard air bags, facing the classic cowelled Alfa Romeo instrumentation, while his left hand falls naturally to the leather covered gear knob. Both the driver and the passenger enjoy the comfort of sports seats fitted with hand crafted Momo Italian leather, which extends to the door and centre console trim.

Overlaid in stylish brushed aluminum, the centre console houses the standard SatNav head unit with its muiltband radio and CD unit which is positioned below the controls for the standard climate control air conditioning, the additional instrumentation and the minor switch gear.

Completing the dashboard is the glove box, which contains the remote control release for the boot and which is one of three secure storage areas in the car.

With its all independent suspension, quick reacting steering and grippy tyres, all designed with the expertise of a car company that has been building benchmark sports cars and sports sedans for most of the 20^th century, the Alfa Romeo Spider offers a driving experience that is second to none.

But at the same time the Alfa Romeo Spider has been designed with a keen sense of safety. The suspension looks after its driver under even the most difficult conditions, the Spider is equipped with twin air bags and the impact absorbing body includes a remarkably strong bonnet that uses the same construction - kevlar - that makes Formula One cars so strong.

"The Millennium Spider offers Australian sports car drivers a unique opportunity," said Rob Dommerson.