Anyone who has slipped behind the wheel of one will attest to the fact that classic Alfa Romeos rarely produce mountains of power and torque. However, their engines are typically enthusiastic performers that will rev happily, produce an almost magical exhaust note, and provide an engaging driving experience. This 1985 Spider should be no exception, and adding to its appeal is the fact that it is a turnkey proposition that seems to have avoided the rust issues for which the badge is renowned. It needs work to present at its best, but the buyer could undertake those tasks as time and circumstances permit. The seller has listed this sweet little Alfa here on eBay in Houston, Texas. With a BIN figure of $4,500 and the option to make an offer, this Italian gem definitely falls into the affordable category.
The seller is candid in their assessment of this Alfa, and there are also a few elements of this car’s history that could improve buyer confidence. They confirm that it received a repaint in its original and imaginatively named Alfa Red around a decade ago. It still presents nicely, although the seller admits it isn’t pristine. A repeat performance would be pretty straightforward, although leaving this Spider untouched as a driver-grade vehicle is a valid approach. The seller commenced the process of fitting a new soft-top, and completion is a task awaiting the new owner. Observant readers will note that I haven’t broached the subject of rust at this point, which is always a genuine consideration with these cars. Their steel is renowned for dissolving like a soluble Aspirin, and repairs can be quite expensive. However, the seller doesn’t mention any previous or existing issues, and the dry-climate location may have protected it from the ravages of the dreaded tin worm. The trim looks acceptable for a classic of this vintage, and the windshield is clear.
Aaargh! No engine photos. If ever I could give sellers one piece of advice when advertising their classic, it would be to provide the best possible photos of every aspect of the car to enhance the chances of a successful sale. This seller has fallen down on that front, leaving us to speculate about the engine bay presentation and the presence of such issues as fluid leaks. Powering this Spider should be a sweet little 2.0-liter twin-cam four hooked to a five-speed manual transmission. The motor delivered 115hp and 119 ft/lbs of torque when the Alfa was shiny and new, and although neither figure is ground-shaking, the curb weight of 2,548 lbs makes these cars surprisingly energetic. Straightline performance won’t be in muscle car territory, but the low center of gravity, excellent suspension, and four-wheel disc brakes make these amazing to drive on twisting tarmac. The seller states that this Alfa is a turnkey proposition that they utilize for weekend outings. That will allow the new owner to immediately sample all that this classic offers.
The poor photo quality extends to this Spider’s interior. I can spot a crack in the dashpad, and it appears there is tape covering rips on the passenger seat. The seller admits that the car needs new seatcovers, but these aren’t expensive. The shifter boot is waving the white flag, although the wheel is in good order. The remaining trim and plastic look remarkably good for an Alfa of this vintage, withstanding the ravages of the Texas sun quite well. The factory radio/cassette player has made way for a Kenwood CD, and reversing that change might be difficult because the installation would have required cutting. However, if the buyer elected to leave things untouched and throw a set of slipcovers on the seats, the interior would still look okay.
This 1985 Alfa Spider won’t appeal to all tastes, but the same can be said of virtually any classic. However, if you are an enthusiast who loves to be truly engaged by the driving experience, particularly on winding roads, it should leave you with a mile-wide smile on your face. The seller’s price looks competitive for a turnkey example, although their willingness to field offers could see someone drive it away for a lower figure. There is one active offer on this Alfa, so you might need to act fast if it ticks the boxes for you. Do we have any interested readers? I will understand if you are.
Kudos, Adam, for capitalizing the brand name, “Aspirin”.
This is a pretty good price for an 85 with 88K and no rust. I paid $2200 for my 89 Spider Veloce which had a bit of rust in the front floorboards (which I cut out and replaced with new metal from Classic Alfa). I did the top myself and it’s not a bad job using the Alfa instructions (and those from the AlfaBB forum). I also redid the upholstery with leather (a bit more difficult, but came out well), and recut my own carpet (the original is a one-piece unit of unobtainium). Mine has A/C and I’m in the process of replacing the separate heater blower motor. As someone in the AlfaBB forum said, Alfa built the car around the heater unit…a biaatch of a job. I’ve done lots of other mechanical work on it, but the body was otherwise rust-free. Have to say that I much prefer driving my 2006 Miata and 84 RX7 and 90 XJS to the Alfa Romeo. I may have to work on the suspension because I’m not crazy about the way it handles. Bought it with 103K miles (spent without the benefit of my own usual maintenance attentions). Can’t complain too much. I’ll sell it for a profit, I’m sure.
One of the best values (if not rusted) of all the sports cars. I have had 3 Spiders and enjoyed the hell out of them. They are built for windy roads and Saturday and Sunday drives. If you are the least it mechanically inclined, they are easy to work on, excepting the SPICA injection. Someone, if the car checks out, is going to get a really good deal.
No SPICA mechanical injection to worry about here; these got Bosch L-Jetronic FI from ’82-89. That system and all its components are pretty much the same for every model that used it, so parts aren’t that hard to find, and any shop familiar with ’80s Euro marques should be able to troubleshoot any issues with it. It’s also pretty simple and not that hard to DIY, with many good troubleshooting guides available online.
True as long as you are aware that the O2 sensor circuitry runs through the drive and tachio-something relays for the fuel pumps. If the O2 sensor goes bad, you think the fuel relays and pumps are at fault. Don’t ask me how I know this…embarrassing for sure, but it did lead me to redoing the entire interior :-))).
Nice car, wont last long I’m sure.
looks like a good start
I love the dash [especially the instrument cluster] on these.