If you’ve always dreamed of owning an Italian sports car, but just can’t justify spending crazy money on a Ferrari, Lamborghini or Maserati, you really should take a look at Steven S’s Alfa Romeo Spider! It’s been parked for the past couple years and has the typical issues you expect to find with an Italian car of this vintage, but Steven is asking just $2,600 for and is throwing in a ton of spare parts! While it won’t give you the kind of performance of a more expensive Italian car, it’s hard to find something more fun for the money. Please use the form below to message him if you’d like to give this car and all the spares a new home.
From Steven – Nice 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider project. A great little car that has been sitting in my garage for almost 2 years. Wife says it must go so she can have her space back. The car is very solid. The floor pans are solid. There is a small area of rust that needs a patch in the spare tire well in the trunk, and there is a small area of paint bubbles on the front passenger lower quarter panel. This is a SOLID car. It has some dings and scratches as is normal for a car this age and in storage.
The interior is nice and has newer carpets and door cards. It needs a new top. Mechanically the car was running up until about a month ago. It has no spark. What it boils down to is the 40 year old ignition system needs an upgrade. The Spider has a Marelli Plex installed at some point in its life and as good a system as that was it is worn out (a replacement electronic distributor is included with the sale, it’s just isn’t installed).
The car turns over strongly at this point. The car has a new battery and alternator (installed), and comes with a lot of spares including two torn down engine assemblies (blocks, heads, oil pans, cranks, pistons etc…) misc small parts (new speedo cable, exhaust hanger etc…), and some manuals and part references. This is a great project for someone with a bit of time to get it ready for next spring. Shipping is buyers responsibility. Bill of sale provided, Maine does not issue titles for cars over 25 years old.
While the title situation and the rust are both issues to be concerned about, this still seems like an amazing deal! The spare engines alone are worth quite a bit, add in a complete car and it’s a no brainer for anyone wanting to join the Alfa Club. So who here is ready to become an Alfisti? If so, be sure to message Steven via the form below. And if you have a classic that needs a new home, please consider listing it here on Barn Finds!
Asking Price: $2,600
Location: Gardiner, Maine
Mileage: 67,200
Title: Bill Of Sale
Always liked the look of an Alfa. Spirited good handling cars. For that money someone will score. Of course being not running and all that collection of parts could make one dubious.
Hmm…So you contacted the selling individual and received this excellent information. Are these cars similar in problems akin to the Fiat Spyder. My Brother owned a 1974 Fiat and it was plagued with cylinder head and coolant issues.
I actually have a 1974 Fiat 124 Spider and I haven’t had any issues with it. Of all the classics I’ve owned, it’s the only one that doesn’t leak fluids and never gives me headaches. The timing belt can be a bit of a pain to change and it has to be changed somewhat regularly to avoid any mechanical meltdowns, but overall it’s a great little car. I can only imagine that this Alfa’s engine would prove to be even more enjoyable. Now the rust could be an issue to be concerned about.
Any Alfa pre 1980 is an unbelievable experience. And an Alfa has much bigger nuts than the average driver. Unfortunately, if there are rust bubbles on the surface there are rust holes underneath. Be prepared.
Wish I was closer to Maine!!!! This would make a great winter project-then in spring have a sweet Alfa ride!!!!
Josh I have had two 124s and did not have any trouble with either one that wasn’t easily fixed. One of them went from L.A. to San Francisco twice with no issues. About 1400 miles both trips. Someone should buy this after a close inspection of the underside. And Josh is right in recommending the Alfa Owners
Club; they know where all the parts are, the members are great at sharing information, and you will not be alone with the car. Buy it.
Had a 1971 Alfa Spider back in 1972 and loved that car and the sound of the exhaust. The body looks pretty good. Have also had a few Fiat 124’s in my day but as far as handling goes, to me, the Alfa has them beat.
Too bad they ran out of places to install side moldings.
The only issue I ever had with my 124 coupe was with its upholstery, and with the way that the plastic made the interior smell. It would rust, if you let it, but if you kept up on the maintenance, it was a pretty solid little car.
I would have loved to have had an Alfa, but little things like eating regularly and keeping a daughter in school kept me driving “practical” (ne: boring) cars.
Hi everyone, I am the seller and will gladly answer any and all questions. I will also text or email any photos you may want or need. To answer a few things mentioned in the comments; the underside of the car is solid, except the area that needs a patch in the spare tire well as noted in the ad. Also the bubbles on the front lower passenger quarter panel are surface only and not rusted through. This is a very solid car. I have owned many of them over the past 25 years and have had my share of rusty hulks! This one is a worthy car. Someone noted the amount of spares, to answer that is I have 20 Alfa engines currently sitting in my garage and my hope was to build a couple of motors of varying performance levels for this particular car. My time however for this project is now at a premium with two kids and realistically I won’t get to it for a long time. Again I look forward to answering any and all questions.
Hi Steve.
I have sent a message in the box at bottom of BF excellent column which I believe was going straight to your inbox ?.
As backup I thought I would post this as well.
If the Alfa is still available let me know and I’ll buy it. Can be on a flight to U.S in a day or two and will pay which ever way you prefer, today if you want !.
Thanks Phil.
Keep up the good work you guys in Boise ID!!.