When the asking price of a car is $8,900, but the title of the ad selling it is “Will Consider Reasonable Offers,” what do you think that car will go for? Mitchell G presents us with this fine tip and thus kicks off the speculation. The car in question? A 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider (convertible), featured here on craigslist and residing in what is labelled only “Central New Jersey.”
It’s red, likely recently repainted by the looks of it, and is said to run great. Is that a sentence you hear about Alfas all that often? My friend Steve, who has been nursing a similar car back to health for what seems like years, would probably caution you to add the words “right now” to that description, because, well, you just never know. Other tidbits gleaned from the eight images associated with this ad: the engine is as-driven, and the interior shows a generally clean but not terribly clean car. This suggests either that this one has been used and loved, or that someone’s just tired of fiddling with it, even to the point of not bothering to give it a decent home detailing before photographing it for sale. The ad does say that the car “runs great,” with no indication of what’s been done or needs to be done. It also indicates that the seller prefers phone calls, so if you’ve had a hankering for an Alfa, maybe get on the blower with a list of questions and see what you can find out.
There’s not a lot to go on in the narrative of this ad. The seller does qualify the “will consider” claim by saying “will consider REASONABLE offer, possibly” (Will you or won’t you?) and indicates that there is a title available. Could this thus be your dream car? It’s part of Series 2 production of a total of four series stretching from 1966-1993. The first series included the car Dustin Hoffman drove on The Graduate, which came out in 1967. A later series had a “The Graduate” edition (1985-90) which was a stripped-down model, perhaps suitable for a recent college grad. Another notable model in this line was the 1978 Niki Lauda Special Edition, debuted at the Long Beach Grand Prix by Lauda himself.
Aren’t people who love these cars called “Alfisti” or something like that? Sounds vaguely Sopranos, which is also a New Jersey thing, I believe. Well, for under ten grand, perhaps well under, you can join that club. Just do your homework as to the true condition of this ride, or prepare for a lot of tinkering.
There is a 1991 version sitting in my neck of the woods for $6000.
Can you please provide contact info for the car in “your neck of the woods” thank you, Henry
I’ve a 1978 Alfa, near perfect condition, interested, contact me by text. 918-625-2705.
Looks good value for money but you need to inspect any cheap Alfa in person and carefully.
Write up is negative. If you know what to do and expect with these cars, they are great. All parts available and cheap. At this price, even if car has terminal rust, selling its parts should get you above water.
These are fun little cars. The issues are usually related to the SPICA mechanical fuel injection system. When tuned correctly they are very reliable. And fun. Did i mention fun?
Maybe an estate sale? The map shows location at a cemetery.
A very negative write up by someone who doesn’t understand that this Alfa is Pininfarina’s most successful design, and that the 1973 model still has metal bumpers, so it’s quite desirable
Alfa’s are solid cars, and reliable, especially later fuel Bosch fuel injected models.
Will need to closely examine for rust. Rear panel should be body color not black. Also rockers should be body color not black which indicates rust repair. Any one who would paint them black instead of body color indicates amateur repair. Maybe lots of Bondo?