Two Alfa Spiders for one low price. One White. One, a rather rare color called Celeste Chiaro — a light, minty green. It was part of the reason I picked this advert from the tip list actually. Of course, it was sleuthed by our very own General(tip)issimo, T.J., who managed to find this troubling twosome on craigslist in Tavares, Florida. Yes they’re a disaster. Yes, they’re gonna need a TON of work. And never mind they’re the less-desirable rubber bumper Series 2. Just look at them, in all their Italian glory. These cars were new once. And someone was besotted with their lines, their performance, their spirit. So much so, in fact, that they sat in a dealership, talked to a sales guy, dealt with the finance office, and plunked down good money to drive one home. Isn’t that enough of a reason to negotiate hard in order to give two abused strays a new home and a new life? (Cue the Sarah McLachlan appeal!)

Underhood is the tried and true twin cam, 8-valve, 2L four-cylinder powerplant. I personally think this engine remains one of the prettiest, certainly from the era and in the price range, but especially when unfettered by smog and/or Bosch L-jetronic plumbing. The converted dual Weber-equipped engine is pictured here; it’s from the white Spider. Of the two engines, it’s also the one in this pile of Alfa love that runs. Maybe. So here’s the strategy: the mint green car gets the Weber-converted engine. Basta. Punto. (Plus, those trumpets — bellissimo!)

Pictures from inside our Alfas are noticeably absent in the ad. Probably for good reason. Right from the get-go, you know that your refurbishment project is going to rely heavily on our friends from Centerline or Classic Alfa if you’re looking to return the car back to something resembling factory. On the other hand, it’s possible to opt for a simple approach. Leave it honest. Leave it exposed. Maybe install some fresh BF Torinos, some reproduction mats, and just hit the road. It’ll be louder, but it’ll be lighter, too. And if you’re just looking to bomb around in a droptop, untouched is the new mantra for classics anyway.

I know what you’re thinking: “Why bother?” But that’s the wrong question. The right question is: “For the right price, could I save at least one of the two for posterity?” No one knows what the future holds. The push to rid this world of fossil-fuel-powered cars continues with haste and, seemingly, without any opposition. The powers-that-be want to see these cars gone, and many other similar cars on craigslist and in classified ads across the nation. They want you to turn your back and walk away from cars teetering on the brink of extinction. So instead, see our two Alfas — whitey and minty — as an act of defiance, a Braveheart-style last stand against a world going electric and also gone mad.