For a classic car enthusiast, there can be no sadder sight than that of a once beautiful classic left to fend for itself in a junkyard. That has been the fate of this 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider. Barn Finder Rod F spotted this once beautiful little Italian thoroughbred for us, so thank you for that Rod. In spite of its advanced state of decay, there has been some interest shown in the little Alfa, and bidding has reached $890. Located in Columbia, South Carolina, you will find it listed for sale here on eBay.
Okay, so this is an Alfa Romeo that has been left out in the elements for a number of decades. Therefore, rust is a major issue with the Spider. It would be far easier to list the parts of the car that aren’t rusty because this car isn’t good. I agree with the seller that it probably isn’t a viable restoration project, but there is some potential for it becoming a parts car. While the windshield is long gone, the door glass is still present in both doors, and it looks like it is actually in good condition.
The interior of the Alfa is essentially non-existent. The seats and door trim are gone. It’s a shame that someone didn’t pull the gauges on the car and put them somewhere safe, as the ongoing exposure to the elements will have done a lot of damage, and I doubt that they could be restored. There are a few minor interior trim pieces that are present and could be restored, but not many.
This may be where the value lies in the Spider. As you can see, there are a number of external trim pieces that were able to be salvaged. Some of them will need a trip to the plater, but quite a few of the pieces look to be quite good. The engine and transmission are also gone, but the original radiator is still with the car. Also present is all of the suspension and steering, so these may be able to be restored for a Giulietta project car.
I wander through life as an optimist, but I am also a realist. I would be very surprised if anyone was game to take this Giulietta Spider on as a project, but stranger things have happened in life. It has so many strikes against it, from the missing engine and transmission, through to the advanced rust, and the fact that it is being sold without a title. There just seems to be too many strikes against it, but I can see enough there to justify it as a parts car for the right person.
Criminal neglect.
If it were a veloce the firewall with the stamped in “F” prefix VIN is worthy of saving along with the dual Webers.
‘Tis only surface rust.
Gone.
I would have to have a bespoke body made. Something that would be period correct, but also something that was never seen before. Disco Volante rings a bell. Or Batwing era. Or Ferrari racecar styling. Right now the price is cheap enough to take on a project like this. Better yet, if you knew how to build a buck, and use a English wheel. Your ahead of the game. I would trash the body, and use it for structural copies to be reproduced. It could turn out awesome.
Ah, life in the junkyard. If you look at photos 17 & 18 in the Ebay ad you will see another rotting roadster. To bad.
This is deja-vu all over again. As a young/stupid kid in 1969 I bought a 59 Alfa Spider from a local junk yard in not much better shape. The engine was in pieces in the trunk. What I didn’t know was missing the camshaft guides that held the cam on the head would lead to a long fruitless search for replacements. Had to buy a head from some HP outfit down south. I stripped it of every extraneous part, nut and bolt and build an autocross car from it. Rattle can flat black paint and sheet metal patches on the rusted out floors. It went like heck, but the lack of decent tires (no money) made it a handful to drive. Good times :)
ebay says SOLD for $1050. Ok then.
sad ;-(