Here’s the engine bay. The seller doesn’t mention whether this Spider was born a veloce or not – and that makes a big difference in its value. A buyer can submit the chassis number and VIN to the Classic Alfa Registry and hope for an answer someday. That said, plenty of owners have recreated veloce specifications to the extent possible (a few of the characteristics are nuanced) or even upgraded to a 2.0-liter engine, with an eye to enjoying increased performance without regard to value. The 1570 cc veloce used high-performance pistons and twin Webers to generate 115 hp, while the “normale” made do with a lower compression ratio and a single Weber to manage about 95 hp. Both Giulias were equipped with Alfa’s four-speed manual (watch those synchros!).
The cabin is a mess! But the gauges, instrument panel, interior trim, e-brake, steering wheel, seats, top frame, and other parts are still present. The pedal box hints at the extent of the corrosion: when sheet metal has turned to sheet rust, it’s impressive.
The buyer will either dismantle this car for its parts or he will be replacing just about every curve and straightedge with new metal. (Sometimes I see a car like this and wonder how it was stored …) Is there enough here to save the car, or is its best use as a donor to more worthy candidates? And at what price? Scanning recent results shows that respectable examples in running condition but needing work sell in the $30k area; excellent cars change hands in the $60k area or higher. This 1600 engine is available on eBay for $4950, exclusive of shipping. Notching that cost on top of the asking price yields five figures before even a lick of work has started. I vote for paying less with an eye to breaking this car for parts – what do you think?
Clearly, the bottom of the barrel, on this here side of the water anyway. You wouldn’t know it, but these have become the Holy Grail for Alfa followers, and for good reason. They are awesome cars. I was lucky enough to experience one for myself. In the early 70s, my brother bought a ’63 like this, in pretty good shape, for,,,$500! AND,,,the guy “threw in” a very tired TR4, that ran. We sold the TR4 for $200, and for $300, quite a deal, no? Well, to be clear, it WAS the 70s, and there was very little interest in a car like this, the British had the roadster market cornered. The motor was a model of perfection, high revving, 5 speed, what a ride! These had a unique 3 shoe drum brakes, that was as good as a disc, and handled suberb. A Fiat it wasn’t. Then one day, #3 spark plug blew out, we took it apart, but must have had the cam timing off a bit upon reassembly, as it never ran the same, young punks had no business messing with an Alfa and he partially traded it for a ’58 100-6, with equally great results. It was the 70s,,,
It hurts me to say it, because I love all small roadsters… but thus is nothing but scrap metal.
Another Italian sports car being sold by Dennis Collins featured on this site within the last two days, the other being the 1959 Moretti. He probably came across a stash of parts/project cars. Are these so rare and desirable someone would actually try and restore this mess? Is $6,500 a realistic price for this rusty hulk?
Steve R