For nearly 30 years, the Alfa Romeo Spider was the quintessential Italian convertible – beautiful, sporty, finicky, and classic. Since its debut in 1966, it has been loved and hated practically unlike any other design or brand. It would be hard however, as 2017 comes to an end, to not appreciate the Spider as an integral part of 20th century auto lore.
Few authentic aficionados can honestly say they have not lusted after the series 1 “Osso di seppia” (Italian for boat tail) – with its swooping, majestic, almost sensual rear. For those of us who were raised on Ford, Chevy, and GMC products of the era – the Alfa’s were the untouchable, high maintenance beauties we longed for, dreamed of, but dared not go after. It wasn’t until college – a time of new found freedom, of choices, and finding your true self did I even allow myself to consider the Spider. And it was a joyous, amazing, and liberating relationship (until it was too expensive to continue. It was books or brakes in my case).
This particular barn find, found here on eBay, is a long way away from the pristine 1974 Spider-Targa of my University days. This 1973 Series 2 example will be a “lavoro d’amore” from beginning to end. It’s a whole car for sure, but is a top to bottom restore with rust, missing grille, and lots of dings, dents, tears, and rips. I do love the Iniezione scroll badging (honoring the fuel injection provided by Italian manufacturer Società Pompe Iniezione Cassani & Affini).
Still, it’s not hard to envision the outcome of this project. An Italian beauty, as red as Debbie Harrys lipstick, its top down, the famous two-scoop dashboard starring back at you, it’s chest high stick shift, and nothing but the freedom of the open road in front of you!
Oh those extra few hundred bucks that made me buy the Fiat 124 Spyder instead of this beauty. Always regretted it. Apparently a well restored 124 can now fetch $50,000/ Not from me. But one of these 1760 Alfas would tempt me for sure.
+Kman – I’ve had 3 or 4 124’s. Loved them all! The pumpkin orange 2000 was the best. I gave it to my wife and she loved it, too. Never had more than passing interest in the Alfa.
My friend bought a wrecked Alfa to try to rehab – gave up, then gave in and bought a nearly perfect example for his wife. They said they loved it, but (this statement is going to sound out of left field) it has always looked too French for me (if I have to explain it, you wouldn’t understand).
I spy another money pit. It might as well be a boat. “A hole in the water”.
1981 trans am 301 motor ,automatic transmission 67480 original miles, kept in garage in orange county California for 20 years must see to appreciate . $16.000
@Tommy – Please don’t list cars for sale in the comments. Consider paying to get them listed on the site instead: https://barnfinds.com/sell/ Thanks!
Ok what is a spider “Targa”. I have been around Alfas for 35 years and never heard a spider called a “targa” usually it is just called a spider, sometimes a spiderveloce and occasionally a 105 spider. But I thought a targa was something with a top like an x1/9.
Oh this one is a little rough, and the Spica is going to cost you. 74 are good drivers that are lighter and livelier than later cars.
I do have a set of front bumpers that are in about the same shape as the rest of the car. Complete with the metal girder that attaches them to the car.
Actually, Osso di Seppia translates to “cuttlefish bone” in Italian.
lol!!!
Traded a ’67 Firebird 400 in on a new ’71 Fiat Spider after driving my brothers boat-tail alfa . The Fiat was great, ran it in SCCA showroom stock and held the lap record at SIR in showroom stock sports car. The Alfa is what turned me on to sports cars. I remember helping my bro prep the car for paint, we stripped it completely and wet sanded the snot out of it, turned out beautiful.
This example does not appear to be fuel injected and appears to have some sort of side draft setup on it.
Good eye, those are weber DCOE’s and are probably 40’s, on a Spica manifold. A common conversion back in the day.
On my Fiat, I updated the carbs with the european factory setup, twin weber 40 IDF downdrafts.
“…chest high stick shift…” Love it!
Have had a few of these Fiat Spiders, easy to work on and plenty of parts availability.
Very basic, a great starter car before moving up.
I do miss my 89 Mazda RX7 convertible, though…..
I guess I’m one of the “few” then. I’ve always felt that the Duetto was related to the Superflow III in the same way that the 190SL was to the 300SL, or the Mustang II was to the early ’70’s “tank” Mustangs – a smaller, wimpier copy. The upright windshield and narrow track didn’t help. I thought the Kamm tail version was an improvement, especially in European form. I had one in France – blue, headlight covers, no side marker lights, and on mine Melber Major wheels that filled out the wheelwells, almost exactly like this UK registered one.
And one more – this Duetto is NOT wimpy! BTW, how did this turn into a Fiat spider thread?
Ended: Dec 04, 2017 , 9:00PM
Winning bid:US $1,432.00
[ 14 bids ]