These old Alfa Romeos aren’t the most desirable variants around (sorry, the covered headlight models with slim bumpers are where it’s at), but this one here on eBay looks like a worthy project. It does have some rust and mechanical issues, but the fuel injection has been tossed in favor of carbs and the price is right – no reserve and bidding at just over a grand.
So, I am not an expert of which carbs are the best carbs. But there’s enough Internet chatter out there to lend some credence to why the seller hyped up this Alfa’s twin Del’Ortos 40mm carbs. Again, you can find arguments all day long about Webers versus Del’Ortos, but the Alfa guys do seem to like the latter. A broken clutch pivot pin is what has sidelined this project ’76.
The interior – well, it’s not so great. The seats are torn up and the dash is cracked. I think the aftermarket hard top is pretty sweet (and doesn’t look half bad) but it unfortunately covers a tattered top that will need replacement. There are a few spots of rust, and the seller points of one of the jack points as a source of trouble. It also looks like the spare tire well is in need of patching, but I can’t see any daylight through the floor quite yet.
The hard top appears to have a grid for defrosting, but I doubt it’s hooked up to anything electrical in the cabin. I could be wrong – maybe they were wired from the factory for a possible hardtop installation and it’s an easy upgrade. This Alfa was originally silver and is in need of a repaint, so I would happily bring this one back to OEM condition, but maybe find some big sway bars and lower, firmer suspension to up the entertainment factor. What would you do with it?
SBC? J/K…how about a subtle resto mod? Updated suspension with a turbo tucked alongside the Alfa motor? Watch the kids with “fart canned” Hondas drop their jaws…
Oh my carb discussion again. Webs vs dells, really not a big difference I have used both without issue and don’t really have a preference.
The car is right on the tipping point between being a parts car and a restoration project. I am a sick individual and would save it. First thing to go after is the rust, make sure you stop it or at least slow it down. Get all those leaves out of it. Next dump the bumpers and convert it to 71-74 specs, a little expensive but the weight savings and aesthetics makes it worth it. Then work out the drive train and suspension and finally the interior.
What will it cost you to do this. Even if you do all the work yourself, you are looking at 10 k easy and probably closer to 15. It only makes sense if you enjoy it. But in the end it will be “your” car. You will know every foible and weakness of the car, when you hear a noise, creak or groan you will know what it is and weather it is important or not. To me this looks like a good project, but top price that I would pay for it in this state is about 1200.00
Kevin Harper
I don’t care how bad the seats look /they cant be any uglier then them seat covers
When ever I see cars like this, I always think of the movie “The Graduate”. ( do you need some gas, father?) Maybe an Alfa collector may want it, but I wouldn’t touch an Alfa with a 10 foot pole, even in good condition.
Howard, your last statement is typical of someone who has never owned or driven in one. It’s your opinion and I can respect that. I owned 9 Alfas, spiders and sedans, mostly 105/115 models. The reliability of these cars is well known by the enthusiasts, even by those outside the Alfa circles. I drove a ’69 Spider from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Car was stored in the garage, warmed up every so often just to keep it in a running condition. An LOF, coolant flush and brake inspection was enough to allow that little jewel to make the 400+ mile journey, mostly after dark and in rain. The handling of these cars, especially in the canyons and the sounds of the Nord twin cam is amazing. Alas, the secret is out and the Alfa prices are at an upswing.
At its current bidding, this 1976 Series 2 is worth as much as the hardtop alone. The 76 is definitely NOT the most desireable year, at least here in California, as it’s subject to smog requirements which it will never pass with the dual carbs under the hood…
Kevin, There isn’t much of weight difference between the front chrome split bumpers and the federalized one on this car. The chrome ones were mostly installed for the aesthetics. A clean front and rear complete set will run you up to $1k used. Repros run $2k and up (need to double check that). I do agree on your estimates for restoration and current value. However, I’d rather find a ’71 1750 in Similar condition and pay $3k. After the same $15k investment you will have a car that will be worth significantly more money and more fun to drive.
Hi Tirefriar, that’s true, and I apologize. ( and I have driven Alfa’s) I know even though I don’t care for Italian cars, I’m sure many do. My brother had an Alfa Spider years ago, and it was a cool car ( until #3 spark plug blew out of the hole, and after we put it back together, it never ran the same, clearly, not the Alfa’s fault) Of all the Italian cars, Alfa was the coolest, and I had problems with every Fiat I ever came in contact with. ( plus, my old man wouldn’t let any German, Italian or Asian car in his driveway, WW2, you know) One thing I never liked, is Italian cars always had that weird steering wheel angle.
As long as you take care of your Alfa it will take care of you.
Comes the emission issue at least in Oregon which goes back to 1974. You could have problems getting it on the road because of emission laws in this state. I collected Alfas and raced Alfas in the early seventies and I think this would be a very satisfying car to drive down the Oregon coast on a nice spring day. I hope somebody saves it and get it back on the road
Depending on where you are in Oregon, you might be outside the deq zone. I am :-)
I’ve been seeing these Spiders for fair money again lately. Still some dreamers asking crazy money. I’d like mine with the Spica injection please.
On the rare occasion you get to hear someone hammering one of these it’s a reminder that they are something special.
I don’t need anymore sun exposure so I’m holding out for the right Berlina at a decent price.
Good luck on a Berlina. I had a pair of ’69s, first year for US market Berlinas. One went to San Francisco where it was promptly flipped. The other went to a local enthusiast who bought the one cosmetically rougher but with a much improved running gear. It’s now on the market for almost $10k. When I acquired my Berlinas back in 2014, $10k got you a very pretty example indeed. Part of the reason for the jump are Giulias that are $30k plus cars in very good condition. The sedans were better track cars due to the fixed roof
Forget about the carbs, main issue on this Alfas is rust.