Ready to buy

[rocky]

I joined this forum a few months ago and was just beginning to look for a Spider. I've owned Spiders in the past (a '76, black with red interior). Now I have found one that I can buy. Mechanically it is really sound; top end rebuilt a few months ago, new bushings for the front suspension, new tires and recent tune-up. It also passed California smog about five months ago. The body is straight but the paint is, at best, so-so. On the up side there is no rust.The interior is a little rough but intact and the top has some unraveled stitching. The bumpers are some custom job that isn't too bad (would it be better to get original bumpers?). All this for $1800. I've been involved with Alfas for quite some time and know a little of what to look for in a car. I currently own a 1974 AR GTV. I've been itching to get a convertible and really love the Fiat look. Pricing in my area is really all over the place. What is a fair price for a good running but cosmetically challenged Spider these days? By the way, thanks for all the postings on what to look for when buying a Spider. It really helped a lot. Thanks again.

Greg
1974 Alfa Romeo GTV
Currently no Fiat but looking

[rlux4]

Yo Rocky! $1800 doesn't sound bad at all for what you described. No matter what kind of shape our cars are in, seems like there's always something more we want to do with them anyway, so having a few cosmetic issues ain't no thing but a chicken wing.
Could be a good rub out will even bring the paint back.
Be sure to post pics for us if you get it, or any other for that matter.
Ron

[narfire]

I'll second that motion. $1800 sounds great compared to what some up here want for a fiat that might be considered a parts car.$1800 for one that is drivable out of the gate.. good deal if no real rust issues.
Lots of info from the members here for any questions one might have.
74 GTV eh... love those cars,great lines. Wonder if I'll ever own one.
Chris

[rocky]

Thanks for the advice. I'm really leaning towards getting it. It drives fine and sounds really nice. Of course, not as nice as the GTV but that can be fixed . I'm not as concerned about the cosmetics (you should have seen the GTV when I bought it. There were twelve coats of lacquer on it and it was cracking off in chunks). I survived that and I can survive a bad paint job. It was originally yellow and now a red burgundy. I'm not thrilled with the luggage rack, so if I do buy it the rack will come off if and when I paint. And the best part is, my wife doesn't mind. Thanks.

Greg

[rocky]

Well, I bought the Spider. Drove it home with the top down, of course. There are a few things I need to sort out. Change oil, check the driveline guibos, change the timing belt, those sort of things. It shifts well with no grinding. The clutch feels pretty good and the engine runs smooth and it passed CA smog. All in all, a pretty decent buy. I will post pics tomorrow, I hope. Thanks for all of your advice on the board.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[rocky]

Here are a few pictures of the Spider.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[rlux4]

Congratulations Rocky, the car looks great. And it's red, how unique. The PO took some weight off with those modified bumpers, are you leaving it like that or do you have different plans? And what part of California are you in?
Ron

[rocky]

Thanks, I know, the color is pretty creative. I'm thinking about putting the issue bumpers back on. What do you think? How difficult would it be to put early bumbers on, if I can source them? Or should I just take the bumpers off? I'm in Oakland and there is an active Alfa community here in the greater Bay Area. I know there are several Fiats running around, lots of X1/9s. I really would like to meet other folks who live in the area who are on the board. I did give it a pretty good exam when I bought it, but there are things I really need to do before I take it on a long cruise. Oh, I also ordered a Michigan Shorter Shifter from Midwest 124. I have read so much about this and had to have one. You think Mike would be able to fabricate one for Alfas? That would be so cool. Thanks again. This should be fun. And did I mention, my wife doesn't mind me getting this car.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[rlux4]

There's a great group up there, BARF (Bay area running of the Fiats) who do some serious touring, you should look them up.
I'll let others comment on the bumpers, the general concensus seems to be disdain for the tube bumpers, but I don't mind the look and am leaving my car as original as possible.
Ron

[rocky]

Ron,

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely look up BARF (great name). I still don't know which way I want to go with the bumpers. The custom bars on it now don't seem too awful. I'll see what happens when I decide to paint. Thanks again.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[rocky]

I went through the a lot of the electrics over the weekend and everything works well. I still have to check the dash lights. I managed to clean off a lot of the grounds to make sure all are tight. I will be cleaning all the contacts in the fuse box as well this weekend. I also got the Michigan Shorter Shifter from Mike Bouse in last week. Easy installation, only because someone had stolen the shift lever. Topped the shifter off with a 1-7/8" ivory ball shift knob from Flameballs. Love the ease and quickness in the shifts. I will also paint the floor pans and the spare tire well with POR 15 as there is a little surface rust. You learn a lot about rust when you own an Alfa. Other than mostly cosmetic things, its been a great runner. This engine has a lot more power than I had originally thought. The car also has a rear sway bar and aftermarket springs installed. The stance doesn't seem any lower but does seem stiffer than what I remembered from the past. I think this car may have been used in autocross in another life. I'm sure much more to come as I go through all the systems on the car. I'm sure this will be as much fun to drive as my Alfa, maybe more.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[pope]

I am sure you know this, but disconnect the battery before you clean the fuse box contacts, unless you like curly hair!

[rocky]

I wish I had enough hair left to get curly . I definitely will do that, thanks. The deeper I get into this car, the more surprised I am with its overall good condition. Nothing major, it seems, needs to be sorted out. I count myself as very fortunate that I was able to get a good, solid car at the price. A lot of cars were better cosmetically but none really better mechanically, at a much higher price. As it stands, it is presentable.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV