1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel

February 24, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

Mention Alfa Romeo and turbodiesel next to each other and you could be forgiven for thinking this was an odd marriage. Or a marriage that never even existed at all. Before their recent JTD models, Alfa dabbled with oil burners back in the 1980s with their large saloon, the Alfa 6. Not sold in the US market, this sedan was based on a stretched Alfetta platform and offered a VM built five cylinder turbodiesel engine. It wasn’t a barnstormer, but brought Alfa into the game at a time when ever increasing petrol prices were putting the squeeze on European consumers. Want to have something no one else does stateside? Here’s your chance to buy a real uncommon piece.

Year: 1985
Model: 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel
Engine: 2.5 liter turbocharged inline-5 diesel
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 105,215 (?) km (~ 65,377 mi)
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 Turbo Diesel

This is a 1985 model. eBay will not accept a European VIN for anything newer than 1980.

I love and collect cars; mainly Mercedes Benz and Audis, but I always had a weak spot for unique Alfa Romeos. The Alfa Sei (6) was Alfa Romeo's flagship luxury car, built between 1979 and 1985. Until 1982 only with a carburated 2.5 liter V6 and from 1983 until 1985 as the face-lifted 2nd series with a carburated 2.0 or fuel-injected 2.5 liter V6. Additionally Alfa Romeo built 2730 Alfa 6s with the VM Inline 5 cylinder Turbodiesel with 107 hp and 205 Nm torque @ 2400 rpm. They only came equipped with a 5 speed transmission. Mine has VIN 3699. After that only 31 more TDs were built plus a couple of limited editions with the light blue leather interior.

Alfa Romeo had a few 1979 models certified for the USA, but gave up the plan of importing them. Only very few Alfa 6s were privately imported and as far as I know there is no other Turbodiesel in the country. I had my eye on an Alfa 6 for many years and finally in 2005 while vacationing in Germany I saw this one advertised in Rome, Italy. I had to act fast and with the help of my German friend we had it shipped up to his shop in Southern Germany. It stayed there for a couple of years, received a complete maintenance with new tires and a couple of panels had to be painted because the paint had faded.

Eventually it was shipped to the USA and titled on a collector plate in Washington State. Since it is a Diesel and smog exempt in most, if not all states, it can even be registered in California. Odometer has only 5 digits and shows 05215 kilometers. Judging from the condition and tightness of the car it could be 105215 kilometers. That's also what the previous Italian owner told us. I do not have any paperwork to proof it.

The mostly original paint is still very shiny with a few touched up areas mainly on the trunk. Living most of its life in Rome, Italy it has a few small dings and the rear bumper is pushed in a bit. The interior is very clean without rips or stains. There is very little surface rust forming on a inside rocker panel and around the rear window which is visible on two of the pictures. It has not gotten any worse since 2005 even though the car was sitting outside in Germany. There is absolutely no rust underneath the car.

Even after sitting for a few weeks the car starts effortlessly on the first try. The transmission shifts without any grinding and the clutch is firm and not slipping. The brakes are good without any pulsating. Tires have approx. 4.000 kilometers. The car has a very firm and stable ride and can easily keep up with the 85 mph traffic on LA's freeways.

All lights and instruments work fine. Even the clock shows the proper time. It takes the tachometer a few minutes of driving before it starts working. The two front power windows work fine, the left rear is very slow and I never could get the right rear to work. The power antenna goes up and down properly but the old stereo does not want to play anymore.

The A/C was charged with R12 4 years ago and still blows ice cold, but because the cabin fan quit, cold air only comes in while the car is driving and the vents are open. I will include a spare fan and that should solve this problem. We took the car to the Concorso Italiano in Monterey in 2010 and had a blast driving it up there. The fuel mileage was about 33mpg. We did not have any problems with the car on this and many more trips.

Lots of people looked at our car and very seasoned Alfisti told us that they never saw one before. Even the Alfa Romeo museum in Arese does not have a Turbodiesel in their collection. Parts can be found in Europe, mainly in Italy. The VM engine was also used in Jeeps, Landrovers and Chrysler Minivans in Europe. I will include a repair manual in German. The car has a clean transferable WA title and a WA collector plate.

Since it is a 29 year old car there is no warranty expressed or implied. I will gladly help with shipping within the USA or overseas.

Even in Europe, the 6 is a rare Alfa. I've never seen one on my travels there. Most buyers of the marque tend to lean towards the sportier offerings and bypass the luxury sedans, especially one with a diesel engine. But, imagine the looks at the next Alfa meet when you turn up in this thing. If the Peugeot 505 or Saab 9000 seem a bit too common, your car has arrived.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio as seen in “The Wolf of Wall Street”

February 18, 2014 Graham 10 Comments

What is the price of celebrity? Always an interesting question when it comes to collector vehicles. By now we’ve either seen or read the reviews of “The Wolf of Wall Street,” a take by famed director Martin Scorsese on the fast times of the world of high finance in the 1980s. If you were watching closely, you might have spotted a classic sports car from the 1980s make an appearance in the opening scenes. While the easy choice might have been a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-Benz SL, the director decided to go for a more Mediterranean choice in this, the Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio. This particular Series 3 Spider is a two owner car with just over 80,000 miles on the clock.

Year: 1987
Model: Spider Quadrifoglio
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 80,400 mi
Price: $39,999 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1987 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifolgio

"This is the land of Opportunity..."

You now have the ability to own, what is now without a doubt - - The Most Visible Alfa Romeo In The World. This Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce Quadrifoglio was filmed by one of the greatest motion picture Directors of our time, Martin Scorsese, for the Worldwide Smash Hit movie THE WOLF OF WALL STREET. This special, one-of-a-kind and near-mint Pininfarina Quadrifoglio appears not only in the Movie - - but also in the award-winning and massively popular TWOWS/Kanye West Promotional Trailer; appeared in the second biggest televised Awards show (The Golden Globes); appears in other Entertainment and News television shows such as Entertainment Tonight and CNN; and is visible on a daily/worldwide basis via mass media websites covering this hit film (NBC, CNN, Los Angeles Times, Access Hollywood, The Hollywood Reporter, The Huffington Post, Barron's, The Guardian, Daily Mail, etc., etc., etc.).

Scorsese uses this Alfa Romeo as an automotive icon feature shot representing 1987 Wall Street while filming him in scenes featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Jon Bernthal. In the award-winning and now world famous Kanye West/TWOWS movie trailer, Scorsese and Paramount use this Alfa as the main visual under Leonardo DiCaprio's debut character voice-over: "My name is Jordan Belfort." During last month's Golden Globes Awards telecast on NBC, this Alfa was featured as the "very first scene" in the nominated Best Picture video presented by Jonah Hill to a televised audience of 22 million US viewers (250 million viewers worldwide). Over the past few weeks, this Alfa was seen on the CNN show Piers Morgan Live featuring a one hour interview with Leonardo DiCaprio's character, the controversial Jordan Belfort. And the behind-the-scenes video of the actual filming of the Alfa Quad/Leonardo DiCaprio movie scene was shown in the Los Angeles Times.

The Wolf of Wall Street is currently playing at over 6,000 movie theaters worldwide and is now Martin Scorsese's biggest grossing film ever @ well over $300 Million Worldwide Box Office. The Wolf of Wall Street is nominated for 5 Oscars, including Best Picture. And now this vintage Alfa Romeo is simply like No Other in the world.

Through visiblity in the hit movie; pre-release trailers/continuing high-visiblity marketing; and the worldwide internet media coverage; this Alfa Romeo has garnered at least 500 MILLION visible impressions worldwide - - and still counting (all numbers are completely quantifiable).

This Quadrifoglio was filmed in Fall, 2012 in scenes featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill at locations on Wall Street, Westchester NY and Northern New Jersey. It is one of only 4 "exotic/collector cars" featured in the movie.

THE WOLF OF WALL STREET is nominated for FIVE Academy Awards, including: Best Picture, Best Director (Scorsese), Best Actor (Leonardo DiCaprio), and Best Supporting Actor (Jonah Hill). This is your opportunity to own a continuing classic, one-of-a-kind Italian "Divo" collectible.

2nd Owner has pampered and babied this New York City-based "Rock Star" since 2000. Serviced by the finest Alfa heritage service centers in NY, it runs flawlessly and turns more heads/draws more attention here than any car on the road - - bar none. Not a day goes by when he doesn't receive smiles, accolades, compliments and cell phone/Instagram photos taken by the general public -- even while cruising on the highway!

Current vehicle condition: Mechanicals/Electrical's/Fuel Inj. all 100%. Interior, seats, carpets, instruments: all 100%. Engine and Clutch rebuilt within past 3 years. 5 year old Pirelli's in great shape. A/C is cold! Soft top fabric is dark black and still great, however rear window has some scuffs. Leather Boot is fine, however needs hardware refastening to leather (best done when soft top is eventually replaced). Factory hardtop has small corner crack from prior owner (see pix). Passenger side exterior "runner" has a 3" dia factory convex bump out (classic Alfa sheet metal issue, see pix). Front emblem is 1/4 dented "in" (Owner will try to fix prior to sale, see pix). Small, old windshield crack (3/8" in center" from first owner, not noticable). Original Radio works/Cassette doesn't. Invisible rear crack in teflon gearshift handle (Owner will try to fix prior to sale). Windshield washer motor is down (Owner will try to fix prior to sale). Passenger side door lock cylinder is broken (Owner will try to fix prior to sale). "Trying to Fix" means "if parts are immediately available" (these are all minor, relatively inexpensive repairs/parts fortunately). Basically, 99% of the car is mint....the above 1% are simple fixes, general wear-and-tear stuff for New York City year 'round, garaged cars.

Winning bidder to handle and pay for all transportation and insurance requirements (for domestic or international delivery points). Owner will require 10-14 days post-auction to prep and detail car for final transport to winning bidder. Balance of payment due at time of final shipping/transport. Feel free to email with any questions.

(attached photos include: movie set photos, movie validation/certified paperwork, media captures, the personalized Clio/Grand Key Art Award awarded to the first movie trailer; interior condition and exterior beauty shots. Note: all media captures are taken directly from the trailers and live broadcasts appearing on that media outlets coverage (NBC News, The Hollywood Reporter, Access Hollywood, Entertainment Tonight, The Golden Globes Awards telecast, and multiple International media outlets).

If this were any normal Series 3 Spider, we’d be looking at a $10,000 to $15,000 car here, given the condition. Is star power worth more than double in this case, then? That’s debatable, given this isn’t the first time this car has appeared in an online auction. It certainly would be interesting to see where this would go with no reserve. Given this car appeared in a movie regarding the investment world, maybe it's worth taking a risk over the normal value for a slice of movie history?

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

February 16, 2014 Graham 3 Comments

After featuring an Alfa Romeo Milano Verde earlier in the month, it got me thinking. Will we ever see a midsize sedan so blatantly focused on performance over practicality ever again? Even the current Alfa Romeo lineup pales in comparison to the excitement offered a few decades back. So, why wait? Go out and grab a Milano Verde like this well sorted example for sale in North Carolina with 75k miles on its original engine.

Year: 1987
Model: Milano Verde
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 133,750 mi
Price: $7,500 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1987 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde

I bought this car 5 years ago because it was identical to one I had 25 years ago, the best family sedan I've ever owned. The original owner installed many sensible performance mods: Pandora computer box, sport springs & tuned suspension that make it a joy to drive. Extras include Momo steering wheel, K&N filter, Zender wheels, tinted windows, carbon fiber shifter knob, custom exhaust with a mellow bellow to kill for, awesome stereo. There are 133k miles on the chassis, 75K on motor - the original owner installed a 3.5 L motor and ran it like that for ~60k miles, then re-installed the original motor. Nearly new Yokohama S 205/50-15 tires.

The car is kept in a heated garage and driven vigorously every couple of weeks, as every Alfa should be. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it across the country. I now regretfully need to pare down the Alfa stable to make room for a new acquisition. If you're looking for a great Verde to drive or just admire, you'll be hard put to find a better one for the money.

These Alfa Romeo Milanos are cars certainly worth saving. Sure, like all Alfas they take a bit of fettling at times to get right, as our friends over at BlythBros. have chronicled. However, get them sorted, and what a rewarding drive they are. They offer a level of involvement and tactile pleasure that seems impossible to replicate these days.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

One-owner 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

February 15, 2014 Graham

It's always nice to dream. Of warm weather, that is. With most of the 50 US states experiencing some sort of cold weather or snow event, looking at a car like this Series 3 Alfa Romeo Spider has me itching for spring to get here. This is a one-owner Spider with just under 75,000 miles on the clock. It has spent its whole life in California and looks positively beachy in Light Aqua.

Year: 1984
Model: Spider
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 74,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1984 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

1984 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

The car presented here is a very special Vehicle, being a fully original, one-owner, extremely low-mileage (74,000!!) Southern California Alfa. As pampered as they come, it's truly a dream come true for the serious Alfa connoisseur!

This is a one owner 1984 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, excellent condition with only 74,000 miles! The car comes equipped with manual transmission and original owners manual with most service records available. The color combination on this car is beautiful, a real head turner! Superbly finished in a unique Light Aqua Metallic over Navy Blue color interior. Car has been very well taken care of and is a great driver.

This 1984 Spider Veloce is a classic Italian drop-top that is in incredible condition throughout. This Spider features a number of desirable features like an exotic wood-grained steering wheel and exotic wood-grained shift knob, great dash with the separate speedometer and tachometer in hooded binnacles (before they went to the modern combination cluster), Navy Blue upholstery in great shape, black original Alfa-style floor mats and even a blue original convertible cover to match the interior when the black soft top is down! Under the hood is a smooth 2.0L I4 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The sporty Pininfarina-designed body is expertly finished and virtually free of flaws, set off by 14 Ferrari 308-style wheels that are wrapped with Michelin tires. The original owner's manual is included with this Alfa, as well as a binder containing most service records and additional service work completed. For entertainment, there is AM/FM stereo cassette deck. This Spider Veloce drives as good as it looks and you're sure to grab attention with it wherever you go! Vehicle is a Southern California car with no rust. The car has been recently serviced and it is very healthy mechanically. It runs and drives great!

Please feel free to contact me, I have a lot more pictures of the interior, exterior of the car + additional vehicle information.
858 733-1030 or Email

The Series 3 wasn't the most desirable of the Spider lot, but such an original, low mileage example like this will bring strong money. This car has a reserve, and if I had to estimate, it's probably somewhere in the $12,000 to $15,000 territory. There are cheaper Spiders out there that could feasibly be used on a regular basis, but for those seeking the best, this particular car would be a good place to start.

-Paul

Maserati

Mid-Engined Maseratis: 1977 Maserati Bora & Merak SS

February 6, 2014 Graham 1 Comment

Maserati is one of those companies that came back from the brink. Several times. Through multiple owners the marque somehow bumbled its way throughout the 20th century, eventually being absorbed by Fiat, where it is currently enjoying a renaissance. At the end of the 1970s, however, the situation was bleak. Maserati's owner, Citroën, went into receivership in 1975. The new controlling group, PSA Peugeot Citroën declared this applied to Maserati as well. After ownership was transferred to an Italian government and eventually, Alejandro de Tomaso, they were forced to lumber along with the same products until de Tomaso geared up production of the Quattroporte III, Kyalami (based on the De Tomaso Longchamp) and the Biturbo.

The last holdovers from the Citroën era are the two vehicles we see here, the Bora and Merak. These were limited production sports cars that, while pretty, couldn't secure the future of the company. The first car we'll take a look at is the Bora. This car's V8 engine could trace its lineage back to the 450S race car, with four cams, 16 valves and hemispherical combustion chambers. Just over 500 Boras were built, with an almost equal number distributed between the 4.7 and 4.9 liter models. This 4.9 for sale in Miami is a low mileage barn find and was sold new in Florida.

Year: 1977
Model: Bora
Engine: 4.9 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 806 mi
Price: $169,900 Buy It Now

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Maserati Bora

1977 Maserati Bora

True barn find - 806 original miles

One of only 275 Bora 4.9L produced between 1974 and 1978 for the world. This 1977 Maserati Bora, sold new to its one and only owner by the authorized Maserati dealer of South Florida "Steering Wheel, Inc." Driven just 806 documented miles then stored until now. Finished Bleu Sera with Bianca leather interior.

Chromed parts installed by selling dealership when new. Recent oil and fluids changed as well as fresh gasoline. Here is your chance to own a part of Italian sports car history. A must have by any serious Italian sports car collector. Sure to appreciate!

TRADES ACCEPTED

NON SMOKER

If you have any questions about this or any of my other cars please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your interest and I look forward to hearing from you.

305-949-4100
steven@kesslermotorcars.com

Bora values languished for a while, but in the last couple of years have shot up. These cars represented everything great about Maserati, from eye-catching good looks to a sonorous, race bred engine. It seems that collectors have finally taken notice. The seller is asking all the money for this one. Given the interesting history and very low mileage, I'm not surprised.

The next Maserati we'll take a look at is this 1977 Merak SS, which is sometimes described as the junior version of the Bora. The Merak is two cylinders down on the Bora, sharing its engine with the Citroën SM. The smaller engined allowed for limited rear seating, best for either children or small luggage. This car would compete with the Lamborghini Urraco and Ferrari 308GT4 as a sort of entry-level super car. This Merak SS is also for sale in Florida, a little further north of the Bora, situated in Orlando.

Year: 1977
Model: Merak SS
Engine: 3.0 liter V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 14,152 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Maserati Merak SS

This a 1977 Maserati Merak SS, a very unique car. It has a great color combination, orange exterior with black leather interiors. The car has A/C, radio cassette, power windows (are not working), and tilt wheel. It also has a 5 speed transmission. This car has a V6 engine with 3 carburetors. The mileage is only 14,152 (exempt). It also has Campagnolo wheels and a tornado mirrors. This car runs good. It is one of those cars that everyone enjoys looking at it because of it's unique features and very rare.

This car is being sold by dealer. If you are not a dealer, you will be require as a traditional buyer to pay for Florida tax,tag and title. We are a serious dealer and want to deal with only serious buyers that have the money ready to go to purchase vehicle. We do not want to have buyers that have to get a bank approved their monies; only serious buyers please. We had listed and sold this car before (twice) and buyers did not have the money to purchase the car and bank loans were not approved. Bank loans after the car has been purchase are not an option.

Personally, I'm a fan of the pre-1976 Meraks, as they had the stylish Citroën SM dashboard. This feature would disappear after Citroën went belly-up. In 1976, they would transition to a dashboard with more square aesthetics. Given the smaller engine, it's no surprise the Merak is more affordable than the Bora. The best Meraks out there may bring in the $50,000 to $60,000 range. This example is quite presentable, if a little bit rough around the edges and has the problem with the non-funtioning windows. Expect an example like this to fetch somewhere in the $35,000 to $40,000 territory.

-Paul