When it comes to revolutionary designs in Italian car history, there are plenty to choose from. However, when it comes to controversial and polarizing car designs, few manufacturers manage to embody these traits quite as well as Lamborghini. Spurred on by his rivalry of Ferrari in the early 1960s, Ferruccio Lamborghini went from making cars that were in the mold of Ferraris - the 350 GT - to cars that simply broke the mold. First to emerge was the revolutionary Miura, with its transverse mid-mounted V12 and unbelievable looks. Soon after followed one of the wildest Grand Tourers the world has seen; lesser known than the Miura but sharing some of its otherworldly DNA was the Espada. A more conventional front engine platform meant there was room for two in the back, but that didn't stop the Gandini shape from being unconventional at the same time. Full of ducts, vents and grills in the front, the Espada was all glass in the rear with a rather unique see-through design. It was indescribably cool, and the Espada sold in great numbers as a result with over 1,200 produced. This 1973 model comes from the middle of the production run:
1973 Lamborghini Espada Series III red with tan interior. 5- speed . Very rare dual air conditioning. This is an excellent original California car. The paint has some blemishes but is mechanically superb. For only $89,500.
While not much mechanical history on this car is offered, it certainly looks like one of the better examples that has come to market recently. It's a great color combination and shows the Gandini design well. Typically these cars have been somewhat neglected in the classic Italian car realm, though the significance of the design is starting to show through; after all, in the past few years we've seen the "Grand Coupe" design reappear at BMW, Mercedes and Audi amongst others. At just shy of $90,000, this car represents pretty accurately the going rate for a series 3 Espada in such condition.
The past few years have witnessed many of the popular convertibles and roadsters from the 1960s on an upwards pricing spiral. Where once you could perhaps consider classic Porsche cabriolet ownership, for most mortals the idea of forking over well in excess of $100,000 for a clean original 911 and close to $150,000 or more for a 356 is just over the top. W113 Mercedes-Benz SLs, also once a solid value that could be had for well under $50,000, have also pushed upwards so that now you're looking at $60,000 plus for a clean, restored example. And classic Ferraris? As the saying goes, if you have to ask....but if you want a boatload of Italian styling and character, there's still hope. You could, for example, buy this 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider by Touring:
KURT TANNER RESTORATIONS offers for sale, here on Ebay, for your consideration an exceptionally nice 1963 Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider with coachwork by Touring. There were only 2255 examples of these elegant Grand Tourers produced worldwide. This vehicle offered here has a completely original rustfree and accident-free body (amazingly!), and was a California-delivered car from new. It was cosmetically restored approximately 6 years ago and is still presenting extremely well.
Details of the restoration include complete removal of all items such as chromework, glass, interior trim, rubber, etc. The vehicle then underwent a stripdown of the entire underchassis and exterior body panels by shot-blasting, followed by full show-quality bodywork and paint to very high standards. All the body panels display exceptional fit and finish to the car's main body, with beautiful shut lines as original.
The undercarriage was re-undercoated back to original specifications. All chromework/ stainless was replated/ polished and re-installed with new rubber, along with a new windshield and door glass. The complete interior was retrimmed in black. Original style rubber floormats were fitted to the car's interior as well as the trunk with the correct Touring logos. A new, quality, black cloth top was fitted. The steering wheel, dashboard, and instruments all appear in very nice original condition.
The car's mechanicals are in fine fettle. The engine starts easily from cold. Once warmed up and driving along the road, oil pressure registers 55psi at 2500 RPM. There are no unusual noises and the car revs well, with a smooth and quiet exhaust note. It is fitted with the original and rebuilt set of triple Solex sidedraft carburetors. The steering, suspension, and brakes all behave properly. The gearbox shifts very well with no noticeable wear on any of the syncros. The driveline appears to have been detailed during it's restoration as well. It is a very nice car going along the road at speed, effortlessly and quietly cruising in 5th gear...
This vehicle for sale here offers a relatively affordable entry into 60's Italian motoring in an open sportscar. It is presented in the quintessential Alfa Romeo colors, and it's low production ensures that it will be a sound investment in the years to come. This car is located in Southern California and can be viewed by appointment. $99,000 OBO.
KURT TANNER RESTORATIONS. 909-920-9221, work. 909-241-1051, cell.
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For anyone that's undertaken a full restoration on a car of this generation, unless you had some devote connection to an unrestored car this is the way to do it - buy one that's done. At $99,000, this car is priced right at the top of the current valuation curve for a condition 1 car, and it should be. It's gorgeous, showing the impressively crisp and yet flowing lines that Carrozzeria Touring created. Squint a bit, and you've got yourself a Ferrari, and frankly most non-enthusiasts (and some poorly informed enthusiasts) would probably think this was a Ferrari at first sight. It's that pretty, and considering where some of the other classic models of the era have gone in pricing, it's a downright deal. It may seem expensive now, but I'd expect we'll see this car's value go up 50-100% over the next decade if the trends continue. They're a rare, very pretty, great sounding Italian roadster, and this one is fully restored and in near perfect condition - could you ask for anything more?
Introduced in the mid-1950s, the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint was an interesting model in that the coupe was the first to debut at the Turin Motor Show, followed by sedan and convertible variants. Even a rare station wagon variant by Carrozzeria Colli was built, with just shy of 100 examples seeing the light of day. Designed by Bertone, this was one of the first Alfa Romeos to be mass produced and earned the reputation as one of the most nimble handling, balanced machines of its time. The coupe variant is not particularly rare, with approximately 25,000 produced. This example for sale outside of Philadelphia was owned by the DuPont family until 2001 and comes with many spare parts.
I finally got the Sprint back running and on the road. So, now it's time to put it up for sale.
Here is a brief history of it:
- Car was purchased by someone in the DuPont family (the chemical company) – originally robins egg blue with blue(?) interior
- Car was sold to someone, but then repurchased by the DuPonts again (Baird DuPont)
– It was subsequently painted dark blue, then pininfarina red
– It also had the interior redone at some point in brown vinyl with basket weave fabric inserts – very 70’s.
- It was also conveted to a 5spd at some point.
- It's engine was swapped out for a 1600 from a Spider. I sold the Spider long ago for parts. I have the original 1300 (which supposedly was rebuilt with a 1400 kit and never run). That engine goes with the car. The 1600 has a vintage Mallory distributor.
- In 2000 or 2001, Baird DuPont advertised the car in the local (Delaware Valley) Alfa club classifieds (I was running the club and website at the time, so handled the ad). On a whim, I called about it and purchased it along with a ’63 Spider and a bunch of parts from him. I’ve owned it since.
- After purchasing it, I needed to go over the brakes, replace the exhaust and a few other items to get it running/driving.
- I haven’t done much to it since, other than maintenance and putting on a Weber carb. I drove it to NH in 2004 for the Alfa Convention and drove it regularly until about 2010 when the head gasket went. It’s sat in my garage since then.
- In December 2011, I pulled it out to get it ready to sell. Yesterday, I finally got it back on the road again. The brakes are a bit dodgy - need to be gone over from sitting so long.
- The car is pretty well preserved, probably due to the fact that it was sprayed everywhere with cosmoline (or something like that). It’s been hit in the front – the hood, grill, bumper and both front fenders were replaced at one point. There is some rust bubbling in the front quarter panels where the new fenders were brazed in with a lap joint. On the positive, the front bumper is beautiful. It’s been hit in the rear also – the trunk lid was repaired and the rear bumper replaced. The rear bumper is perfect, but it does not have the reflectors on the fenders. Other than the front fender bubbles, there is a small bubble on the lower rear fender. Other than that, the car is rust free as far as I can tell.
- The interior is deteriorating – it is not original anyway. Both front seats are torn. The headliner has a hole in it above the driver door. The tach does not work. One of the gages has the lettering falling off. The car does, however, have a rare rear seat which is very nice. The rear seats are in good condition.
- The glass is fine.
- Bumpers are near perfect. The grill has a small ding that can be taken out. The trim is fine. The airplane is pitted. The door handles are also pitted, but not as badly. The front fenders do not have the marker lights on them. The hood does not have the spear on it. One tail light lens has a hole in it – don’t ask! I have the trim for the hood and rear reflectors. I don't have the side marker lights.
- As mentioned before, the 1600 needs a head gasket. The transmission is fine. Brake MC was rebuilt a couple of years ago and some of the wheel cylinders were replaced – not all.
- The car would come with spares, most of the missing trim, the 1300 engine, and some new parts like window seals. Depending on selling price, i will also include a spare trunk lid, hood, rear glass and other Giulietta parts I have.
- Overall, it is a solid car that can be enjoyed with very little work. However, if you intend to show it, it would need a complete restoration. My plan was to take it off the road and redo it, back to its original colors. Unfortunately, I have neither the time nor the energy anymore to seriously think about restoring it. While I love the car, I need to simplify and both it and my ’74 GTV must go. I’m still holding on to the ’74 GTV race car, for now.
- I'd like to get $20K for it and the spares package.
While not a concours example, this Giulietta is rather complete and not horribly rust ridden as some examples you see that are on their last legs. This car has a lot of potential and it says a lot that the current owner drove it from Pennsylvania to New Hampshire for the Alfa Convention. This would make a nice, affordable project car for an enthusiast to turn into better looking, but perhaps not show quality driver.
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a red roadster? The Giulietta is where Alfa Romeo got its start in building smaller, more affordable vehicles. This range included sedan, coupe, estate and Spider variants featuring variations of Alfa's twin cam 1.3 liter four cylinder engine. The Spider marked what would be the beginning of long tradition of roadsters for the marque. This particular example for sale in Houston is an older restoration, but is complete and presents well.
The Alfa Romeo Guiletta and Guilia Spiders represent Alfa`s trademark shape of the 1950s and 1960s. Their understated but charming lines and nimble, responsive platform have long made them an “all-time” car among Italian automotive enthusiasts.
Finished in red paintwork over black interior upholstery with red piping, the 1962 Giulietta Spider presented here displays an aging restoration with excellent body and panel fitment throughout. The engine compartment and undercarriage are solid and remain very original. This desirable example is accompanied by the original Alfa Romeo Warranty booklet, restoration pictures, original literature, shop manuals and once removed original parts. While not a show quality contender, it is a very strong driver and benefits from a recent mechanical service. This handsome Alfa Romeo offers spirited open touring at a reasonable price! Desirable Giulietta Spider! Eligible for vintage rally & racing events! Ready for Continued Enjoyment! $34,900 negotiable.
These classic Spiders have been commanding strong prices in the market for some time. Given this is an older restoration and is showing some signs of wear (especially on the dashboard), I think it would be reasonable to negotiate down a bit on the asking price. If this Spider could be had in the high 20k range, to maybe $30,000 max, it would be a decent deal for someone seeking a practical classic. While these aren't the easiest vehicles to maintain, for me, it would be worth it just to drive one of these top down on a fall day and listen to that sonorous exhaust note.
