Category Archives: Modern Classic

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Balocco S.E.

The Alfa Romeo GTV6 is a car noted for being one of the last Alfa Romeos to be designed before the Fiat takeover in 1986. With a 13 year production run, this rear drive coupe was a mainstay in the Alfa Romeo lineup. In 1982, the limited edition Balocco edition bowed, mainly a trim package named after the famous Alfa Romeo test track, later used by Fiat for their proving grounds. This particular Balocco has had an engine transplant, a turbocharged 3.0 V6 from a 164 sedan.

1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6 2.5 Balocco S.E.

Alfa Red with black leather interior, 5-speed, two owner Texas car, correct Balocco SE trim including numbered dash emblem, original 2.5 liter V6 (with an arguably inadequate 160 horsepower and 157 lb-ft of torque) was swapped out and replaced with a 3.0 liter V6 from an Alfa 164L (an AR06412 block) and then a large turbo was added to it (likely ~270 horsepower and ~270 lb-ft of torque now) to create a true Italian tuner car, original paint, four new high performance 215 mm tires on 17-inch Serpent Autosport Type 3 five-lug 5-spoke alloys (very tasty upgrade compared to stock 15s), significantly lowered, original manual sunroof, inboard rear brakes, and De Dion rear axle, super light sports coupe at only 2,702 pounds new. Only 4,674 GTV6s were sold new in the United States over its 6 year model run (fewer than 800 per model year) of which only 350 were Balocco SEs in 1982. This is an extremely rare, desirable coupe. Price of $7,900 is flexible, but is already way below cost of engine swap plus original low mile donor car.

The turbocharger slapped onto the later V6 engine concerns me, as there is no way of telling how professional of an installation this is. The updated wheels give this GTV6 a bit of a meaner stance and the fact that it has the original paint leads me to believe it is more honest of a car than I originally had thought. It is a bit pricey at $7,900, but being the rare Balocco version, it is one of a few hundred examples produced. Provided this car is well sorted and can provide a modicum of reliability, it would certainly be a sleeper, not only with the power but the legendary rear drive Alfa chassis.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1976 Fiat Mirafiori 131S

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When discussing vehicle styling, a whole lot of terms tend to get thrown around; organic, retro, streamlined, you name it. Here is the epitome of another term, “three box design.” The Fiat 131. Unveiled at the Turin Motor Show in 1974, this would be one of Fiat’s most successful models well into the 1980s, with over 1.5 million produced in Italy, not including an additional 400,000 manufactured under the “Seat” brand. This 131 employed a fairly conventional front engine/rear drive layout with a solid live rear axle. In 1978, a minor facelift was carried out and new twin cam four cylinder engines were introduced. Few 131s exist stateside these days and ones that do are often overcome by rust. Here is an early 131S sedan with an upgraded 2.0 liter engine, ignition system and a more recent repaint.

1976 Fiat Mirafiori 131S

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It would be rare to find one of these in this type of solid, rust-free condition anywhere. The body and engine bay has been repainted with the original Arencio Scuro color (Dark Orange). I removed the stock 1800 engine (along with the air conditioner and all emission control components) and replaced it with a rebuilt Fiat 2-liter engine and upgraded to a Weber 34 ADFA carburetor. I replaced the stock air cleaner with a compact & easy breathing K&N unit. I recently installed a Compu-Tronix performance ignition system from Allisons Automotive. Check out the following link for information about this: http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/products.html#electrical … no more distributor rotors, heat damaged seals and vacuum advances to wear out on the hot exhaust side of the engine bay. I have not made any performance enhancements to the engine. The interior was nicely reupholstered and is in excellent condition with absolutely no signs of wear. The dash is perfect with no cracks. I believe the AM/FM cassette radio is what came with the car when it was new and it still works. I replaced the speakers in the doors a couple of years ago. The automatic transmission features the typical Fiat sport shift gate and works smoothly with no issues. Brake service has been performed on all fours. Stock wheels have been upgraded with refinished 14 inch Speedlines (including a matching full spare) as found on the late model Spiders / Pininfarinas. New Pirelli P6 tires are on those wheels.

1) Speedometer needle is a little jumpy at low speeds and reads approximately 10 – 15 miles high.
2) The odometer currently reads just over 59,000 as of the date of this listing. It is probably not accurate – title reads exempt. Who knows/cares?
3) I removed the clock from the instrument cluster because it was inaccurate and making a constant irritating noise.
4) The engine temp gauge recently stopped working. I have a replacement you can install.
5) The rear view mirror day/night adjustment tab is broken. I tie-strapped it in place and an easy adjustment of the mirror with your hand makes it work perfectly.
6) Exterior passenger side has three small paint dings.

This not a fixer-upper. It is truly a collector car that drives great and can be used as a daily driver right now. It is not a concours show vehicle (although close) and requires the owner to give it the type of simple maintenance consistent with any car from its era. The car is over 35 years old and is a fine example of a well maintained part of classic Fiat USA history. I reserve the right to end the auction early if I start to feel guilty about selling it.

This is certainly not the most desirable classic Italian car, but it’s an important one for me, as I was brought home from the hospital in my mom’s 1978 Mirafiori 131S two door. Her example was a 3 speed automatic like this four door. Ironically, as the transmission was built by GM, you would have thought it would be the one item on the car that wouldn’t have a tendency to act up, but unfortunately the transmission case was cracked from new and was a troublesome gearbox as a result. Still, in pale yellow, it was a handsome looking car and I remember the front seats being very comfortable. Ultimately that car gave way to a 1983 Honda Accord hatchback with a 5 speed manual which proved to be an infinitely better piece of engineering. I wouldn’t be surprised if bidding gets up to around $5,000 for this rare beast, but anything more would be a bit outrageous, in my opinion.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1989 Ferrari 328GTS

It was fitting that production of the Ferrari 328 ceased production in 1989; as one of Ferrari’s most recognizable cars, it was an icon of 1980s pop culture. The 328’s styling was given styling tweaks and a bored out 3.2 liter V8 engine to bring it up with the times and freshen it up until the (often lamented) 348 arrived. While the 270 horsepower output is nothing to get excited in this day and age of stratospheric engine output, it was enough to catapult the 328 to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. This particular 328 GTS Targa for sale in New York is one for the serious collector with under 9,000 miles and has the advantage of the seller offering a fresh service upon sale.

1989 Ferrari 328GTS

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This stunning 1989 GTS has covered only 8,707 miles and is likely one of the best and most original examples you are will find. Featured in Red with Black leather the car has never been damaged or had paintwork. The tires were recently replaced and the car includes service history along with the original books and tools. In my opinion the 328 is among the best Ferrari models to purchase and own now. The 328 is among the most reliable and usable mid-engine Ferraris and the most refined of the line that started with the 308. The subsequent models, like the 348 and 355, introduced more complicated electronics and require the engine to be removed for a major service, making them much more maintenance-intensive. Leonardo Fioravanti designed some of the most collectible Ferrari models including the famed Dino. You can see his design heritage in the iconic lines of the 328 and for that reason I personally feel the 328 to have a greater upside than other models of the period. I am not alone in that assessment because the market is already valuing the most pristine 328's higher than comparable condition 348 or 355 models, and the value of the very best examples is moving up on 360 territory. I would not be surprised to see the 328 follow in the Dino's footsteps with respect to future appreciation.

Among the photos posted with this auction are a copy of the Carfax report and a photo of a receipt from 2008 showing the most recent major service including timing belts. The belts were previously replaced in 2001. No expense was spared in maintaining this car to the highest standards.
Berlinetta Motorcars in Huntington, New York, specializes in service, repair and restoration of Enzo-Era Ferraris and I am offering this car through Berlinetta on behalf of a client. The car is available for inspection in Huntington, New York.

Berlinetta has been dedicated to Ferrari for over 30 years and takes great pride in accurately representing the cars we offer for sale. We want you to purchase with confidence and to that end we inspected this car thoroughly to identify any areas that might need attention. The one thing we found is that there is some leakage from the cam seals. This is something that happens from age, not from mileage, and we suggest that it is the only item that needs attention. Gaining access to the cam seals entails much of the work involved in changing the timing belt, so although the belt is only three years old, we would suggest that it be replaced at the same time. With the new belt and cam seals, the car will be fresh and up-to-date with regard to these time related issues.

So while you are bidding or negotiating a purchase price on this car, we propose to include a complete major service, with replacement of the timing belt and cam seals, which will be done at no cost for purchaser after closing on the sale. Alternatively, we are willing to negotiate a price without the service if you wish to defer the cam seal replacement until the next timing belt service is due. The car runs and drives properly without further attention at this time, and it is possible that someone inspecting this car could easily miss the cam seal issue. But Berlinetta could not offer the car without disclosing it. That said, the service we are offering is valued at about $5,000. We feel that having a documented service done by Berlinetta in the new owner's name will be a genuine addition to the value of the car.

The one advantage to the 328, over many Ferraris, is that much of the service can be carried out without having to drop the engine out of the car. Resale values for these 328 models typically hover in the $40,000 to $60,000 range depending on mileage and condition, but have been creeping up lately due to the desirability of this model and the fact that it is creeping closer to classic status.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1986 Alfa Romeo 90

The middle of the 1980s was an interesting time for Alfa Romeo. The company was on its last legs as an independent automobile manufacturer, as Fiat assumed control of the company in 1986. The lineup was a bit checkered, as the Alfa Romeo Arna, a joint venture vehicle between Nissan and Alfa Romeo, was offered until 1987. The evergreen Spider and GTV Coupe headed up the sports car offerings for the marque and the 90, featured here, was to be slotted in the range between the smaller Alfetta sedan and the flagship Alfa Romeo 6. Introduced at the Turin Motor Show in 1984, the 90 was based on the Alfetta's front engine/rear drive chassis with a rear mounted gearbox. Six engines were offered in the 90; two four cylinder units, a 2.5 liter, five cylinder turbo diesel and two V6 engines, a 2.5 liter and smaller 2.0 liter variant. The smaller 2.0 liter V6 was offered mainly to escape Italian road tax, and that is the engine with which our feature car is equipped.

1986 Alfa Romeo 90

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I would imagine that this rare Bertone design Alfa 90 (Novanta in italian) would probably be the first one to make it to America. Have you ever seen one? It’s already extremely rare in Europe as the Alfa 75 (Milano) came along the next year and was cheaper and more successful back then.

56,428 Novanta were built between 1984 and 1987 and only 6,912 with the V6 engine from wich less than 1,000 came with the 2.0l V6 that was a special for the Italian market only. All other V6s were 2.5l. This true time capsule example can only be the best one in the world. Sold new in Milan to a man born in 1938 who’s been the only driver until last year when I bought it and imported it in Belgium.

25.603 kilometers from new, that’s 16.002 original Miles on a accident free car that is 110% original. Every details looks and feels absolutly new. From the original leather on the steering Wheel to the way the gear knob feels when you change gears. Even the spare Wheel is new/unused If there was a way to feel inside an Alfa show-room in 1986 this is the closest you’ll get. There is 2 scratches on the rear bumper that you can see on the pics, that’s it. Full service was done 3 mounth ago including timebelt.

Like the Alfa Romeo 6 we featured last week, this is one of those Alfa Romeo sedans that, even on the Continent, is becoming a rare sight. You are most certainly never going to find another one in this condition with this kind of mileage. The styling is truly love it or hate it, as it is rather boxy in a 1980s Volvo kind of way. One unique feature on this car is the adjustable chin spoiler which deployed above a certain speed, similar to certain Porsche 911 models. According to the website "How Many Left," there are but two Alfa Romeo 90s left on the road in the United Kingdom. That gives you an idea of how rare this car is. It may not be the most desirable Alfa Romeo, but hopefully it is snapped up by a collector so the breed does not see extinction in the near future.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

Another week, another Alfa Romeo Spider. I can't get enough of these Series 4 Spiders and here's another good example with low mileage, 5 speed manual transmission and desirable red over black interior. This is not the uplevel Veloce model like the last Spider we featured, but with power windows, leather and suede interior and alloy wheels.

1992 Alfa Romeo Spider

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1991 Alfa Romeo Spider finished in Rosso Corsa over black interior. This Alfa is in fantastic overall condition. Baby red has only 39,600 original miles (only 2,000 miles a year average). If you are looking for a true Italian sports car that looks and runs great this is the car for you. Alfa Spiders are amazing to drive and this little baby loves to rev and sounds fantastic. Runs through all gears smoothly (no second gear grind). Has good brakes, tight suspension and steering. The paint on the car is great, interior looks stellar, cloth top has been replaced recently. Tires are new.

This is a two owner car sold new in Canada. Original owner moved to California. Car has always been garaged. The odometer shows in kilometers. This Alfa is equipped with a Clarion radio, CD. Series 4 Alfas are the last and arguably the best built (Series 4 Alfas have power steering, Bosch Motronic Fuel Injection, twin cooling fans, revised styling with integrated bumpers and more). This car is ready to drive cross country dow to the beach or through winding country roads. Open top motoring joy awaits you. This is an opportunity to buy a classic Alfa with extremely low miles at a reasonable price point.

The price on this Alfa Spider is just about spot on at just under $14,000. I have a suspicion that these cars are about to take off in value, especially looked after examples such as these. If you ever wanted one of these classic roadsters, now is the time to act.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q

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The late 1980s and early 1990s saw a number of manufacturers retreat from the US sales race. Gone were the last two French holdouts, Peugeot and Citroën, and ill-fated attempts at new luxury marques, such as Rover’s Sterling brand and Ford’s Merkur models lasted but a handful of model years. One of the last automakers around this period to leave the States was Alfa Romeo. Having soldiered on for years with only two distinct models, the Spider and 164 sedan, reliability concerns and rising popularity of Japanese luxury brands helped seal the brand’s fate in the face of dwindling sales. The 164 sedan was the only car on offer for Alfa Romeo’s final year in the US market, offered in either LS or Quadrifoglio trim. Few cars were sold that year, and fewer still exist in such good condition as our feature car.

1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q

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Rare 1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q Sport Sedan, 5-speed manual. Garaged, maintained, in excellent condition. Please look at the detail in the photographs to see the quality of this collectable, rare car. This is the last year of importation for the 164Q model. Only 100 of these were brought into this country. 6 cylinder, 240HP sport sedan. A tribute to Italian engineering. This is one of the very few left in this condition and mileage.
Probably one of the finest examples in the country. Alfa red clearcoat, black leather sports seats, original stereo with cassette player, dual 8 way power seats. Working air conditioner and climate control, cruise control, Michelin tires, all power ACC working, power antenna, power sunroof, power folding mirrors, auto dimming rear view mirror. Original Alfa floor mats, original OEM Alfa sport wheels. Gorgeous original sport leather interior.

Just completed the following maintenance from Italy Service, Las Vegas:

- Replace clutch disc
- Throw out bearing
- Pressure plate
- Resurface flywheel
- Valve cover gaskets
- Replace motor mounts
- Replace front and rear engine seals
- Clutch slave cylinder
- Steering rack boot kit
- Oil/Filter/Flush Transmission/RR axle/Front differential/Change coolant
- Replace spark plugs and timing
- Replace timing belt
- Replace water pump
- Replace accessory belt
- Cooland pipe o-rings

This Alfa Romeo 164Q runs strong, shifts smooth, handles like a dream with only 40,045 miles. This 164Q does have the adaptive suspension with auto and sport mode. This 164Q was a new factory demo driven by an Alfa Romeo Factory Representative, Carmine Lamendola. After 5,000 miles, he decided to buy it for himself and has owned it ever since. He traded in at the same dealership he bought it from and I acquired it from them.

This car has had an amazing amount of work done to it, which should put any potential buyer at ease. Alfa Romeo 164 sedans from 1995 are rare enough, but the Q model with the adaptive suspension and 5 speed manual transmission pretty much guarantees you’ll be the only one on the block, if not the state, with a car like this. When it was new, the 164 never garnered the same enthusiasm with die hard Alfisti due to its front wheel drive setup, but I believe time has been kind to this sedan with its chiseled good looks. At over $10,000, this is very strong money for any 164, as the reserve has yet to be met. Given the exception mileage and condition, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were looking at a reserve closer to $15,000. As most cars which Pininfarina has had a hand in crafting, it has aged well and represents a chance to purchase a nearly new Alfa Romeo without spending six figures on an 8C Competizione.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD

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One of the things that both the Italians and French are good at, besides making love, cooking and fine wine is manufacturing desirable small cars. When tasked with designing and selling executive-sized sedans, this is where both countries come up short. As interesting as their offerings have been at times, they never really took off, with exception of the Citroën DS. One very forgotten executive sedan from Alfa Romeo is the 6. These were not huge sellers, with only a shade over 12,000 produced from 1979 to 1986. As a result, examples which survive to this day are in extremely rare company.

They were well equipped cars, however, featuring rear-wheel drive, with power steering, power windows, electric mirrors and central locking, along with a limited slip differential as standard. Minor styling tweaks came along for 1983, along with this car’s engine, the 2.5 liter VM 5 cylinder turbodiesel. This particular 6 that is for sale in Spain has the five cylinder turbo diesel engine which was related to the diesel engine that Jeep offered in their Cherokee for certain overseas markets. This 2.5 liter, overhead valve engine pumped out 103 horsepower and produced a respectable 177 lb ft. of torque. It's not the optimal choice for enthusiasts, but with cars these rare, beggars can't be choosers.

1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD

Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD, fabulous limited edition! Brand new car that belongs to a private collection. Always garaged. Sold only by lack of space.

At €8,000 (~ $10,500 USD), this is not a cheap '80s Alfa. I’m not sure if I would be the type of person to pay for such nostalgia and one must consider that parts must be awfully difficult to source for a vehicle built in such small numbers with a near non-existent following. The diesel engine does add a bit of durability into the package and hopefully this car can find a good home where it can be preserved as one of the last of its kind.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1976 Fiat 131 Abarth

We've covered a good amount of Lancia's rally history in this past week, but during their spate of wins in the 1970s and 1980s, Fiat had a few successes of their own. Namely, with this car, the 131 Abarth. This car is a three time World Rally Championship, winning the title in 1977, 1978 and 1980 along with 18 race victories between 1976 and 1981. Of course, to go racing, manufacturers had to homologate the vehicle they were entering into competition, which is the genesis behind the road version we see here. These cars had the twin cam 2.0 liter Abarth engine good for 140 horsepower fed through a five speed gearbox driving the rear wheels. The seller states this is about one of 200 of the original 400 built that still exist to this day. I was surprised to see such a rare, original piece of rallying history located a little over an hour due south of my ancestral home in Portugal.

1976 Fiat 131 Abarth

131 Abarth - the nightmare of the Escort. 1 of 200 survivors of the 400 built to homologate group 4. Unique in Portugal. Four time winner of the Rally of Portugal, three times with Markku Alen (1977, 1978 and 1981) and one time with Walter Röhrl (1980). World Champion in 1977, 1978 and 1980.

2000cc, independent suspension, limited slip differential exclusive original model (same as group 4), 155-160 hp, lightweight fiber exterior panels built by Bertone, Aluminum doors. Two Weber 44 IDF carburetors with Abarth intake manifold (optional). Cromodora Wheels 15x7 "original manifold and carburetor preserved and included as standard. Engine and chassis numbers correct and original. Totally original/never restored. Imported from private collection in Italy. Much better than having money in the bank!

Beyond its pedigree and butch looks, the 131 is a significant car for me because my mother drove when I was born. Granted, her car was a pale yellow 1978 131 Mirafiori two door with a GM sourced 3 speed automatic transmission, but it still possessed the crisp Italian lines and quite comfortable seats which proved their worth on long trips. It wasn't the most reliable car, evidenced by the fact my parents traded the 131 in for a 1983 Honda Accord hatchback and owned Hondas for 15 years thereafter. Even still, it hasn't soured me on Italian cars and now, over 30 years on, cars such as this 131 Abarth have become a legend in their own right.

The asking price of €66,000 (~ $87,000 USD) is very strong money, even for such a limited run, championship winning vehicle. The exchange rate has not been kind to the dollar, but having been listed for almost two months, I can't help but think we are around $20,000 above the proper price point for this car, especially when you have low mileage Lancia Delta Integrale Evolutions out there in the $25,000 to $40,000 USD equivalent range. Granted, those cars will not be street legal in the US for another four years. For me, though, it would be worth the wait.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1987 Lancia Delta HF 4WD

Like its older, bigger brother the 037, the Delta helped solidify Lancia's long standing reign on the World Rally scene. This very vehicle racked up 46 WRC wins and nabbed the Constructors' Championship six times in a row from 1987 through 1992. The saying of "win on Sunday, sell on Monday" would certainly apply to this car, as these Deltas achieved popularity from the moment Lancia started marketing them. In the beginning, there was little to distinguish the Delta HF 4WD from its lesser brethern, other than the quad headlights, discreet badging and deeper sills. The four wheel drive system had three differentials with a built in torque splitting action, which ensured power would go to the wheels with the most grip. Not surprising then why this car was a success on the circuit.

Later on, the Delta would spawn the Integrale, which brought about the more butch boxed fender look, upgraded interiors and turbocharged engines coupled to evolving four wheel drive systems with varying degrees of torque split. This Delta is an early non-Integrale version which would be legal for import to the US, falling under the 25 year rule. It is located on the eastern coast of Italy near San Marino.

1987 Lancia Delta HF 4wd

1987 Delta 4wd, beautiful red metallic, all original, 94,000 km. Timing belt done at 87,000, clutch, new tires at 60%, engine overhauled completely. Included in the price is 2 front doors, 2 rear doors, Portelone post, Glass front, Skirts, 4 original rims. THe car has always been in the garage and is in fantastic condition for true connoisseurs and collectors! Price €8500.00.

For about $11,000, this is a lot cheaper than what a similar example already in the US would cost. If one could keep the shipping and importation costs to a minimum, this would be a very practical classic, rain or shine. I like this car, as it represents the simpler, earlier version of Lancia's rally legend and in the deeper shade of red, it looks sublime. Personally, I'm waiting for the day when I can import one of the last Integrale's, preferably an Evolution version. I've always felt that Lancia was a marque that never got the due respect it deserved and it seems that the boys over at Top Gear are in agreement with me, as evidenced by this short clip:

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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The modern roadster revival began in 1990 with the introduction of the Mazda Miata. Harkening back to famous British two seater convertibles such as the MG and Lotus Elan, this car blended sporty looks, rear-wheel drive and reliability the levels of which were unheard in this class. However, the Italians had been going strong all along, with the Alfa Romeo Spider carrying the roadster torch for nearly three decades. As we highlighted with the 1991 Spider we featured last month, the Series 4 Spider brought about many improvements and refinements that make this a reasonable proposition for an everyday classic.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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1991 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. This vehicle is featured in green over beige interior with a black soft top. This fourth generation Spider is powered by a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder engine producing 125 bhp and 122 ft lbs of torque attached to a 5 speed manual transmission.

The fourth generation Alfa Spider's primary mechanical upgrade was the Bosch monotronic fuel injection with an electric fan introduced in 1990. The handsome cosmetic changes did not appear in the United States until the 1991 model. The external changes included larger rear lights, monochromatic colored bumpers without the front and rear spoilers. This is one of the finest examples of a classic Alfa Romeo and especially a rare find with such low miles!

Verde Inglese (English Green) is possibly my favorite color for the Series 4 Spider, with Rosso Vinaccia (Wine Red) coming in a close second. These colors add an air of sophistication to these cars that is lacking on with the more common primary colors. If this example could be had in the $13,000 to $15,000 range, it would be well bought.

-Paul