Tag Archives: 1982

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

1982 Fiat 2000 Spider

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Along with the Alfa Romeo Spider, the Fiat 124 and 2000 Spider were some of the most iconic Italian roadsters from the 20th century. Having enjoyed a long 19 year production run, these cars outlasted their parent brand in the United States. This 1982 model represents the final year Fiats were sold new in the United States until the brand returned last year with the Nuova 500. For the car's final three years on sale in the US, it would be called the Pininfarina Spider; essentially the same car minus the Fiat badge. It isn't hard to find good 124 and 2000 Spiders these days; the later models with the larger, federally mandated bumpers being more common.

1982 Fiat 2000 Spider

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Body restored and engine rebuilt in 2004. Approximately 9,000 miles on the rebuilt engine. Engine: new head, bearings, piston rings, timing belt, tensioning bearing, fuel pump, water pump. Transmission: New clutch and throwout bearing. Body: Paint base coat clear coat. New convertable top, rechromed bumpers, roll bars, original wheels have been painted. Interior: New carpet, original seats, steering wheel.

Clean, mint condition 124 and 2000 Spiders hover in the $10,000 to $15,000 range these days, with later fuel injected models with the 5 speed manual bringing the better money. This restoration looks very complete, as the paint, interior and wheels look top notch. There's even a nice roll bar installed, which had me thinking for a minute. My father owned a 1968 124 Spider and he autocrossed it on a regular basis with some success. For the brave new owner willing to fit a set of competition tires on a second set of rims, this would prove to be a very worthy and unique entry in a local parking lot course near you.

-Paul

Ferrari

1982 Ferrari Mondial: Bargain Ferrari Project?

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There's no doubt about it, the Mondial stands next to the 308GT4 as one of the most ugliest ducklings ever produced by the mark. And that's really saying something as most Ferrari's are anything but. But it's hard to argue, especially for the time period that produced so many greats, that the Mondial somehow got approved and built. But it is a . Take a look:

quote from the listing:

This car would make an excellent daily driver it has more room than the GTS but has the same Ferrari drivability and its just a fun usable car, no evidence of collision and its had the belts and water pump changed not more than 1000 miles ago.

The car has only done 84 thousand kilometers around 50,000 miles from new. I am not selling this Ferrari as concourse it is after all 28 years old, but it still looks great. The car shifts nice, the engine is crisp, in fact the more I drive it the better it gets; they do need to be driven and that's the beauty of a Mondial, it has more head room and more storage space.

Think of it as a Ferrari that you can use as a commuter that looks great and handles like only a Ferrari can.
it does have some stone chips on the paint work the passenger window is lazy some time it works other times it does not, the interior for the year I feel is better than average it sits on the original tires and they are showing signs of ageing, other than that no major faults, starts grate oil pressure and temp are good no problems there. obviously there is no warranty given or implied, it is after all 28 years old but you are more than welcome to send a inspector or come take a look for your self.

The listing for this car and the asking price should tell you everything you need to know about what you're getting into: a running project car. But this could be perfect for the mechanically handy buyer with a realistic budget for repairs.

What would you do with it -- fix it up and drive it, make a track day car of it, or sell it for parts? Leave a comment below.

dc