Tag Archives: Spider

Alfa Romeo

1969 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider

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The original 105 Series Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider, known to some as the boat tail Spider, is one of the prettiest and most iconic designs to emerge from the design house of Pininfarina. This example comes to us from our reader Ping in the Los Angeles area. It has had a host of work done to it and has been used reliably on a semi-regular basis. Now all it needs is a new owner to look after it and enjoy it.

1969 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider

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The car is in great condition and is extremely reliable (for a 43 year old car). I purchased the car in 2002 from a car collector in Wisconsin and drive it to work on average once a week, weather permitting. In the last ten years that I have owned it, the car has never been driven in the rain and has always been garaged (day and night). I don’t think it has been outside for more than an hour and a half at a time. It had 72k miles on the car when I bought it and it now has 103k. I have receipts totaling over $12k for maintenance done over the past 10 years, the major items which are listed below.

Just prior purchasing the car, the prior owner replaced both brake boosters with OEM ones (which he said he paid $600 for the pair). He also had the fuel injection pump, 2 lower ball joints, center bearing and support, 3 tie rod ends, front brake calipers, rear transmission mount bushing replaced along with other odds and ends.

Feb ’03 – I had the drive shaft u-joints replaced and the gas tank cleaned and refinished.

April ’03 – Replaced clutch master cylinder

Nov ’03 – purchased new convertible boot cover, replaced rear shocks and front and rear emblems.

Aug ’05 – Replaced heater valve membrane, replaced left and right motor mounts

Aug ’06 – replaced front brakes and rotors, replaced left tie rod end, replaced belts

Sep’ 06 – replaced battery

Oct’ 07 – New 14”x7” wheels, new tires (original 14”x5.5” wheels are included in the sale)

Nov ’07 – replaced rear proportion brake valve, rebuilt brake master cylinder, replaced front arm ball joint bushing

April ’08 – Installed new exhaust heat shield, installed new speedo cable (melted due to missing heat shield)

Oct ’08 – Rebuilt differential

May ’09 – replaced head gasket, replaced gas tank sending unit, replaced trunk cable

Jan ’10 – replaced convertible top, refinished convertible top frame

Oct ’10 – reupholstered seats

Sep ’10 – Replaced front brakes

Aug ’11 – Replaced center muffler, Tune up and oil change

The car was repainted in 1980 and still shines like new, but there a few small flaws here and there. I tried to take pics to show what I can but most of it is so minor that it does not show up in the pics. The bottom side of the hood is also pealing in a few spots. The engine compartment was not painted with the rest of the car and is some very light surface rust on the side by the battery. There is not other rust that I am aware of. Everything works on the car except for the cigarette lighter and the day/night toggle switch on the rear view mirror. The 2nd gear synchros were weak when I purchased the car but shifts smoothly if you just pause for a moment between 1st and 2nd gear. I was planning on replacing them when it got a little worse, but after a while I just got use to it.

There is a minor oil leak coming from the transmission and the car burns about a quart of motor oil every 1,500 miles (I believe this is typical of Alfas, at least all that I have owned). The car was manufactured in 1969, but due to the strike in 1969, this one was shipped to the States in spring of 1970 ad therefore titled as a 1970 model year. The only reason I am selling the car is my work recently moved and my commute is now much further. I need to keep my Chevy Tahoe for the family, but I also need to find another car that is more economical to commute in and more comfortable than the Alfa. Did I mention the Alfa does not have air conditioning or a radio?

Duettos in good shape that have been used as intended will usually trade hands in the $20,000 to $25,000 range. The very best concours examples can crest north of $30,000. Of the 105/115 Spiders, the Duettos are prized most in large part because of their design purity, versus later models that suffered from crash bumpers and fussier design details. I never thought I'd like silver so much on an early Spider, but with the simple steel wheels complimented with chrome hubcaps and a tidy black leather interior, this car cuts a clean pose. The California black plates are also a great finishing touch. Overall, a great example of an early 105 Spider that deserves another forty years of TLC.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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Since it is almost summer, I can't help but think another Alfa Romeo Spider feature this week isn't really one too many. This 1991 Spider for sale in Pennsylvania is a base model 5-speed with a low 23,000 miles under its belt spread between three owners.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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This auction is for my extra-clean 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider with approx. 24,000 original miles! Check out the details below of this fine car and be ready for a fun ride! First, the story behind this low mile car. This car was purchased originally by a guy in Maryland, he traded in his '87 Spider on this '91. I have the paperwork to show the original transaction that will be included in this sale, along with service records on the car. That first owner apparently sold the car to a local shop here in PA that specializes in imports/Italian cars. This car was then purchased by a friend of a friend from that shop in 1996 with a little over 22,000 miles on it.

The 2nd owner drove the car a whopping 1,201 miles in 15 years, he only drove the car to shows and around the block for fun. I know he appreciated this type of car, it is just a shame he didn't take it out and really enjoy it. I bought the car and finally registered and titled it last month. I have driven it 350-400 miles in the last 2 weeks, this is a fun car to drive! I would love to keep it, but I have a small Jeep collection that required me to rent a 2,000 sq ft garage and I'm already out of space! I really just don't have the room to park this or the time to play with it. This car needs a new owner that appreciates these cars and will take it out and enjoy it!!

This is what I have recently done to the car:

New Battery (7 year DieHard Gold)
Installed 4 brand new Michelin tires
New PA state inspection and emissions stickers
New brake pads (installed by prev owner)

The car runs and drives very nice! It starts up every time and has great passing power for a 4cyl 16 valve. The stick shift in this car is extremely nice and the car does NOT have any 2nd gear synchro issues. The shifts are nice and firm every time, downshifting into 2nd does not produce any grinding. Alfa owners will tell you that the 2nd gear synchro can be the week link in the tranny. The car will grind going into reverse unless you shift into a forward gear first. I usually shift to 4th, then R and I have no issues. I had thought this was a problem until I read about this on the AlfaBB.... apparently that's "just how they are".

The car has a few (common) needs right now:

A/C functions but does not blow cold. I have only driven the car on nice days with the top down, so I haven't checked this out yet.
There is a small dent on the leading edge of the bumper above the Alfa emblem. (see pics)
The airbag light is flashing grounding codes. This is common on these cars, the codes can be reset.
Sometimes there is an intermittent clutch throw out bearing squeak when taking off from a stop (it wont do it when you take it to the mechanic... trust me)

Please check out the pics and ask any questions! Check out how nice the interior is, the seats are just about perfect. Carpet and mats are nice too! The top boot is included in the trunk. Speaking of the top, it is in excellent condition. The window is clear, there is no holes, and it functions as it should. There is also a full size spare under the trunk carpet. Jack points on the car are all in nice shape. Tires and brakes are brand new! Any stone chips/dings on the paint were touched up by previous owner, a nice paint job could make it really perfect! I personally don't paint cars, because then I would be afraid to drive them. This car has averaged 28 mpg for me, not too shabby. This car always runs cool, on the highway and in traffic. All of the original books and papers are included in this sale. The window sticker, owner's manual, tire books, etc., see the pics. I have the full Autocheck report for this car. Title is clear, no lien, and is in my name.

Even with this car's minor faults, I can't help but think it won't last long at $9,500. This leaves room for repair costs and then some when compared to completely sorted examples that are selling in the $14,000 to $20,000 range. For a Series 4 Spider, even if it is a base model, anything under $10,000 in this kind of shape could be considered well bought.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

In 1993, Alfa Romeo wound down production of the long lived Spider, with some of the remaining inventory being sold as 1994 models. Before parting ways with the US market in 1995, Alfa Romeo sold 190 Spiders in 1994 badged as a CE, or Commemorative Edition. The differences between a regular Spider and CE were minor, limited to burlwood interior trim, special badging front and rear, gold trimmed emblems on the alloy wheel centers and an owners kit comprised of a leather portfolio, numbered keychain, and documentation. Also, a plaque was affixed to the dashboard denoting the number in the CE series you were driving. This was a rather inexpensive way to celebrate the end of almost thirty years of Spiders, beginning with the Duetto in 1966. This CE Spider for sale outside of Philadelphia has a reasonable 51,000 miles on the clock.

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

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This classic Italian roadster has only 51k miles. If you are familiar with these cars, you will know that they were a very successful model for Alfa, originally offered in 1966, this 1994 C.E. model is represents the pinnacle of this platform. Bosch motronic engine management, burlwood trim, dash plaque, unique leather/suede seating surfaces. This is a nice clean car, current PA state inspection, well maintained, came from a true collector/enthusiast. He is moving some cars around in his collection (30+) and this is being made available.

Although it is not pictured, the factory supplied hard top is included with the sale. Aftermarket stereo system/speakers looks to be of high quality and installation, however the head unit does not currently power on. Could be something simple, we have not looked into it. Have all keys, manuals (Including the C.E. packet) and many service records.

Given the limited difference between a Spider Veloce and a CE, there is not a lot of variance in value between the two models. The most important aspect of a 1994 Spiders is that these are the final Spiders to have been sold new stateside. Clean Spiders with under 50,000 miles can bring between $15,000 to $20,000 on a good day. This example comes with service records and appears straight and clean. The only detractor for me is the aftermarket stereo, which is inoperable. Provided the mechanicals are sorted and there are no hidden issues, one could expect this Spider to bring somewhere between $14,000 to $16,000.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider

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Few Americans may be aware, but 2010 was the final year for the Alfa Romeo Spider. While this most famous of Italian roadsters hasn't been sold on these shores in almost twenty years, the last car to wear the Spider badge was a front-wheel drive wedge shaped sports car based on the Brera coupe. A far cry, then, from it's forefather we see here, the Giulietta Spider. But whether it's the boat tailed Spider that made its appearance in The Graduate or the later wedge shaped Spider of the late 1990s, these cars have always personified carefree, open roofed motoring at its finest. This Giulietta Spider has been recently restored by a specialist in Philadelphia and looks stunning in classic red.

1959 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider

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This is a freshly restored 1959 Alfa Guilietta: Euro Auto Classics Philadelphia who specialize in Alfa Restorations. The Unibody was stripped and all new Original Alfa Red was applied. All trim was re chromed and looks brilliant. New head lamps and Tail Lights, new bumpers, new seats and interior was imported from Italy. New top from Italy

Engine rebuilt, new tires and wheels, all electric was redone. New fuel tank, all brakes and rotors are new. The car was completely stripped and re done professionally. The car runs and drive awesome. Has a five speed manual. Undercoated with fiberglass, new mufflers

Will go to one of the live auctions after this sale if unsold.

Any Giulietta Spider that is well sorted will command strong money. More than likely, this one's reserve is probably in the high $20,000 to low $30,000 range. With summer right around the corner, it's the perfect time to try one of these classics on for size.

-Paul

Fiat

1972 Fiat 850 Spider

My father was one of the first people in the US to place an order for a 2002 MINI Cooper. When we went to order the car, there were no new vehicles on the lot or in the showroom, but a few vintage Minis hanging about. A similar trend has taken shape at Fiat dealers across the country. While the Nuova 500 is readily available in the showroom, every now and then you'll see a vintage Fiat for sale on the lot to draw some customers into the showroom and highlight a bit of the manufacturer's history. Following on to the Fiat 850 Bertone Coupe we featured last week, here is an 850 Spider for sale in Oklahoma City.

1972 Fiat 850 Spider

Beautiful Italian styling combined with timeless functionality, efficient design and the thrill of a classic automobile – these are the attributes that made the 1972 FIAT 850 a timeless icon. If you are in search of an iconic Italian classic, this FIAT 850 showcases just that. Come see this classic piece of Italian historic luxury.

For about $4,000, you would be hard pressed to find a cheaper way into an Italian vehicle without it instantly bankrupting you. The convertible top on this 850 Spider looks a bit ill-fitting and a few trim items could use some freshening up, but overall, this car looks to be a nice survivor that falls short of show quality but could be instantly enjoyed.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider

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A number of Alfa Romeo Spiders have been featured on CICFS, but this is the first example of the Series I Duetto we have covered. Most famous for its role as Dustin Hoffman's ride in The Graduate, this roadster holds the distinction of being the last design of Batista Farina. Versus the later Spiders, this model is revered for its design purity, notably the boat tail rear end. This particular example for sale near Hartford, Connecticut has had the same owner for the last 32 years and has the larger 1750 engine.

1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider

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1966 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider. VIN: 660229. 111,667 Kilometers (69,360 miles)

HISTORY:

-European model. Privately imported by an American service-man.
-Same meticulous owner since 1980.
-Expertly repainted in 1997, with all trim removed, in original red.

MECHANICAL:

-Engine was replaced with a 1750cc unit
-5-speed manual gearbox
-Brakes upgraded from Dunlop to ATE all around
-No oil leaks
-Car runs and drives well
-When the car sits for extended periods of time, there is a slight hesitation when accelerating. This problem clears up when the car is being used regularly.

BODY/EXTERIOR:
-Very straight sides
-Convertible top in excellent condition
-Solid underneath
-One small rust spot on lower right rear quarter, in front of wheel well (see photos)
-All trim and brightwork is ‘driver quality.’ That is, it’s all presentable but not show quality. The door handles, in particular, are pitted and need to be re-chromed.

INTERIOR:
-Original black vinyl in great condition, showing only moderate signs of wear (see photos)
-Dash is gorgeous!

Overall, the car is a very nice, original, driver that has been sympathetically maintained by the same meticulous owner for 32 years. Pre-purchase inspections are both welcomed and encouraged.

This is not a concours ready Spider, but it appears honest and would be a good starting point for a first time Alfa Romeo buyer that might want to do some tinkering or freshening up. It would also prove an attractive buy for the enthusiast seeking a driver that they can enjoy without the guilt of devaluing an expensive restoration job. Average values for Duettos are concentrated in the mid $20,000 to low $30,000 range. I would suspect a final bid of around $15,000 to $20,000 would represent a good buy.

-Paul

Fiat

1959 Fiat 750 Abarth Allemano Spider

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Back in January, we featured a rare Fiat Abarth Allemano Spider that was prepped for competition use. Here we have a nice example that car's road going brother up for sale in Santa Barbara, California.

1959 Fiat 750 Abarth Allemano Spider

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Gorgeous 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Spider. Coachwork by Allemano. Chassis No. 635135. Numbers Matching Example. 1 of 750 Allemano Spiders Built. Fitted with Optional Campagnolo Wheels

Offered for sale is a fantastic example of an exceedingly rare and beautifully presented 1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Spider with coachwork by Allemano. While a vast majority of Carlo Abarth’s offerings were closed cars, some of his clientele preferred open cars for competition and he was aware that a roadster could be successful in the profitable U.S. market. As such, he commissioned a Spider from Zagato based upon the 750GT. With Zagato's initial designs drawing only limited appeal, Abarth turned to Carrozzeria Allemano, the Turin based coachbuilder famous for their work with Maserati throughout the 1950s. The result of their efforts is a Spider that's entirely unique, sleek and sporty while retaining a period Italian charm. It’s believed that Allemano only built 750 Spiders for Abarth and complete correct cars are especially difficult to find, making this a truly uncommon opportunity.

Tastefully finished in a rich dark blue over black, this car is turns heads and garners attention wherever it goes. The distinctive curved bumpers are in excellent condition, as is all of the chrome and polished alloy trim. The car doesn’t appear to have ever been in any accidents, all of the panel fits and gaps are excellent and the finish is free of any dings or scratches. The car is factory correct with three exceptions: the optional and extremely rare period Campagnolo wheels (which happened to have caught the sunset in the pictures and therefore look much more gold than they actually are – send us an inquiry and we can forward you a picture of them when they’re not in direct sunlight), leather seats (they were originally vinyl), and squareweave interior carpeting (originally just rubber mats). The car’s interior is equally as clean. The seats aand carpets are flawless, as is the original dash, which retains its correct Abarth gauges and switchgear. The door trim is complete with proper storage pockets and the car’s navy soft top and boot cover are in perfect condition.

The original 747 CC inline 4-Cylinder engine with correct 2-Barrel Weber carburetor runs beautifully, starting without any smoke or hesitation, idling consistently and pulling strongly through each of its four gears. The car’s four wheel drum brakes function effectively (it hardly weighs anything, after all), and the car’s wheelbase, front transverse leaf-spring suspension and rear independent coil-spring suspension make it handle like a go-cart. It’s undeniably fun to drive and one immediately understands Abarth’s legendary racing history from behind the steering wheel.

This is an excellent opportunity to acquire an exceptionally rare and unique Abarth Spider that’s ready for club events, shows, or even just weekend drives. Finding another 750 Allemano bodied Spider is nearly impossible, so serious Etceterini or Abarth enthusiasts and collectors ought to give this car significant consideration.

My favorite part about this car has to be those gorgeous, original Campagnolo wheels. Even though they aren't stock, you just don't see period accessories like this on a regular basis. Like most vintage Abarths, this Spider will not come cheap, but whoever lands this car will have a fun runabout and be able to give a little bit of a history lesson to buyers of the new Fiat 500 Abarth and the legend behind the Scorpion badge.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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Summer is coming, so what better time than to consider a sporting little roadster? Preferably an Italian one. We love the Series 4 Alfa Romeo Spider here at CICFS, and this example for sale in Arizona has had but one careful owner and has covered a scant 52,000 miles in 21 years.

1991 Alfa Romeo Spider

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This '91 Alfa Romeo Spider is absolutely beautiful, all original. This is a one owner car, owned by a mature woman since new. The car has never been abused, never driven in winter, garage kept and always maintained. There has never been any paint or body work done on this vehicle. The interior is in perfect condition. I want to stress that everything on this car is original. Everything works including all gauges, switches, original radio, remote rear view mirrors, door locks etc. The air conditioner blows very cold and the heater works as new. All the original books and service receipts and tools, including the “Alfa” tire pressure gauge are included. The engine and transmission work as new. The alloy wheels are in new condition. ALL ORIGINAL, ABSOLUTELY PERFECT! COLLECTABLE!

I've noticed prices are creeping up a little for these cars, the last of the classic open top Alfa Romeos. While this is a base Spider, there's not much difference in value between this trim level and the uplevel Veloce. I would wager to say anywhere between $13,000 to $15,000 would be a reasonable estimate for this pristine example.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

The Lancia Beta was the first new car that Lancia developed after Fiat took control of the company in 1969. Introduced in 1972, this model would go on to set record sales for Lancia, but also garner a reputation for being a rust prone vehicle. This reputation would taint the company so badly that Lancia would pull out of its largest export market at the time, the United Kingdom, a little over ten years later. One of the last new Lancias to be sold in the US market is the car you see here, the Beta Zagato. Built on the Coupe's chassis with a targa roof, it was an interesting collaboration in that the car was designed by Pininfarina but built by Zagato. In total, a little over 9,000 of these open roofed Betas were built before Lancia ceased US sales.

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato, 3rd owner. Approximately 27K miles on rebuilt engine. New starter, clutch, exhaust. 5K miles on timing belt, shocks, motor mounts. Recently rebuilt steering rack. Seats reupholstered in cloth, Pirelli P-6000 185/65-14 tires. Many interior/exterior trim pieces replaced. Car runs well. Paint good, new top. Professionally maintained. Many spare parts. California car. Never driven in rain, always garaged. Shop manuals, original owners manual, original tool kit. All work receipts. $3500 or best offer, price negotiable.

At $3,500, this is possibly one of the cheapest points of entry into classic Italian car ownership, without having to dump a ghastly amount of money on a full restoration. Few of these Zagatos survive today and the ones that do are often rusted out and on their last legs mechanically. While not the fastest cars out there, these Betas are known for their good handling and if this car has lasted this long without suffering at the hands of the tin worm, it should be able to survive another 30 years with proper maintenance.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

Current statistics show that Americans are hanging onto their cars longer; about six years or 27% longer before the recession according to Polk. It has me wondering, with increased reliability of newer vehicles, just how long can you keep a car going these days? Apparently very long if you can squeeze almost 230,000 miles out of an Alfa Romeo Spider. Normally we wouldn't feature a car with such high mileage on CICFS, but this Spider is a study in preservation, having benefitted from a repaint, replaced engine block and revived interior.

1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce on eBay

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1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce Roadster. VIN ZARBA5416D1016845. Aqua blue/light blue leather.

Equipped with:
2000 CC 4 CYL aluminum engine
Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection
Computerized digitial ignition
5-speed overdrive transmission
Limited slip differential
4-wheel power disc brakes
Capagnolo five star alloy wheels
Tinted glass
Power window
Side vent windows
Windshield antenna
Full instrumentation
Courtesy lights group
Front air dam
Rear spoiler
Upgraded stereo system
Car cover
Bra
Original window sticker
Workshop manual
Spare tire and tools
Maintenance records

EXTERIOR:
10 year old repaint that looks good
Right front fender has a small dent near valance
Small dimple on right side of hood
No cracks in glass
Doors, hood and trunk all align nicely
Top looks like new, back window is clear
Wheels and tires in excellent shape
Small rust issue in spare tire well
Great looking car that's 29 years old.

INTERIOR:
Seats have been redone and look great
Carpets are clea
No cracks in dash
Door panels look good with the exception of the top side on passenger door
More than nice inside

MECHANICAL:
Fires up easily and runs smoothly
Shifts excellent
Brakes work great
All gauges work
Had a long block installed at 161,410 miles
Drives like a dream

I've always had a weakness for Aqua blue, as it compliments the delicate lines of the Spider and reminds one of being near the ocean, which is the natural habitat for such a roadster. This car has had attention in all the right places. While it has a few dings and scratches and a little bit of surface rust in the trunk, I'm a fan of this car. The patina works well and it's heartening to see such a vehicle used as intended while being well maintained.

-Paul