1974 Alfa Romeo Spider

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

Clear

Gasoline

Offered here is our lovingly cared for 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce. This is a very solid car: starts, idles, runs, drives, handles and purrs. This is a very well sorted car, and has had many tasteful and smart upgrades and updates by me, her custodian for these past 8 years. I traded up into this car, after selling my 1977 Spider (also a great car). That started a passion for these little cars that has not waned. I simply need to make room to complete the restoration of my Duetto. So this great car, and my 1965 Fiat Abarth, must go. The upgrades and updates mentioned include electronic ignition, new higher amperage alternator/generator, replaced swathes and assorted interior trim, addition of Alpine CD player/radio, replacement of shocks and springs all around, addition of high performance aluminum radiator (when the original copper top radiator finally died), higher (11:1) compression pistons and rings, performance head (from IA when they actually had them available) with larger valves and performance valve springs, complete (headers back) Stebro stainless shell exhaust system and muffler (she sounds like a baby Ferrari), and finally (actually initially), addition of euro style front bumpers (from ReOriginals), euro air box, intake manifold and Webers (not the "kit" but genuine euro spec items for the european market spider), and Please note that the shift knob and Nardi wheel are not included in the sale, but original knob and a perfect Personal Alfa steering wheel (the original to the car) will be properly mounted in their place. This car was maintained by me, and by "Sal" perhaps the greatest alfa master mechanic in the North east. He was a genuine Alfa trained and employed master mechanic for nearly 30 years and still has the best touch on these cars. The front brakes too have been upgraded and the master cylinder replaced with new. IN addition at that time, the clutch slave cylinder was also replaced just for good measure, as was the donut and joints for the driveshaft. That was all less than 1000 miles ago, and all function perfectly without issue although the brake reservoir rubber bushings weep - I have and will include replacements. In fact I have a great amount of spares that will be included, including a pair of rear fenders that were cut from a donor car. That is due to the three areas of rust on the car: all outer panels as the inner rockers appear solid as can be. Both passenger and driver side rockers need new outers and perhaps mids (use Wolf steel parts - they're very good, cheap and have a great rocker / sill system). The other site is the rear passenger fender behind the wheel. This too is a straight forward fix. The only other notable item is a dent on the driver's side (just under the Tag Heuer rally stickers). The wheels (all 5 Turbinas) are sound and clean. The tires are just that, tired, but the car can be driven anywhere presently - no need to ship it - fly in and drive home. In fact, when I bought her 8 years ago, I flew to texas and drove her all the way to NJ, by way of a few detours through Louisiana and Florida. The interior of this car is very very clean - perhaps the cleanest around. The dash had a cap when I purchased it, and I have left it as it was since without any issue or regret. It is a perfect and flat fit and is not a distraction nor does it detract from the overall presentation of the fully carpeted and very tidy interior. Door panels are nearly perfect, and the seat covers, while believed to be original, are also near perfect with the cushions even holding up nicely. The beautiful original Personal wheel will be reinstalled and come with the car as will a stock shift ball in place of the push on wooden one pictured. With a relatively simple and common bit of cosmetic body work this car could be brought to a near show quality, while remaining a very competent and strong running driver. This Alfa allows you to drive her (insists that you drive her) as she's intended - a hot italian sports car. The convertible top is very very clean and the window clear. It functions perfectly and folds and opens without kink, creak or issue. The car is equipped with a rear area "curtain" and has a clean and original convertible top boot cover. The trunk is fully capered, the spare tire well is clean and without any rust, and the car is complete with its original tool bag. I once read, and it now hangs in my garage framed, that "Owning an Alfa Romeo is like dating a bat $(*# crazy super model....you're the envy of your friends, the thrills you get from the ride are unparalleled, and one day, she sets fire to your pants." It is funny, but truly very close to the mark! This Alfa has never set me ablaze, and there's no indication of that risk, but as it is an old car, I have always kept a small halon fire extinguisher in the rear "jump seat" area! Please feel free to ask any questions. This is a NO RESERVE auction...best of luck - this car deserves a discriminating and enthusiastic owner that will bring her back to where she has been and deserves to be again. The 74 is among the highest performing of the spider engines, and 2 liters. This engine has been with the car and is believed to be the original to the car although the head, when built up with larger valves, etc., was one purchased from International Auto and accordingly the original head was sent to them as a core exchange. Note - I DO have the complete original SPICA system that will come with the car. It needs a new thermostatic actuator I'm sure, and otherwise should be serviced and tuned by an expert if you're disposed to reinstalling it, but is complete, and included a very pretty chrome air cleaner cover which is rare, to the extent that I have never seen one on another car except for some in photos On Apr-25-12 at 14:30:11 PDT, seller added the following information: NOTE - see even more pictures that I've uploaded here. Included here is the pic of the passenger side rocker as for some reason the driver's side picture was doubled in the listing. Just want to make absolute full disclosures of this great car. On Apr-26-12 at 08:10:48 PDT, seller added the following information: I've been receiving many inquiries as to how the car runs and drives. I cannot stress enough that this car starts easily, warms quickly and holds its temp at just below 180 degrees in any kind of weather, revs freely throughout the entire range without hesitation (the car loves to rev and is true to form for an Alfa - it is at its very best "singing" in the upper rev range), and drives well, tracking and handling well. The springs are stock rate but newer, and the shocks are all new having been replaced just last year or the year prior. If you're not a fan of carbs and their lovely rich smelling aroma (I prefer to run them a little rich for better throttle response, but you can rejet to your liking - ah the beauty of carbs), you can easily switch back to the Spica injection - I have not removed the "INIEZIONE" badge from the rear of the car! AND - I forgot to mention that the brakes have been upgraded up front with the performance rotors pads and stainless braided lines (purchased about 2 years ago from Centerline Alfa - thanks Joe). I have noticed some weeping from the reservoir at the master cylinder, and have purchased and will install this weekend new rubber seals that go between the master and the reservoirs - easy fix. I'll then re-bleed the system as I'm sure air has found its way past the old seals. I also bought a new booster hose, as the one that's on there looks old and grey. It works fine, but since those hoses are always out of stock it seems, I found one and pounced so that will come with the car among the many other spares. Please note, that despite the above, the brakes function very well and are not going to be in need of major service or any upgrade or attention any time soon. Rears are fine as well.On Apr-27-12 at 09:16:40 PDT, seller added the following information: Hello all - thanks for your interest in my beloved Spider. FYI - I WILL BE PUTTING HER UP ON MY LIFT THIS EVENING, TAKING MANY HIGH RES PICS OF HER UNDERBELLY AND WILL POST THEM HERE (ANOTHER SLIDESHOW) LATE TONIGHT.On Apr-28-12 at 20:58:04 PDT, seller added the following information: OK, so here are the additional pictures of the undercarriage of the car. I had great visits with four prospective buyers today all of whom had the chance to inspect and drive the car - all of whom returned from their drives with bit satisfied grins on their faces! The day couldn't have been nicer, and the people I've met have made this process a joy thus far - the Alfisti are truly a great bunch of folks. Also in discussing the car during the inspections today, I recalled that I also had installed Sprull Engineering reinforced motor mount blocks (which really are fantastic units) and also neglected to mention that in addition to the hot pistons and a hot head, the car has performance cams also. On Apr-29-12 at 06:47:05 PDT, seller added the following information: I replaced the tach cable, which had snapped and found that it was likely the ORIGINAL cable!  It still had the lead tag attached at the nut that mounts it to the tachometer housing - that was a shock.  Anyhow, as had been requested by a few of the people that came to inspect and drive her, here is a short video of the tach working - as you can see, no needle shake (also remarkable) and it reads accurately, as I checked it with my digital timing /tach light.  I also shot the other gauges to show their proper function.  Lastly, one person actually asked me what the warranty was that I was offering on the car!???  A 38 year old car sold from a private person out of his home garage...warranty?  Well here you go, this car is being sold where is, as is, and with all faults known and unknown and seller makes no warranty as to fit, function or purpose other than to say that there has been no willful misstatement of fact contained in this auction and the photographs are accurate but cannot be deemed a substitute for a physical inspection, blah blah blah.  This is an honest, performing, running driving Alfa Spider with bumps and bruises, some rust (as painstakingly disclosed in the auction narratives and photographs).  Buyer beware however... this is an old italian sports car...if you don't realize that this isn't a new Hyundai that you're rolling off the lot, you're probably not the right buyer of this wonderful little auto. Best of luck to you all! This really has been a great experience, and I hope to wrap it up in the same manner and keep in touch with the new owner.  Hey...I hope you'll bring it to my Father's Day charity car show here in Mountainside NJ (June 17 this year).  The Nerds will be playing and there's a large food menu with a beer/wine tent and lots of variety of cars - COME JOIN US ALFISTI! Anyhow, here's the video of the tacho and gauges....