1961 Alfa Romeo Spider

Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

149510238

Gasoline

Please note before reading further; after we downloaded the photos for this listing, they appeared to show massive rust bubbles on the body of the car. We don't know what has caused this degradation, but can assure you that the body is very clean. We will attempt to retake better photos that better represent the quality of the sheet metal, and upload them as soon as possible. I bought this car in April 1995 from a young realtor in Denver who apparently bought it from a UAL pilot who’d done a light restoration (mostly cosmetics) some years before. The pilot had supposedly purchased it from the original owner out of Arizona. I drove it for a year in its original, ‘as purchased’, condition before deciding that I wanted to turn it into something more exciting and gratifying for blasting through the canyons and over the mountain roads of Boulder and Laramie counties in Colorado. So, in 1996, I started on a campaign of improving the car and performed the following modifications: 1. Used Centerline springs to lower the car. This along with adding Pirelli P-6 tires turned it from a wobbly and uncertain-handling 50’s vintage roadster into something resembling a go-cart in its cornering ability. Might’ve put on new shocks. 2. Rebuilt the engine using a Centerline 1400cc kit. Rebuilt the water and oil pumps at the same time. Put in a stronger spring in the oil pump to increase the pressure. The crank is 0/0 as I recall and I put all new bearings in. It received a clutch/pressure plate from a later 1600cc car (new of course) that was considered stronger than the original. The rotating assembly was balanced. I believe I had the starter rebuilt then. 3. The cylinder head was taken to a fellow in Longmont CO (whose name I unfortunately cannot recall) who, at the time, did the cylinder head work for the Yamaha racing team. (As an aside, he was quite impressed with the head design that was then some 35 years old.) He cleaned up the valve pockets (resulting in some 12% better airflow) and milled the head to a calculated 11.25CR. He didn’t touch the ports as he considered them to just fine. He also did some other detail work that I can’t recall. The head received all new valves, springs (I believe the springs were from a later model engine with greater pressure), and retainers. The valve seats were given his ‘special’ treatment (I believe something like 4 angles). 4. The distributor was swapped out for a later unit that had more/faster advance and was converted to electronic (Pertronix?). 5. The radiator was rebuilt and hoses replaced. 6. The mechanical fan was removed and an electric unit installed. 7. The single downdraft Solex card was shit-canned for a pair of Webers. 8. Cams from a later engine (I can’t remember which, but they had a lot more duration and lift) were substituted for the originals). 9. The exhaust system was shit-canned and a straight 13/4” pipe was run to the rear with a Supertrapp muffler. 10. Exhaust manifolds from a later model engine we substituted for the originals as these had something like a 15% greater ID. 11. After doing the aforementioned, a desk top dyno program predicted something on the order of 135HP. The car certainly performed like it. During the same period, I also did the following: 1. Installed a new top (Hart cloth?). If you live in a place where the weather isn’t a factor, remove the top…that thing must weigh a hundred pounds! 2. Added the Nardi wheel and horn kit (it works!). Since then, I had the following done: 1. In 2010, installed a new battery. 2. In 2010 repainted the car with PPG and in the original AR146 color. This was available for only 2-3 model years and had more orange than the later reds. I find it more appealing. We painted the car in the garage in which it is photographed. So it is hardly a ‘pro’ job but is a good 10’ paint job. We had a hell of a time with the reducers, etc at an elevation of 9494’. But it has good eye appeal. It has ‘patina’ and I’ve had people ask if it is the original paint. 3. In 2010, removed all wheels, repacked the front wheel bearings, inspected brake linings and drums. 4. The 2nd gear synchro was always weak and so I removed the tranny in December of 2010 and sent it to Alfa West in Denver to be disassembled and fixed. The good news is that the car had acquired a late ’67 5 speed gearbox along the way and so has the later style (and available) synchros and can use standard gear lube. 5. Oil and filter changed in August 2010. 6. Changed radiator hoses. 7. Replaced plug wires, plugs, and distributor cap. So what will you have? 1. A pretty much complete example of a 1961 Alfa 101 series Spyder that has been converted from a Normale to an Abnormale. (I even have the chrome eyebrows for the grill openings). (The missing, in the photos, right turn light assembly has been reinstalled.) 2. The interior is in very good condition and appears to be complete. 3. This car is certainly not a Sunday, drive to the country club for brunch, over-restored, picture perfect car. It was put together to be driven, and driven hard. 4. It has proven to be very reliable. In 1997, it made an approx. 1200 mile round trip to Albuquerque and surroundings. In 1999 it was driven from Lyons CO to Orange County CA (approx. 1200 miles one way) and spent the next few years driving around that area. In 2000, it went back to Atlanta and made several trips to Savannah and Charleston without any failures. In 2003 it spent the next two years running around Las Vegas. It returned to Colorado in 2005 and is presently garaged in Cripple Creek. The car probably has 4,500 miles since the bulk of the work was done. 5. It has a car cover. 6. It has the original fan assembly, carb, manifold, and ‘eyebrows’, along with lots of reference materials. I may even have some of the original invoices for the work done in ‘96, etc. I have a wiring schematic. 7. It has current Colorado (historic) registration. Negatives: 1. It has a slight leak from the front main. 2. It has a slight leak where the pressure tube goes into the back of the oil pressure gauge. 3. Needs to be thoroughly cleaned. 4. Side window glass needs to be adjusted as it is very difficult to wind up. 5. Needs some electrical wiring reconnected. 6. Doors need to be adjusted. 7. The carburation needs to be sorted out. We originally jetted it for 5000’. Probably ran lean during the time it spent at sea-level, but still ran strong. Doesn’t run very happily at its present location at 9494’, but what does up here that’s carbureted? 8. Looks like the original radio but nothing comes out of the speakers. Doesn’t matter as this car makes music of its own. Why am I selling it? 1. I’m 66 years old. 2. The Ducatis and Nortons have been sold. 3. Up here, there are very few days of the year that open air motoring is pleasurable. 4. My interest has turned to reloading various calibers for 1000 yard shooting and going after ducks and pheasant in the fall. 5. I’ve hardly driven this little beast the last dozen years and so it needs to go to someplace where it will be appreciated and worked on. 6. Email me with a phone number if you’d like to talk to me personally and I’ll call back as promptly as possible. Disclaimer: The photos have been photo shopped (duh!). This was only done to the background as the barn is such a pig sty I felt it would disrupt visuals of, and draw attention away from, the beast, itself. In conclusion: I’ve described everything that was done to the car to the best of my memory but I’m certain I may have left some things out. This is a solid, good performing car but it is for the enthusiast that likes to work on them. It can use TLC here and there primarily to detail it out. It draws a crowd whenever and wherever parked. If I was younger and still dating, I could certainly put it to good use. Shipping: I will sell this car worldwide. Anyone who purchases this car will be responsible for pick up, shipping, and delivery. If you are trying to obtain a shipping quote, the shipping zip code is 80813. I will do what I can to assist you with the pick up of this vehicle and help to make the transition of ownership as smooth as possible. Payment: A $1,000US PayPal deposit is required within 48 hours of auction's end. Full payment by wire transfer is due within 7 days of auction's end. This car will only be released from my possession after your full payment has cleared my bank. Once your payment clears you will have 14 days to pick this car up.On Feb-25-12 at 14:28:07 PST, seller added the following information: New photos taken on afternoon of 2/25/2012 are replacing the original photos in the listing. I bought this car in April 1995 from a young realtor in Denver who apparently bought it from a UAL pilot who’d done a light restoration (mostly cosmetics) some years before. The pilot had supposedly purchased it from the original owner out of Arizona. I drove it for a year in its original, ‘as purchased’, condition before deciding that I wanted to turn it into something more exciting and gratifying for blasting through the canyons and over the mountain roads of Boulder and Laramie counties in Colorado. So, in 1996, I started on a campaign of improving the car and performed the following modifications: 1. Used Centerline springs to lower the car. This along with adding Pirelli P-6 tires turned it from a wobbly and uncertain-handling 50’s vintage roadster into something resembling a go-cart in its cornering ability. Might’ve put on new shocks. 2. Rebuilt the engine using a Centerline 1400cc kit. Rebuilt the water and oil pumps at the same time. Put in a stronger spring in the oil pump to increase the pressure. The crank is 0/0 as I recall and I put all new bearings in. It received a clutch/pressure plate from a later 1600cc car (new of course) that was considered stronger than the original. The rotating assembly was balanced. I believe I had the starter rebuilt then. 3. The cylinder head was taken to a fellow in Longmont CO (whose name I unfortunately cannot recall) who, at the time, did the cylinder head work for the Yamaha racing team. (As an aside, he was quite impressed with the head design that was then some 35 years old.) He cleaned up the valve pockets (resulting in some 12% better airflow) and milled the head to a calculated 11.25CR. He didn’t touch the ports as he considered them to be just fine. He also did some other detail work that I can’t recall. The head received all new valves, springs (I believe the springs were from a later model engine with greater pressure), and retainers. The valve seats were given his ‘special’ treatment (I believe something like 4 angles). Of course, new guides, and seals, along with drive chains. 4. The distributor was swapped out for a later unit that had more/faster advance and was converted to electronic (Pertronix?). 5. The radiator was rebuilt and hoses replaced. 6. The mechanical fan was removed and an electric unit installed. 7. The single downdraft Solex card was shit-canned for a pair of Webers. 8. Cams from a later engine (I can’t remember which, but they had a lot more duration and lift) were substituted for the originals. 9. The exhaust system was shit-canned and a straight 13/4” pipe was run to the rear with a Supertrapp muffler. 10. Exhaust manifolds from a later model engine were substituted for the originals as these had something like a 15% greater ID. 11. After doing the aforementioned, a desk top dyno program predicted something on the order of 135HP. The car certainly performed like it. During the same period, I also did the following: 1. Installed a new top (Hart cloth?). If you live in a place where the weather isn’t a factor, remove the top…that thing must weigh a hundred pounds! 2. Added the Nardi wheel and horn kit (it works!). Since then, I had the following done: 1. In 2010, installed a new battery. 2. In 2010 repainted the car with PPG and in the original AR146 color. This was available for only 2-3 model years and had more orange than the later reds. I find it more appealing. We painted the car in the garage in which it is photographed. So it is hardly a ‘pro’ job but is a good 10’ paint job. We had a hell of a time with the reducers, etc at an elevation of 9494’. But it has good eye appeal. It has ‘patina’ and I’ve had people ask if it is the original paint. 3. In 2010, removed all wheels, repacked the front wheel bearings, inspected brake linings and drums. 4. The 2nd gear synchro was always weak and so I removed the tranny in December of 2010 and sent it to Alfa West in Denver to be disassembled and fixed. The good news is that the car had acquired a late ’67 5 speed gearbox along the way and so has the later style (and available) synchros and can use standard gear lube. 5. Oil and filter changed in August 2010. 6. Changed radiator hoses. 7. Replaced plug wires, plugs, and distributor cap. So what will you have? 1. A pretty much complete example of a 1961 Alfa 101 series Spyder that has been converted from a Normale to an Abnormale. (I even have the chrome eyebrows for the grill openings). (The missing, in the photos, left turn light assembly will be reinstalled.) 2. The interior is in very good condition and appears to be complete. 3. This car is certainly not a Sunday, drive to the country club for brunch, over-restored, picture perfect car. It was put together to be driven, and driven hard. 4. It has proven to be very reliable. In 1997, it made an approx. 1200 mile round trip to Albuquerque and surroundings. In 1999 it was driven from Lyons CO to Orange County CA (approx. 1200 miles one way) and spent the next few years driving around that area. In 2000, it went back to Atlanta and made several trips to Savannah and Charleston without any failures. In 2003 it spent the next two years running around Las Vegas. It returned to Colorado in 2005 and is presently garaged in Cripple Creek. The car probably has 4,500 miles since the bulk of the work was done. 5. It has a car cover. 6. It has the original fan assembly, carb, manifold, and ‘eyebrows’, along with lots of reference materials. I may even have some of the original invoices for the work done in ‘96, etc. I have a wiring schematic. 7. It has current Colorado (historic) registration. Negatives: 1. It has a slight leak from the front main. 2. It has a slight leak where the pressure tube goes into the back of the oil pressure gauge. 3. Needs to be thoroughly cleaned. 4. Side window glass needs to be adjusted as it is very difficult to wind up. 5. Needs some electrical wiring reconnected. 6. Doors need to be adjusted. 7. The carburation needs to be sorted out. We originally jetted it for 5000’. Probably ran lean during the time it spent at sea-level, but still ran strong. Doesn’t run very happily at its present location at 9494’, but what does up here that’s carbureted? 8. Looks like the original radio but nothing comes out of the speakers. Doesn’t matter as this car makes music of its own. Why am I selling it? 1. I’m 66 years old. 2. The Ducatis and Nortons have been sold. 3. Up here, there are very few days of the year that open air motoring is pleasurable. 4. My interest has turned to reloading various calibers for 1000 yard shooting and going after ducks and pheasant in the fall. 5. I’ve hardly driven this little beast the last dozen years and so it needs to go to someplace where it will be appreciated and worked on. 6. Email me with a phone number if you’d like to talk to me personally and I’ll call back as promptly as possible. In conclusion: I’ve described everything that was done to the car to the best of my memory but I’m certain I may have left some things out. This is a solid, good performing car but it is for the enthusiast that likes to work on them. It can use TLC here and there primarily to detail it out. It draws a crowd whenever and wherever parked. If I was younger and still dating, I could certainly put it to good use. Shipping: I will sell this car worldwide. Anyone who purchases this car will be responsible for pick up, shipping, and delivery. If you are trying to obtain a shipping quote, the shipping zip code is 80813. I will do what I can to assist you with the pick up of this vehicle and help to make the transition of ownership as smooth as possible. Payment: A $1,000US PayPal deposit is required within 48 hours of auction's end. Full payment by wire transfer is due within 7 days of auction's end. This car will only be released from my possession after your full payment has cleared my bank. Once your payment clears you will have 14 days to pick this car up.On Feb-25-12 at 15:10:41 PST, seller added the following information: Re: Photos... Please disregard the first 5 photos, as there is a tremendous amount of pixel degradation. The next 8 photos taken on the afternoon of 2/25/2012, are more representative of the car.On Feb-26-12 at 08:44:00 PST, seller added the following information: Note on interior: We've added interior shots; still having problems with the photograhphy; we assume it has to do with the very intense sunlight up here (9494 altitude). In some shots leather looks dried and dull; we can assure you that it is in very good condition; it is not torn; it is not dried or cracked. Overall the condition of the interior is very good. Regarding cylinder head: I forgot at the time of the modifications, new guides and seals were put in. In short, the head was completely rebuilt, along with new timing chains.On Feb-29-12 at 14:22:38 PST, seller added the following information: Note on photos: We have nine more underside photos that we were unable to upload due to EBay limitations; if you would like to see the additional nine photos, please email me and I will send them to you.