Located in Seattle, Washington and for sale here on eBay is this 1974 Alfa Romeo Berlina. Complete with a clear title (and quite a story) this little Alfa has BIN of $2,250 with the option to make an offer.

Why is it that when I see the words “Alfa” and “rust” in the same sentence, I begin to shake uncontrollably? Sadly this little Alfa is blessed with its fair share of the tin worm, along with a few other issues as well. The odds have been firmly stacked against this little beauty due to its storage since the current owner bought it in 1978. It has spent 50% of its life between 1978 and 1994 living outside. From ’94 until 2009 it was stored outside under a tarp with Dri-Z-Air inside. It only made it into indoor storage from 2009 until now. It has rust and rot in the trunk lid, the doors, around the door frames, the A-pillars and the sills. There are no photos of the underside of the car, but I think that it’s a safe bet that there is more to be found down there.

Mechanically the Alfa has its fair share of issues. The original motor suffered a cracked head in 1979 (the owner is including that engine with the car). This was replaced with a Spider engine that had 19,000 miles on it. The owner then took the car off the road after covering a further 10,000 miles. The motor was last started in 2003. The owner states that the engine still turns over, but it won’t start. The diff also whines as result of a leak that saw it accidentally run out of oil at one stage. He suggests that it will probably require a new crown wheel and pinion.

This little Alfa has been in the wars. It has also suffered frontal damage in an accident (hence the bent license plate) but this was repaired and the owner states that the car drove fine after that. The car does have a sunroof, but this was installed by the original owner. My experience with these after-market jobs is that they are prone to leaking. If this is the case then it’s just another potential source of moisture that will accelerate the rusting process.

The interior looks generally tired with a cracked dash-pad and torn driver’s seat, but the back seat looks to be in reasonable condition. Some of the more desirable Alfa parts like the center console, steering wheel and instruments are still in place and appear to be in decent condition.

Virtually everyone who is involved with cars will have heard at least one Alfa joke or horror story, but let me tell you that driving a fully-functioning Alfa on a twisting mountain road is one of the most joyous and satisfying motoring experience that you will ever have. I look at this sad little car and in my mind’s eye, I can picture that experience. The logical part of my brain tells me that those days are probably over for this little Alfa, but where there’s life there’s hope. Do you think that someone will take it on?