I’ve only mentioned very casually that I recently picked up my first Alfa Romeo project, a 1988 Milano Verde. It should be sweet when it once again runs, as the 3.0 “Busso” V6 is known for its sonorous engine note. The same can be said for the later cars, like this 164S, which is listed as a driver-quality specimen with some expensive maintenance work done but still in need of cosmetic refreshing. The 164S is listed for sale in Palm Springs with what the seller refers to as a major engine and transmission overhaul recently completed. The paint and interior are tired, so bring your detailing brushes. Find the Alfa here on craigslist with an asking price of $3,900.

Thanks to Barn Finds reader Rex M. for the find. This is one of those cars that is always on my short list to buy should one pop up for sale, and if I had seen this two months ago, I may have jumped at the chance to buy a mechanically refreshed but cosmetically challenged Alfa. But since my sweet spot remains late 1980s vehicles, I’m happy with the decision I made, especially since the Verde Milanos came with a few different goodies the 164 didn’t, like fender flares and a complete Recaro interior. While you can’t tell from here, the paint is tired and dirty, a detail you can really only spot in the photo below. The 164 in “S” guise came with the sill and lower spoiler extensions you see here, along with other performance enhancements like a sport suspension. However, take a look at the rear taillight trim piece over the license plate – why isn’t that sitting flush with the body?

Here’s the picture that clued me in to what the seller is describing in terms of rough cosmetics: the leather seats are very worn, and while the upholstery doesn’t have gigantic holes in it, the age-related damage is very evident. The other clue is the shot of the hood, which you can see more of in the full-size photo: the paint is filthy, which I realize is superficial, but it could also be a case of the finish being so tired that the seller isn’t bothering to wash it. The interior carpets and dash appear to be in good shape, so it seems strange that a car that has received a mechanical “overhaul” has been so sorely neglected otherwise. The actual mileage isn’t reported, so it’s hard to say whether the flaws we see are just a result of use, or if the current or previous owner just wasn’t worried about keeping the paint ship-shape and treating the leather every now and again.

Ah, those trademark Alfa intake runners – what a gorgeous engine. This is where the 164 truly bests the Milano, as the Milano’s engine bay isn’t exactly attractive. From what little I have learned about Alfas to this point, it’s safe to say buying one that’s mechanically sound is money well spent, especially since Alfa mechanics are in short supply and they charge a fair price when you do find one. I would want to see receipts documenting the mechanical work the seller promises has been done, as that’s necessary to assess whether the affordable asking price is cheap enough to justify taking on a driver that at least needs a paint correction and new leather before it’s in top-flight shape once again.