No Reserve Boattail: 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider
This 1967 Alfa Romeo Spider is a desirable Duetto model, otherwise known as a “boat tail” and far more sought after than the later models that litter classified sites everywhere you look. The earlier models were far prettier, and typically listed with an exorbitant price tag – but not this car, as it’s up for grabs with no reserve. You’d think it was a rot bucket with this style of auction listing, but not so – it actually looks pretty decent. The only thing missing is the enclosed headlamp covers, which I imagine you could retrofit if desired. The Alfa is supposedly a long-term California car and comes with one of its original black plates. Find it here on eBay where bidding is at $13,300 with no reserve.
There’s no denying the boat tail design is a far, far prettier look for a classic Alfa Spider. Now, I love the later cars and believe they are a bargain on the vintage sports car marketplace. But in the case of rating the appearances of this long-tenured model, there’s no denying the earlier cars are infinitely more graceful. They are, however, also much more prone to having rust issues, and this car with its primary residence of California doesn’t appear to have any of those concerns given how well it presents in photos. The seller does call it a ten-footer in terms of cosmetics, but that also means you won’t hesitate to drive it every chance you can get.
The interior is in outstanding condition as well and actually looks better than a ten-footer would, in my opinion. The seller doesn’t divulge whether the cabin has previously been restored, but if it hasn’t, then this is one of the best-preserved convertible cockpits we’ve seen in recent memory. Usually, convertibles that are actually driven have seats with split seams and a destroyed dash, but that’s not the case here. The instruments look nice and clear and the glass damage-free. The seller discloses a small tear in the soft top but otherwise seems to indicate it’s good enough to use as-is for the foreseeable future.
Mileage is listed as 158,000, and the seller reports that the engine is very healthy with no shortage of acceleration and no smoke at any point. It benefits from rebuilt carburetors, and the listing claims the current owner has maintained it on an ongoing basis. No specific maintenance records are referenced in the listing but the seller seems confident that the next owner can begin logging miles almost immediately. An aftermarket exhaust is listed, which is a forgivable offense if it gives this Alfa some extra snort on those quiet mornings when traffic is light and the top is down. This seems like a bargain who no reserve, so it will be interesting to see where it ends up.
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Comments
Rare to see a Duetto in this condition. I love the lines of this car as compared to the later models. I also like the early series 2 models up to 74 where they still had the small bumpers and were less bloated than the later cars. I think this one has a way to go on the bidding but you never know. Someone might get a good deal.
And here’s to you, Mrs. Robinson.
One of the finest driving cars on the planet.
Despite having owned 45+ cars in my life, according to many of my friends I’m not a true petrolhead as I’ve never owned an Alfa. This is the car that could correct that personal shortcoming. Watching …
Or a pre 1980 Renault …
I had a ’67 Renault R10, and currently have a Renault-powered Lotus Europa, so all good there :-)
This would fetch well over USD $35 000 in South Africa and maybe even more in Europe, IF and only IF, it has no rust.
I know of a pristine example, not restored, example that was sold recently for the equivalent of at, the current exchange rate, USD $70 000. My brother has a very original Duetto that will one day be part of his pension.
But then again last week an example of our famous 3.0L GTV (developed in South Africa to battle BMW on the race track), indigenous to South Africa, sold on auction for USD $75 000, a record.
Read all about it here https://www.timeslive.co.za/motoring/features/2021-12-09-watch-rare-alfa-romeo-gtv-6-30-auctioned-for-r11m/
Being from Durban, now living in the UK and watching all of the USA motor shows and auctions, I just had to watch this one from Lot 1 through Lot 106, the Alfa GTV 6, all 4 hours of it. I hope there were a lot of Americans bidding, and winning, on these cars because although I figured they were very high prices for SA buyers they were absolute gifts to the Americans at sixteen Rand to the Dollar. Totsiens. Ken Tilly UK
I understand that a UK citizen bought it. A steal @ GBP 52 000. The UK and Japan are very active buyers on the South African car classic car market.
Ended:Dec 10, 2021 , 12:56PM
Winning bid:
US $27,300.00
[ 82 bids ]
@Quidditas. I’m not surprised. With a conversion rate near 20-1 SA is an open market.
Ended: Dec 10, 2021 , 10:56AM
Winning bid:US $27,300.00
[ 82 bids ]
Located in:Los Angeles, California