Storage Unit Find: 1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider
The Alfa Romeo Giulietta was a series of automobiles built in Italy between 1954 and 1965. While several body styles were offered, the one seen most often in the U.S. was the Spider, a 2-seat sports car. This 1961 Spider has been off the road for several years and has called this storage unit home. It looks pretty good in the photos but doesn’t run and will need a battery to test the waters with the engine which is said to turn by hand.
These automobiles got a styling update in 1961, the year this Spider was built. The design was fairly conventional, with the engine in the front and a driveshaft in the rear. More than 176,000 of the Giulietta family of vehicles were produced with just 14,000 or so being the Spider. We understand that a 1.3-liter Twin-Cam inline-4 was employed, though the seller mentions the one in this vehicle is slightly larger at 1.6 liters.
We get the impression the seller has owned this Spider for a long time. The photos included are from better days when it was running and driving. Besides an engine that’s said to produce 91 hp, this Alfa also has a ZF 5-speed manual transmission. The odometer reads below 56,000 miles, so perhaps the car doesn’t run due to its extended inactivity. We’re also told it was involved in a minor fender bender in 1981, but a body shop did the repairs.
All sorts of parts are said to come in the sale, though we don’t see them unless they’re in the car somewhere. The Alfa and its owner are located three hours apart, so the seller implores would-be buyers to be serious and ready to do a deal when they arrive. At $25,000, the seller says this machine is offered at a discounted price from its appraised value (is the appraisal written and in hand?). Available here on Facebook Marketplace, your travels will take you to East Dorset, Vermont to see the Italian sports car.
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Comments
If that car is close to rust free then it’s one of few left. These are on my list as being one of the best driving cars ever built. They are smooth, fast and fun. Also good investments. Don’t have market figures so can’t comment on the asking price but 4 or 5 years ago I sold the steering wheel off a ’57 that I’d had for years for $800 to a restoration shop in California.
For $25K, I think it should be in running condition.
Haggerty says a #4 is worth $32,200 and a condition #3 is worth $49,800.
VT = rust, but possibly never driven on salted roads so look carefully.
This is a very good price. The body is straight. The car appears to be complete and original. If there is no rust on this car then it is a big bonus. There appears room to restore this Alfa to Excellent or Concours condition. Hagerty values this car in Excellent condition at $78K, and Concours condition at $107K.
I have had a similar car, a ’65 Giulia Spider, for 32 years. The engine and transmission in this car undoubtedly came from a Giulia, replacing the original 1,33cc engine and 4-spd gearbox. These are excellent cars to own and drive and are only going up in value. Parts are easy to find.
The engine looks good, but even a full overhaul won’t kill you. Everything here depends on the presence of rust. You’ll have to lay eyes on it, which will offer the opportunity for bargaining (Take $20,000 in $100 bills in a briefcase but have another $5K in your pocket.) If there’s little to no rust, just buy it. You’ll never regret it and always enjoy it.
What is that under the dash on the left? Pictures all look like they were taken through a window screen. Very pretty car.
Looks like a good place to start