Boat Tail Barn Find: 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider
The Spider was a two-seat Italian roadster built by Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1994. The seller’s project is a first-generation edition from 1969, which should make it a Spider 1750. These little machines were fast, capable of speeds approaching 120 mph when pushed. From a garage in Strongsville, Ohio, we’re told this Spider has been restored mechanically, leaving the body, paint, and interior to the next owner to finish. You can find it here on eBay where the seller’s reserve is north of the current bid of $3,550.
Before the launch of its new sports car, Alfa Romeo conducted a write-in campaign to pick its name. After 100,000 ballots were received, the name Spider was selected after the first choice was found to be encumbered by a trademark (for a chocolate snack!). The original Spider was a 1600 but graduated to 1750 in 1968 (the numbering roughly equaled the cc displacement). The latter, which encompasses the seller’s auto, would have twin carburetors or fuel injection and a horsepower output of nearly 120.
The history of the seller’s car isn’t mentioned, but we’re told the mechanical side of the machine has already been taken care of. So, would that include a rebuilt motor and transmission, at a minimum? That tells me you could drive this vehicle while you take care of the cosmetic side of things. We’re told there’s rust in the driver’s side rocker panel and the floor pan by the passenger.
We’re unsure how much effort is going to be required with the interior. Only one photo is provided and it’s a closeup. The seller reports this is an easily restorable sports car that could be worth $25,000 when completed. Is that an assessment you would agree with?
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Comments
“Alpha?” ALFA – Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili.
Thank you… it’s hard to restrain further comment.
What’s next – a Camero,or a Ford 4WD truck with a wench?
IIRC this model is more highly sought, as the later ones featured a redesigned rear allegedly due to better aerodynamics..
Sparse info & photos but it appears to have everything for a nice rebuild-or a daily driver if the new owner is familiar with the Italian car eccentricities and carries tools.
I had one when I was 18, given to me by my big brother to use to get to college and my job at ‘fault dismal world’… it was the primary reason I dropped out of college, it was less than reliable and it was all of 3 yrs old. he also had just bought a 450SE (73) so I was often seen driving it, a fact that I didn’t mind. to own one in this shape is so frightening to me that I can’t fathom the gobs of money it would take just to buy parts. imagine the cost of a new dash top? you can keep this ALPHA. I like reliability at my age.
Sorry to hear that you had reliability issues with your 3 year old Alfa back in the day. My Alfa experience predates yours by more than a decade. This old gent’s ’57 Giulietta Spider was hard to start in sub-freezing temps due to the Lucas electrical components (a WW2 reparations requirement). Marelli replacements solved the problem. AROC monthly newsletters provided cross reference info for parts. My ’63 Bertone Sprint 1600 with Bosch OEM electrics was always reliable even in sub-zero weather. Both became high mileage rides. Proper maintenance, including occasional full throttle “tune ups” assured reliability equal to the best.
I wish I had kept both of them.
I also had a 68 GTV (1.6L) and it was very reliable. had both at the same time. bought the 1600 from an ad in the Orlando sentinel, young couple having a baby, sold it to me $1500. thin paint, but leather sports seats, euro of course (68). that car just kept going and going. but the duetto was always laid up for one reason or another. thanks for commenting, interesting comment. you have had some nice cars!
When I sold Alfa’s at least twice a month we got free newspaper ads because someone couldn’t spell Alfa correctly…..amazes me anyone doing these write ups can’t spell Alfa Romeo correctly but I had a 69 Spider that the original title was listed as Alfred Romeo
Let’s not get too critical of poor Russ! It is only a typo error that is fully understandable, because in English “Alpha” is how we spell the first letter of the Greek alphabet…as in Alpha and Omega. In English we also spell other words with a “ph” that in other European languages are spelled with an “f”. Examples: Ralph, Adolph, etc. Before typing and sending an attack on someone, first allow this sentence to pass through your mind in a relaxed manner: “Do as you would be done by”…
The main attraction with this car is that it’s a “round-tail” Alfa, built before the switch to a Kamm-inspired (flat) rear end and 5-mph bumpers. People prefer this early body shape.
But that’s about it. On the downside, this car needs skilled metalwork, an interior, mechanical work, and probably more (brakes, suspension, electrical, cooling system, transmission, etc., etc. The overhauled engine is a huge question mark. “How lucky do you feel, punk?”
Well then, I would absolutely have to christen my Alfa as Alfred, or Alfredo, if you will. And I’d have it displayed as a discreet script on the car. Of course, people’s minds might go back to poor doomed Fredo, brother of Michael and Santino (Sonny).
Regarding that boattail Alfa, I’d love to hear the Brraaaapp from those chrome exhaust tips.
US $9,600.00
21 bids
Ended 11/21, 08:00 AM