1980 Alfa Romeo Spider veloce review from North America

Where do I start?

To begin with, my new Spider Veloce was a grey market car in everything, but name. The ’81 model was a one-off interim model, in between a long-standing Spica injected model and prior to the following year release of an electronic fuel injected model. The ’81 included modifications to the aging mechanical Spica Injection system (for purely smog purposes). These modifications made my Alfa significantly different from previous Spica injected Alfas and totally different from the next and subsequent years of electronic injected Alfas. There were simple, one-off body trim differences too, with totally out of proportion consequences. OK…here we go:

1) From day one, off the dealer lot, the car was stubborn to start, tended to stall, demonstrated poor performance and had a disheartening pre-ignition when accelerating on level roads. Dealer and other sources confirmed that this was to be expected of this particular year model.

2) The parking lamp fuse blew, as I drove off of the dealer lot. It blew every time it rained, and I discovered months later that the one-off-year mounted front parking light housing collected water and rusted. I fixed this myself while still in warranty.

3) The interim year head gasket blew at 5k miles, warranty replaced.

4) The replacement head gasket blew at 15k miles. I systematically cleaned the head and replaced.

5) An interim year fuel line snaked back and forth under the car (an “S” shaped, un-reinforced hose). This hose would fatigue and collapse, cutting off fuel pressure and stopping the car. Happened repeatedly until; well more on that later.

6) The interim year accelerator cable that replaced a solid mechanical linkage would shear unexpectedly. This occurred in Houston freeway rush hour traffic, once when my wife was driving, just outside of warranty. I replaced it and it occurred yet again. I learned to frequently inspect and have replacements on hand.

7) Head gasket blew again at 30k miles. I systematically cleaned the head, checked for surface abnormalities and replaced yet again. This car was never over-heated.

8) Interim year smog adjustments had the engine running at 212 degrees. This was quite hot for the aluminum engine and the dealer described this as per '81 year design. Changing thermostat to cooler version had no effect, as flow restrictor in the intake manifold defeated greater cooling volume. High operating temperatures helped explain head gasket and premature valve wear.

9) Nylon belt driven fan self destructed while driving home, in freeway traffic at 40k miles.

10) Exhaust valve wore out at 60k miles.

I packaged the engine head and spica injection pump and sent to a known good Alfa expert for evaluation and repair, and then...

My expert advised me that the Spica pump was leaking gas into the oil system and that it was DOA.

I knew my Alfa was a beautiful, but unhappy thoroughbred, encumbered by an ambivalent exporter and an unsympathetic EPA. "HELP ME", she pleaded. "HELP ME". Who could resist.

I then yanked out the A/C unit, evaporator and condenser. I removed the EGR system, air pump, remaining Spica injection components, stock intake manifold, exhaust manifold and exhaust system. I removed the interim, prone-to-break throttle cable mechanism and air cleaner. I added pre-smog twin dellorto side draft carbs + intake, pre-smog factory header + Ansa exhaust. Gone went the zig-zagging fuel lines. I installed the earlier model mechanical linkage throttle system and advanced the valve and ignition timing.

Oh, boy. What a difference. My Alfa sang….gloriously. She purred as beautifully as she looked. I was hooked and the open road beckoned for another four years.

But you can't do this. Getting the car inspected was a major pain for me, as it would be for you. Much better to buy a L-jetronic fuel injected car, one model year later. BTW: I didn't mention the water pump (s), clutch (es), oil seals and other incidentals that were replaced before 70k miles.

Metallic silver with burgundy red interior... a siren's song. Sitting still or on the road... it looked fast and sexy. Whoever originally designed the car truly loved the concept. Got lots of comments and attention at fueling stations and parking lots. Lots of stares on the road. And after the de-EPA mods; oh sweet heaven.

Dang, but it was hard for the first 6 years. I had more patience than I would today. Now, I would make the dealer eat the car, long before warranty was out.