1974 Alfa Romeo Spider from North America - Comments

Replaced leaky head gasket.

Replaced rear shocks.

Replaced driveshaft "donut."

Rebuilt front brake calipers.

Reupholstered door panels.

Replaced broken outside driver's side door handle.

Replaced both inside door handles.

Heater blower doesn't work (who cares? I only drive it in the summer anyway...), although the heater does.

Turn signal/headlight switch is worn out.

Speedo cable broke and needs to be replaced.

A friend of my dads had the car for years and wanted to get rid of it for not much more than a song, including a bunch of parts, hardtop, old literature, and more. At first I was a bit apprehensive about buying a 30-plus year old Italian sports car that needed some work, but I did some research and went ahead and got it, all the while keeping my fingers crossed.

It turned out to be the best vehicle purchase of my life, and Ive owned more than a few cars, including custom/hot rods and other sporty and semi-sporty stuff. This thing is phenomenal, and I will keep it running for as long as I am able to drive stick shift.

This car is an amazing sports car value for a competent do-it-yourselfer. If you know your way around an engine bay and are savvy with basic hand tools, and don’t mind certain quirks inherent in any classic car, this car is for you. If you need to pay a mechanic to fix every little thing and need to have everything perfect to be happy with a sports car, buy a Miata or something else that isnt this old. The parts are cheap, the car is easy to work on with a decent repair manual (Chiltons or Haynes are both excellent), and when properly maintained, the car is incredibly reliable, which blew me away. I have driven the car to work, to the grocery store, and on 200 and 300 mile road trips, and have never been left sitting or even had to attempt a roadside repair. Ive heard some terrible stories about the SPICA mechanical fuel injection, but Ive not had any problems. I would recommend upgrading the fuel pump to a newer model though. I have had some hot-start vapor lock issues with my older one, and plan on doing the swap when the weather breaks.

Inside, the car is actually more comfortable and larger than most other small sports cars like an MG or Miata. In fact, the only other true sports car Ive ever been in with this much legroom is my Porsche 914. The Alfas wooden steering wheel is a great touch. The Alfas shifter position takes a little getting used to – its up in the dash – but its not a big adjustment after a couple shifts and is pretty much second nature after a day or two. The interior is much more comfortable than it looks. The seats are supportive without being too hard, and the seating position – arms and legs straight forward and extended - is good even though at first it feels like youre sitting on the road. Pedal placement is very good too, and as they are close together, heel-toe downshifting is easy. Rounding out the well thought-out interior, the convertible top is a marvel of engineering simplicity – two latches, one arm, and the top is up or down. Even a Miata requires you to unzip the back window first.

However, like all great sports cars, being driven, and driven hard, is where the Alfa shines. The engine audibly reminds you at every rev that this really is an Italian sports car, and has plenty of wailing and power through all 5 gears to prove it. When I drove the car for the first time and really wound it through the gears, I couldnt believe how loud and sexy the four cylinder engine sounds when pushed. Ive had something like four different Hondas/Acuras, and I thought they sounded great when opened up, but this Alfa is in a class of its own. It passes well on the highway, and is just as easy to drive in traffic as well. I can also get 30 m.p.g. while driving somewhat sensibly, although thats a pretty tough feat when the exhaust pipe is singing on the little twin cam 2-liters way to its redline. The Alfa handles very well and goes more or less right where you point it. However, keep in mind that this is NOT a German or Japanese car, and requires a bit of emotional input and even some faith to get the most out of it. While the German or Japanese cars sometimes feel very solid and somewhat devoid of quirkiness, this car can feel like its fighting both itself and the driver during vigorous flogging on windy mountain roads. It can get a little tail-happy if youre banging through the gears on a tight curve and hit a bump, but its overall a very predictable car to drive even given its notorious chassis flex. It also stops on a dime with four-wheel disc brakes, which comes in handy in a car as fun to drive fast as this one.

All in all, if you have the opportunity to buy one of these – especially an older one without power options or emissions controls – and you dont mind tinkering with it once in awhile, buy it. You wont regret it one bit. Watch out for rust in the floors and rear quarters, especially on the older cars. Also, pretty much every one of these Ive seen or read about has a very fragile 2nd gear synchro, so dont let that stop you from buying an otherwise good solid car. Just take it easy when shifting and/or learn how to double-clutch. For a few grand, you can buy a nice older example and have a very sexy and fast Italian sports car every bit as hot-blooded and fun to drive as its more pricey cousins at a literal fraction of the price. Try to find an example that was enthusiast-owned, and not only will the car likely be better maintained, but it will probably come with some cool stuff and extra parts that will make the ownership experience that much better. If you do your homework when choosing one to buy, the Alfa Spider is probably one of the best cars in its price range period. Mechanically reliable, fun to drive, cheap to fix if you provide most or all of the labor, and best of all, you will very rarely see another one on the road while youre driving yours.

Excellent, excellent, excellent review.

I'm intending to get this car.

The owner is not in town and he's selling it through his mom where it's garaged at. He's been working on this car before as a hobby but halted when he found a well paying job in the Middle East.

The only information I got about what's wrong with the car is that it has a ignition problem.

It's been sitting in the garage for 14 years.

The tires are all flat. I'm not sure if they will still be good when inflated.

I gather from all the comments I've read so far is that it is easy to fix and I'm willing to tackle that by myself. I can't find the Chilton or the the other manual to repair this car, so I've not decided to buy the car.

Also where can I find parts for it?

Please direct me if you don't mind. I'd like to drive this car as I'm a starving artist and I like old stuff.

Thanks.

Monty.

Do not walk! Run and get that car! I got mine one month ago. Been sitting for 10 years, with a tune up and filter replacements, mine runs.. It's alive! I still have a lot to do.

You can find lots of help like alfa romeo bb. Just google your problem or QA. Read read read.