1974 Alfa Spider Resto

Purchased an Alfa Spider recently and will be doing a "sympathetic restoration" on it. I have been in the market for a GTV or spider for awhile and this car came up and very easily obtainable. Not in very great shape but rust is very minimal and much of the mechanicals are in good order. Plan to get the mechanical/suspension parts in ideal shape then begin the interior and exterior. Will do much of the work myself, except some of the mechanical work and final paint. Not too much needed mechanically so when done I will start on the paint. As far as paint removal to bare metal(needed due to previous paint) which is the best direction to start, using a stripper, blasting or sanding(seems to be various 4" options to remove paint)? Blasting is probably not an option, I assume, as I'm not taking the car completely apart.
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

More photos-not the best in the garage I know.....Justdashes in San Fernando Valley(LA) for some of the interior work planned, need to decide on the paint work, SB not the best for a reasonable job for a car not worth a whole lot but will explore my options.....maybe rent a paint booth and tackle myself. DellOrto Carb conversion as well. Surprised by the acceleration of this car
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I had one just like it but with Spica injection that I restored in about 1984. Terrific little car.

I like the tach and speedo that look like boobs.

Actually, they are pretty simple cars. The gearboxes are really strong in comparison to most Italian cars (2nd gear synchro a little crunchy), the bottom end of the engine is strong (the valve train somewhat weak but easy to do a valve job), the suspension straight forward (the rear trailer arm bushings go bad), the brake simple, and the they are not clutch eaters. They are also not oil leakers but the gearbox will leak if it was overfilled. Once overfilled, the only way to fix it is remove the box, do the clutch, and replace the seal.

They do like to blow head gaskets. Almost always it's water in the oil which is better than the other way around.

Some people put on guards to protect the pan. I personally think they do more damage than good. You hit more things that you wouldn't. The pan is cast aluminium. Instead of a steel pan that will just dent, an aluminium pan just cracks. You'll find a lot of them rewelded.

Rust is the biggest problem. The front bumpers are easy to damage and the parts hard to find and getting more expensive. Also, a lot of them were hit in the rear so look for damage under the rear wheel wells -- it's the weak point of the body and bows out when hit.

I ran mine in Phoenix and it never overheated. They are not that fast but they are fun. The Spica is a pain so having carbs will make it easier to tune. When they put in those carbs, it was really common to put in a hotter cam. So, that might be why you are getting a bit more power. Normally, it's like 115 HP.

The dashes will crack and some parts in the interior are impossible to find. The seats are standard vinyl and easy to replace. Don't worry about the glove box as none of them fit even when new.

If you get it all fixed up NEVER parallel park it. People cannot see the front of the nose and will back into it every time. That's why the front bumpers are so screwed up.

Good luck with the resto. It's a great car to have some fun with.

 

Thanks, good info. Rear bushings replaced so seems good. Front needs a little work. Sump looks good. Main running issue now is a vibration at 2-3K rpm. I'm fortunate to have the local Alfa mechanic as a patient of mine as well, well respected and a great guy that is realistic about these cars and willing to work with a part time DIYer. The vibration seems to be either a sagging of the mid drive shaft bushings and/or the transmission bushing where it connects to the driveshaft. PO had it replaced with a poly bushing but my mechanic says that made no sense and it should have been OEM to reduce these kind of vibrations. He recommended a full driveshaft rebuild along with replacement of those two parts, seems like were almost there with those parts being replaced. I'm inclined to have him do that work, but now sure what's entailed......should be fun regardless.

 

Jeff, these cars are such a treat...they are the little secret jewels people are slowly discovering. I get ALL my sportscar needs met with a spin in my spider, enjoy fixin yours up. Research the 'euro' look before you paint. Pininfarina intended a look sans side marker lights (with the exception of a small circular Carello lights up front), minimal chrome headlight rings, and again Carello, headlight covers...Ferrari-esque. This one was done up before the paint was shot....much cleaner look.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

cool rims!

 

You had one for sale or maybe still do? This doesn't seem like the car but maybe I'm not remembering. Very sweet car, not original euro? Yes, I was already planning removal of the side lights but not sold on the covered headlight Euro look. Like the wheels too, MOMOs, correct? Kind of like the BWAs too or panasports. Hate the Turbinas but couldn't pry the Campys from the previous owner.......we will see, too early for that.

Even in its crappy condition fun to drive!

 

I had one for a very long time. Truly a great and fun car. I finally got rid of my car after I was stopped in traffic and was rear ended by a minivan going about 40. Too bad, it was in excellent condition. Still tempted to get another one now and then.

 

Ya, I've got 3 of 'em series 2 Alfa spiders, always for sale I guess (at the right offer)...

This one was a converted to euro, inside and out (spica to webers), and those rare rims are Melber Major's...I just happen to have a PERFECT condition 2nd set for sale (don't I always?). They are extremely rare and beautiful. See me for other rare and cool alfa wheel sets when you are ready...I have been collecting period Alfa wheelsets for a decade.

 

Not sure I should ask but what do you want for the wheels? I definitely would like to change out the Turbinos but don't want to spend a lot of wheels given the other needs.....Interesting wheels, I'd never heard of them until now.

 

Jeff, the Melbers are kinda spendy, but I have dropped the a$k on them from $2k to $1,400. Advertised on the Alfa bulletin board at present.

These are another Italian boutique period Italian wheel called Ruspa, they are available for $900. For the set and are lightweight and stylish!...and incredibly rare like the melbers.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Very nice as well. Melbers not quite as expensive as initially thought too. I like the panasports but for the same money those look great. Considering.....

 

"Spendy" in Alfa world is dirt cheap in any other marque...part of the fun

 

Coming from the Ferrari world so true.....I will definitely keep in mind your wheels for the future. Want to get further along in my resto. Transmission mount was falling apart, think I found the vibration then but may rebuild the driveshaft while I'm in there.

 

I'd go broke buying upgrades from Classic Alfa Romeo spare parts and accessories.

 

Actually, I've found them to be very reasonable, especially some parts, cheaper than in US. Got to shop around a lot of variation. Thankfully, lots of sources....

 

Great thread, and neat looking cars guys.

My son (18) wants to trade his audi for an Alfa, pre 74.

 

Looks like a great project: I LOVE those Spiders - but haven't ever managed to own one.

I'd hope, since you're running carbs, that you'd delete the "iniezione" badge?

 

Nope, still there! Got three SPICA pumps to choose from if I ever decide to go back. PO was a parts hoarder and threw everything in on the sale. Better hood, drivers door and trunk lid as well as a bunch of other stuff, mostly useful.