Views and what to look for 1991 Alpha Spider
Discussion
I have a 1991 Spider (2000 Veloce).
It’s a good old fashioned hoot to drive, being the last of the 105/115s with the largest version of the lovely Nord engine. The suspension and tracking do need to be kept set up properly.
I prefer driving it to my Series 1 E-type and I think it overall a much better car to drive in a spirited fashion.
A hardtop makes the car usable 9 months out of 12 and the soft top is easy enough to operate. Check that all the fixings and latches are there as they are not cheap.
Relatively cheap to keep on top of with most consumables available from ClassicAlfa. But replacement trim is quite dear or unobtainable. I have bought a spare salvage gearbox and window glass as well as an all in one carpet as they are not available new or NOS.
I also grab any and all relays I can because many are now impossible to replace and substitutes involve jury rigging similar but not identical items.
Rust tends to appear in the rear wheel arches but is not a widespread problem if the car is looked after.
The only things I really loathe about the car are the electrical circuits and the Bosch fuel injection system.
For the former, check every circuit carefully. Mine periodically decides suddenly to short the headlights for no apparent reason, or for the horn to sound when I’m steering left. I have a very able auto electrician who cannot proactively get on top of the issues but has always managed to repair faults when they manifest themselves.
As to the FI, I’m seriously considering moving over to a new Jenvey ITB and new ECU set up just to get rid of the Bosch system, which should be a simple closed circuit FI system but which, in reality, cannot cope with altitude variants from sea level to Alps.
It’s a good old fashioned hoot to drive, being the last of the 105/115s with the largest version of the lovely Nord engine. The suspension and tracking do need to be kept set up properly.
I prefer driving it to my Series 1 E-type and I think it overall a much better car to drive in a spirited fashion.
A hardtop makes the car usable 9 months out of 12 and the soft top is easy enough to operate. Check that all the fixings and latches are there as they are not cheap.
Relatively cheap to keep on top of with most consumables available from ClassicAlfa. But replacement trim is quite dear or unobtainable. I have bought a spare salvage gearbox and window glass as well as an all in one carpet as they are not available new or NOS.
I also grab any and all relays I can because many are now impossible to replace and substitutes involve jury rigging similar but not identical items.
Rust tends to appear in the rear wheel arches but is not a widespread problem if the car is looked after.
The only things I really loathe about the car are the electrical circuits and the Bosch fuel injection system.
For the former, check every circuit carefully. Mine periodically decides suddenly to short the headlights for no apparent reason, or for the horn to sound when I’m steering left. I have a very able auto electrician who cannot proactively get on top of the issues but has always managed to repair faults when they manifest themselves.
As to the FI, I’m seriously considering moving over to a new Jenvey ITB and new ECU set up just to get rid of the Bosch system, which should be a simple closed circuit FI system but which, in reality, cannot cope with altitude variants from sea level to Alps.
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