Discussion
As usual I am looking at old cars with a view to bringing them back to the UK when I return. My search has just thrown up a very nice 1983 Alfasud cloverleaf, original condition but needs minor work. It won the Australian Melbourne concours 15 years ago and has sat in storage ever since.
I cannot however seem to find any for sale in the UK to compare prices and see if its worth my while. I estimate 4-5k gbp in excellent condition (virtually rust free) with an MOT and tax would be the cost of this one.
I cannot however seem to find any for sale in the UK to compare prices and see if its worth my while. I estimate 4-5k gbp in excellent condition (virtually rust free) with an MOT and tax would be the cost of this one.
Edited by james280779 on Tuesday 4th June 07:28
If it helps, recently I was offered a 1.5 late-model Alfasud 2 door with very low mileage and no rust (didn't see the car but the owner had mailed me loads of photos) for €4950. It looked absolutely immaculate in the pictures.
I was very interested but it sold before I could get to see it.
I was very interested but it sold before I could get to see it.
sunbeam alpine said:
If it helps, recently I was offered a 1.5 late-model Alfasud 2 door with very low mileage and no rust (didn't see the car but the owner had mailed me loads of photos) for €4950. It looked absolutely immaculate in the pictures.
I was very interested but it sold before I could get to see it.
this one has 150km but before being laid up had the engine and gearbox fully rebuilt. The paintwork is dull but I reckon would shine up lovely with some decent polish. I will have to do some more enquiriesI was very interested but it sold before I could get to see it.
this is the link
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/130919359229?_trksid=p5...
Back in the 70's they were brilliant though flawed cars.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_Alfasud
http://www.freewebs.com/alfasud/ (Alfasud Register might be able to give an idea as to value (in UK))
My most recent Classic Cars magazine gives a price guide of between £400 (rough) & £3750 (concours /dealer). You would have to factor shipping and making the car UK legal into the equation, so I doubt that financially you are onto a winner? But best of luck.
FIAT/ALFA did a deal with the Russians - who bought the rights to the FIAT 124, which became the LADA RIVA. The Russians 'paid' for the design with lousy quality steel. To make matters worse this unprotected steel was shipped to the Naples area (Pomigliano d'Arcoand) stored in the docks in the open. The steel was rusting in salt air before the cars were even made! The Alfasud was manufactured by locals who were mainly part time farmers who disappear off for weeks at a time whenever they had earned enough money in the factory. Quality control was a joke.
True story this: in about 1973 (I was 7), a friends father bought an early (brand new one). It was a lovely orange colour (so 70's) and was a smashing car. Soon he had a different (blue) one on his drive so I asked him had he really bought another new car after just 3 weeks? He explained that this was a replacement car because after just a couple of weeks ownership he'd noticed rust coming out of the sills when he slammed the door - the inside of the sills hadn't been painted. I didn't know what sills were so he showed me and then demonstrated where the rust had come from by opening and slamming the door. And guess what? When he re-opened the door there was a fine rusty powder over the drive. He tore the door trim off to find that the inside of the door was bare metal. 1970's quality control!
The car you are interested in is a 1983 model by which time construction quality was much improved - although their reputation was just as bad. Everyone referred to them not as 'Alfasuds' but as 'Rusty-sods'!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_Alfasud
http://www.freewebs.com/alfasud/ (Alfasud Register might be able to give an idea as to value (in UK))
My most recent Classic Cars magazine gives a price guide of between £400 (rough) & £3750 (concours /dealer). You would have to factor shipping and making the car UK legal into the equation, so I doubt that financially you are onto a winner? But best of luck.
FIAT/ALFA did a deal with the Russians - who bought the rights to the FIAT 124, which became the LADA RIVA. The Russians 'paid' for the design with lousy quality steel. To make matters worse this unprotected steel was shipped to the Naples area (Pomigliano d'Arcoand) stored in the docks in the open. The steel was rusting in salt air before the cars were even made! The Alfasud was manufactured by locals who were mainly part time farmers who disappear off for weeks at a time whenever they had earned enough money in the factory. Quality control was a joke.
True story this: in about 1973 (I was 7), a friends father bought an early (brand new one). It was a lovely orange colour (so 70's) and was a smashing car. Soon he had a different (blue) one on his drive so I asked him had he really bought another new car after just 3 weeks? He explained that this was a replacement car because after just a couple of weeks ownership he'd noticed rust coming out of the sills when he slammed the door - the inside of the sills hadn't been painted. I didn't know what sills were so he showed me and then demonstrated where the rust had come from by opening and slamming the door. And guess what? When he re-opened the door there was a fine rusty powder over the drive. He tore the door trim off to find that the inside of the door was bare metal. 1970's quality control!
The car you are interested in is a 1983 model by which time construction quality was much improved - although their reputation was just as bad. Everyone referred to them not as 'Alfasuds' but as 'Rusty-sods'!
Edited by alfaspecial on Tuesday 4th June 08:41
I'd leave it to survive where it is - it will disssolve in the UK.
I had two Alfasuds - a 1200Ti and a 1300 - and knowing what I know about their ability to fall apart in front of me, even if I now saw an immaculate new one, I'd still not want to spend £5k on it - because it's a pain stopping it dissolving.
I had two Alfasuds - a 1200Ti and a 1300 - and knowing what I know about their ability to fall apart in front of me, even if I now saw an immaculate new one, I'd still not want to spend £5k on it - because it's a pain stopping it dissolving.
pacoryan said:
Google Minari Roadsport for post corrosion Alfa boxer survival images!!
OP I would have thought you might break even at best.
I agree. Had it been an original 1200Ti, things might be different but the later hatchbacks are less sought after and had passed their sell-by date.OP I would have thought you might break even at best.
Car looks great in the link but I'm not convinced it'll be worth £5,000 to sell. Mine won the concours in 2006 and sold for £3,750 in 2008. Series 1 1.2 Ti command the strong money in my experience. If you like it and want to keep it, bring it here but I'm not sure you'll turn a profit after shipping and recommissioning etc! Good luck 
Happy memories of being driven to school in one back in the 70's by our neighbour through country lanes.
The steel issue was also compounded by the fact that the Russian variety had a high sulphur content which
impacted its shelf-life in addition to build quality and storage issues.
Still - one for sale here at £15k !
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C393510
The steel issue was also compounded by the fact that the Russian variety had a high sulphur content which
impacted its shelf-life in addition to build quality and storage issues.
Still - one for sale here at £15k !
http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C393510
After many Alfas, the suds do indeed suffer from various panels rusting out due to lack of paint or primer at the factory; my series 3 Sprint mainly rusted where the Zender body kit was attached with self tapping screws to the outer sills.
I agree that the car discussed would realistically be worth less than the £3-4K maximum these can fetch assuming rust free and high mileage.
I agree that the car discussed would realistically be worth less than the £3-4K maximum these can fetch assuming rust free and high mileage.
Be glad this example could not be driven. Otherwise you would have
bought the thing before or even while listening to everything said
by the previous posters.
I still have the repetitive dream of getting my old Sprint out of
hibernation and going for a ride. But sadly it isn't layed up, it
went long ago, sob...
Well, I sold its hulk for 100 bucks to a restorer, so chances are
it is still there, no?
bought the thing before or even while listening to everything said
by the previous posters.
I still have the repetitive dream of getting my old Sprint out of
hibernation and going for a ride. But sadly it isn't layed up, it
went long ago, sob...
Well, I sold its hulk for 100 bucks to a restorer, so chances are
it is still there, no?
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