Humour me... classic Alfa Spiders

[Chris71]

The (classic RWD) Alfa Spider came up in office conversation this morning and realised I didn't really know much about them.

I seem to remember they were in production for several decades and looked fairly similar outwardly. Was there a great variation between the different models? Are they more driver's cars or tourers as a general rule and are there particular models to go for? Lastly, the obligatory Alfa question, how difficult are they to maintain in the real world?

I can quite see myself in one of these!

[RicksAlfas]

The 105 series Spider was the same mechanically as the GT, Berlina and Super so loads of bits available and engines from 1300 to 2000, disks all round, great 5 speed box and so on. They are more relaxed sporty tourers than B-road weapons. The first series was the Duetto with the boat tail like in your pic, then the Series 2 which had the square tail, then the Series 3 with an "inappropriate" bodykit and finally the Series 4 which was rounded and modernised and fairly well rust proofed. Always loads on here:

http://www.classicalfa.com/cars.htm

Easy to DIY maintain, expensive bodywork to sort out if/when required...

[ritmo]

they're a great car. they look good, theyre quick (not weighed down by modern safety equipment and crash protection) and in my experience theyre no less reliable than any other 30-40 year old car. I've had one (2.0litre series 2) for 10 years and done 30,000mls in it - its done 120,000 now. I think the series 2 offers the best combination of affordability, looks and peformance; the early round tail cars are more sought after/expensive and the series3 &4 were spoilt by the bits of plastic body work they stuck on them. Doing 3,000mls a year mine costs about £300-400 to service and cover minor repairs. in that time the only significant replacements have been a new clutch and a new brake servo which isn't unreasonable considering the mileage. the most important thing is to get one with good, rust free body (mine spent its previous life in New Mexico and southern Italy so no salt !) otherwise you face some potentially big bills. The availability of trim and mechanical parts is very good (classicalfa and alfaholics etc). Hope this helps.

[Redlake27]

I had a 1988 Fuel injected S3 in 1996-1998.

It had a great combination of classic car looks and a relatively new build. It was like an Italian Morgan at the time!

Don't expect an MX5 beater for handling, but for lusty, long-legged relaxing performance, old school oversteer at low speeds, decent reliability, good parts availability and classic style they are hard to beat.

They can be a bit creaky, but it adds to the character.

[Chris71]

Redlake27 said:

old school oversteer at low speeds

Sounds like my sort of car!

[jimmyjam]

Do it!! You won't regret it, I promise!

[Reedy156]

My Dad in law has a blue 1967 Duetto boat tail that came over from South Africa... It is awesome... real world fast too...

It is a proper sense of occasion to go out in it (summer only! sits in a heated garage in winter!!)

He did a trip to Cornawall and back last summer, and it never skipped a beat, averaged about 30mpg (on Optimax) and gets admiring looks from all over! He has four Alfa's (I only have one!) and we took 3 of them (as one is being broken & stripped!) to the National Alfa Day at Ripon last year, have a look at these type shows as it will help you decide and there are For Sale signs in the ones that people are selling! (obviously!!)

But I would have one... anyday!...

Here it is!!>>

Edited by Reedy156 on Thursday 11th February 17:20

Edited by Reedy156 on Thursday 11th February 17:22