1979 Alfa Romeo Spider

Alfa Romeo Spider (1979)
for sale

Price: US $5,500.00

Description:

Street modified (SCCA rules) 1979 Alfa Romeo Spider (twin-cam inline-four 1962 cc engine with Spica fuel injection), with 68k total miles. Significant engine mods (done in 1987 at about 45k miles) include Autodelta camshafts (11mm valve lift, timing IO/IC/EO/EC of 35/-75/-75/-35 degrees and 252 degrees of lift at 0.050”, estimated +20 HP), European headers (+6 HP), Shankle high performance Quadraflow air induction system (+7 HP), and the head was milled 0.010” to increase the compression ratio. The second set of points (originally installed for emissions controlled) has been removed. The car also has a Shankle “sure-start” mechanical actuator from Shankle replacing the original thermostatic actuator. (The Autodelta camshafts do not sacrifice low-RPM power, but I did adjust the idle up to about 1000 RPM to eliminate hunting.)
Drive train: The engine is in great shape and very strong. The European headers and Quadraflow intake has made it a bit louder than stock. There is some oil seepage from both the oil pan and the rear differential (typical of aluminum engines of that period). Steering still tight.
Body: New paint in 2013. There are some minor hail dents (about a half dozen each on the trunk and engine hood) that you can see in the pictures if you look closely. I bought the car in 1985 (I am the second owner) and covered it daily through 1987 and it has been garaged daily since then (so no rust). Overall, the body is in very good shape.
Interior: Ok. The dash is still in good shape (no cracks) and the windshield visors are tight. I did a hack job installing a new radio decades ago and that needs to be redone. Some of the dash trim has broken (like around the heater controls). All gauges work fine. There is some discoloration on the carpet from sun damage and some discoloration and minor nicks on the door panels. The outside passenger door handle works intermittently. The lock on the Shankle sure start no longer holds so it needs to be manually held during starting.
Suspension: The suspension is worn and creaks. It should be rebuilt (Centerline part BJ125 ($564) for front and BJ129 ($232) for rear). Performance springs (Centerline part PS410 ($132) for front and PS412 ($112) for rear) and Koni shocks (Centerline part SA155 ($122) for front SA178 ($122) for rear) would be super nice also.
Buyer is responsible for pickup or shipping

update: 2015-08-06

Features:

Condition: Used VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): AR1154100008320
Make: Alfa Romeo Number of Cylinders: 4
Model: Spider Transmission: Manual
Year: 1979 Body Type: Convertible
Trim: 2-door convertible Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Engine: Double overhead cam, inline-four cylinder 1962 cc Vehicle Title: Clear
Drive Type: Rear-wheel drive Options: Cassette Player, Convertible
Mileage: 68,267 Fuel Type: Gasoline
Exterior Color: Metallic slate grey For Sale By: Private Seller
Interior Color: Wine

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