'64 2600 Spider Estate find- what do I do now?

Chappy · #1 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 03:04 PM

I posted this in a thread about cars that are borderline parts cars in the general forums but one of the guys suggested I go ahead and post it here as I am looking for advice from those with more experience with these cars than I have.

Anyway, I have recently gotten a '64 2600 Spider from a friend who is handling their neighbor's estate and am kind of wondering what to do with it. I am a car nut in general with a particular soft spot for euro sportscars but I am mainly been fooling with 50's American cars, MG's, and Volkswagens for a while now. But seeing as I am my circle's resident adopter of orphan cars they called me to see if I wanted it. It is in really ruff shape (it has been sitting in a carport for many years) and at first I just planned on modifying it into a roadster of sorts made up of whatever parts I could make work and look cool. After researching the car though I felt bad about that because there are so few left, but there no way I can afford to restore to original, especially considering its condition which would require a lot of metal fab work and given the present market it would cost more to restore than it would be worth. So I am kinda thinking I should just sell it as a parts car to someone that could use the parts even though I really like the car and would love to see it on the road even if is was a mix-match hodge podge car. What do you guys think.

Oh, and my name is Chris, I have been lurking for a while just trying to learn about Alfas, particularly this 2600. as I said I am a car (and motorcycle) nut and am always fooling with something different. Right now I am customizing my 56 Ford Customline and 67 F100, helping my brother with his 73 Super Beetle and helping my dad with his 33 Franklin hot rod. So I am always looking for something to play with. Anyway that is enough of an intro I suppose.

dretceterini · #2 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chappy

I posted this in a thread about cars that are borderline parts cars in the general forums but one of the guys suggested I go ahead and post it here as I am looking for advice from those with more experience with these cars than I have.

Anyway, I have recently gotten a '64 2600 Spider from a friend who is handling their neighbor's estate and am kind of wondering what to do with it. I am a car nut in general with a particular soft spot for euro sportscars but I am mainly been fooling with 50's American cars, MG's, and Volkswagens for a while now. But seeing as I am my circle's resident adopter of orphan cars they called me to see if I wanted it. It is in really ruff shape (it has been sitting in a carport for many years) and at first I just planned on modifying it into a roadster of sorts made up of whatever parts I could make work and look cool. After researching the car though I felt bad about that because there are so few left, but there no way I can afford to restore to original, especially considering its condition which would require a lot of metal fab work and given the present market it would cost more to restore than it would be worth. So I am kinda thinking I should just sell it as a parts car to someone that could use the parts even though I really like the car and would love to see it on the road even if is was a mix-match hodge podge car. What do you guys think.

Oh, and my name is Chris, I have been lurking for a while just trying to learn about Alfas, particularly this 2600. as I said I am a car (and motorcycle) nut and am always fooling with something different. Right now I am customizing my 56 Ford Customline and 67 F100, helping my brother with his 73 Super Beetle and helping my dad with his 33 Franklin hot rod. So I am always looking for something to play with. Anyway that is enough of an intro I suppose.

**velocedoc** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-19-2007, 11:31 PM

A thought...you might like to restore this car yourself if you have the finances to do so. One point to offer is the support that you can get on the BB and from fellow owners and restorers. New parts are available as are used parts from all over the world. Another point is how nice the Alfa engineering is when compared to Detroit iron. It is definitely a different way of building engines and cars. A 2600 is a really nice car to drive with the 5 speed manual and 3 carburetors. The car can realistically deliver 18 mpg at road speed and carry everything comfortably. Your only rough spot can be the rust issues. they are not insurmountable, just takes some time and expertise to replace the tin worms appetite. Make sure as much of the parts are there as you can find, before you go searching for what you don't have, as you might have more than you realize. If you can work on what you say, you are on your way to restoring this car yourself. After all, you do have the BB for help.

Where do you live? Someone might know of another in your neighborhood that can guide and help you.

Chappy · #4 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Post photos so we can have a better idea of the condition of the 2600...

**velocedoc** · #5 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 08:27 AM

You are in the correct place for seeking help. The sources for parts isn't as bad as you might imagine. Being you can do metal work, you have a skill that most people don't have in doing a restoration. Have you been following the thread about the Italian fellow that wrecked his 2600 Spider in Italy (look what happened to my spider) ? The car was seriously bent in the nose. The BB helped him find what he was looking for as a donor car, and now he is ready to paint.

A thought to remember, a restoration does not happen over night, but it does take methodical movement every day until it is finished. A homebuilt airplane takes about 2000 hours, as does a good restoration. Spread that out over 4-5 years and that works out to 1-2 hours a day or more depending on ones schedule. Spread your costs out over that same time frame and the expenses are alot smaller and not in overwhelming chunks. From what I know of 2600's, the hard part is going to be the tires. They are an odd size as the rims are metric 400 series. Tires are available, but not cheap. Again, I refer to the group for help.

Chappy · #6 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 09:01 AM

I will have to check out that thread as I have not yet. The nose is the biggest issue to me, the floors are pretty bad off (gone in the back but the tunnel seems ok) but I have found a company in Canada that actually makes those. The rest of the rust issues can be handled in patches and such I can make. There is a lot of bondo on the car (up to a 1/4" on the forward section of the front fenders) so that is not gonna be any fun to remove either. Moneywise I worry the most about rebuilding the engine because from what I read a read a reputable shop would charge 6-7k and I have never got into rebuilding motors myself, I may have to learn to make the project happen and like you said it is not like I am would do this overnight.

On the tires you bet they are expensive, at least for what they are. On the Coker tires website (the only place I have checked) they have Michelin X-Blackwalls in 165R400 for $176 each, that is a lot for a little tire.

dretceterini · #7 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 09:03 AM

2600s are VERY expensive to restore properly. You can expect to spend $30,000 or more even if you can do a lot of work yourself.

BWB · #8 (**permalink**) 02-20-2007, 09:54 PM

Chris
I have recently acquired a 2600 spider that sounds a bit like yours, i.e. needing restoration. I look at it like this; When I'm done (years from now) I'll know a lot about coach work on this type of hand built car, plus the engine/mechanical knowledge I'll need to acquire. I've rebuilt plenty of British sports cars MG TR etc. but for those if you need a part you can just go buy it and it will fit with minimum work. This Alfa is a whole new dimension.
When it is finished I'll have something that is a wee bit different from everyone else, in my mind a good thing.
I'm sure part location will be a problem but as I lurk around here (the BB) I keep finding sources of parts and as more of these cars are restored that sort of creates a demand which means some companies might make other parts available as there is an increased global market. If the car is broken for spares (parted out?) then its gone for good albeit helping others to keep their cars on the road.
Go on rebuild it, we can start a thread for mentally and financially broken men who have tried to restore a 2600 Spider!!!

The photo shows the side of my car (from rear lookin forward) as acquired no outer sill (rocker) rear and front wings cut away door bottoms rusted out and completely dismantled. Never buy a car like this! Problem is I've no idea what it should be like as this is how I acquired the car!! Anyway thanks to the BB I've had the chance to go and see similar vehicles in a state of rebuild to get all the data(photos, measurements, approximate measurements these were hand made and differ a lot apparantly)
Good luck
Regards
Bryan

Chappy · #9 (**permalink**) 02-21-2007, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Chris
I have recently acquired a 2600 spider that sounds a bit like yours, i.e. needing restoration. I look at it like this; When I'm done (years from now) I'll know a lot about coach work on this type of hand built car, plus the engine/mechanical knowledge I'll need to acquire. I've rebuilt plenty of British sports cars MG TR etc. but for those if you need a part you can just go buy it and it will fit with minimum work. This Alfa is a whole new dimension.
When it is finished I'll have something that is a wee bit different from everyone else, in my mind a good thing.
I'm sure part location will be a problem but as I lurk around here (the BB) I keep finding sources of parts and as more of these cars are restored that sort of creates a demand which means some companies might make other parts available as there is an increased global market. If the car is broken for spares (parted out?) then its gone for good albeit helping others to keep their cars on the road.
Go on rebuild it, we can start a thread for mentally and financially broken men who have tried to restore a 2600 Spider!!!
The photo shows the side of my car (from rear lookin forward) as acquired no outer sill (rocker) rear and front wings cut away door bottoms rusted out and completely dismantled. Never buy a car like this! Problem is I've no idea what it should be like as this is how I acquired the car!! Anyway thanks to the BB I've had the chance to go and see similar vehicles in a state of rebuild to get all the data(photos, measurements, approximate measurements these were hand made and differ a lot apparantly)
Good luck
Regards
Bryan

Brother Timm · #10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2007, 04:34 PM

I say keep and restore, but that's just me. Most of us have projects and all require both money and time. The question is "Is this the car for you?". This is a wonderful car to have, drive, enjoy, and flaunt. It's a great project and you have experience, I say go for it.

hdavis · #11 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 08:33 AM

That is a big project. I'm all for saving as many 2600s as possible, but the expense to restore this properly might just be too high to justify. I'm sure it can be done, but I'm not sure if it's worth it.
Just my $0.02

Chappy · #12 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 10:25 AM

I added a bunch of pictures today so that you can see more details and things the car would need.

http://profile.imageshack.us/user/INDDguy/

I have pretty much decided though that I will first try to sell it as either a project car or parts car to someone who needs/wants it as I already have too many projects and am in the middle of trying to buy my first house. If nobody shows any interest I will probably start trying to save it myself, it will just take a really long time.

hdavis · #13 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 10:37 AM

As I said, it will be tough, good luck. If you decide to part it out, I saw a few things I could use

Henry

**Bill S** · #14 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 11:36 AM

Yipes. Just looked at your pictures. I'd say that when you've got perforating rust on TOP of the doors and fenders it's very questionable as to whether it's worth restoring. Some good parts, though. You may want to post the car for sale in that section of the website. Or part it out on ebay. I'd try to sell it as a whole car though and let someone else deal with all those rusty bolts!

As far as your appreciation of the Alfa mechanicals, you can find pretty similar mechanicals in a 4 cyl Alfa (take your pick from '55-'94) that would prove a much less daunting project. Provided you don't buy one as rusty as this one!

Bill

GTD · #15 (**permalink**) 03-02-2007, 08:57 AM

Chappy
Welcome to the AlfaBB. Thanks for posting the pics and writing your story.
From what I see, this 2600's had a hard life. Driven hard, re-sprayed at least once, probably a score of owners over the years. I think dretceterini's $30K estimate is conservative. This one is a parts car or a dreamers bottomless pit.

IMO:I'd ask for 2K as a project or part it out and learn as you earn.
Best of luck!