what do we think about this car :)

[GTD]

Craig
No engine pics and not the most detailed interior pics but this is what I see:
The obvious non-original bonnet pins and outside rearview mirrors.
The possibly correct inside rear view mirror stalk but the wrong mirror mounted to it.
Non-original steering wheel; in-correct toggle switches on dash; correct radio blanking plate.
Dash top recovered with less than original results. Pic is inadequate to decide if dash controls are correct; I suspect they are not.
Correct door hardware; correct ash tray; non-period carpeting.
Tonneau hardware is non-original and questionable; how does the cover shed water if the fastening snaps are inside the windows?
Hood appears faded but serviceable – this can possibly be refreshed with modern treatments.

Metallic blue paint is non-original but if you like it – you’re the buyer/future owner.
White or cream interior is non-standard but was available as a factory option; the pattern of upholstering is correct.
Shifter boot would not have been white/cream.

Regarding inspection of the car: closely inspect each sill completely; lift all matting and inspect the floors; check boot floor beneath battery.

[ecdysiast]

When looking for an Alfa, patience is required. Always remember that there are more out there (although RHDs may be rare). This one looks a little flaky, because of the sort of helter-skelter way it seems to have been reassembled using parts from the bin. Considering these parts and the colors and the engine, this is really only an approximation of a 63 Spider.

And, how was the RHD done? Was it a proper conversion that also changed the steering geometry? There is some literature on the web on RHD conversions for Alfas which will tell you more about what to look for.

Finally, bondo. Look for plastic filler everywhere; it easily covers a multitude of sins.

Jeffrey

[Alfajay]

The picture that is missing is the underhood shot. The description says that a Sprint engine has been installed - but, it wasn't clear if that meant a 101 Sprint or a 105 - the year was right on the transition.

The question is whether the engine installation uses the correct veloce air filter, or if you don't care about originality, simply how neatly the conversion was done. If it was a 101 engine, then sure, it should be a bolt-in. If this body was originally a normale, and a 105 1600 with dual Webers was installed, then how did they handle the line to the oil pressure gauge and again the air cleaners?

I know you aren't asking whether the car is concours correct (obviously it isn't) or for everyone's asthetic opinions, but I can resist saying one thing: the white interior would mark it as a chick car here in the States.

[lgbalfa]

looks very sharp i like it.

[ppth99]

I have a sister car to this one, a few numbers away. It is not a conversion, the factory built 400 of these RHD, I have not seen any register of how many are left, maybe half - maybe less ? None were built as veloces but quite a few are now abnormales. So it is a rare car, but strangely less valuable than a LHD maybe because there is a bigger market for those. But you are in UK so that's a good thing for you.

I agree with the bonnet catch theory, look on the inside and the thin ridge in front of the vent is probably split (mine is, and the bonnet doesnt close evenly ), but it can be fixed. Also look for rust in the double-skin boot lid on the battery / fuel side (that's why they rust there).

As for the non-original features, I think they have all been pointed out above. Check out the price of a standard car and the cost of reverting this car - if you wanted to - might not add up. i.e. respray, all the other items are small - e.g. a steering wheel is 250 euros last time I saw one.

Anyway, these are really great cars and not easy to find, maybe one or two RHD a year for sale - and I would never sell mine. Well. ok. make me an offer. cash.

[Craig_m67]

by way of an update to close this one off.. the car was sold prior to me getting my act together to go view it. Bugger. I actually thought it looked okay, just goes to show i need to run with my head/heart more often. I hope the new owner enjoys (and the old owner profits)

if anybody knows of anyother RHD's around in reasonable condition then please let me know..

ppth99.. i'm cashed up dude, what's it worth ?

[Gordon Raymond]

There were a series of RHD cars Alfa made up for GB. Most were blue. Check with the Alfa Club GB. I understand these cars trade between members, and have for years. If this example is one of these it will be known, and comments on owners should be available. Again, I believe the batch or RHD cars were Normale's, though someone told me, that with difficulty, they could be converted to Veloce's. Never having worked on a RHD, I cannot comment. As these cars are becoming more and more collectable, some degree of originality is most desirable, and to some, more is better. That said, as was mentioned, several times now, the big problem is RUST.

These cars were all unibody, frameless. They were designed and built to last maybe a dozen years. Little attention was given hidden, boxed in or sealed areas. The inner structures of the sills, plus the lower front section of the cowl and other bracing, were the structural supports of the floorpan. All these areas can be properly repaired, but this is time consuming work. Einar, from Norway, will comment on this from the perspective of one who knows how to do this work. Send him a PM for his EXTENDED comments. View his post of his re restoration.

If the car is structurally sound, you as the buyer like it, either as is, or as a project, and if you can afford to buy, or buy and restore the car, then it is a worthwhile car for you.

If you are looking for a driver, not a show car, or a 100% correct car, you will know this. Buy the car you want, considering the factors everyone has mentioned thus far.
This is just my opinion from living with, and working on these spiders over the past 40 + years. These are great cars.

[Gordon Raymond]

Could you say that a little more slowly? The last part confused me.

[alfazagato]

Straight up you are not buying a mint all matching numbers car. It is a compromise. At that price you can have a lot of fun for not much money. Beautifully restored matching number cars are over £30k and rising to £53k in Germany for a Veloce. Incidentally 1300 engines are relatively plentiful so it may be possible to get a block from the correct sequence if you are desperate. Good supply of parts in London from ClassicAlfa.
So, check thoroughly for the dreaded rust and crash damage which you are clearly able to do, buy it, enjoy it, put the bits and pieces right such as the wheel, dash trim, bonnet pins and awful mirrors. Then drive over here for a beer.

[alfazagato]

Oops, Sorry I missed the small matter of the car being sold. Come over for the beer anyway.
The reason that only Normales could be RHD is because of the rearmost Weber clashing with the steering column. Rudd (a tuning firm on the South Coast) used to convert Sprints (might have done Spiders too for all I know) using an articulated steering column and an SZ type steering box. How they did the dashboard is a mystery. I have never seen a factory RHD Spider so I will be looking out for one now.