Value of Berlina?

[Zachary Mayne]

Hey all,
There's a very complete 71 Berlina 1750 for sale here in NM that I'm torn about. Seller is firm on $2500.
Here's a description:
Originally a purplish color (from door jambs), repainted in a cool looking medium/dark blue, non clear coat, but needs touch up. There is a little (like really little) bubbling on the rockers. Floorboards are clean from underneath. Overall body is very straight. Unfortunately the rear fenders were pulled out to accomodate panasports. No glaring rust holes.
145,000 I assume (odo says 45,000)
like new 15-inch Panasports, recent BFGs.
dual 40 DCOE Webers
Header
electric fans
Lowering springs, reciepts for eurethane bushings for some suspension parts.
Misc. reciepts
nice carpet, headliner, dash needs a cap, original wheel.
Drives nice, accelerates smoothly, shifts great through all gears, brakes need bleeding.
Does this sound like a good deal? Bad deal? Average?

[italcarguy]

Hey Zach!

That doesn't sound like a bad price. Do you have any pictures?

[Zachary Mayne]

Hey Anthony,
I didn't take my camera when I drove it, now regretting it. It is a very cool car that I'd like to pick up, even though another car is the last thing I need. Plus, the real reason I've been looking around was to get a daily driver with A/C. Then this came along. Damn Alfas!
Zach

[Damo105]

Sounds like a pretty fair price to me. If it's a good driver then go for it I say.

[magista]

It is a good price. I would snatch it up if I were you.

Always remember what other car you would get for $2,500...uh, nothing worth a crap. Berlinas are a hoot and $2,500 is small entrance fee.

[rloewy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by magista It is a good price. I would snatch it up if I were you. Always remember what other car you would get for $2,500...uh, nothing worth a crap. Berlinas are a hoot and $2,500 is small entrance fee.

[Pat Braden]

Berlina's are my favorite cars, although, I agree the lack of air-conditioning is more than trying at times. As far as perspective, we paid $1k for ours in running condition with a smashed rear bumper with a Diablo canyon bumper sticker, minor body damage to the rear trunk panel to the right of the license plate, and an interior that was serviceable, but certainly not new or pristine.

It's a 1973 --- the year was 1988 and Pat wasn't sure that he wanted to pay that much for it at the time. I won out on that one because it was for me. He did have to do some work to it, we had the trunk panel dent fixed and the car painted for starters. Over the years, he didn't regret buying the car and learned to see what I liked about it.

Overall, I'd say it's a more than fair price with the recognition that you're going to want to put money into it depending on what you're looking for originality vs. flared or pulled out fenders and rocker repair before it gets a good hold and starts eating away further. Pat would have been bothered more by restoring originality to the fenders than by doing rocker repair. Another area to look for is any sign of rust or beginning rust around the windshield, not fun to fix. Keeping in mind anything is ultimately repairable, it only takes money and the willingness to spend it as well as where your parameters are in that regard.

[GTV4EVR]

I guess a lot depends on where you live. I would grab it and run. The wheels, tires, headers, spring2 and Webers are worth more than $2500 so the car is free!

[magista]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rloewy I can think of an awful lot of fun cars you can get for $2,500 - but a nice driving Berlina with no terminal rust is easily worth it as well.

[dretceterini]

Personally, I like berlinas better than Alfettas, and 1750s better than 2 liters. I think the price is fair. The problem is that it costs just as much (or more) to restore a sedan as a coupe, and it will never be worth as much....but one generally buys older Alfa because they like them; not based on what they have to invest in them.

[py105]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dretceterini .but one generally buys older Alfa because they like them

[Haig]

It amazes me that people still have second thoughts...here and there...debating....contemplating....whether they should..or should not...buy a berlina....
once again.....heres my 3 CENTS..............BUY IT....FIRST....then ask questions....its not like you can find them everywhere.....if i had room....i would buy them ALL...

[TRU]

So, there you go Zachary. Buy the Berlina, you wont regret it.

[Andrew]

Is this from the ad in the Alfa Owner? If so, I saw it but thought it was the same $2500 Berlina that was in for several months, and sold recently to Wisconsin. That car was a deal. Pretty much any Berlina other than a wreck, rust bucket, or parts car, is worth $2500 nowadays.

Too bad it has Webers, if it was originally a Spica car, but that doesn't really affect the value, and many people like Webers better.

Got pics or VIN?

Andrew

[vangelislaz]

As for the Berlinas, I always get the feeling that I was completly strange to other alfistis... Since I was a boy I used to admired them a lot better than Gulias. Now I have both a Berlina and a Gulia Super and my heart is always in my Berlina.To get an idea of it, I have one of the BEST and completly original Berlina 2000 in Europe, no joke. Despite that, since two months now, I started a big restoration programm for her. I 'm not suppose going her to ground (in some cases, ground restorations must be avoided), but I'm slooooowly restore any not 100% looking new part. I found myself restoring a small screw for many hours. The funniest and painfull part was for the moment, the restoration of the headlights. Each Carello unit took a week...The front parking lights another so, too. Goin' Further ahead, for me the interior of a Berlina 2000, is the best of 105's, while still has the biggest room for playing at its engine bay! Man, go for it.


some restoration photos, I know it is for restoration thread but to get an idea. When I finished I will post all the project and many photos