[chuck]

After nearly and year and a half and more hours invested than I care to even think about, the restoration of my 69 roundtail spider is complete (ok, still a short list of cleanup items but done)! Now I can’t wait to REALLY drive it!

The project started with an excellent low mileage car and aside from a single repaint, completely original and non-rusted. The car was in great shape, but 40 years does leave its mark. All I intended to do was have the exterior painted, but that lead to painting the trunk and then the engine bay. Of course to properly paint the engine bay the engine had to come out. Well you see where this is going. Before long the car was down to a bare shell and the exterior paint had become a complete restoration.

I’ve done my best to restore the car to be factory correct in every way, at least as the factory would have if they only had one car to build instead of thousands. I did make accommodations for dealer installed options though (undercoating, original radio, antenna, delivery stickers). Basically, there isn’t a part, bolt or wire that hasn’t been considered, rebuilt, cleaned up or refinished. I’ve posted photos of lots of parts during the project. Here it is all together. Way too much to post here, but to see the restoration in some more detail , click on the link.

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Thanks to all on the BB that have given me help and advice.

 

[chuck]

Here's a few more

 

[italcarguy]

That's gotta be the nicest round-tail Spider I've ever seen. Congrats! You going to bring it to Woodley Park?

 

[chuck]

I couldn't resist one more. I think this is my favorite angle. Too bad it was cloudy that morning. The car changes color with the light, but still a cool shot.

 

[chuck]

That's gotta be the nicest round-tail Spider I've ever seen. Congrats! You going to bring it to Woodley Park?

Anthony,

Thanks for the compliment. I know you've seen a lot of them. I'll bring the car to the Woodley show. Looking forward to it!

Chuck

 

[etip]

Chuck,
I'm doing a "budget" restoration/rebuild of a '69 that I picked up a year ago. I'd like to say that you inspired me with your car, but ****!!!! I won't be getting my car even close to that. In all seriousness, my car has had a motor swap, duel brake booster changed, etc. Lots of little things that keep it from ever being as nice as yours, but man... I think I need to notch it up a bit now..
Dang your car looks good! Congrats!!!!!

 

[etip]

Chuck,
I just looked through all of your pictures; AMAZING!!! I am so impressed!

Curious though... If this car were to go on the market: what price would it set?? we know Duettos go from $5k-$25k, but this seems beyond that.
I know you're not selling, but restos like this change the market patterns.

 

[Inner Circle]

Oh my God!
I'm "in the business" too, rebuilding my 1973 Junior, so it's great to see a "How it should look like" car. (It'd be great to see it anyway.) Very nice! Was your engine cam cover grainblasted?
And a few more questions:
- Are those dual brake boosters I see? Was it factory standard?
- Are the sun visors and the seats original for '69 car? I thought Roundtails came without the visors and with seats sans headrests, at least in Europe. But I can't blame you if you installed them yourself, these are rather important upgrades
- The defrost sticker on the glovebox ROCKS!!!
So, great car in great colour... have fun and I wish you many miles together!

 

[flivesay]

Very Nice Chuck!!!!


green 1750s are the ticket to have!!

 

[jjb]

Cool...

Wish mine looked that good !

Jeff

 

[etip]

Oh my God!
- Are those dual brake boosters I see? Was it factory standard?
- Are the sun visors and the seats original for '69 car? I thought Roundtails came without the visors and with seats sans headrests, at least in Europe. So, great car in great colour... have fun and I wish you many miles together!

The dual brake booster was done by the factory for '69
I can't speak for Chuck, but my USA '69 has headrests and sun visors factory. Maybe it's a US vs. Euro thing.

 

[chuck]

The dual brake booster was done by the factory for '69
I can't speak for Chuck, but my USA '69 has headrests and sun visors factory. Maybe it's a US vs. Euro thing.

Yup. A split braking system was mandated for 1969 in the US but don't think so in Europe. European versions had only a single brake booster. I think the brake system in the US was simplified to a single booster but still compliant with the split system after going to the hanging pedals in later years. Also, the headrests and sun visors were standard in 69. The Junior was a cool car. Especially in that it extended the run of the roundtails.

I replaced the visors since the new production ones are very close to the originals. The originals were good but had some sag and would have needed restoration anyway. The seats are original though, never rebuilt or recovered. They still look like new, one of the things that sold me on the car in the first place.

Thanks, I like the defrosting decal too. It actually was on the car before the restoration but was faded. I recreated it with John M's help and now it's back in place and looks the way it once did.

 

[gmack]

Wow!

Chuck,

Repeating all of the comments and more! You're making green spider owners everywhere very proud.
The level of detail is truly outstanding.
What are your plans for the road? Cautious limited miles, events only or just driving when you feel like it?
Tell me about your Romablock hose clamps please. Did you replate old clamps or somehow locate all the right sizes new?

Congratulations on a terrific accomplishment and outcome.

GMack
Minneapolis
69 Spider
74 GTV

 

[Bodean]

Stunning. Congratulations.

 

[krazymaan]

Awesome, now Dont ever drive that car again....

 

[chuck]

Chuck,

Repeating all of the comments and more! You're making green spider owners everywhere very proud.
The level of detail is truly outstanding.
What are your plans for the road? Cautious limited miles, events only or just driving when you feel like it?
Tell me about your Romablock hose clamps please. Did you replate old clamps or somehow locate all the right sizes new?

Congratulations on a terrific accomplishment and outcome.

GMack
Minneapolis
69 Spider
74 GTV

Thanks Greg,

I'm thinking some car shows, drives up the coast on nice days and runs through the canyons. It still needs to be driven like any Alfa though. I'll use it sparingly but doubt it will ever see rain again.

The Romablok clamps were a real challenge, especially since they are so size specific. I wanted to have a full set in place though. I hunted for them for months! Many were from my car and spares I got from a good friend but a few were from ebay. The used clamps were disassembled, repaired where needed and replated with zinc (gold). I did pick up a few NOS ones from Uri at Mt. Carmel Spares though that were excellent.

 

[red69]

Very sweet....Congratulations!

Marc

 

[Tifosi]

Dude, that rocks!

Just don't be afraid to drive it now that it's all sexy-n-pretty-n-bright-n-stuff. After all, it's still an Alfa

 

[NikosF]

I hate you!

Seriously - that's an excellent job. I can only dream of my car looking like that one day. Congratulations and enjoy it!

 

[ezmobee]

WOW!!! I'm not sure even Alfa made it that beautiful.
Great job.
Inspiration to all of us keeping our Alfa Romeos alive
Mike
79 Spider
78 Parts car