Newbie Alfa fan in NJ, need your advice

Wow, two very different cars with very different prices!

Which one is "best"? Well, you'll know after you've completed the professional, pre-purchase inspections performed. Our opinions make entertaining reading, but without putting the cars on a lift, checking them for rust, compression, etc. we're just guessing.

The '74 is the more vintage of the two. The condition and tune of the Spica mechanical fuel injection should be assessed. Cosmetically it looks OK. Seats were naugahide from the factory. Floor mats are bizarre, but easily replaced. Door panels look nice; don't have speakers cut into them. Dash is probably cracked, but that's normal. Steering wheel, gearshift knob and those mats show the PO like to customize.

The '86 has electronic fuel injection, a more modern system. It appears to be a private party sale, which will typically be cheaper than going through a dealer (like the '74). At $5,500 less, it might be the better deal, all else being equal. But that depends on how much value you place on having a more vintage car.

I took a look at the fine print on this dealers web site.
Always remember the most important rule in buying a car,
"the big print givith, and the small print takeith away. "
I know these are the rules all dealers play by but just be aware of them:
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Gateway Classic Cars shall and will make reasonable efforts to disclose any known defects associated with each vehicle prior to the close of a sale at the buyer’s request.

Each potential purchaser understands it is his/her/their responsibility personally or through a third-party (not Gateway Classic Cars) to inspect any vehicle for potential purchase, and is relying solely on his/her/their own inspection, knowledge and judgment about any vehicle purchased.

Gateway Classic Cars assumes no responsibility for any repair regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle. No allowance or set-aside will be made on account of any omission, error, inaccurate representation, imperfection, defect or damage to any vehicle (*3).

The prices listed exclude tax, tags, title, license, and all other motor vehicle fees, and also exclude a $297.63 document fee.

Typographical errors happen. Gateway Classic Cars is not responsible for any such error in the description or price listed for any vehicle.
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Guess why used car salesmen are near the bottom of the "most trusted people in the country" list?..

Get it in writing..