Newbie here. Plz bare with. 1969 ALfa Spider

1886 Views 27 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Peter, Oct 7, 2007

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · Oct 3, 2007 (Edited)

Recently acquired a 1968 or 69 Alfa Romeo round tail spider. Can't be certain on the year as the paperwork was a bit "rat chewn." Searching for what info I can get using the VIN number. Anyone have any good ideas on where to start?

The car is solid and rust free. Rats only got to the paperwork in the trunk. Otherwise, in good original condition. Fuel injected DOHC engine. looks like two brake boosters mounted under the hood drivers side firewall and fender. Is this normal? Odd thing here, I haven't seen the rear bumper on any other Alfa of those years. It's chrome of course, but has metal bars that connect the rear bumper and surround the license plate. Kind of like the older Jaguar XKE's. Hmmmm.

PS: Is International Auto the only place that actually has a catalogue of parts for these models? Are there any good or recommended places to buy online?

Appreciate any assistance you can provide!

Thanks!

Able

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ddouglas77

· #2 · Oct 3, 2007

Ablewood said:
Recently acquired a 1968 or 69 Alfa Romeo round tail spider. Can't be certain on the year as the paperwork was a bit "rat chewn." Searching for what info I can get using the VIN number. Anyone have any good ideas on where to start?

The car is solid and rust free. Rats only got to the paperwork in the trunk. Otherwise, in good original condition. Fuel injected DOHC engine. looks like two brake boosters mounted under the hood drivers side firewall and fender. Is this normal? Odd thing here, I haven't seen the rear bumper on any other Alfa of those years. It's chrome of course, but has metal bars that connect the rear bumper and surround the license plate. Kind of like the older Jaguar XKE's. Hmmmm.

PS: Is International Auto the only place that actually has a catalogue of parts for these models? Are there any good or recommended places to buy online?

Appreciate any assistance you can provide!

Thanks!

Able

http://www.centerlinealfa.com/products/index.html
http://www.vickauto.com/ecatalog.htm

ghnl

· #3 · Oct 3, 2007

Suppliers Thread - lots o' links there.

Say, how about some pictures of your 'Round Tail' ? (the car...) We likes pictures!

Peter

· #4 · Oct 3, 2007

Ablewood said:
Recently acquired a 1968 or 69 Alfa Romeo round tail spider. Can't be certain on the year as the paperwork was a bit "rat chewn." Searching for what info I can get using the VIN number. Anyone have any good ideas on where to start?

The car is solid and rust free. Rats only got to the paperwork in the trunk. Otherwise, in good original condition. Fuel injected DOHC engine. looks like two brake boosters mounted under the hood drivers side firewall and fender. Is this normal? Odd thing here, I haven't seen the rear bumper on any other Alfa of those years. It's chrome of course, but has metal bars that connect the rear bumper and surround the license plate. Kind of like the older Jaguar XKE's. Hmmmm.

PS: Is International Auto the only place that actually has a catalogue of parts for these models? Are there any good or recommended places to buy online?

Appreciate any assistance you can provide!

Thanks!

Able

Congrats, and welcome to this great forum!!

Fuel injected with two brake boosters, that spells '69 USA version. Under the hood against the firewall you should find a metal identification plate that says 105.62, which confirms the USA '69 version. That version also had the "nerf bar" between the rear bumpers (which BTW are ploished stainless steel, not chromed).
You should contact [email protected], but I suggest you follow the proper way: browse on the http://www.archiviostorico.alfarome...kghcefecejgdfkhdfjk.0&categoryOID=-1073772609 register yourself, then select 'contact us' and 'consulenza sulla mia auto d'epoca ENGLISH' in the scroll window, then type the whereabouts of your car and your request. They'll respond with build date, color and where it was delivered

Cosmo

· #5 · Oct 3, 2007

You can contact [email protected] and if you give them the VIN they will be able to tell you the actual build date. But don't take that as 100% truth - they were pretty vague back at the factory as to what parts they were built with and things will have been replaced in between anyway.

Mine was registered in the UK in 1969, has a 1969 engine but was actually built in 1968

lowmileage

· #6 · Oct 3, 2007

2

ghnl said:
Say, how about some pictures of your 'Round Tail' ? (the car...) We likes pictures!

See less See more

ghnl

· #7 · Oct 3, 2007

Hmm, LowMileage has too much time on his hands...

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lowmileage

· #8 · Oct 3, 2007

ghnl said:
Hmm, LowMileage has too much time on his hands...

Ok, it's then back to work

.

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 3, 2007

ghnl said:
Suppliers Thread - lots o' links there.

Say, how about some pictures of your 'Round Tail' ? (the car...) We likes pictures!

Going to replace tires on the round tail this weekend (SAT.) Will definitely take lots of pics and post them shortly thereafter. The car came with a good used spare engine with spica injection and a trans connected (including ancillaries.) Both are said to be perfectly fine operationally. The engine (long block) in the car was rebuilt sometime last year as far as I can tell (from papers left in the trunk.)

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #10 · Oct 3, 2007

ddouglas77:
Thanks for the info. It will certainly get me started in the right direction! Pics to follow.

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #11 · Oct 3, 2007

ghnl:
Thanks a billion!

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #12 · Oct 3, 2007

Peter said:
Congrats, and welcome to this great forum!!

Fuel injected with two brake boosters, that spells '69 USA version. Under the hood against the firewall you should find a metal identification plate that says 105.62, which confirms the USA '69 version. That version also had the "nerf bar" between the rear bumpers (which BTW are ploished stainless steel, not chromed).
You should contact [email protected], but I suggest you follow the proper way: browse on the http://www.archiviostorico.alfarome...kghcefecejgdfkhdfjk.0&categoryOID=-1073772609 register yourself, then select 'contact us' and 'consulenza sulla mia auto d'epoca ENGLISH' in the scroll window, then type the whereabouts of your car and your request. They'll respond with build date, color and where it was delivered

peter:
Google must call you when someone asks a question. Thanks for the info. Will check it out. Pics to follow.
Able

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #13 · Oct 3, 2007

Ablewood said:
ghnl:
Thanks a billion!

oops! Forgot to include what I was replying to.

ghnl

· #14 · Oct 3, 2007

lowmileage said:
Ok, it's then back to work...

I was thinking maybe you needed a new restoration project (to keep you busy).

I always find that work gets in the way of all the things I need to do...

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #15 · Oct 3, 2007

Another good question? ? ?

Peter said:
Congrats, and welcome to this great forum!!

Fuel injected with two brake boosters, that spells '69 USA version. Under the hood against the firewall you should find a metal identification plate that says 105.62, which confirms the USA '69 version. That version also had the "nerf bar" between the rear bumpers (which BTW are ploished stainless steel, not chromed).
You should contact [email protected], but I suggest you follow the proper way: browse on the http://www.archiviostorico.alfarome...kghcefecejgdfkhdfjk.0&categoryOID=-1073772609 register yourself, then select 'contact us' and 'consulenza sulla mia auto d'epoca ENGLISH' in the scroll window, then type the whereabouts of your car and your request. They'll respond with build date, color and where it was delivered

Wondering. . .
I've been told that Alfa Romeo didn't manufacture and or, otherwise, import any round tails to the USA in 1970. Does that mean they didn't manufacture any cars for the USA that year or did the cars get put together and just sit somewhere for future delivery to the States in 70' or 71'?

Peter

· #16 · Oct 3, 2007

Cosmo said:
You can contact [email protected]

that's the direct email address I was looking for

...so many ways to contact them

Peter

· #17 · Oct 3, 2007

Ablewood said:
peter:
Google must call you when someone asks a question.

it's a disease...you'll catch it soon enough

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #18 · Oct 3, 2007

Forgot to mention that I found what appears to be NOS (new old stock) Crankshaft in the trunk all nice and wrapped up. I'm assuming it's from an Alfa Romeo. Any way of telling what it's for by checking for casting #'s or something like that? The guy I got the car from has long since, passed away. . .
Thanks!

ghnl

· #19 · Oct 3, 2007

Hey! Look at that list of cars. WE WANTS PICTURES!

thank you

Ablewood

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 3, 2007

5

Pics, Pics and more pics!

ghnl said:
Hey! Look at that list of cars. WE WANTS PICTURES!

thank you

Here's some pics of the stuff I have listed in my signature. Just some things I've been hanging onto and tinkering with over the years.
I took an auto collision repair course and did these cars myself from the metal up to paint. . .

I also included a pic of my 1975 BMW 2002 model. The pic was just after paint. My first try at a paint job & bodywork ever. Hadn't yet buffed it out. I should have buffed it before installing trim & chrome, it would have been easier. Live and learn. . .

The Austin shows a before and after. I took it down to the metal, epoxy primer then base coat clear coat. Was my second paint job ever! I took an upholstery course and am in the middle of doing the interior in leather. . .

The Ramblers been in the family since new. Sat for years! I've redone all the mechanical aspects and fuel system. Used original NOS parts when I could. Awaiting time for paint and body.

I'll have pics of the round tail after this weekend.
enjoy!

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