Spider purchase

1211 Views 11 Replies 8 Participants Last post by Zunige, Aug 31, 2007

Decame

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2007

Hello guys, I usually hang around the 164 board as I am a very happy owner of a94Q. I am writing to you as Spider owners to get your opinion on a possible purchase. There is a local Alfista hat has a 1987 Spider Quadrifoglio in absolutely showroom conditions and with only 14,000 miles, he is the second owner. What makes this car unique is that it has a twin Spark motor and dual Dell'orto carburators and no catalytic converter. The story is that the original owner had this option installled by the factory in Italy and shipped the car over here. Before you ask, yes it is properly registered and titled. I drove it and it definetely is not you usual Spider, very fast. He is asking something like $15,000 what do you think? Will it retain its value as this would be my second Alfa and will be driven about 2 to 3K a year. Will parts be an issue?

Thanks for your reply.

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WopJob

· #2 · Aug 29, 2007

Decame said:
Hello guys, I usually hang around the 164 board as I am a very happy owner of a94Q. I am writing to you as Spider owners to get your opinion on a possible purchase. There is a local Alfista hat has a 1987 Spider Quadrifoglio in absolutely showroom conditions and with only 14,000 miles, he is the second owner. What makes this car unique is that it has a twin Spark motor and dual Dell'orto carburators and no catalytic converter. The story is that the original owner had this option installled by the factory in Italy and shipped the car over here. Before you ask, yes it is properly registered and titled. I drove it and it definetely is not you usual Spider, very fast. He is asking something like $15,000 what do you think? Will it retain its value as this would be my second Alfa and will be driven about 2 to 3K a year. Will parts be an issue?

Thanks for your reply.

Very interesting. I heard of US spiders changed to T-spark with used engines from Italy. As a matter of fact there were two for sale on eBay last week.
I think the conversion involved keeping the electronic fuel injection from the t-spark (no carbs) The engine could not be mated to donor car 5 speed so a transmission from a maserati biturbo was used.

I'm skeptical of the fact that this is a "factory" option or that it was made in the "factory" If that was the case why not make ALL the spiders with those sweet t-spark motors?

Other than the "factory" statement I see nothing wrong with having a converted spider as long that you can register it and smog it. I'm not so sure you could pass a visual inspection not having a Cat, at least here in NJ.

Could you get us some pictures of this? we love pictures in this BB.

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Decame

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 29, 2007 (Edited)

I am supposed to keep the car over the week-end in order to drive it a while and see if it is something that I would want. I will take pictures and upload them here, stay tuned. As for the inspection, apparentely it passed several times. I believe that here in NC there is only a safety inspection for a car after a certain amount of years.

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ghnl

· #4 · Aug 29, 2007

True - in NC only ODB2 cars (~1996 or newer) get 'smogged'. (and they have to rat on themselves via the on-board diagnostics). However, the pre-OBD2 cars are supposed have all the factory equipment installed & functioning. However - part 2, most inspection places (local garages) will have never seen an Alfa before let alone looked under the hood. So, unless you car is a gross polluter (i.e. clouds of visible smoke) it is unlikely you'd have trouble getting such a car inspected.

Although the carbs might cause a little suspicion...

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Zunige

· #5 · Aug 30, 2007

Decame said:
Hello guys, I usually hang around the 164 board as I am a very happy owner of a94Q. I am writing to you as Spider owners to get your opinion on a possible purchase. There is a local Alfista hat has a 1987 Spider Quadrifoglio in absolutely showroom conditions and with only 14,000 miles, he is the second owner. What makes this car unique is that it has a twin Spark motor and dual Dell'orto carburators and no catalytic converter. The story is that the original owner had this option installled by the factory in Italy and shipped the car over here. Before you ask, yes it is properly registered and titled. I drove it and it definetely is not you usual Spider, very fast. He is asking something like $15,000 what do you think? Will it retain its value as this would be my second Alfa and will be driven about 2 to 3K a year. Will parts be an issue?

Thanks for your reply.

First, I would send the VIN to [email protected], to get the real story behind this car. (Never heard of cases where the factory fitted TS engines to earlier versions of the Spider...)

Unless it is a factory original (extremely doubtful), this car will always be priced depending on its current condition. In other words, there is no appreciation here. 20 years from now people may look for an original Quad, with all its virtues and faults. It's a way of looking back into history. People will not be looking for a customized version, and there is no formal event category for customized vehicles (It's not a concours car, and it's not a racer.) Furthermore, specialty vehicles are always difficult to sell. I would say that if your really like the car, buy it and enjoy it, but don't expect that there will be much of a following or a market for this customized version.

Best regards,

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mojave

· #6 · Aug 30, 2007

Zunige said:
First, I would send the VIN to [email protected], to get the real story behind this car.

I sent an e-mail to Alfa Romeo on the 14th and received the reply back this Monday, the 27th. My car also has dual Dellorto carbs, but the reply only told me the manufacture date and the date first sold in the US. I did not receive any info regarding configuration, body color, interior color, options installed, etc.

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sjmst

· #7 · Aug 30, 2007 (Edited)

$15,000 is big money for an s3, IMHO. That aside for a moment, I have had four 164's. Now, in addition to a 95 LS, I just got a 91 (s4) spider. I should have done this years ago. No, it is not a rocket and maybe a Miata would be more reliable. But, the car is just a blast to drive.

Anyway, for 15,000 you can get an EXCELLENT s4. Why an s4? Styling. Period. Other than the s1's (Duetto's) the s4's are the best looking (again, IMO). That's up to you. Also, while some don't like the power steering, I think it is great.

Having said that, I know people really like their S3's, and I am not knocking them. Just giving my thoughts.

Whatever you decide, just do get A SPIDER!!!

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soccersimon

· #8 · Aug 30, 2007

you left out S2's!

In your post you mentioned S1's, S3's, S4's and you forgot the BEST of all Series 2 Alfa Spider's!!! 1971-1974 are the best!!

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sjmst

· #9 · Aug 30, 2007

I actually do like the S2's!

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soccersimon

· #10 · Aug 30, 2007

...

good on ya!

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AllthingsZagato

· #11 · Aug 30, 2007

The twinspark motor first appeared in the 75 in europe, as far as I know no Spider ever had it. The 75 transaxle would be what entailed the non 105 series transmission. This engine also had fuel injection (Bosch?) this engine should not be confused though with the current twinspark motor

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Zunige

· #12 · Aug 31, 2007

mojave said:
I sent an e-mail to Alfa Romeo on the 14th and received the reply back this Monday, the 27th. My car also has dual Dellorto carbs, but the reply only told me the manufacture date and the date first sold in the US. I did not receive any info regarding configuration, body color, interior color, options installed, etc.

If it is a special edition they will state that. Otherwise, they will simply say that the VIN corresponds to a 1987 Spider manufactured on such a date and first sold on such a date to or where...

Best regards,

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