[1978alfa]

Agree with Jimbo.
Your dad may have sourced some seats from a mid 1980's S3 to replace torn or worn original upholstery.
Possibly the door panels and the carpet too.

I would also pull the floor mats up and check for rust on the floor wells.
Many of these cars developed rust unbeknownst by owners until it was too late.

Good that it has been stored indoors!

 

[jimbbo]

Go search BaT. Clean chrome-bumper S2s with that style cowl vent is how I now spot later Euro models. I think there are a couple of YouTube vids that feature them as well.

There never has been a late model S2 Euro Spider listed on BAT. And yes, I checked all 204 listings.

 

[dghii]

You have a tough go on this as it is obviously packed with sentimental value. That aside, If I saw your car for sale online, I would not put your cars value at more than $6K IF is is rust free. It may be considered a rare bird but not really in the sense that there is market evidence of additional value being placed on its rarity.

Please do not take my remarks as having any attempt to under value this car to you and your family as it was certainly no my intent.

At the end of the day, the only thing that will matter is an agreed upon value you and your brother are happy with.

 

[Patrizio]

Consider getting an independent appraisal.

 

[dscottj431]

There never has been a late model S2 Euro Spider listed on BAT. And yes, I checked all 204 listings.

Memory is a funny thing. I just did the same thing (it's not particularly difficult on BaT), and nope, they're not there. Ah, well. If/when I spot them elsewhere, I'll be sure to post somewhere to show it. Thanks!

 

[jabusm]

Your brother's car looks all original except for:

• a missing external voltage regulator (should be on the driver's side of the rad), which means the alternator was probably replaced with a newer version with an internal regulator.
• an after-market fuel filter is visible between the mechanical fuel pump and the gas line to the carbs. Hopefully, whoever put it there did not bypass or eliminate the factory Malpassi filter/regulator. If they did, the fuel pressure to the carbs may be wrong, and that may be one of the reasons the car does not start. Another will be the 4-year-old gas.
• missing vent window handles.
• seats have been reupholstered (originals have 7 insert panels on the back and bottoms).

I am puzzled by the American-market sealed beams and lack of Euro headlight covers (even the receptacles for the cover hold-down fixtures are missing). Did South Africa have similar laws to the USA in 1981 requiring sealed beams?
Also puzzling is the wide black plastic cowl vent below the wipers: I have never seen one on a 1980 Euro Spider before.

What is the model number showing on the VIN plate on the firewall? Is it 115.38 or 115.35?
Also, what is the serial number on the engine block (located on the driver's side, underneath the black brake booster)?

You did not state clearly where the car is located, but implied that it is still in South Africa. Is that true?

The value of the car is whatever someone is willing to pay for it. Local values are meaningless if the seller manages to export it to someone in another country who is willing to pay more.
One value killer is, of course, rust, which is no stranger to a lot of Alfas. A clean car with no rust at all would be worth at least double the value of one that has the tin worm living in it.
If your brother's car is rust-free and in South Africa, I believe there would definitely be interest from potential buyers in Europe willing to pay the price you quoted.

Thank you Jimbbo!!! Lots of good insights from you. The plate indicates a 115.38. I don't have the info from the plate under the booster but know that the engine no is AR00515013151. I am sure the fuel went bad because I know my brother was the last one to drive it and he has been State side for 4 years now. The car is still in SA and I plan to bring it over to the USA. I was still in daipers back in 1981 so not sure what the regulations were on sealed beams but I know that the head lights were open like they are from the day my dad brought it home back in 2000. thanks for spotting the potential issue on the fuel line. My sister, who lives close the Spider, had a local Alfa Romeo collector come look at the car and he specifically mentioned the big plus that the car has almost no rust on it - I think because it was always stored in a garage and only driven on sunny days has been a blessing!! Interesting that the seats are not original - those were the seats that were in the car when my dad bought it. I certainly hope my brother won't sell it as I would much rather come park it in my garage next to my GTV6 and use it!!

 

[jabusm]

I would say new tires are basically mandatory. They are probably 10+ years old, which is the age at which tires need to replaced on age alone.

As for value, it would probably not go for much in its current state (maybe $5-7k). North of $10k at auction would require everything to be well sorted and the car nice and shiny. It may just require tires, fluids, and elbow grease, but buyers don't want to just take your word for it.

Thanks @nealric . My brother and I agreed he would replace the tires when he has a mechanic get it running again. I told him to just get it running but I realize a classic car that just sits like this one has, develops lots of issues that needs to be resolved. Hopefully there aren't too many gremlins in there!!

 

[jabusm]

In the US, this car might be in the mid-teens if it were running with no major rust or other issues. Negatives are the brown color, while positives are the factory installed carbs and ROW bumpers.

The problem is that is it far from running. Someone might be able to get it running with some elbow grease and a $1K in parts (or maybe more), but if you have to pay a mechanic to do everything it will be a couple grand or more. That is also assuming there is nothing wrong with the engine, transmission or other major components. If I were going to bid on this on an as is basis, $10K would be my max, and that might be generous.

Thank you @Zinhead . It looks like we might be settling in the $8k to $9k range but the car will go to a mechanic first so we can ascertain why it isn't starting and then also make sure the drivetrain is sound after the mechanic gets the Spider to start.

 

[spiderserie4]

It looks like we might be settling in the $8k to $9k range but the car will go to a mechanic first so we can ascertain why it isn't starting and then also make sure the drivetrain is sound after the mechanic gets the Spider to start.

your brother will be doing well at that level...considering the cost to get it over to USA and then through the DMV will be on you.

have you checked whether there will be tariffs when it arrives in the US..... on top?

 

[dscottj431]

@jimbbo : I knew I'd seen one somewhere. Behold, a Euro S2 with a black plastic cowl vent. However, it's said to be a '78. It would seem weird for them to change the cowl to a new style and then change it back for a later model. But it's Alfa; they were capable of shenanigans back then. Or, equally likely, OP's car might be a '79 that was titled as an '80. Or it's just an odd '80. At any rate, they do exist, although they're quite rare. It took searching off and on all afternoon before I remembered where I'd spotted one. I think I also saw a Brit RHD car with it, but I can't find it anymore. I'll keep an eye out and start a new thread if I spot any more.

 

[jabusm]

There never has been a late model S2 Euro Spider listed on BAT. And yes, I checked all 204 listings.

Thank you @jimbbo for checking BaT!! Much appreciated

 

[jabusm]

your brother will be doing well at that level...considering the cost to get it over to USA and then through the DMV will be on you.

have you checked whether there will be tariffs when it arrives in the US..... on top?

I imported my GTV6 about two years ago without tariffs or duties - I am not sure about what the rules are but my guess is if you already own the vehicle then no duties. I got a quote from the same companies to import the Spider and the price was similar to 2 years ago. So my brother and I settled at $8,500 and the shipping quote is $7,900 delivered in my driveway (if I go fetch it myself in Baltimore I can save a few hundred) which will put me at $16,400. It's a little steep but I'm going to go for it - I really don't want the car to leave the family and I'll definitely use it!!

 

[dscottj431]

... which will put me at $16,400.

If it is rust free, which seems likely, it seems like the high side of fair to me, especially given the family connection. So go for it! I'd really like to see what it looks like after it's been cleaned up. There's a lot of grime that needs to go before you'll know where you really stand with it. Good luck!

 

[1978alfa]

Wow, shipping costs have gone way up thanks to geopolitical events around the planet!

 

[SpiderLuver]

Agree with Jimbo.
Your dad may have sourced some seats from a mid 1980's S3 to replace torn or worn original upholstery.
Possibly the door panels and the carpet too.

I would also pull the floor mats up and check for rust on the floor wells.
Many of these cars developed rust unbeknownst by owners until it was too late.

Good that it has been stored indoors!

My (former) USA 1979 Veloce (originally Spica) had the same color scheme (inside & out) and leather seats that looked like those. May be orig.

 

[dscottj431]

I honestly didn't think S2s came with leather, but a google search coughed up this bb thread which says otherwise. So it may have a weirdly late cowl vent AND weirdly late seats. I love these cars!

 

[radojko]

I imported my GTV6 about two years ago without tariffs or duties - I am not sure about what the rules are but my guess is if you already own the vehicle then no duties. I got a quote from the same companies to import the Spider and the price was similar to 2 years ago. So my brother and I settled at $8,500 and the shipping quote is $7,900 delivered in my driveway (if I go fetch it myself in Baltimore I can save a few hundred) which will put me at $16,400. It's a little steep but I'm going to go for it - I really don't want the car to leave the family and I'll definitely use it!!

I’m sorry, but $7900 shipping cost seems INSANELY high to me. Maybe I’m hopelessly out of touch with reality, maybe not. Just my two cents.

By way of comparison, I shipped a Spider from NJ to Rotterdam 4 years ago for just over $1000 using an outfit called West Coast Shipping. All-in, it came to around $2000, including agent’s fee, insurance, VAT, and import duty.Even as recently as 14 months ago, they gave me a quote of $1100 to do the same thing with another Spider — even shipping it from the West Coast would’ve added only another $300. Granted, the Cape Town to Newark distance is a little more than double Newark to Rotterdam, but quadruple the cost??? I dunno…

 

[nealric]

I’m sorry, but $7900 shipping cost seems INSANELY high to me. Maybe I’m hopelessly out of touch with reality, maybe not. Just my two cents.

By way of comparison, I shipped a Spider from NJ to Rotterdam 4 years ago for just over $1000 using an outfit called West Coast Shipping. All-in, it came to around $2000, including agent’s fee, insurance, VAT, and import duty.Even as recently as 14 months ago, they gave me a quote of $1100 to do the same thing with another Spider — even shipping it from the West Coast would’ve added only another $300. Granted, the Cape Town to Newark distance is a little more than double Newark to Rotterdam, but quadruple the cost??? I dunno…

Rotterdam and Newark see a huge amount of shipping traffic. It's probably a very competitive route for shippers. Kind of like airline tickets- sometimes certain routes at certain times are super expensive.

 

[ptoland]

1980 Alfa Romeo Spider - Series 2 Market - CLASSIC.COM

There are 6 1980 Alfa Romeo Spider - Series 2 for sale right now - Follow the Market and get notified with new listings and sale prices.

www.classic.com

$10k seems about right.

 

[1750Spyder]

In 2016, I listed my 1979 Alfa Spider US Spec LHD on TradeMe, the New Zealand place to buy and sell cars. I sold it for the highest offer NZ$12,000 (US$8,400). It was licensed, warranted and running, with 68,140 miles (108,000 km). I was the second owner. It had been rust refurbished, no rips, tears, rust, dents and came with all original manuals. Second top in good condition, ugly US bumpers replaced with lighter weight and smaller from an earlier year (can't recall what). The interior had been reupholstered in the same colour, but alligator texture using a higher quality vinyl than original. The original body colour was ivory, but it had been repainted white. It also had a cool rego plate AKL500 (AKL is the abbreviation for Auckland).

Not sure if LHD in a RHD country affected the price, or how prices have changed in the 9 years since. I began by asking $24,000 (US$16,800), then dropped to $18,000 (US$12,600) but after a few months, accepted the highest offer - US$8,400 as above.

If your brother wants a better price, then he needs to get it running, checked out and fix everything so it would be comparable to the car I sold. And even then, as I discovered, the market is thin. There is a market for the pristine car where someone else has sunk more money than they will get back. And there is a bottom market where the purchase price is the entry fee only. At present, your brother is at the entry fee price.