I'm getting ready to list my 1983 Spider Veloce on e-Bay. Before I do here's a preview announcement to my Alfa friends. The car is advertised in the current Alfa Owner for $8,000 but I am asking $6,500 OBO (or $7,250 with hardtop) for a quick sale. Trades considered. Photos are at http://photos.alfa-base.com/Rinata and the description I'm drafting for e-Bay is below. If no takers I plan to post it Thursday.
Thanks! Brewster Thackeray Arlington, VA 1983 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, renovated & upgraded. B This car was sold new in the Bay Area of California and resided there until 2006. There are extensive records for the car from Day 1, literally a binder full of them. In 2006 I bought this rust-free car here on e-Bay and shipped it East. Since the paint was tired I stripped it to bare metal before having it repainted the original Celeste Blue Metallico #365, with clearcoat. After the repaint the car was appraised for $7,000 b and thatbs BEFORE much other significant work was accomplished and thousands of dollars in extra items added, as detailed below. B On the interior, while I have the original untorn leather seats available, I found a set of new vinyl ones in the correct color that are currently installed. These seats are simply more handsome, durable and comfortable. I sanded and stained the wood steering wheel. Also added a very nice CD stereo with four speakers, the back ones being wakeboard waterproof boat speakers. B This car had a rollbar welded in when it was new. This bar provides structural rigidity and safety. Please be aware however that the seats would need to be modified to fully recline due to the bar, and the protection it provides in a rollover is less effective for drivers over 5b10b . I am six feet tall and find the car perfectly fine to drive, though I do notice having less seat travel compared to other Spiders. While it would be a shame, it would not be hard to remove the roll bar if it were a dealbreaker. B Mechanically this car is ready to drive cross-country. I did drive it to Chicago round trip from Virginia last year, via Massachusetts, with no issues at all. I have spent a lot of money to ensure performance and reliability, including installing a $1,000 + Stebro stainless exhaust system, IAP headers, and power air stack by K&N. If youbve driven stock Spiders you will be pleasantly impressed by the difference these simple upgrades make to a fine platform b when the car is above 3,500 rpm in third or fourth it has a lovely power band and a gorgeous sound. I had the transmission professionally rebuilt last year. New battery this summer. Rinata passed Virginiabs tough safety inspection in August 2009, which means brakes, lights, horn, and all those other key items are in good shape. B I put new tires and a new, dark blue cloth soft top on the car when I got it in 2006. I also bought a darker blue metallic hardtop, which matches this car quite well. The hardtop is NOT included in this auction, but is available to the winning bidder for $750 because it suits this car so well. (It is otherwise not for sale as I would keep it for my wifebs 1991 Spider.) B The car is more than a quarter century old, and no 26 year-old Alfa is perfect. This car has factory air conditioning and the compressor comes on but does not blow cold. The gas gauge isnbt working properly. I disconnected the power mirrors for the repaint, though they can be reconnected and should function. There is a small b starb crack in the passenger side of the windshield, but itbs been there for years and doesnbt impact inspection. For her age and mileage this car offers a rare combination of great looks, proven reliability, and upgraded performance. B I will really miss this Spider. Ibm only selling it to pursue another Alfa adventure (a 164S). I am an Alfa Romeo Owners Club officer, and Ibve owned more than a dozen Alfas. Ibm very familiar with this car, having driven it 15,000 miles and performed or contracted for the numerous upgrades, and would be very glad to answer any questions you may have or to arrange a test drive in Arlington, VA or Washington, DC. B If youbre local, you will be glad to know that in Virginia cars over 25 years old are exempt from personal property tax. If you are from further away, I would=2 0be glad to work with you on arrangements either so you can fly in and drive home, or so I can meet your shipper. I will deliver the car for free within 60 miles of Arlington, VA, and likely further with advance planning. Shipping is the buyerbs responsibility but I can meet the shipper and ensure safe loading. B Thank you for your interest in my car. To learn more about Alfa Romeos and the Alfa hobby, please check out www.aroc-usa.org and consider joining the Alfa Romeo Owners Club. B B -- to be removed from alfa, see http://www.digest.net/bin/digest-subs.cgi or email "unsubscribe alfa" to [email protected]
