Good video on Alfa Spiders, thank you. But on the valve adjustment, they don't need it that often. I own Heavy Metal Alfa and these Spiders and GTV6's go a hundred thousand miles or, much more, before valve adjustment or rebuilding is needed. Just do clean oil every time it gets dark or black, and drive the hail out of them ( the Italian Tune Up )
Hey no negative waves about the Alfa. I owned a '79 USA Spider and put 100,000 miles on it before I had to sell it because I couldn't lash two baby seats on the parcel shelf. In Contrast my '84 Supra had it's camshafts replaced at 35,000 miles and sucked a valve at 110,000 miles. Sure the Toyota Supra had less normal maintenance but with major failings. Right now I'm resto-modding a '74 Spider and since I'm retired I can take my time in the restorations. I've already replaced the floors but the rest of the body is great.
A very thorough review and some excellent suggestions and buying tips but with respect Monsieur - whilst these are lovely cars surely it is fairer to say the 'Spider' didn't start in 1966 and finish 1993, it had started in 1920's and 30's with those old fashioned but beautiful Alfa Romeo 6C Spiders then re-imagined in 1954 with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider and Giulia Spiders and has only recently finished with the the Alfa Romeo Spider (Type 939) - another beautiful Pininfarina design - n'est pas ?
Well stated and true to a point, but also this is the model that's known specifically as the Spider, not a Spider version of another model. Thank you for watching!
It's true, I was there in the day and we weren't crazy about the "boat tail" design, it just looked old fashioned. I thought the kamm tail redesign with the twin instrument pods was the best thing they had done and it transformed the car. The '71 to '74 are the best with '72 being the tops because of 2 liter, wood steering wheel and no bumper over riders. I know there is a carburetor fetish these days but back then we were in awe of the Spica mechanical fuel injection. Alfas and Porsches had FI while Datsuns and Ford Falcons had cartbs. Formula One racing ditched carbs around 1967 for good reason. I think the Alfa Spider was the second longest running production model after the Porsche 911 and Alfa has beyond question the coolest badge ever designed.
I had my 82' Spider trans gears lightened by an expert and the smoother shifting was quite dramatic, especially in 2nd gear, as 2nd and 3rd gear are the most fun. I recently learned that the 1982 Alfa Spider is a relatively rare car with only 1856 ever produced. My "Flexie Flyer" highway ride is surprisingly smooth and comfortable on a good road, and will actually get 30 mpg if kept under 65 mph. I replaced the stock black vinyl top years ago with a navy blue canvas top to match the dark blue interior. Totally gorgeous upgrade. I adjusted the trunk torsion bars just enough so the deck lid slowly lifts completely open when you pull the lever. Way cool. Added adjustable upper control arms and a 1984 split exhaust manifold. I'd say it's about as fast as a good running Mazda Miata, which is actually fairly peppy.
Good review. Owned a 73 Spider for eleven years. Maintenance yes, but not too extreme. Generally a lot of fun. Sold to a friend whose gf managed get involved, totaled out, in SF. Still have some fond memories of work and San Diego fellow owners. There was an appreciated comradery..
Interesting, my 1991 Veloce is the least trouble car I owned, (other than my 1986 mustang GT). Bought new, still have it, trickle charger go for a ride whenever I feel like it.
I have an 86 and I had and 89 and I just turned 16 so I think the Alfa bug is only going to get worse from here There no car I’d rather have then my Alfa
@@alfafreak2011 No. The '71 did not have the bump in the sheet metal just above the grill like the Duetto/Round Tail did. Also, the bumpers, although still separate pieces like the Duetto, actually "touched" the grill and were solid pieces as opposed to the open bumpers of the Duetto.
Good video on Alfa Spiders, thank you. But on the valve adjustment, they don't need it that often. I own Heavy Metal Alfa and these Spiders and GTV6's go a hundred thousand miles or, much more, before valve adjustment or rebuilding is needed. Just do clean oil every time it gets dark or black, and drive the hail out of them ( the Italian Tune Up )
Hey no negative waves about the Alfa. I owned a '79 USA Spider and put 100,000 miles on it before I had to sell it because I couldn't lash two baby seats on the parcel shelf. In Contrast my '84 Supra had it's camshafts replaced at 35,000 miles and sucked a valve at 110,000 miles. Sure the Toyota Supra had less normal maintenance but with major failings.
Right now I'm resto-modding a '74 Spider and since I'm retired I can take my time in the restorations. I've already replaced the floors but the rest of the body is great.
Well done! Brought back fond memories of my ‘86 Graduate - red of course.
I’m going to knock on wood but my ‘81 spica spider is good old girl, the oil underneath is the Alfa rust prevention program
A very thorough review and some excellent suggestions and buying tips but with respect Monsieur - whilst these are lovely cars surely it is fairer to say the 'Spider' didn't start in 1966 and finish 1993, it had started in 1920's and 30's with those old fashioned but beautiful Alfa Romeo 6C Spiders then re-imagined in 1954 with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider and Giulia Spiders and has only recently finished with the the Alfa Romeo Spider (Type 939) - another beautiful Pininfarina design - n'est pas ?
Well stated and true to a point, but also this is the model that's known specifically as the Spider, not a Spider version of another model. Thank you for watching!
It's true, I was there in the day and we weren't crazy about the "boat tail" design, it just looked old fashioned. I thought the kamm tail redesign with the twin instrument pods was the best thing they had done and it transformed the car. The '71 to '74 are the best with '72 being the tops because of 2 liter, wood steering wheel and no bumper over riders. I know there is a carburetor fetish these days but back then we were in awe of the Spica mechanical fuel injection. Alfas and Porsches had FI while Datsuns and Ford Falcons had cartbs. Formula One racing ditched carbs around 1967 for good reason. I think the Alfa Spider was the second longest running production model after the Porsche 911 and Alfa has beyond question the coolest badge ever designed.
Great video. Love my '83 that I purchased as a Covid project car. Transmission rebuild is next.
I had my 82' Spider trans gears lightened by an expert and the smoother shifting was quite dramatic, especially in 2nd gear, as 2nd and 3rd gear are the most fun. I recently learned that the 1982 Alfa Spider is a relatively rare car with only 1856 ever produced. My "Flexie Flyer" highway ride is surprisingly smooth and comfortable on a good road, and will actually get 30 mpg if kept under 65 mph. I replaced the stock black vinyl top years ago with a navy blue canvas top to match the dark blue interior. Totally gorgeous upgrade. I adjusted the trunk torsion bars just enough so the deck lid slowly lifts completely open when you pull the lever. Way cool. Added adjustable upper control arms and a 1984 split exhaust manifold. I'd say it's about as fast as a good running Mazda Miata, which is actually fairly peppy.
Good review. Owned a 73 Spider for eleven years. Maintenance yes, but not too extreme. Generally a lot of fun. Sold to a friend whose gf managed get involved, totaled out, in SF. Still
have some fond memories of work and San Diego fellow owners. There was an appreciated comradery..
Thanks for sharing!
Love my '74
Quadri-Fol-E-O.. the G is silent. Kinda like the word "Famiglia" is pronounced "Familia"
Thank you. Heavy Metal Alfa
Yes, that's my understanding as well.
I bought a 71 Spider in 74 and it was amazing and surprisingly dependable. I'm old now and have a 2001 Miata that is even more dependable.
Favorite thing about the Miata since you've had it?!
I own 4 Alfa-Romeo spiders and 4 eurovans!
Interesting, my 1991 Veloce is the least trouble car I owned, (other than my 1986 mustang GT). Bought new, still have it, trickle charger go for a ride whenever I feel like it.
Bought my 90’ Spider for $6500, it’s been a joy, unfortunately I have about $11k in it just with repairs since fall 2021… Wish I did more research :/
😊 That’s Amore! ❤
I have an 86 and I had and 89 and I just turned 16 so I think the Alfa bug is only going to get worse from here
There no car I’d rather have then my Alfa
If you learn on Alfas then you will be ready for anything!
Do they have a timing belt or a timing chain
@@mainps1chain
I'm looking at a 1988 Alfa Spider convertible do they have a timing belt or timing chain
Internal chain
'71 ALFA Spiders had the 1750 not the 2000. I had a '71 with the 1750 engine with SPICA fuel injection. 72 was the year they put the 2000 in it.
Thanks!
They also carried over the Duetto front nose in 71 too, right? I have a 66 for sale and love series 2.
@@alfafreak2011 No. The '71 did not have the bump in the sheet metal just above the grill like the Duetto/Round Tail did. Also, the bumpers, although still separate pieces like the Duetto, actually "touched" the grill and were solid pieces as opposed to the open bumpers of the Duetto.
First owner of a 1992
alfa's are fine cars