Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

Proven duo: 1979 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce

November 20, 2009

Having just got back into my Alfetta, and realizing what a great car it is to drive, I thought I’d look up a couple more of these. For the money, as long as you’re patient have deep pockets to get you through smog, these can be a lot of fun. Aside from the SPICA pump oil filter, which has been craftily hidden behind the oil pump, they’re fairly easy and straightforward to work on. While they don’t have the extensive US competition history the 105/115 GTVs have, they’re still attractive cars with a design that is clearly related to the Scirocco and Esprit. Changing to smaller European stainless bumpers also does a lot to clean up the look – I highly recommend this for anyone with a US-market Alfetta.

Anyway, enough waxing on about these cars – here’s our first example, a 1979 Sprint Veloce that can be found on craigslist in Bellevue, WA for $2500. This car might be a Velocissima edition Alfetta, which got the Ronal A1 wheels you see here, along with some other aerodynamic bits and pieces that would be hard to see on a black car. Seller seems to have read the manual on how to photograph cars for sale, since he’s included 2 outside pics from different angles (one from the rear would have been better), an interior shot, and an engine shot. He also claims extensive service history, including an engine service for $4K, and some performance modifications. Detail-oriented eyes will notice some rusty-looking areas on the passenger-side inner wheel well, but I believe those are just smog stickers. Get rid of the Ferrari logo on the wheel, fix the key marks in the paint, and you should be good to go!

1979 Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce

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Leave it to Bavaria – 1970 BMW 2800

November 10, 2009

Here’s something a bit less rare and unusual, but a way for you to get your E9 BMW kicks on an Alfetta budget. These cars enjoyed the same powertrain and suspension as their much prettier sisters, but have not suffered the significant appreciation in recent years, nor are they as rustprone. If you’ve ever thought of buying one of these, we should probably talk. On a personal note, my first memory of one of these was riding in a tan ’73 Bavaria my parents had as a loaner from Canbeck in Montreal while their ’75 530i was in for service over a weekend. My defining memory of this car is that it smelled like gas, which probably has a lot to do with my love for old car smells as an adult.

This particular car is a pretty early E3, being badged 2800 and having the wider tail lights that, while less tidy, are more visually interesting. The car also carries a lot more chrome, which gives it much more of a 60s look. It also has a cool 2800 badge in the grill, which seems to mostly be a Euro feature – could that point to the origins of this one? Something about the chrome grill and those not-so-clear headlights makes me want to paint the lenses orange and get a French plate for the bumper. Find the car here, listed in Contra Costa county for $2650.

1970 BMW 2800 front

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Project 16 – 1969 Austin America

November 3, 2009

Since finding out my father owned one of these back in the 60s to spare his E-type from the Montreal winters, I’ve had a hankering to pick up one of these innovative and sporty family cars. When Mini Mania was in Milpitas, and I worked down near there, I had the opportunity to test drive a functional car that was for sale for $1400. At the time, the car was just as sharp as the Mini Moke my parents had rented a couple of years earlier while we were on vacation, but I ultimately decided against buying it since my Spider was still busy draining any car funds I had. The great thing about this car is, you can have some of the style and handling of the Mini, but at a far more attainable price.

Speaking of price, here’s an example in Oklahoma City for $2900. Given the questionable status of the engine, a cash offer might net you this for something lower than asking, but as an indoor-stored dry-state car, it has good potential. It also appears to be very complete, right down to the hubcaps and all the trim.

1969 Austin America front

Check out this video to see how capable these are:

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