As mentioned in a previous feature of two Fiat Spiders, finding an early spider is not as easy as uncovering a later car with the large, double tube bumpers they had from 1975 to 1985. However, one pops up every so often, and in spite of their rarity, style and sporting specification, they still fail to bring in big, or even moderate numbers. One example of this secret bargain is a very early 1967 Fiat 124 Sport Spider, for sale in Edmonds, WA for $4000.
While looking around for more obscure vehicles, and trying to sort out a high idle issue with the RustyButTrusty ’77 spider, a nice little 1978 popped up. Even in smog-strangled form, Alfa’s elegant solution of mechanical fuel injection suffered less of a power loss than many competitors. The solution to the safety requirements of the late 1970s was substantially less elegant, but no worse than many competitors. As a result, even the big-bumper series 2 (chopped-tail, non-spoilered) spiders are increasing in price – who know we’d ever see the day? Some good finds are still out there, and that appears to be the case with this 1978 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, listed for $2300 near Concord, CA.
Every year, there’s a fun, laid-back show for owners of Italian cars in the area surrounding Alameda, CA, just south of Oakland, to park their cars on the field and enjoy each other’s company. Each year brings the usual gaggle of Fiat and Alfa spiders, along with various Alfa sedans and some more unusual cars, like an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Cabriolet, two DeTomaso Mangustas, and even a Fiat 131 sedan. The one thing that’s always surprising is the number of nicer Alfas parked outside the show field. You often overhear people saying they didn’t have the time to wash the car, or that it really needs some paint, but c’mon, people, this is not Pebble Beach! And if someone has a problem with you driving in in your spider that you haven’t washed since March, they can go to a car show that costs $250 instead of $5. Our first example of people who agree with this perspective is below – a red Fiat X1/9 that looks well-used, well-loved, and ready to keep going.
Rusty But Trusty 