Auction Watch: 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Sedan

Checkout this 1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Sedan here on eBay bidding for $2,305 with auction ending on Sunday at 6:00PM PST.

 From eBay listing:

Item specifics

1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta Sports Sedan

Superior Example of Alfa’s Most Uner-Rated Sedan!

AR
11658*0002674

When did
you last see one of these?!

A
rare survivor. This is the final and best year for the Alfetta in the USA:
Better quality trim, better fit and finish, better rust-proofing and a bit more
power. AND
this one has a dandy sliding sunroof, AND delicious adjustable Konis all
around, AND gorgeous, rare Campagnolo magnesium alloy wheels,
(…five of ‘em — one in the trunk, the way Alfa delivered them!)

If
you like your Italian cars quattroporte
style, then the Alfetta sedan is something of a unique jewel. They represent a
certain ‘sweet spot’ between the lively go-kart character of the Giulia Super,
and the V6 refinement of the Milano/75. At the same time, it is much more
capable and comfortable than the 1750/2000 Berlina models. It’s got sweeter
styling than any of them (in a quiet, classy way, like the best Italian
sedans), and handles far better than any of them, with unbelievable balance
that makes a driver feel as if his car is reading his mind and will execute any
reasonable order with aplomb. The bonus is that Alfetta prices are only just
beginning to follow the older Alfas, so they still represent a comparative
bargain.

It
was a revelation for me to drive one of these again, to relearn just how good this
chassis is. Assuming we are all Alfisti here, and that you already know all
about this car’s exotic mechanical layout, I’ll spare you all the Wikipedia
boiler-plate that anybody can look up in ten seconds.     

This
car has just been taken out of a four year slumber. It has always been
enthusiast-owned, by AROC members, and is a well-cared-for example, but not a
coddled one. The body is straight, with some areas of paint touch-ups. Car was
repainted in the mid 90s. There are small marks, dings, and dimples (including
some subtle hail marks in the roof) that are the hallmark of an unrestored car.
While there is some surface rust and some bubbling evident, it is a great
relief to look beneath this car and see how impressively clean, strong and solid the
steel is: Sills, floors, crevices, valances – all excellent
(please see the pictures on eBay, and then please see many more on the link
below). There is a spot of rust-through part way up one A-pillar (again, see
photos). We can only surmise that this is the result of a plugged sunroof
drain, because the bottom of the car is solid. Rather than try and fill it or
touch it up, our philosophy was to leave it alone: We figured you’d appreciate
seeing it raw and honest rather than to find out it was covered up or hidden.

This
is the approach we took all around the car: We basically left it alone.
Essentially, we gave it a shampoo, blow dry, new battery and fresh fuel. After
the long storage, we carefully warmed and circulated the lubricants, and then
we gave it a relaxed sort of shakeout, accumulating 150-odd miles in one
afternoon. It runs so well, we almost didn’t touch a thing. The SPICA mechanical
fuel injection system is timed and dialed-in just right and working superbly.
Its thermostatic actuator (cold start enrichment device) is disconnected, but the
engine starts instantly, warm or cold (we were able to test it below freezing),
and the mixture is correct. Its idle is slightly fast, and should probably be
adjusted. The fuel-injection gives flexibility and drivability that no carbureted
Alfa can touch. The car drives really well. I momentarily hit an indicated
90mph on the highway, with no vibration from the driveline. The brakes stop
sure and straight, though when the car was on the lift, we noticed that the
left front one seems to drag a bit (we never noticed this in driving). The gearbox
is smooth as silk. We’re told it was rebuilt a few years back, though we are
not yet in possession of the file of receipts that will come with the car. In
any case, we have NOT heard the infamous second-gear grinding that seems to
plague the Alfetta’s reputation, (truthfully, if one is in the habit of
shifting smoothly, and quickly double de-clutching on downshifts, one can shift
these cars with abandon and never crunch ‘em).

The
interior is very well preserved. The dashboard is miraculously free of UV
damage or major cracks, save for a very small split by the glove box door (see
interior pics on photo link). The gauges are clean and clear and they all work
(even the clock keeps good time!). Original owner’s manual and some other
booklets are in the illuminated glovebox. Old Kenwood radio/cassette lights up,
but does not make noise – we did not investigate. The AC compressor is in
place, but not wired up. The handbrake does not hold the car. The lightly
bronze-tinted glass is perfect, including the windshield. All the lights work,
except for one courtesy lamp. Halogen sealed-beam headlamps are fitted. The
seats impressively sport their original upholstery, uniformly faded, but quite
clean looking and with no tears and strong stitching. The headliner has some
staining in the corners, but it not sagging or torn. Sisal mats are a nice finishing
touch to this warm inviting interior.

Compression
readings: #1 = 130 lbs ; #2 = 120 lbs ; #3 = 120 ; #4 = 140.

The
very stout sump guard has no marks on it, and there is no evidence underneath
the car of any off-road excursions or accidents. The body is very straight with
good panel fit.

This
car was sold new in California (certified for 50-state emissions) and
accumulated most of its miles there. My associate here at MM1000auto bought
this very car from an Alfa Owner
classified in the mid-90s, with around 76k miles on it, and “imported” it from
there to Minnesota. He was the second owner. A couple of years later, he sold
it to its present owner, and he has tracked it ever since. It is truly a car of
“known history” with AROC enthusiasts; solid, adult owned and never abused. Not
perfect, by any means, it is a car that is still “young enough” in its overall
condition to enjoy every day. It is very much too good to need a restoration,
per se. It would benefit right now from fresh fluids and filters, and perhaps some
precaution in the form of new belts and hoses. It is probably time to start
thinking of a caliper rebuild for that dragging one. Pending these small things,
there would be nothing to prevent one from jumping in this car and taking a
drive across the continent. The tires (195/70) are a bit weather-checked, but
still serviceable. As it sits, it will be a popular attraction at any Italian
car meet. With a bit of extra money, spent wisely, it could be a spectacular
collector car that gets more rare and valuable with each passing season.

OVER 100 MORE PHOTOS FOR
YOU TO EXAMINE, SHOWING THE CAR IN DETAIL, INSIDE/OUT: http://s1317.photobucket.com/user/Kowalski111/slideshow/Alfa%20Romeo%20Alfetta%20Sports%20Sedan%201979?sort=9

SEE AND HEAR IT RUN:  https://youtu.be/eZpixncTcXA

Some notes on SPICA
Injection, (from a guy with over thirty years of Alfa ownership and
experience with models from Alfa Sud to Montreal and almost everything in
between). The SPICA mechanical fuel injection is an integral feature of the
car’s character. A healthy SPICA system offers a different, and altogether more
refined, driving experience than Weber or Del’Orto carbs can do, along with all
the power. Very exotic in the 70s, it’s an often unjustly maligned system that
did amazing things for Alfas compared to typical emissions-strangled cars of
that era. Alfisti are still split on the subject of carbs or injection, but a
good SPICA car is a revelation and joy, providing a strong, flexible torque
curve and peak power with no flat spots anywhere in the rev range. A pair of
Weber DCOE40s is pretty great too, of course. The carbs may offer a quicker
“snap” to the throttle response, but they are very ragged compared to SPICA in
terms of drivability, and the extra-smooth refinement of the injection system
just does so much to elevate the character of a great Alfa even higher. The
SPICA system is truly a part of the special charm of a 115 or 116-Series Alfa,
and we humbly suggest it should be preserved and not replaced with carbs. Of
course, it’s still a free country for now, so the next owner can reserve his or
her option!

And If You’re Serious About Bidding, Please Read….

The Fine Print:

GOOD LUCK! Please bid
to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or
add comments. Please ask questions BEFORE you bid. We
will respond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged
in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, about ten minutes out
of downtown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport. Inspections
are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS: Winning this
auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer, the Owner
and the Selling Agents. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us
first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent;
It’s nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on
eBay Motors by too many dead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold “As-Is and Where-Is”. If the Buyer comes to pick up this
vehicle and is in any way dissatisfied, he or she will have the Option
of walking away from the Deal with Full Refund of the Deposit and any
Payments made to the Seller. Otherwise, no warranty is expressed, implied or
offered. Neither
the Owner nor the Selling Agents can or will take any
responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises.

PAYMENT:  Buyer
must make a $200
DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close.
The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make
Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at
Discretion of the Owner and Sellers. BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 7
BUSINESS DAYS of sale by SECURE PAYMENT or CASH at PICK-UP. 

TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for
all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged
in Plymouth, Minnesota 55441, about ten minutes out
of downtown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport. We do not offer quotes on shipping.
There are many vendors to choose from offering vehicle transport. If
you like, we will be happy to recommend some “preferred” carriers
with whom we have direct experience. ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE MADE BY
THE BUYER, though we can recommend a freight forwarder if you like.

STORAGE:  
While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements, Seller can offer, free of charge, dry
indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination.
Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary.
Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period.

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