HI from NC!

[MrJD]

I promise I haven't warmed her up

The red car above: it made me super nervous that the guy had clearly warmed it up prior to our arrival, even though I knew for certain he had not been driving anywhere. Very nervous.

[mdrburchette]

I'm still curious as to what you guys think about the last car posted though. I think I could get into it for sub-$3000 money.

Jon

Have you checked the shock towers and subframe of the car yet? You need to get the thing on a lift and check out the floorpan and everything underneath the car if you are still serious about buying it. What does the engine compartment look like? Are the front seats torn up? Is the dash cracked? If it is structurally sound but the seats are torn and the dash are cracked, I'd be offering $2 - $2500 for it.

[MrJD]

Yea, I was thinking 2500 would be my max. As I recall she said it had a brake problem (sticking caliper being that it has sat for a while). It also has a relatively new top and not much rust. I tend to look under the car at suspension mount points... I guess if I go look at it I could ask her if I can take it on a long test drive to a mechanic and have them put it on a ramp for me. Might be the best $10-20 i've ever spent.

I was also still thinking about the rusty car... The thing just spoke to me, begging for restoration. Shame seeing such a once proud auto rusting into the dirt.


This is a weird question... But are tail lights interchangeable between years? For instance: 78 and 79 cars have different looking tail lights, but are the actual openings on the back of the car the same? So could you use 78 tails on a 79 without body mods?

[WYSpider]

They're asking 6k on the Alfa

Just got some pictures




in really good shape....


And I think I recognize dual weber DCOEs there...

Offer them $2,500 cash on the Alfa.

[MrJD]

I did not dig the alfa at all... It had some -real- problems. Rust, I can cut that out and replace it. The Alfa wasn't running, carbs were off when I looked at it. The front bumpers were beat to hell from minor accidents, and the hood gaps were off making me thing major damage had been sustained at some point. Further, you could see that the the back in was a bit of a mess. The tail lights were... off. one dipped down on the inside seam, and one was kinda pushed up. Made me think rear collision and shotty body men. The paint had a few issues also

BUT

the kicker was when I was inside the car, and pulled back some of the interior in the rear cabin and found a recently active rats nest. If rats have been active in the car... i don't want it. God knows what kind of gremlins live in that electrical system post-rat chewing. The car had registration stickers on it also. The most recent date I could find was 2005... it had been sitting for at least 3 years due to the layers of dirt dobber nesting on the underside of it... and likely longer if you use the stickers as a mark.

Add into that the guy asking $6500 and its a no no. The guy that owns it owns a used car lot and is in his late 20's early 30's. He was looking for a quick flip and has NO IDEA what a alfa romeo is, nor what it is worth other than what his books tell him... and we all know the books are wrong on Alfas. Somebody took him to school and he overpayed. I see him keeping the car for a very very long time.

[WYSpider]

Too bad, sounds like it was a complete mess. The best thing is to find someone who put $7 or $8k into one and them give them $4

[MrJD]

Too bad, sounds like it was a complete mess. The best thing is to find someone who put $7 or $8k into one and them give them $4

Hard to make money in cars. Tis why when my last one died horribly I started buying antique guns (did it for years). I'll double my money on every old rifle I bought... but man I want a car again! Time to lose some money!

[WYSpider]

Have you considered a Fiat X1/9, or are you set on a convertible?

You know you would look good in something like this


I have a spider, which I love, but have X-envy.

[RRoller123]

my favorite car of all time....

[MrJD]

Have you considered a Fiat X1/9, or are you set on a convertible?

You know you would look good in something like this
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I have a spider, which I love, but have X-envy.

Its like the alfa. I respect the sheer handling ability of the chassis, but hate the way they look. Personal preference.

i might be driving to charlotte tomorrow gents. Might be time to do some business.

[Chazwars]

Hey fellow Carolinian. I'm up in Raleigh and make frequent trips to Chapel Hill and Durham. Let me know if you want me to inspect the Chapel Hill car. Or, if you decide to make a trip up, let's try to get together. You can take a first hand look at a 124 getting work done in my garage.

Congrats on the new gig. St Andrews, right? My sis rode horses for them back in the late 90s. Great school but those Long Island kids could use some discipline.

-Charlie

[MrJD]

Chaz, Will let you know. Im likely going to look at the car this weekend out past charlotte, Its a 79,,, and I don't like the 79+ door handles and tail lights at all in pictures.. If I decide its not the car for me, I am going to make the guy in Chapel Hill an offer. Something about that car was very attractive to me... Like its lived a hard life and deserves some love, lol.

[MrJD]

Looked at this car today. What do you think? Whats it worth in your opinion?



80's mirror would have to go, top needs to be replaced pretty soon also



Windshield looked to be de-laminating, as was some of the other glass


It ran and drove beautifully. Suspension was nice and tight, transmission was perfect. Engine looks to be bone stock.




no rust at all




Dash appeared to be a plastic cap that had been BADLY buckled by the sun. It was SUPER wavy plastic.


Seats were in Great shape


Leather wrapped center console!



The bad...
Its not an original red car... though it had a pretty extensive re-spray to red at some point in its life


And this door panel and floor were TOTALLY SOAKED after the rain. its been leaking for a while... carpets on both sides need to be completely replaced. Could not get them up to look for rust without them falling to pieces. Looked like carpet out of a house!

[RRoller123]

If it has been leaking for some time, better get a look under those carpets before going further.....

[mdrburchette]

You need to check the floor pan if any way possible. The car looks like a good restoration candidate. How much are they asking for it?