Ask anyone who has ever tried to wrench on an old car, and they’ll tell you: rust sucks. And not only on body panels; rusty fasteners underhood or underneath the car can ruin your day in a big hurry. It makes a lot of sense, then, to shop for potential projects in parts of the country where cars generally don’t rust, like the desert southwest. Today, we’re going to look at two sun-baked potential projects in Arizona, which hopefully will come apart without gallons of PB Blaster.
Yesterday, we took a look at two sporty coupes stuck in unfortunate situations. Either one could be fun, but you’d have to deal with what I’m certain are unpleasant dealers to find out. The Eagle Talon won easily, based not only on its condition and presentation, but cool factor. If the Acura had been the fancy version, it would have been a fairer comparison, but I have to work with what I find.
My only concern with that Talon is that it seems like too good of a deal. I can’t help wondering what’s wrong with it. On that big auction site, Talons and Eclipses tend to sell for about three or four times as much, though admittedly with fewer miles and in better condition. It’s hard to imagine that a dealership doesn’t know that. So why so cheap?
It has been a while since we looked at two non-running cars, so I thought it was time. These two don’t really have anything to do with each other besides their non-op status and geographic proximity, but they’re both intriguing projects. Let’s take a look and see which one you’d rather tackle.
1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce – $2,200
Engine/drivetrain: 2.0-liter DOHC inline 4, five-speed manual, RWD
Location: Queen Creek, AZ
Odometer reading: 60,000 miles
Operational status: Doesn’t run, looks like the radiator has been removed
If you’re looking for an inexpensive Italian sports car – and who isn’t? – your options are limited. And if it absolutely must be an Alfa Romeo, this is by far your best bet – the Spider. It was built for years and years, and like many other sports cars, the majority of its production was exported to America. It’s probably easier to find an Alfa Spider for sale here in the US than it is in Italy.
Our version of the Spider was a little different; we only got the 2.0 liter engine (the Veloce model), not the 1.3 or 1.6 versions (the Junior model). And the US-spec Spider was equipped with mechanical fuel injection in place of the dual carbs. It’s a pretty robust engine; unlike the Fiat twin-cam engine, this one has chain-driven camshafts. As long as it makes good oil pressure and has good compression, it should be just fine internally. The fuel injection is finicky, but if necessary, it can be retrofitted with carbs from the European version. Parts and knowledge are easy to come by, so getting it back running should just be a matter of spending some good quality time with it.
Classic Alfa interiors are about as quintessential sports car as it gets. The big wooden steering wheel, the round gauges, the shift lever coming out of the center console at that funny angle; they all make you want to get in and drive. This one looks like it has held up well, though I do worry about what’s under those seat covers. And the shift boot appears to have disappeared. But again, there’s a good support network around these cars, so whatever you need should be available somewhere. You just have to be patient and persistent to track it all down.
The yellow paint is original, and it’s apparently completely rust-free; let’s hear it for arid climates. The black paint on the wheels is not original, and it’s practically a crime to have painted them. Nobody did alloy wheels in the 70s like the Italians, and burying them under black paint is like dipping cannoli in marshmallow fluff. I’m sure they could be stripped and refinished properly. Otherwise, I think I’d just leave it as is; that classic Pininfarina styling wears a little patina well.
1978 Buick Regal Turbo Sport Coupe – $4,500
Engine/drivetrain: Turbocharged 3.8 liter OHV V6, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Tucson, AZ
Odometer reading: 45,000 miles
Operational status: Hasn’t run in years
1978 was a big year of change for GM’s intermediate A-body vehicles. They were redesigned across the board, sharply downsized, and often powered by six cylinders instead of eight. Lots of bodystyles were available, but the one with staying power was the two-door coupe, which was built until 1988 and remains popular to this day. These cars were so popular for so many years that if you didn’t own one, or know someone who did, I’d be very surprised.
Every GM division had its own special version of this car, and Buick’s version went on to be very special indeed. But it all started here, with the 1978 Regal Sport Coupe. Buick’s 231 cubic inch V6 was re-christened the “3.8 Litre,” and it gained a horsepower bump from a turbocharger, along with a bump in the hood to distinguish it from lesser Regals. It drives the rear axle through the oft-maligned Turbo-Hydramatic 200 automatic, but the transmission is the least of this one’s worries. It has been sitting for years, and likely needs a lot of work to get it back running. After that, you can worry about the transmission.
Despite its turbocharged engine, I’m not sure Buick really understood the meaning of the term “sport coupe.” A bench seat, a column shifter, and acres of fake woodgrain punctuated by chromed plastic controls don’t exactly scream “sporty.” There are a few cool touches, however, like the chrome “Turbo 3.8 Litre” badge above the original AM/FM radio, and the turbo boost gauge in the dash. This is the best view of the seats that we get, which worries me a bit. GM upholstery from this era wasn’t known for durability.
The outside looks pretty good, except for the vinyl top, and the filler panels between the bumpers and the body. The vinyl can be redone or removed, and the filler panels may be available as reproductions; I know they are for some GM cars this age. And again, thanks to the dry Arizona climate, it’s rust-free.
You’ve got your work cut out for you with either of these, but at least bodywork and rust repair isn’t on the agenda. And you shouldn’t have much trouble with stuck bolts while doing the mechanical restoration. So let’s turn some wrenches – which one are you willing to revive?
The Alfa Romeo, absolutely.
The choice is partly based on the experiences of a friend who had a ’80 or ’81 Buick Regal two-door that she bought when it was only a few years old and ostensibly in good condition; her ’77 MGB Midget didn’t have AC & she wanted AC for commuting to work in the sweltering summers of the Southeast. That Buick was such a POS that my friend still kvetches lividly about it to this day. Many was the time it would end up on the side of the road. She, her dad, and the local shops would keep wrenching on it but to no avail. The last straw was when it broke down on the way to the airport and she missed her flight and consequently missed a dear friend’s wedding. After saving up for a down payment she drove the Buick to a Toyota dealership; she said it almost seemed like the Buick knew the jig was up because it actually died when she pulled into the dealership’s parking lot. She didn’t even bother haggling about the trade-in value as she was buying a brand-new 1990 Toyota Corolla SR-5 notchback coupe which she actually still has to this day with something like 300k miles. And, yes, she still has her ’77 MGB Midget.
One time I jokingly commented that her MG broke down about as often as her Buick did; she said that her MG was FUN but her Buick was NOT. (Said with such intensity that you knew that the Buick held a special place in hell, possibly the ninth circle.)
So, long story short, the Alfa Romeo it is, however daunting the prospect might be of having to deal with the missing radiator & fuel delivery systems & whatnot.
^^ Story of the day here. ^^
I thought the interior of the Alfa wasn’t great until I looked at the Buick. I’ll take the Alfa, at least it’s a car I’d want to drive once I get it running. Also the ad says it’s a “V6 four speed” so you can have fun trying to find the two missing cylinders.
I’ve owned lots of Alfa’s, all of them bought as cheap projects, so it’s Alfa for me. Regarding the price, it seems OK if the car didn’t overheat and blow the head gasket. Radiators are easy to find, so the fact that this one sat for lack of one suggests that maybe there’s more to the story. And Mark, please don’t casually throw out the idea of swapping in Webers for the SPICA fuel injection system. First, it’s not quick or inexpensive to do so. Second, the SPICA is vastly superior to Webers (and del Ortos, and those French monstrosities) in both driveability, gas mileage, and emissions, and there are experts out there who knows how to work on them.
My first and only Alfa, a ’74 GTV ended in much that same state as this car, with the radiator out in preparation for pulling the engine/transmission so I could replace the rear seal and clutch. That’s when I noticed the structural rot (I lived in New England) and recognized it was now a collection of parts. I sold it a year or so later for $500. It was a lot of fun while it lasted.
Was seriously considering getting an Alfa Spider instead when shopping Miatas, so the decision is very easy for me today. (Ended up getting an NC PRHT Miata because I needed it to be a 3.5 season daily driver at the time).
They are vastly different cars though. The Alfa with the live axle rear is from a totally different era than the Miata. Although I will say that our ’77 Alfa GT with the same engine and Spica injection as this ’74, was by far the best sounding 4 cyl engine ever.
Having owned both, it sounds better—snorty and throaty— with my dual carbs but I would prefer the Spica.
Yes, of course they are! I was eyeing end of the run Spiders, late 80s early 90s. But, yeah, ultimately I needed a car that would work every day and the PRHT has been awesome for security, weather protection and convenience. It’s the old I’d rather be driving my car vs working on it. I still dream of owning an Alfa, but now that I have a ‘vert I would probably lean more into a GTV6.
If I had $4,500 to play with I’d use it on a rough but running version of that Alfa. I have no interest in screwing around with an engine that may never run again. The other option really puts the ick in Buick.
Alfa engines are oddly easy to rebuild as all of the basic engine parts are still readily available, including new cylinder sleeves. The one thing I never messed with was the Spica system, I would leave that to someone who hopefully knew what they were doing.
I hate yellow but I’ll take the Alfa all day long over the desert crap Buick.
Because the Alfa can be repainted.
The Buick will still be a piece of crap.
I initially thought it was rust, but, no, someone bought it like that.
That Alfa Looks Fine As F. I’d take it over the malaise Regal any day. I had the 1976 Buick version of this car (Century Special) and it was great, but it was naturally aspirated, easy to work on and not overly burdened with smog equipment (well, not after I got through with it). But nostalgia’s not enough to overcome the rust and decay that have resulted from years of neglect. The Alfa would be more fun and easier to restore and a much more fun to drive once it was back on the road.
Trying to revive a blow-through carb turbo Buick from the worst nation / time combination of automotive misery seems like a punishment.
Restoring that car to operational should be the prison sentence for white collar criminals. Freedom when you can drive that home. Suicide rates would skyrocket.
I found a Buick identical to that one on a classic car dealer’s site. Same color, same year, in immaculate original condition with 40k on it. And of course, it runs and drives. It’s listed for $11,500, and for all I know that’s overpriced too. I don’t know much about classic American car prices. But if that’s where values max out, I think you could find a better deal on one that needs less work.
I would say that’s overpriced.
These things were bad across the GM brands that sold them, but some models are desirable. This is not one of those models.
If you can restore the engine to operational, you’ll be rewarded with either 150hp or 165hp pushed through a non-overdrive automatic.
Alfa. It’s always the Alfa.
A completely irrational choice, but if you’re going to be wrenching on it (and you are), why not go all the way?
The end result may not be as comfortable, or necessarily reliable, as the Buick. But the fun level will be far higher.
The Buick’s desirability is that it can be quite a sleeper.
But it handles so poorly that without a lot of work it’s really just suited for being a rolling couch with the novelty of an old turbo once you get it running.
So, Alfa it is.
Oh this a tough one…gotta go Alfa in the end
…..So, hear me out. Cheap Alfa Spiders are still pretty easy to come by. Objectively it’s obviously a better car, but I’m not sure I would ever consider fixing a non-running one. But I see just a glimmer of potential in that Buick, against my better judgement. Radwood potential, or lowrider potential, or something.
Alfa for me.
That Buick is way overpriced. Maybe the seller thinks it’s a Grand National or a GNX.
Alfa all day.
It takes up less garage space and looks less junkyard-y.
Malaise era GM? FFS. I feel like the Buick was intentionally placed against the Alfa as a ringer.
The Alfa might need a little bit of love, but once it’s up and running, it’s pure joy.
I was given a ’78 Regal once. It was by far the worst car I have ever owned. Take the Alfa and sell it for parts. At least there is some value there.
Neither. But Alfa, I guess.
I pictured both cars when successfully reanimated, and it was a no-brainer. Why would I put work and money in that Buick, when I could do it for the Alfa?
Absolutely nothing about that Buick interests me. Looks like I’m picking a convertible today.
A yellow convertible vs. a “brownze” Buick that hasn’t run for a while and isn’t the cool version?
One of these is clearly the beta; give me the Alfa.
That Alfa is just so damn happy!
I’m sure this relationship will drain my finances and test my patience, but it’ll be fun for 6 months!
Damn, I really haven’t learned anything since my 20s.
The truth is that I wouldn’t have the discipline or emotional energy to invest in either project, but the ideal of the Alfa is a lot closer to sufficiently inspiring than the Buick.
YELLLLOOOOOWWWW ALFA SPIDER!!!
That engine is missing a little more than a a radiator. First thing I wanted to see was whether it was carbureted or SPICA. I see neither. This would be a really fun* project. I’d keep the rainbow heart sticker.
*fun [fuhn], adj. 1.enjoyable, whimsical. 2. Costs a divorce-threatening amount of money and can induce insanity.
The sticker was half the reason I picked it.
It’s definitely a SPICA intake manifold, but missing the air box. Can’t see if the pump is there.
Yup. I noticed the INEZIONE badge on the back, too!
My car says inezione on the back. Webers up front. A lot happens over 50 years. I was skinny and had hair.
I can’t believe I am going with a yellow car. Clearly that one was sitting in a barn and the dad passed away. but the guy thinks the 4 cylinder is a 6 and claims to have too many other cars, yet clearly is not a car guy. I would lowball him and flip it most likely.
Alpha Romero. That other car in his driveway looks like a Camero.
That always bugs me — it’s on the registration and is written on the car in various places. This isn’t hard to get right.
Though if they say “I know what I have,” it’s pretty funny.
Either you misspelled that or you are sneaking in the title to a great song by Dangerous Birds from way back!
There were no errors in that comment!