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 Buick, of course.
A ’79 Buick with the 3.8 and T-Tops in deep red with a white landau top was my second car, purchased with $600 dollars of corn detassling and grocery bagging wages.
The doors sagged a half inch when open. It broke down weekly. I put in a shift kit that banged from 1st to 2nd so hard it would launch the wire hubcaps at the most inconvenient times. I installed a turbo from a junkyard Regal. Later that month me mother borrowed the car and declared that she liked whatever I had been doing under the hood. It was the best car in the world and nothing could have taken it from me, except possibly the Bluesmobile.
And then I got serious with a girl that had the typical 1980’s permed hair. Her sense of humor could put up with the breakdowns and the shifts, but she didn’t approve of running sans T-Tops. Between the hair and our plans to take on a long daily commute to a community college the Regal went up for sale. The car I bought next was another example of youthful questionable judgement, but the girl and I have been married for over 30 years now.
So I vote for the Buick. Ha.
The above is the only acceptable reason to vote for this Buick.
The Alfa looks like a lot of fun. The Buick looks like a lot of brown.
That earlier chrome-bumper Alfa is the one more worth saving… so it gets my vote. Once you get it running, it will be more fun to drive.
Also a note about the Alfa seller… in the ad it says “I believe it’s a V6 four speed. It’s only got 80,000 miles not running at the moment. My dad was working on it. This would be an excellent car like I said to get back on the road.”
So it’s clear the seller does NOT know what they have. I’m guessing dad passed away and this is part of an estate sale.
That Regal turbo isn’t like the turbo in the Grand National. The early 3.8 Turbo wasn’t intercooled or fuel injected… and didn’t make more than 165hp.
So it’s not gonna be the driving experience you may be thinking of. And the 3 speed slushbox won’t help matters either.
And in my view, when the seller says “1978 Regal Turbo Sport Coupe is a sought-after collector’s item due to its historical importance and performance characteristics.”, they are absolutely full of shit.
Nuh uh… this particular Regal is NOT a sought after collector’s item. The ones that are sought-after are the ‘GNX’ ones as well as the unmolested ‘Grand Nationals” sold for the 1986 and 1987 model years
Pretty sure the copy in that Buick Regal ad is AI generated. And this AI knows what it’s got.
Yesh no this isn’t a collectors item. It falls into the category of rare, yes, but isn’t really valuable and no one really wants it. My uncles 1980 Monte Carlo V6 turbo wasn’t fast, as the Grand National was far better all around not just speed. I considered the turbo Monte for my first car, as it was still running okay the time and cheap, but after driving it my eventually chosen 86 Grand Am SE V6 was nearly the same acceleration and that had a road test 0-60 of 9.8 seconds, so yeah…
The Buick is an aesthetic calamity. And a mechanical one, too.
The Alfa is simple, sturdy, cool, and vastly better looking.
Getting that Buick engine running sounds like a nightmare. Is it even fuel injected? No thanks.
Nope, it’s carb’ed, and the turbo is a blow-through setup.
Hooo boy. Sound like bad news right there.
They both need serious help, but at least with the Buick things will make sense. Plus, it has more potential if dressed as a T-Type clone.
That Alfa stirred some ancient feelings.
Mark it yellow, dude.
How is the Buick getting 17% of the vote? Is Alfa’s reputation really that terrible?
Prejudice. Those Alfas were simple, and if well maintained, far more reliable than any malaise-era US car. Thing is, they were often neglected, with dire consequences.
Wait, you want me to pay that much for the Buick? I thought that the price was what they would give you to take it away.
Seriously, that Buick should have been the poster child for Cash for Clunkers. Alfa all the way.
After having spent most of a summer trying to get a (really nice) blow through carb turbo 82 GN spaghetti explosion running properly, I’ll learn to speak Italian, thank you.
This is not even a contest. That Buick would be a questionable deal at $500 much less over $4k! Conversely, the Alfa is priced pretty well and is far more desirable in general.
Seems like the prices are swapped on these – Alfa seems like it could be worth $4k and honestly even $2200 for a junkyard Buick would be a real stretch.
I like the Spiders; even considered one long ago. That Buick isn’t a Grand National (collector’s item), and an automatic? No chance.
All Buicks were auto’s… point stands now a GN not worth anymore than $500 in that condition!
Gimme that Alfa. I’ve owned a couple in my life and loved them. The last was an ’84 rubbertail, the 3rd gen with real Bosch fuel injection. I had a chance to buy s ’74 that was in great condition and hesitated and lost out. At the time the SPICA worried me but I’ve since learned the mech fuel injection isn’t really that hard to maintain. I’d love to have another Spider (opens Craigslist tab…)
There is not a damned thing in the world that could convince me to take that Buick for even $300.
Even with the turbo, it’s never going to have enough power to be fun. Even if it had the power, it’s too much of a rolling couch to be any fun. And it’s not big enough to be a good rolling couch cruiser. For that, you need the Buick Electra.
I had an 88 Regal. The oil pump failed and roached the 3.8 litre. Even after putting a built Olds 403 in it, it still wasn’t enough fun. For starters, it was going to take a lot to find a decent suspension solution in GM’s vast parts bin, so I sold it to someone far more optimistic about its future than I was.
The Alfa is highly desirable in stock form. Finding one that’s not rusted to hell is a lot more than $2200 difficult. This one seems almost too cheap, but I get that the price goes down as the owner gets tired of looking at what they were formerly optimistic about. (*see Regal story above. I sold it for just a little over what I had in the new engine and transmission.)
And you can’t call yourself a gearhead unless you have owned an Alfa Romeo. I vote Italian over that GM abomination. However, I’m paining it orange and finding some original alloy wheels
Seems like an unfair Showdown, but it’s nice to see the Buick get some pity votes.
Honestly, I think the Alfa has better parts and service support. If I brought that Buick to my mechanic he’d probably tell me to GTFO.
Alfa. But I already have a 71. Mine has webers but I wish it had Spica. Hard to get working right but great when it’s set up right. Literally every part is still available as original or aftermarket. Every button, gauge, seat cover and metal part of the body can be bought, often cheap. Fun to drive if not scary around new cars.
I can usually find a reason to be a contrarian, but not today.
Why bother with the Buick? An uninteresting basket case car that, even once restored, is still going to be boring? I’d rather have the pain/joy ratio of the Alfa all day.
An Alfa without the federalized bumpers and that ridiculous “Graduate” rear spoiler? You bet! I will march through Hell to get the fuel injection working before I convert to carbs.
My general feeling is that it’s always better to get the original fuel injection fixed, than to convert to carbs. This whole thing about switching to carbs was a leftover from the olden days when people thought fuel injection was all smoke and mirrors. That’s why you had people converting VWs, Porsche 914s, and Alfas to carbs thinking carbs were ‘simpler’.
I wanted to give the Buick seller a hard time because he definitely “knows what he has” but the Alfa seller should really stop guessing in the sales post. Yellow was probably a rare color for the Alfa in 74, but only 21 cars? I don’t think so. Also, he referred to it as a V6, 4 speed but it would be soooo easy to confirm that is not the case.
Anyway, a cannoli dipped in marshmallow fluff might be sacrilege to you Mark, but we aren’t all living on silk stocking street. Give me the Alfa.
I believe it’s an estate same Alfa and that’s why there’s all the guessing.
My ’74 GTV was yellow. It was a pretty common color that year for Alfas, but a lot of people didn’t like it. A lot of the red ’74 Alfas you see these days started off as yellow 🙂
Wow!I remember when a non running Buick like that could be bought for $300 all day long.
To be fair, you might be able to buy this non-running Buick for $300 if the seller was reasonable. $4500 is an absurd price for this thing.
Between the price and condition the Alfa is the clear winner. It might take some money and/or effort to get it running, but with the asking price of $2200 you could spend a few thousand to get it running and still have a solid deal. The color is also awesome.
I like the Buick, but the seller is delusional. I’m having a hard time seeing a ’78 Regal turbo as a “sought-after collector’s item due to its historical importance and performance characteristics.” I find the “performance characteristics” bit particularly absurd since seller also says the version with the 4 barrel carb made 175 hp. Seller also highlights the “limited production” of this vehicle but then states Buick sold 20,000 of them. Methinks this is a seller who knows what he’s got. This guy might have an easier time selling this car if he toned it down a bit.
The carbureted turbo Buicks were problematic, they are nothing like the later Grand Nationals. The A-body platform made a comfy cruiser. You could swap just about any Gm engine and trans in this. This car is pretty rough for the price, so I voted the Alfa.
Usually I’d pick a Buick over a tempermental Italian car. But given the amount of work needed to resurrect either of these, the Alfa seems like it will be more rewarding in the end.