1988 Alfa Romeo Spider Quadrifoglio Convertible 2-Door 2.0L

Description

I bought this car as a complete beater so I could use it to teach my kids how to drive a stick. My wife is Italian and my kids go visit their cousins in Italy every year and now they want to drive there. So that is why I chose an Alfa. And I always loved the spider. I had a GT when we lived in Italy. In any case it was a beater. But I can never leave a car like that alone. So I had it repainted in Alfa Rosso, the original color. I took the seats out and recovered them in gray leather, replacing the gray vinyl they came with. I also recovered the interior door panels in the same leather as the seats. I replaced the convertible top which was a mess with a new canvas cloth top, not vinyland a plastic rear window you can now see through. I repainted the hardtop in black to offset the red body. I changed out the badges which were worn and faded for new OEM badges. I changed the trunk release cable and I have a spare gas cap release cable. The antenna was replaced with a working one which raises when the radio is turned on. I took out the two point seat belts and replaced them with three point belts.

I have lots of spares, including a complete instrument panel,spare bulbs for every light, weatherstripping, new side mirrors, and tons of miscellaneous parts. Ihave 6cars. This one now just sits since everyone now knows how to drive a stick and I do not wish to spend anymore time and moneyon a car that was meant only as tool to teach my kids.

The bad: The synchros between first and second are worn and rapid shifts can result in grinding the gears. The heating/cooling system needs work. The fan spins but air does not move. The tach and speedoeven though the cables have been changed are erratic at best.I have installed a battery cut off switch bcause there is a low level drain on the battery when left sitting for a couple of days. There is a slight sag on the drivers side door. Has no effect on closing/opening the door.

And that is all there is too it. Fun to drive but it is a 28 year old Alfa Romeo. And in this world there does not exist a completely functioning 1988 Alfa.