The SCM 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer.
Part of what I like most about the BaT experience are the questions that get asked by the auction watchers.
Several have commented about the overspray (from the long-ago respray) on the underside of the car, under the hood and in the door jambs.
I’ve been aware of these “flaws” since I bought the car. But I chose not to do anything about them.
First, my cars are for driving and not for showing. It was more important to me that the suspension be dialed in just right than the striker plate on the door jamb be detailed.
Also, part of what attracted me to this car was its sense of “honesty.” When it was repainted many years ago (probably at the same time the upper nose sheet metal was replaced, but I’ll never know for sure), the car was not taken completely apart. It was just given a respray to a decent standard.
I very much like the fact that it has never been “blown apart” with the doors and hood and trunk removed, or the windshield taken out. It has a very solid feel that I think only comes from cars that have never been disassembled and put back together.
In the end, it’s just a good old used car that has covered 112,000 miles and been properly maintained and taken care of its entire life. When you look at the paint, you know exactly what went on with the car. No welded floor panels or rockers, just a fresh coat.
I’ll leave it to the new owner to decide what level they want to take the car to. As I mentioned in the auction, when I was behind the wheel I couldn’t see the overspray in the door jambs anyway.
If you enjoy reading about classic cars, consider subscribing to Sports Car Market. See our special pricing and become a member today.
Thinking back to when I took apart my 1972 Spider many years ago makes me shutter a bit. Little did I know how much trouble it would be to put back the trunk (boot) lid torsion springs/bars. What a JOB! This was before YouTube so I was learning how to do it the “old fashioned” way. Much struggling, sweating and swearing was evident before both of them, IIRK, were hooked back up. Ah, those wild and crazy Italians build great machines. Happy motoring.
I should have typed “shudder” not “shutter.” After 85 years, my brain does not keep up with my fingers as well today as it did in the past. Life can be cruel at times.
Keith. Classic cars NEED to be driven; “cosmetic perfection” is secondary to the enjoyment of driving . My old friend, Martin Swig used to say over coffee, “Enjoying the Ride” is the most important part of owning ANY classic . So, no matter the “ overspray”, the color mis match, nor the imperfect top .
The truth is in the “ Drive”. Period .
I have a relatively small collection, but I’m going to thin the herd. I don’t drive some cars often enough. My favorite antique driver (a 964) has enough modern features (disk brakes, great steering , rudimentary air bags) that I feel comfortable driving in traffic. As much as I like my C1 corvette, the drum brakes (perfectly adjusted) are barely enough for modern traffic. The manual kingpin steering is not. I can deal with not having an airbag (never needed one, odds are very low that I will), but the solid steering column (AKA “chest spear”) is scary. Taking it to lunch on Saturday is fine, but I have 5 other convertibles.
Thanks for advocating on the side of reason, Keith.