**SOLD By Auction** No Reserve 30 years owned 1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider Veloce 5-Speed Manual – Restored and Modified

This 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 5-Speed Manual is a restored and modified example and is being sold in a No Reserve auction. That is right, on Wednesday, September the 14th, this Spider will have a new owner in the form of the highest bidder, no matter how high or low the figure is.

Collector Car Canada is representing this Alfa Romeo for the long time, meticulous owner, who has cared for and enjoyed it: long time, being that he has owned it 30 years and meticulous as evidenced by the record he kept of all maintenance, service as well as the restoration he began as a retirement project in 1997, finishing in 2010 with some long-time storage built into the period. His record can be seen in the Photo Gallery and he can offer receipts and work orders for all if the Alfa’s new owner wants to pick them up or have them shipped.

The car has been stored in a climate-controlled garage for the owner’s entire custodianship. The Alfa was originally an Ivory, though by the still-visible paint on the underside of the hood and trunk lid, we would suggest beige is a better descriptor of the original colour. The car was painted to its current sharp shade of green near the beginning of the restoration, in 1999. Other custom touches were made to the body, including the custom three round taillights on each side. By 1974, bumper regulations in the U.S. were leading to bulky items and the long time owner had bumperettes installed on the front and rear for a more crisp, streamlined look to go with the aftermarket grille treatment (other than the trademark triangle Alfa Romeo portion). Panasport Racing wheels measuring 15 inches with Alfa Romeo centres have been fitted and these are outfitted in Pirellis P6000 tires, 195/65 and H-speed rated. The tan-coloured top was fitted during the restoration, Caribou Canvas and the owner mentions these are no longer available – it is fine condition, save for light staining on the exterior surface. Cosmetic flaws we note are a wrinkle behind the passenger door (see image in gallery, with a twonie for perspective) and a paint scratch on the aluminum moulding aft of the convertible top (also in the gallery, two photos). We attend a LOT of car shows and brought this one to a Cruise Night in Oakville, Ontario September 6. It is not often that we see a teenage aspiring car designer sitting on pavement and sketching a car he’s found. But that is what we found when wandering back to the car after admiring some of the others that night, he chose this Alfa from among about 300 on hand – see photos 159 and 160. Thanks @timelesstifosi (IG) (sorry we were not able to wait to see the finished product).

The interior has also been customized, partly with track driving in mind – though the owner mentions that he has had the car on a track only once, in 2012. Recaro Designer Touring seats are fitted, manually adjustable, and outfitted by three-point harnesses for both driver and passenger. The three-spoke steering wheel has a leather-wrapped rim, with the Alfa Romeo crest emblazoning the horn button. Alfa Romeo vinyl mats are in place and all vinyl is in good condition, we note no rips or tears. The roll bar anchors the three -point harnesses and it is also wrapped in good condition vinyl. A couple of imperfections, dash is free from major/full-length cracks and instrumentation includes a 140 MPH speedometer, 8000 RPM tachometer, each accented with Alfa Romeo insignia, as well centrally mounted as fuel, oil pressure and temperature gauges. Below these three central gauges are found some custom touches – an engine fan switch, cold start switch as well as a pull-function choke. The choke stalk is engaged by the driver in the cold start video. The owner describes the interior as unfinished as there is incomplete switch gear. The rear-mounted fire extinguisher is included with the sale.

Mechanically, this Alfa Romeo retains its 2.0L four-cylinder engine with five-speed transmission sending power to the rear wheels. The engine and transmission were rebuilt mostly by the owner with expert supervision – the owner is a long-time member of the Alfa Romeo Club of Canada, witness the windshield sticker in the gallery – this work was completed in 2010, approximately 7,000 miles ago. From the factory, the engine was rated at over 130 horsepower and this continues to move the 2300 lb. car swiftly.

There are non-factory engine specs in place, notably:

• • Sperry HP Street 3 cams, valves and cylinder head
  • Shankle Sport electronic ignition
  • Stebro exhaust system
  • Centerline exhaust headers
  • 1” lower springs
  • Koni Red adjustable shock absorbers
  • Electric radiator fan set to 185° F

The restoration was a labour of love with great results. As seen in the gallery, this Alfa Romeo comes with much in the way of spares – notably distributors, ignition rotor, a new set of spark plugs, gaskets, clamps, hoses, injectors, wipers – accumulated over the years online, from conventional retail and parts swaps. Collector Car Canada commissioned an inspection of the car September 7, 2022. The independent mechanic’s work order is in the gallery and sets out needs – (i) horn, (ii) left front centre link joint and (iii) valve cover gasket. For Ontario buyers, please note that the first two are the items required for an Ontario Safety Standards Certificate. Owner also notes that the fuel tank sender unit is a FIAT part and thus not 100% accurate in an Alfa. Engine bay and underside are presentable, quite nice for a driver-level car.

This 30 years owned 1974 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 5-Speed Manual – Restored and Modified – is available on behalf of the owner from Collector Car Canada in Toronto, Ontario and it includes the Rubbermaid container of spares, two sets of keys, mounted fire extinguisher, a steering wheel lock anti-theft device (image 125) and a 1975 Owners Manual. Again, this is a no reserve auction. Highest bid at closing time Wednesday, September 14 takes it!