Author Topic: Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider  (Read 10525 times)

RobSirg

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Melbourne
  • Posts: 568
Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider
« on: December 07, 2014, 11:54:36 »
Took the Alfa out last week and decided to give Daughter#2 a driving lesson whilst we were at it.........she only crunched the gears 2 times :D

Whilst the Pagoda's are the star attractions - my buddies all agree my Alfa Spider is the most fun car to drive between all our cars (which incl's, a 911 and a Shelby Mustang.)

Rob
1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Re: Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider
« Reply #1 on: December 07, 2014, 14:44:49 »
my buddies all agree my Alfa Spider is the most fun car to drive between all our cars (which incl's, a 911 and a Shelby Mustang.)
Second that!  Alfas are fun.  We had a beater 1984 Spider that we bought from a charity for $800 and got it to be a nice driver.  It was a blast.  Later we bought a 65 Duetto which is also a blast to drive.  Not particularly liking convertibles and noise we recently bought a 1973 GTV which will serve as the replacement for the Duetto when we get around to selling it.  I like the GTV better than the Duetto and so does my husband.  Same amount of fun with a much easier interior to live with.  For people who aren't really into top-down driving the GTV is great.

It's a totally different experience than a Pagoda.  Our 250 SL is nice and enjoyable and all that stuff, but it's an apples - oranges kind of difference.
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

RobSirg

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Australia, Victoria, Melbourne
  • Posts: 568
Re: Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider
« Reply #2 on: December 08, 2014, 06:23:14 »
I regret not chasing a Duetto - very hard to find around here.

I also have a soft spot for the GTV's and heard they drive really well.

My spider took a long time getting right - in the end it was a full engine rebuild and we upgraded to weber 45's and high Comp pistons - its great to drive now, with a lovely exhaust note. Born to rev!

Totally different to the Pagoda - also looking forward to driving the stick shift Pagoda when the restoration is done. I had a little drive before stripping it down but it was pretty rough back then.

Rob

1969 280SL Auto RHD 906G,  H'top 387H, Parchm't
1970 280SL Man. RHD Dark Red 542G, Bamboo MB Tex
1962 E Type Jag BRG with Tan
1974 White Alfa Spider 2000
2023 Range Rover
1982 280TE (my daily)
1967 Alfa Spider ("Duetto") Red
1977 Yellow 911 Targa
1991 Nissan Figaro
1959 190SL Black
1970 300SEL 3.5

Neil Thompson

  • Associate Member
  • Silver
  • ****
  • United Kingdom, England, Louth
  • Posts: 383
Re: Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider
« Reply #3 on: December 21, 2014, 21:51:10 »
I would agree that Alfas are cool and are so full of character, the Duetto being super cool!, I had a 1750 GTV for a while and whilst looking great it always seemed to be lumpy on the twin Dellorto carbs unless very hot which is rare in the UK, the gears also crunched a bit so I sold it!

Neil

[attachment deleted by admin]
« Last Edit: December 21, 2014, 21:59:03 by griffin1404 »
1964 230 SL RHD DB304 Horizon Blue
1957 190 SL RHD DB180 Silver
1988 R107 300 SL RHD DB199 Blue Black
1978 C123 230C 2dr Auto RHD Silver

Manfred Wicht

  • Full Member
  • Junior Level
  • *
  • Canada, MB, Brandon
  • Posts: 19
  • 1965 230SL ATM, 1967 250SL MTM, 1971 Lancia
Re: Learning to Drive on my Alfa Spider
« Reply #4 on: January 01, 2015, 19:11:12 »
I know exactly how you feel, the Alfa Spider is a very fun car to drive, had a 1977 Spider and after I bought my 1965 230SL sold it to a friend of mine ( I can still drive it this way) because I had no room.  But had enough room a year later when I found a 1967 250 SL.


Happy motoring with your Alfa and  Mercedes

Manfred Wicht
Brandon, Manitoba Canada

1965 230SL Automatic Dark Blue
1967 250SL Standard  Olive
1971 Lancia Beta Zagato
1970 Triumph GT6 MK3