Rarely does a group as disparate as this join together as one in a collective dry heave of revulsion over a contender, but that's what yesterday's Auto Zoned-out Jeep Grand Cherokee engendered in 93% of you. To clear that acrid taste form your mouths, today we're going to look at a lovely latin- one you wouldn't be surprised to find sunning topless in San Tropez.

Not San Tropez, but sunny Brentwood California was where disillusioned and kind of creepy Ben Braddock bedded his father's business partner's wife, and then attempted to do the same with her daughter in the movie The Graduate. As played by Dustin Hoffman, Ben's unrequited advances upon daughter Elaine required multiple trips between LA and Berkeley, which were accomplished to the toe-tapping sounds of Simon and Garfunkel, and in an Alfa Romeo boat-tail Duetto. That was back in 1967, and for the next 26 years, the Alfa spider creaked along, receiving the occasional egregious body appendage and cabin-confining safety equipment. In the late ‘80s, Alfa set to the task in replacing the aging Giulia spider with a new, front-wheel drive car that would meet all the requirements of a modern automobile, and would put them in good stead against competitors from BMW and Mercedes.

That car went by the internal model number 916, and was designated in the market as the GTV (in 2+2 coupe form) and Spider (for the 2-seat droptop), both based on the Fiat Tipo platform and featuring a choice of transverse 4 and 6-cylinder engines. Introduced in 1995, these cars were designed with the North American market in mind, however Alfa Romeo folded their tent here before the cars could launch. They did debut elsewhere, and were reasonably successful in the market for the next 10 years.

This yellow 1998 Spider has been spinning its webs in Oregon - where it is claimed to be legally licensed - and has an asking price of $24,950. It has the 1,747-cc Twin Spark 4-V engine, which is good for about 145-bhp. That's due to the variable valve timing and multi-length intake runners which provide, not only a healthy power output, but a flatter torque curve than you would expect out of an Italian four cylinder. Despite that, the variocam is a maintenance issue on these engines, and, like waterpumps, you should replace the variator when you do the timing belt, just in case.

The interior is in excellent shape, but the fight-club black and blue color choice is a bit strange. The Spider is strictly a two-seater, and the roof is made of traditional canvas rather than the metal that is fashionable in today's upper-end drop tops. But that just makes this car's appearance all the more unique. And unique it is with a Pininfarina-designed wedge shape that is still arresting today, 14 years following its launch. There don't appear to be any major issues with the body, nor do the double-five spoke alloy rims seem to have been curbed at any time. The 33,000 kilos on the clock indicate that there hasn't been much opportunity for either to have happened.

With the exception of the rare and expensive 8C, Alfa Romeo doesn't appear to be making a comeback in the U.S. anytime soon. This lovely and, potentially equally rare, spider may be one of the few ways to get into a modern Alfa here, and as the saying goes- you're not a true car person unless you've owned an Alfa. So what do you think of that $24,950 price? Does that put the curds in your whey? Or, like the tuffet-warming miss, does that amount scare you away?

You decide!

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Hanging around with the 24 Hours Of LeMons HQ crew, I've learned that they're the most Alfa-centric bunch of car geeks you're ever going to find; most of them started out on British sports cars and then realized that you have more fun when your ride has performance to match its unreliability… and the next step generally involves ditching the GT6 or MGA or whatever and buying an Alfa Romeo. It's true- Alfa Romeo has made plenty of fundamentally superior cars over the years, and so what if they're all nervous and complicated and all the parts have to be hand-carved from the wood of the True Cross by a 98-year-old man in a dirt-floor Genoa workshop illuminated by a whale-oil lamp? You need an Alfa! And we don't mean some easy-to-find Reagan Era Graduate or 164 here. No, we're talking Sophia Loren-grade machinery from the 1960s! Multiple carburetors or Spica mechanical fuel injection! Partito Comunista Italiano firebrands preaching revolution on the factory floor!

The 2000 Spider sure was a looker, wasn't it? Just concentrated essence of Alfa Romeo, for sure, but it's no easy task to find one for your personal Hell Garage these days. You sigh in relief and start looking for a Miata, right? Wrong! We've found you this 1961 Alfa Romeo 2000 Spider (go here if the ad disappears), just 80,000 miles on the clock and a price tag of just 1,700 bucks… or best offer! No doubt you're already spraining your fingers dialing up the seller at this moment, but we do have to throw in a couple of minor caveats. First, there's rust. Maybe a better way of putting it would be it's rust, as in very few fugitive iron atoms have managed to barricade themselves against marauding bands of oxygen molecules. What the heck, you expect some of the red stuff in Massachusetts, no? The car rolls and the drivetrain appears complete, though the seller acknowledges that the engine is most likely frozen solid. Many trim pieces come with the car, and you even get some glass! Come on, it couldn't be that difficult!

We love Spiders, but say you need to do some grocery hauling from time to time? You need a vintage Alfa Romeo daily driver, we say, and that means you should start shopping for a Berlina sedan. No, no, don't give up- affordable project Berlinas are definitely out there. Say, this $400 1969 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina (go here if the ad disappears). Now, if you've ever seen Double Indemnity, you know that a Medford, Oregon, man means what he says and says what he means, and that's just who's selling this car. Ted knows that he doesn't need to go to the hassle of typing out a whole bunch of pointless description when he's selling a classic Italian sports sedan for the price of a clapped-out Olds Ciera with a couple of rods hanging out of the block. Is there an engine? A transmission? Legal paperwork? A plutonium-240-fueled Soviet radioisotope thermoelectric generator kicking out neutrons in the trunk? Hey, we can't say, but all we need to do is repeat the phrase "400 dollar 1750 Berlina" and you get the point.

Press release:

Some Like It Even Hotter: NOVITEC ROSSO Tunes the Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M — 696 hp / 512 kW, 682 Nm and More than 330 km/h

How can you make a Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M, built in a limited edition of just 499 vehicles, even more exciting and more exclusive? Easy, just take it to NOVITEC ROSSO, the world's leading refiner of the sports cars from Maranello.

There the open-top lightweight model is fitted with the NOVITEC ROSSO RACE Bi-Compressor engine with 696 hp / 512 kW. It propels the Ferrari to a new top speed of more than 330 km/h. Numerous uncompromising sporty options such as 20-inch wheels, sport springs, a lift system for the front axle and exterior and interior accessories round out the product lineup.

NOVITEC ROSSO compressor technology has been the proven recipe for added driving fun for many years. For the eight-cylinder four-valve engine of the Scuderia Spider 16M NOVITEC ROSSO has now developed a custom version of its RACE Bi-Compressor engine.

The 4.3-liter V8 is supercharged by two cogged-belt-driven high-performance compressors with a maximum boost pressure of 0.48 bar. Each cylinder bank is fitted with a generously dimensioned water-to-air intercooler.

A specially manufactured heat-insulated intake manifold with larger cross-sections provides the engine with pre-compressed air. High-performance air filters and larger injectors round out the engine conversion on the intake side.

For a perfect symbiosis of maximum power yield, exemplary running smoothness and durability beyond reproach, the NOVITEC ROSSO engine specialists precision-match the new components with a newly programmed electronic engine management system.

Just as important are the larger cooling circuits for water and oil as well as dedicated cooling circuits for both compressors and the intercoolers.

The extensive NOVITEC ROSSO RACE Bi-Compressor conversion, available for 47,000 Euros for this and all other F430 Spider models, offers unique performance. With a power output of 696 hp / 512 kW at 8,400 rpm the NOVITEC ROSSO conversion surpasses the production engine by 186 hp / 136.9 kW. Peak torque grows from standard 470 Nm to 682 Nm at 6,300 rpm.
Driving performance improves just as impressively: The tuned Scuderia Spider 16M sprints from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds, and reaches 200 km/h after just 9.7 seconds. The 300-km/h barrier is shattered after just 23.8 seconds. Top speed for the open-top mid-engine sports car increases from 315 to more than 330 km/h.

For further optimized handling of the lightweight sports car NOVITEC ROSSO offers an update from the standard 19-inch tires to three-piece 20-inch wheels. The NOVITEC ROSSO NF3 double-spoke wheels in size 8.5Jx20 in front and in size 12Jx20 in back widen the track and thus allow even higher cornering speeds. The custom-tailored high-performance tires in size 235/30 ZR 20 in front and in size 325/25 ZR 20 on the rear axle are provided by technology partner PIRELLI.

NOVITEC ROSSO sport springs lower the center of gravity and further improve agile handling. For added daily utility of the Scuderia Spider 16M NOVITEC ROSSO offers a hydraulic lift system for the front axle. At the push of a button the front is raised by 40 millimeters and makes navigating obstacles such as curbs, speed bumps and garage entries easier. The front axle reverts to normal position at a second push of the button or automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h.

To give the Spider exterior an even more striking appearance NOVITEC ROSSO offers blacks taillights, side markers and reflectors.

The lightweight-construction interior can be refined with exclusive NOVITEC ROSSO options as well. The ergonomically shaped leather/carbon-fiber NOVITEC ROSSO sport steering wheel features a flattened lower rim for easier entering and exiting. The NOVITEC ROSSO carbon-fiber shift paddles are longer than their production counterparts and make manual gearshifts of the F1-SuperFast2 transmission even easier.

Special interior color requests can be fulfilled by NOVITEC ROSSO in any imaginable color combination.

While not as quick as its Alfetta stablemate, the Mille Miglia car still came in a bragging-rights-enabled 35th place. We need more Alfas in this race!


After retiring their hopelessly battered Alfetta, the California Mille crew came storming back with this replacement. Chief Perp Lamm came pretty close to exercising his right to claim any car for $500 when he saw the Webers on this thing, but decided to let it race instead. 24th place, which should disprove those "unreliable Alfa" stereotypes, right?


Even with an all-night wrenchathon mixed in, this car did way better than I ever imagined possible. The Stallions' all-woman crew kept this fine sports car going for most of the weekend, grabbing 47th place and a great 1:39.258 best lap time. Pay attention, future racers: the X1/9 has what it takes for LeMons… and you can get one for cheap!


This thing is a genuine LeMons legend. A veteran of every single California LeMons race, it's been a hit at the Concorso Italiano, performed thousands of parking lot donuts, and is even now being prepped for a 200 MPH Bonneville run. It's mighty fast on the racetrack- check out that 1:34.512 best lap time- and this time it had a best-yet 18th-place finish. Sure, they could drop a junkyard Toyota 4A in it and break down less frequently, but that would be wrong!

Despite pulling out all of our best html potions, we can't work out a way to embed it here on Jalopnik. Thanks to the heavy duty internet magicians over at Automoblog, we've figured out a way to get our hamsters revved up enough to host the Ferrari World visualization here and you can "sit" in the seat of the exclusive 16M and "look around" right here on Jalopnik. Click on the hot spots for more information on details like an integrated iPod Touch, the F1 style controls on the steering wheel and other such level ten dark wizard magic. Pay no attention to us, we'll just be making Italian-accented "vroom vrooooom!" sounds for the next ten minutes.

[FerrariWorld]

This tester seems to be using the same style of breadvan-inspired camo used to disguise the Ferrari California. While we can enjoy a good convertible on a nice sunny day, we'd actually rather have something with the long roofline of this testing mule. But it doesn't really matter, since we won't be able to afford one until that power-folding roof has become a manual folding hardtop, and then someone drives it into an overpass.
[AutoExpress]

We've seen an '89 Graduate already in this series, but the 1985 was the first year for the "entry-level" version of the Alfa Romeo Spider and that makes this example seem more significant.


You didn't get alloy wheels or luxury goodies when you bought a Graduate in '85, but you did get a real Italian sports car for just $14,395 (two grand more than the V6-powered Fiero GT). Which would you buy?


It's in pretty decent shape for a street-parked 23-year-old Italian commuter car. Good enough shape to win our first-ever Favorite Italian DOTS car poll? Let's find out! I thought of including the Pininfarina-styled Datsun 411 and MGB-GT in the choices, but decided against it.

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

Benson1275 says about the La Forza:

I ran across this extrememly rare Laforza italian luxury SUV from the eighties. Actually I thought it was some kind of russian vehicle because the panel gaps were so big. It'sfor sale.

Alfa 8C Spider, a global preview

Debuting at Geneva showroom is the captivating Alfa 8C Spider. Like the Alfa 8C Competizione, the Gran Turismo which received resounding global praise; the new "discovery" will be produced in a limited edition run of 500.

Elaborated by the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, the new car re-affirms the brand's excellence in this sector, as shown by some Spider's being regarded among the most beautiful cars in global automotive history.Cars such as the Giulietta Spider from the 50's or the legendary Duetto made famous by "The Graduate" from 1967 with a young Dustin Hoffman. Today, it's the Alfa 8C Spider's turn to take centre stage and project into the future the values of technology and emotion which belong to the Alfa Romeo legacy.

Obviously, the new vehicle inherits all the winning features of the Coupè version. Starting with the two "sport seats" setup and the fascinating exterior lines, which characterized by sculpted and finely designed bodywork, "dress" the automotive and mechanical excellence of the model.

In detail, the marked dynamics of the vehicle are highlighted by the horizontal groove "built" into the bonnet at wheel level. The oversize wheels and powerful "muscles" of the rear mudguard accentuate the personality and force of the model, without diminishing the elegance of those fluid lines. Instead they highlight the formal beauty of the singular external features: the "teardrop" fog lights set like a precious jewel in the front mudguard, the front Led lights, a synthesis of technology and rationality, and the essential door handle.

Furthermore, in the front we can find the characteristic Alfa Romeo stylings, with a new interpretaion of the "whiskers" and shield. Without forgetting, that this innovative range anticipates the elements and proportions of the future Alfa Romeo cars, always with complete respect for the historical legacy of the brand.

It's worth underlining that to reach these top levels of areo-dynamic efficiency, solutions which don't limit themselves to the design of the form have been adopted on the Alfa 8C Spider. All the surfaces and profiles of the uprights and windows, together with the form and positioning of the rear-view mirrors, have been optimized using computer models and tests in wind tunnels and real-life environments. As a result, air flows round the vehicle following it's natural path, unhampered by corners and irregularities. The end result is a negative LC (lift coefficient) which like competition vehicles, contributes to stability at high speeds.

But the peculiarity of this vehicle, is the hooded top fitted with electro-hydraulic automatic control (controllable via a button on the dashboard). The hooded top of the Alfa 8C Spider is composed of two overlapping sheets: the external one is made with a multi-thread textile which can withstand the elements, whilst the interior has high sound-proofing qualities. Furthermore, the hooded roof-top, available in various colours, has been perfected aesthetically, aerodynamically and for acoustic comfort. It has also been perfected from a functional point of view, with specially developed film-reels to render more agile, rapid and secure any explanations of the functioning.

In the interior, the Alfa 8C Spider guarantees a sophisticated environment, thanks to the vast use of composite materials in the dashboard and internal panels, as well as the use of anatomical seats, produced in carbon fibres, that can be adjusted according to the physical characteristics of the driver (up to now, a feature only available to racing cars). Furthermore, for maximum possible personalization of the interior, the client can chose between different environments and aesthetic solutions. All distinguishable by the particular attention to detail and artisan workmanship: from the contrasting stitches, colour tone and exclusive matchings. The bucket seats are upholstered in Frau flower leather (an exclusive and innovative treatment of the weave, in which the leather is bound to a natural fibre, creating a look of great visual impact).

In analogous fashion to the interior, the same care has been taken in realizing the exteriors: from the alloy wheels to the brake calipers, every detail can be chosen to your particular design, because every Alfa 8C Spider can only look similar to itself. An unmistakable car made to measure for the owner's personality. The unique and un-repeatable Alfa 8C Spider announces the pleasure of a sporty drive with full respect for the brand's legacy.

Like in the best Alfa Romeo tradition, hidden under this pretty "dress" is the best of what's available in the field of mechanics and propulsions. Firstly, the Alfa 8C Spider has a rigid and light structure (the compact frame is made in steel for maximum torsion to guarantee a drive which is always precise and sure, whilst the body is in carbon fibre). We are dealing with a choice motivated by the need to reduce as much as possible the weight but also to optimize the centre of gravity for agility and drive-ability in the more demanding journeys.

Still under the banner of sophisticated technology, the Alfa 8C Spider adopts the new "8 cylinder mated to a 5-speed gearbox with 90°" and a capacity of 4691 cm3 which has been designed with one specific aim: guarantee extraordinary performances without relinquishing the fluidity of the gearshift or the ease of use in any driving context. Like so, a powerful and progressive propulsion is born with a top power of 450 CV at 7.000 rpm and a maximum torque of 7.500 rpm. This engine has been mated to a self-shifting 6-speed gearshift (with computerized selection of the gears via levers behind the steering-wheel), and a self-blocking differential unit.

As in the legendary Formula 1 vehicles from the 50's, the Alfa 8C Spider sports the Transaxle design which guarantees the best equilibrium in the partitioning of weight. The propulsion is placed in the rear whilst the gearshift is placed behind along the differential and hydraulic motor unit. The Transaxle design foresees a tight connection between motor and gearshift, which is fitted with a self-blocking differential. The two groups are linked by a tubular element, at the interior of which rotates the transmission driving shaft: in this manner the load is distributed in an optimal manner between the front and rear suspension.

So much power can only be entrusted to an excellent braking system: the Alfa 8C Spider is fitted with carbo-ceramic Brembo (CCM), 380 mm in diameter on the front-wheels and 360 mm on the back-wheels. This solution guarantees a powerful brake action even in the most intense uses. The marked reduction in weight, in comparison to a traditional set-up, reduces the masses unsupported by the vehicle and so improves the dynamic performance and driving comfort. Furthermore, the mono-block calipers guarantee maximum rigidity and minimal deformation, given the high loads generated by the pressure of the pistons on the brake-linings.

Therefore, the Alfa 8C Spider "declares itself Alfa" all the way, confirming control and driving pleasure with no compromises. Since always, gear comfort and dynamic performance are qualities specific to Alfa Romeo cars: in this case they have become veritable strong points. Thanks to for example, the suspensions which foresee a high wishbone suspension with brackets and uprights in forged aluminium, that act as a supplementary strut for alignment control.

Contributing also to the brilliant road control are specially developed 20" tyres to insure excellent performance, the tyres have a: 245/35 front-suspension and a rear-suspension of 285/35. Fitted on perforated rims in fluid moulded aluminium to ensure lightness and maximum brake ventilation efficiency. Lastly, the Alfa 8C Spider uses an evolved VDC Alfa Romeo traction and stability system, which ensures the driver feels at one with his car.

[Source: Alfa Romeo]

Sadly, the rebranding move wasn't so successful, and Alfa Romeo retreated- temporarily- from North America just a few years later.


I wish I could find more street-parked old Italian cars on the island, but (other than the '66 Lancia) all we've got is a few Graduates. I've seen some more exotic Italian machinery roaring around the island's streets, but all of it seems to live in garages.


This car serves as somebody's daily driver, which is medium-impressive for a nearly-20-year-old Italian car.

Alfa Brera MY 08 and Alfa Spider MY 08

The new Alfa Spider and Alfa Brera models offer the public a greater optimized range and significant interior improvements in the fields of comfort and on-board well-being. To render the cars even more beautiful, some new aesthetic touches have been introduced, such as the new chassis colour Ice White and a 18" spoked wheel with a sporty dark finish. The greatest change though is in the driving compartments which are even more welcoming and sophisticated, thanks to the use of high-quality materials and innovative solutions.
For example, the black interior (from roof to carpet) confers a strong sporty feel to the vehicle. A feel strengthened by the introduction of new front seats (introduced to the Alfa Brera MY 08 also) in a "sporty" arrangement which offer a more ergonomic holding for increased driving pleasure and comfort. Among other things, the electronic seats have a new button which simplifies the back adjustment. To further improve on-board comfort, at the centre of the dashboard we find the integrated satellite navigation system, and all the commands for dual-zone climate control. Carried out in a refined design, from today the displays have a more immediate and intuitive graphical interface, as well as a new arrangement of dials for climate control.
Changes have also been made to the painting on the dash, control panel and sporty steering-wheel, so conferring a plucky look to the entire body. This does not detract in any way from the special elegance that has always distinguished these two vehicles. The inserts in the dashboard and door panel, as well as the handle and opening lever are in a new metallic paint. At the same time, the radio display, gearshift and steering-wheel are made in high-quality material such as carbon-fibre or aluminium.
The interior furnishings are available in a new soft and black material with metallic glints and two types of upholstery: Pelle Frau and the prized Poltrona Frau, characterized by the unique and soft comfort, available in black, leather and red-purple. The leather upholstery on the seats can be matched to the dashboard and panels, which are lined in Frau leather with sporty stitchings in tune with the seats. The interior shows off sporty pedals lined in aluminium, externally the rear logo si fitted with a "push" system for an immediate and easy opening of the trunk. The rear and front brake calipers are in red aluminium. Lastly, the optimization of the 2008 range foresees a unique rich set of arrangements. These include: VDC, 7 airbags, dual-zone climate control, radio commands on the driving-wheel, cruise control and 17" alloy wheels. The range of optionals on offer is also broad: xenon headlights, 18" or 19" alloy wheels, infomobility services with commands on the steering wheel, Hi-Fi Bose®sound system, Blue&Me, Blue&Me Nav, CD-changer and a sensor to alert insufficient tyre pressure.
Further changes in the 2008 range, is the optimization of the model structure, for the improvement of comfort and dynamism. For example, in comparison to previous models the alloy wheels have been lightened via optimization of the properties of aluminium alloy. For larger dimensions, "flow-forming" technology has been used. The front suspension brackets has been made in aluminium. In the same manner, the stabilizing bar is of the tubular kind, whilst the front-brake calipers (on the 4-cylinder models) are in mono-block aluminium. All these design changes have reduced the total weight of the vehicle by several kilos. The heart and real strength of every Alfa model is the engine. Beneath the beautiful design and feisty personality, both the Alfa Brera and Alfa Spider are fitted with advanced and excellent motors of outstanding performance: the two "petrol" JTS (2.2 with 185 Cv and 3.2 V6 with 260 CV) direct injection engines are both mated to an automatic 6-speed
gearshift. Also on offer, the automatic Q-Tronic shift which is exclusive to the 3,2 litre, whilst the self-shifting Selespeed is available for the 2,2 litre models. In addition, the two Alfa Romeo models offer a 2.4 JTDM 20v, the plucky Multijet turbodiesel with two power ranges: 210 CV (mated to an automatic 6-speed gearshift) and 200 CV (offered with Q-Tronic).
As well as the "Alfa Romeo temperament" provided by the engines, the two new cars guarantee excellent dynamic performances, thanks to the high wishbone front suspensions and Multilink in the rear. The Alfa Brera MY 08 and Alfa Spider MY 08 offer the chance to have the 3.2 litre version, with only front traction, allowing a top speed of 250 km/h. In terms of safety, the Alfa Brera MY 08 and Alfa Spider MY 08 have many innovative electronic instruments for dynamic control of the car's behaviour (from braking to traction). They are implemented to raise yet further the dynamic limits, hence not intrusively for the driver, but all to the advantage of safety.
The use of these gadgets has been studied with aim of improving as much as possible driving pleasure. It's in this arena that the brand new "Electronic Q2" system is fitted to the entire range of the Brera MY 08 and Spider MY 08 models. Both the new Alfa Romeo models become true reference points in their sector. Thanks primarily to the numerous renewals which have been listed up to now, as well as the different features which distinguish the two vehicles. The new Alfa Brera MY 08 is a coupè of great prestige, that arouses strong emotions, guaranteeing the greatest driving pleasure, drawing inspiration from the brand name's historical legacy in this field. One has only to remember the 1900 SS, Giulietta Sprint, Alfetta and the Giulia Sprint GT.
However, within the Alfa Romeo tradition, the Spider has always been in high-relief, representing the "free and exciting" expression of cars. It's in this spirit that the Alfa Spider MY 2008 renews itself, as the natural evolution of Spider's developed by Alfa Romeo in it's long history. A confirmation of the Spider's "essential and simple" character, united to the technological superiority that distinguishes the "new Alfa generation".

[Source: Alfa Romeo via World Car Fans]

I'll just let the man himself explain how he got this giant beast to move:

The machine is powered by a 454 cubic inch chevy V-8 married to a modified TH400 trans coupled to two klune extreme under drive planetary gear boxes, uses a rockwell 2 1/2 ton military axle to supply power to the leg crank shafts, The final drive ratio is 125:1. The legs are supported on a 4 link system and uses 56 pivot points and 114 bearings..

Now what would be truly awesome is if it stored miniature spider walkers that could deploy on the fly like a escape pods. [Walking Beast via Gizmowatch]

Team member and fellow East Bay gearhead TheEastBayKid has this to say:

With your ongoing LeMons coverage, I thought you might be interested in our team's trip to Concorso Italiano with our LeMons car. The standards for that event are surprisingly un-hard to meet—you go online, and they ask for year, make, model, and color. Our entry read like this:
1971
Alfa Romeo
Spider
Black
We raced the car in July, showed it at Concorso, and raced it again in October. It's probably going to Thunderhill, too. I work for Jay, but run with an independent team, Ecurie Ecrappe. I still feel a responsibility to lead by example, so instead of getting a CRX or 80s BMW like everyone else, our team got the worst Alfa we could find. Makes the Cal Mille Alfetta look like a trailer queen.
The car has a trunk-mounted Honda radiator and a Ferrari 512S-inspired aero package.

Check out the incredibly well-documented story of the car's build here (seriously, check it out- far too much beautiful junkyard engineering for me to describe in this post), and then take a look at #99 wowing the Ferrari purists at Concorso Italiano in Monterey here. See the gallery below for my action shots at the October Altamont LeMons race.

[via Car magazine]

Oh good — Fiat's so flush, it's sending Alfa to the states earlier than expected. In fact, the UK's Just Auto says we'll start seeing launch activity by the end of 2008. The mag's also making with new details about the lineup. We already knew the 8C Competizione and its Spider sibling will be the halo cars — as if we could get our mitts on one (the first run of 500 each are reportedly accounted for). For us plebes, Alfa will bring the Alfa Romeo Brera and Spider. And in 2010, the new 159 sedan will take on Audi and BMW. Look for the first rumblings midyear '08 as Maserati gears up to ride Alfa in on its back. – Mike Spinelli

Alfa Romeo's US relaunch pegged for spring 2009 [Motor Authority]

Related:
Fiat Group's Product Plan Leaked: New Alfa Romeo Models, Abarth's Return [internal]

The latest in Hamann's Ferrari-tarting kit focuses on the F430 spider. The tuning Swabians say their aero components for the droptop are both cosmetic and functional, and come in kicky carbon-kevlar or fiberglass. A sports exhaust reportedly adds 48 horsepower, some suspension trickery adds lowness and a range of tire-wheel combinations will satisfy even the most cocaine-addled discerning footballer. Collect 'em all. – Mike Spinelli

Press Release:

Hamann Ferrari F430 Spider

The engineers of sports-car specialist HAMANN have designed a comprehensive aerodynamics package for the Ferrari F430, taking up elements from motorsports and simultaneously presenting pure understatement. In the development of the HAMANN F430 this aspect was well to the fore as well as optimizing weight and performance. The innovatively designed front spoiler gives the HAMANN F430 a striking and individual face and minimizes the lift force at the front axle. Wide side sills impart a broader appearance to the Italian car and also a more dominant roadholding. They specially underscore the dynamic line of the basic model. At the back the newly designed rear diffuser catches the eye and the rear spoiler ensures a higher downforce at the rear axle. The HAMANN aerodynamics components do not only mean an optical upgrading, but above all a remarkable increase regarding driving performance - this is proven by the fact that all add-on parts are optionally available in carbon-kevlar or fiberglass version. This makes the HAMANN Ferrari F430 definitely a powerful road-racing car, which causes a sensation!

Performance plays an important role in motorsports. This is also true for the HAMANN Ferrari F430. The HAMANN engineers have developed a complete high-performance sports exhaust system including a high-performance collector and sports catalysts. The result of this largescale modification is a performance increase of in all 48 hp, that has a correspondingly positive effect on the car´s performance. The four-branch sports rear mufflers, specially designed by HAMANN, release an absolutely powerful and sonorous sound reminding you of the background noise at a racetrack. The Laupheim company optionally offers a second tailpipe version with two tailpipes per side including throttle control.

More driving pleasure in the HAMANN Ferrari F430 can be expected of the specially designed coil suspension. The HAMANN suspension can be adjusted in height as well as in rebound and compression, thus the F430 reacts definitely more agile and more precisely to steering changes and therefore offers remarkably sportier driving dynamics.

The HAMANN Ferrari F430 is bridled by a sports brake system at the front axle, which has been adapted correspondingly to its performance. The brake system guarantees exact deceleration and permanent control of the racy Italian car from Swabia.

HAMANN stakes on a motorsports look also regarding the rims of the Ferrari F430. The multi-piece PG3 in classic five-spoke design gives an extremely powerful impression and allows a good look at the brake system. The PG3 is available in 9x19-inch dimension with tires size 255/30ZR19 front and in 11,5x19-inch dimension with tires size 295/30ZR19 or 13x19-inch dimension with tires size 355/25ZR19 at the rear axle. Alternatively you can choose the also multi-piece, forged ANNIVERSARY II. Its fine spokes clearly show the sporty character of the Swabian F430 and allow a good look at the brake system. The ANNIVERSARY II is available for the HAMANN Ferrari F430 in 9x19-inch dimension with tires size 255/30ZR19 front and 12,5x19-inch dimension with tires size 355/25ZR19 rear as well as 8,5x20-inch dimension with tires 235/30ZR20 for the front axle and 12,5x20-inch dimension with tires size 335/25ZR20 for the rear axle. Brand new is the HAMANN alloy wheel "EDITION RACE" in 20 inch. It is available in 8,5 x 20 for the front axle and 12 x 20 for the rear.

The interior of the HAMANN Ferrari F430 is a successful mixture of luxurious and sporty features. An exclusive full leather interior in all colors as well as a high-quality set of mats give an elegant impression. Suiting racing seats and sills create motorsports feeling.

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Okay, so it's not really a car per se, but neither was the Concept 2096, and that didn't even have a drivetrain. Semantics aside, how could you go wrong with an open top, hydro-mechanically driven, eight-legged roadster? Sure, the performance may not be quite as tight as a car's, but let's see an Accord climb up the wall. Rollout of the spiderbot occurred at this year's Burning Man festival, where it appeared to make a long, strange trip toward a crowd of besotted flower children, apparently as a flautist blew the theme to "Shaft" in waltz time. Groovy. – Ben Wojdyla

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Mondo Spider Project [Industrialis]

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