Spider body treatments.

[Hal Taylor <taylor@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gregory Scott wrote:

> If anybody out there locates any cosmetics-altering kits for a Spider,
> please let me know. I am looking for something to alter my heavy and
> ugly-assed front bumper and odd-looking spoiler from my 1983 Spider, but
> I might be interested in kits for spiders from other model years. Also,
> if anyone knows a place that does custom body work for Alfas, please let
> me know. I would like to get some contacts now, so that when time comes
> around for body work, I will be all set.
>
Well, some my pound you for the fact that you seem DETERMINED to
bastardize your poor Alfa, but as I am in agreement, to some extent, on
the cosmetics of the 80's spiders, I will not.  I have an '86.  The
front end doesn't bother me SO much (although I would be interested in
altering it if I could find something I liked), but the rear treatment
was just more than I could stand.  I actually pulled off my 3-piece rear
spoiler a few months ago.  What remains is a little akward-looking,
however, and I haven't quite figured out what to do about it.

Awhile ago, I saw a '70's spider in a local shop.  The shop had pulled
the rectangular tail light assembly, fitted flat sheet metal over the
resulting holes, and mounted four round tail lights from a Ferrari
Dino.  I have to say, it was a pretty nice effect.  The same operation
would be possible on an '80's car, but a bit more involved.  The shop
that had done the one I saw quoted me about $1000, which I suppose is
reasonable, all things considered, but currently a little beyond my
budget;  there are simply too many other things the car needs more
urgently than Ferrari tail lights.  But maybe down the road, or maybe a
different shop and Opel GT tail lights would come out a little cheaper.
The car needs to be painted anyway.

So no, I won't condemn you this time.  Let me know what you come up
with.  And don't go threatening to drop american iron into it.  ;-)

Hal Taylor
'86 spider veloce "Strega" (cosmetically challenged).

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