We really don't like dealing with rusty cars. Certain components - suspension, brackets, exhaust - can be dealt with with reasonable effort, but once the body begins to rust, the rehab process becomes very involved. Best to cut out the rust and replace with new metal to prevent problems down the road.

Buying from the American Southwest is one way to avoid virtually all rust. Dry enough to store airplanes, the desert air is kinder to the sheetmetal. That said, with the dry air usually comes intense sunlight, and those powerful rays have a way of destroying car interiors. So, unless the car is garage-kept, you pay for your clean sheetmetal with an exploded dash and disintegrated seat foam.

Year: 1978
Model:  Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT
Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage:  102,000
Price: No reserve auction
Location: Scottsdale, AZ

CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1978 Alfa Romeo Alfetta GT

102,000 miles
Repainted in original color 
Over $10,000 for paint job 
No accidents, All original body panels 
Gas tank cleaned and recoated 
New fuel pump & fuel lines 
Radiator flushed
Has all original emissions equipment  
New battery 
Needs new tires
Needs new shifter bushing
Could use new shocks
All lights and signals work 
All gauges works 
Arizona car 0 rust!
Clean arizona title in my name
Runs and drives great

This Alfetta GT seems to have a clean interior for being an Arizona car, likely as a result of refurbishment or storage out of the sun. The rust-free body was repainted at a cost of $10,000, though we are scratching our heads at the overspray on the DeDion tube - seems like something you would avoid on an expensive paint job. This car will need tires, a shifter rebuild, shocks, and likely more to get into perfect condition, but we like the condition as it stands. The seller has thankfully maintained all of the emissions equipment, so CA buyers have a shot at getting this thing on the road. We like the factory AC, modest as its cooling contributions may be.

So many Alfettas have been lost to rust that it is rare to come across a clean car like this. We like that it has been kept in original condition, save for the repaint in the original color. Understandably, many Alfetta owners swapped their SPICA cars over to carbs long ago, so finding a car running its original SPICA system isn't too common. We'll be watching to see where this auction ends up!

-Graham