andyt

Rust.........
From my experience with my first Spider (the one I should have walked away from!), if you can see rust on the outside, assume about twice as much hidden!

Sills are critical, particularly if the drainage holes get blocked. Also check the condition of the 'U' channel that the back of the soft top sits in. This needs to be done from the outside with the roof down. Again, drainage holes get blocked. In my case, the outer sills had been replaced, but not the centre or inner sections, and in doing so, the heat from the welding had sealed up the drainage pipes from the roof channel. You can imagine the rest.......

Don't necessarily discount an American import though - it may not be RHD, but some Alfa folk maintain that the weight balance is better with LHD, and also the leg room is better for the driver due to the shape of the floor. A California import stands a far better chance of having better body condition as well.

Lastly, the later Bosche injection is as good as most other cars of the era, and there is a fantastic back up from this forum and the alfabb.com forum. (Note that many members are common to both).