Which do I have?

[steeno]

Greetings Alfa Lovers,

finally have had some pretty decent weather here to drive around with the top down,
many 'Thumbs Up' from smiling strangers, nice feeling.

I've had some time to go through the whole Spider now I have questions

How can I tell which model spider I have, i.e. Lusso or not,

I seem to have different seats and door inserts than most others I've seen

I don't have the typical Black side mirrors, black rocker panel and also not
T-Spark rear badge.

what does this all mean? does anyone know how I can tell for sure which model I have?

many thanks

[pkr]

A UK Lusso of that age had leather and aircon. Not sure how they differed in other markets. The aircon would probably be the most reliable clue as it is very easy to put in leather. Aircon is not nearly so easy.

[CGTVs]

Originally Posted by steeno

Greetings Alfa Lovers,

finally have had some pretty decent weather here to drive around with the top down,
many 'Thumbs Up' from smiling strangers, nice feeling.

I've had some time to go through the whole Spider now I have questions

How can I tell which model spider I have, i.e. Lusso or not,

I seem to have different seats and door inserts than most others I've seen

I don't have the typical Black side mirrors, black rocker panel and also not
T-Spark rear badge.

what does this all mean? does anyone know how I can tell for sure which model I have?

many thanks

A couple of pictures would help.

Clive

[rat trap]

I have Lusso on Logbook and yes I do have black leather and aircon (although the pipes have been cut under bonnet) but on the trunk lid i states "Turismo" I suspect the Turismo badge was added or replacement trunk lid however all panels match in colour exactely which is odd for Rosso Red

Hi, Steeno,

Although others here indicate that leather and aircon are signs of a Lusso my 1998 Spider has both but does not have Lusso on the logbook. As you are in Canada, though, there may be a completely different set of options and trim levels available. Who knows?
I reckon the logbook is the surest indicator. No one buying a new car with a higher (more expensive) trim level will be happy if the logbook does not reflect the fact.

As far as the badges go, with a Rosso car like mine, the paint seems to be prone to fading so it will probably have had a touch up. My car had no badges on the rear at all when i bought it and now it has 2.0 T SPARK and spider which I stuck on myself. You cannot work out the model by the badges. I got some pininfarina badges for a Maserati to replace my own ****ty ones. Does not make my car a Maserati, though.

Regards
Chris
Crustycastle

Regards
Chris
Crustycastle

[attolspider]

From Parkers buying guide-

"Original cars had 15-inch alloy wheels, electric mirrors and a stereo. The optional Lusso pack added leather upholstery and 16-inch alloys. A mild facelift in July 2003 saw Lusso become the standard trim with power steering, electric front windows and leather upholstery. A CD multichanger, sat-nav and electric seats are optional."

[steeno]

Hello all,

thanks for the feedback,

some more background info, as it is a 1997
I imported from Japan, not an original Canadian car, (Alfa has not been sold in Canada for more than 20years)
owners manual and body stickers under bonnet are all in Japanese, cannot see anything that mentions trim package,
.
It has been re-painted, it has aircon,
it did not have an original stereo as far as I can tell, it had a Panasonic cassette deck but it did have an Alfa Romeo label on the deck door, (don't know if the previous owner put it on)

It has after market wheels, exhaust, HID lights



thanks

[00Alfa Andy]

It looks like a ph1 with ph 2 air vents

Nice and clean underneath

As it has air con I would say its a "Lusso" but not confirmed

The Japanese market could of had a totally different spec car to the UK market????

Hi all,

My 1997/1998 Spider has 16 inch alloys, aircon, electric mirrors, leather, etc but does not have Lusso in the logbook.

DOES ANYONE HAVE A LOGBOOK WITH LUSSO WRITTEN IN AS THE MODEL OR TYPE?

I want to know if it just an optional trim level or if it was recognised as a different model? My theory that the logbook is the best indicator may be just that. A theory!
Let me know, please.

Chris
Crustycastle

[00Alfa Andy]

I have both blue and red log books to the Spider and no "Lusso" or "Turismo" on either of them.

When I first bought the car it went the the main dealers in Canterbury to be looked over and they printed me out a sheet with the chassis details and options added. The top line read....

1633 642 0- ALFA SPIDER 2.0 TWIN SPARK 16 VALVE LUSSO

Sorry, I have just read that Rat trap has Lusso in the logbook.

Which apparently means although it has all the relevent qualifications mine is not a Lusso.
Which means all theories that leather and aircon equals Lusso are spurious!
As does 16" wheels.
Or it means my car had leather, aircon, and 16" alloys fitted later, which may be true for wheels and leather (though mine has leather door card armrests also so it is not just replacement seats.... But still doable)

But no body has fitted aircon as an afterthought. It would be far too difficult and mine is clearly original. In my opinion it is next to useless on a Spider anyway! If it is that hot take the hood down! It's a Spider!


So, all you Alfa Experts ....... what's going on?

Chris
Crustycastle

[seadart]

I have Lusso on a dealers reciept dated 98.. the dealer must have been telling porkies

[PaulR]

Originally Posted by Crustycastle

But no body has fitted aircon as an afterthought. It would be far too difficult and mine is clearly original. In my opinion it is next to useless on a Spider anyway! If it is that hot take the hood down! It's a Spider!

On a hot sunny day in slow moving urban traffic with the hood down, windows and air break up, air con will really cool you down. Just as hood down in winter with heater on will keep you warm.

I agree though once you get out of town and onto a clear road you can turn the aircon off - but it is great to use it on those sweaty urban roads.

[attolspider]

The fact that a log book doesn't list the car as a lusso doesn't mean it isn't.

Alfa didn't put all the different specs of 155 (silverstone, sportpack, super) on all the reg documents. They were distinguishable by the level of equipment fitted to the cars.

[seadart]

I would have thought that a lusso is a lusso if it's in the log book in the same way that a cup is a cup if it's in the log book.. (is it??)

If not, then it's a 'lusso-a-like'

[Cup 57]

Trim levels like Lusso/ Turismo won't necessarily be on the logbook. It says GTV Cup on my logbook, but there is no mention of the SE trim for my Golf in its. I've owned numerous Ford Escorts in the past with some having all the detail listed and others none.

I think it all depends what information is given to DVLA by the party registering the car in the first place. If the monkey hasn't written it on the form (is it computerised now?) then the Welsh people will be none the wiser.

[pkr]

Originally Posted by attolspider

From Parkers buying guide-

"Original cars had 15-inch alloy wheels, ... The optional Lusso pack added ... and 16-inch alloys."

And in those two points, Parkers are 100% wrong. My car ( 1997 ) had 16" pepperpots from new. Also, the 1996 official ARUK brochure states that 16" Alloys are standard.

[seadart]

whenever I type my reg number into a site for parts, insurance quote etc.. it always comes back with 'GTV 16 valve Lusso'.. but no mention of it on the log book, it's a 96 and I thought they didn't make lussos until 98..

So it must be down on a data base somewhere as a lusso.. weird??

[pkr]

Originally Posted by seadart

I thought they didn't make lussos until 98..

The 1996 brochure states on the standard equipment and options page -

Lusso Pack comprising :

Air conditioning
Leather Upholstery

So Lusso was there from the very beginning as an option with metallic paint.

[00Alfa Andy]

Originally Posted by pkr

The 1996 brochure states on the standard equipment and options page -



So Lusso was there from the very beginning as an option with metallic paint.

This is correct!

My Spider is a 97 PH1 "Lusso"

Options were....

ELECTRIC HOOD
LEATHER UPHOLSTERY
RADIO WITH REMOVABLE FRONT PANEL
ALLOY WHEELS+NON STANDARD TIRES 1
METALLIC PAINTWORK
MANUAL AIR CONDITIONING
WIRING FOR ANTI-THEFT DEVICE
ENGLISH OWNERS MANUAL
WAX

Hi all,
Thanks to the confusion I have just bought a Lusso badge off e bay.
My theory is this....

If it looks like a Lusso, has leather, aircon, 16" wheels, and I stick a Lusso badge on the back then IT IS A LUSSO.

The cool thing is that no one out there knows the difference. If you lot can argue about it till the cows comes home then I am certain that even the boss of ALFA himself could not prove me wrong.

At least it has destroyed one of the snob value arguments. All you guys out there without lussoes just get some trim, stick some wheels on and call it a Lusso. May increase its value, may not. But at least the Lusso owners cannot look down their noses at you any longer. Now let's sort out the TOURISMO and CUP variants and remove one upmanship once and for all.

Nah na na nah na. I've got a Lusso!

I hope you can all see the funny side.

I bet the TOURISMO and CUP owners will not want to have a laugh when we prove that cup-a-likes are no different from CUPs. Oh, except for that easily forged limited edition sticker.

I am now cringing awaiting the onslaught.

Chris
Crustycastle

[pkr]

Originally Posted by steeno

How can I tell which model spider I have, i.e. Lusso or not,

You could of course get a definitive answer from ePer.

Go here
FIAT ePER

and type in your VIN number in the box at the bottom left.

It'll give you a summary screen for your car.

Look at the box labelled 'MVS' or, further down the box labelled 'Version'.

If it says Lusso, that's what you have. If it says 'Medio', it isn't!

[GTVMarkNI]

Hi Steeno,

I just put your VIN number into ePer as mentioned above Yours is a twin spark Lusso mate. Looks like it was made February 1997...

Mark

[CGTVs]

It's a Lusso, chassis number's visible in the pictures linked in the OP's post #7.

Eper states Lusso under 'Version'. Strangely no interior trim stated but I'd say the Ph2 leather has been added, Alfa didn't...as far as I know...fit tan leather with black carpet rather the tan/biege carpet was always with tan leather. Some Ph1 Spiders I've had were fitted with Ph2 leather from the factory, even 1997s.

So, IMO, it's definitely a Phase 1 Lusso with retro fitted Ph2 tan leather, Ph2 grill, painted door mirrors, sports exhaust & after market Enkai alloys......simple.

Clive

All hail PKR
What a star!!!

Finally, someone has posted a definitive solution to a question. I knew it would happen eventually.
I have just used the link that PKR supplied, put in my vin number on the opening page and out it all popped. It seems that I do own a Lusso even though my logbook does not reflect the fact. That Lusso badge I just bought was money well spent.

Many thanks. A perfect response to the OP. Steeno, let us all know what your car turns out to be. It would be interesting to find out if ALL cars with leather and aircon are indeed rated as Lusso by Alfa.
PKR I think you should start a new thread, in the interests of knowledge gathering, asking for all owners with leather and aircon to see if they own lussoes. The results will either support or deny the old theory.
Sorry to lay it on you but I have no idea how to put a web link into a post, and it was your good work in the first place, who am I to steal your thunder?

Regards
Chris
Crustycastle