For Sale: 1971 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 1750 (Turbocharged)

Mileage: 110,788 (chassis)
Engine: Turbocharged 2000cc, ~13,000 miles since install
Ownership: Second owner since 1975 (50 years)
History: Accident-free, no crash damage or repairs

Overview

This 1971 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce 1750 marks the first year Alfa transitioned from the “boat tail” to the “straight tail” design. I purchased this car in 1975 and have been its caretaker for the last 50 years.

In 1977, I decided to turbocharge the Spider using a Rayjay turbocharger. The setup includes a wastegate (controlled by a knob cleverly mounted in the ashtray) to regulate exhaust flow, and a scratch-built pop-off valve on the compressor side to prevent turbo flutter during shifts and protect the sleeve bearing in the turbo.

The biggest engineering challenge was fuel delivery. The SPICA mechanical injection pump was not designed for boost, so after months of disassembly and testing, I designed a one-off device I call the Fuel Booster. Mounted where the fuel cut-off solenoid once sat, it directly engages the pump’s control lever to enrich fueling under boost. This custom solution, along with the turbo system, has proven reliable and remains unique to this car. Back in the day it was easy to buy a wastegate for the turbine side, but the pop-off valve for the compressor side and the Fuel Booster for the SPICA pump both had to be scratch-built.

I drove the car for three years with that turbo setup on the 1750 engine. In 1980, I met Gary, the founder of Jafco Turbo, who was designing turbo kits for Alfa Romeos. We struck up a friendship, and he expressed interest in offering my Fuel Booster as part of his kits. In exchange for detailed engineering drawings he could send to a machine shop, he provided me with a rebuilt 2000 engine featuring ported and polished intake and exhaust ports, a head machined for a wire “O”-ring seal, and lower-compression billet pistons. In 1983, I transferred my turbo components over to this new 2000 engine, and Gary received my original 1750 engine.

Notable Upgrades & Features

Factory Alfa Romeo Hardtop (original to this car)

Soft top included, rear plastic window removed for visibility.

Repainted in Blue (originally beige).

Air Conditioning retrofit (system still in place; compressor removed for turbo, condenser, wiring, pulley, and evaporator remain).

Electronic ignition (no more points and condenser).

Cruise control system (not working, spare electronic box included).

Manual primer for SPICA injection pump — solved cold start issues.

Custom rims (machined for Alfa offset) + one spare new in box.

Electric antenna upgrade.

New side mirrors (left & right).

Battery relocated to trunk (creates space for AC/turbo).

Alcohol-water injection system in trunk (for high-boost racing use).

Rear end swap with taller final drive ratio (80 mph at 4,000 rpm in 5th vs 60 mph stock).

Upgraded suspension (sway bars, shocks, etc.) for improved handling.

Transmission overhauled at ~70k miles (new synchro rings, new donut, new U-joints).

Porsche-spec clutch plates & spring (handles turbo torque).

Torque master installed between cylinder head and RF wheel well.

Additional gauges added:

Turbo boost/vacuum

EGT gauge with dual probe setup (cylinder #1 & turbo exhaust selectable)

Oil temperature

Clock

Condition

Body: Accident-free, straight, repainted blue from original beige.

Engine: Turbocharged 2000cc with ~13k miles since install.

Transmission: Overhauled at 70k miles, strong synchros.

Interior: Complete, with added instrumentation.

Extras: Spare rim, spare cruise control electronic box, original hardtop included.

Notes

AC can be reactivated with compressor + bracket.

Cruise control requires magnet reattachment and/or spare control box.

Alcohol-water injection is installed but intended for racing/high boost.

Recent Maintenance & Spare Parts

In the last 1–5 years, the following parts have been replaced:

Water pump

WOSP starter motor

Battery

Fan belt

Fuel injection timing belt

Included with the sale are several spare parts and extras:

A functional 2000 SPICA fuel injection pump

A new spare Fuel Booster

Bosch electric fuel pump

Spare electronic box for cruise control

New spare wheel rim

Several miscellaneous items (see pictures)

Also included are approximately 10 Alfa Romeo shop manuals covering critical components, original factory parts manuals, period articles from the 1980s, memorabilia, books, and an original Alfa Spider 2000 sales brochure. (See pictures.)

The turbocharging system, complete with a custom-built pop-off valve, the unique SPICA Fuel Booster, and a direct connection to Jafco Turbo’s history, makes it both historically significant and mechanically fascinating. A true driver’s car with character and ingenuity.

One good thing is it’s a 1971, so there is no smog check — and therefore no scrutiny of the performance items I’ve added to the engine.