Alfa Romeo Spider: The Complete Story (Hardcover)

by John Tipler (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Alfa Romeo is synonymous with style and performance. These qualities are epitomized in forty years' production of the famous Alfa Romeo series of Spider sports cars. From the Giulietta Spider of 1955 to the latest style launched in 1996, John Tipler offers the full and fascinating story of the conception, design, introduction and production of these stylish automobiles.

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Product Details Hardcover: 192 pages Publisher: Crowood (November 15, 1998) Language: English ISBN-10: 1861261225 ISBN-13: 978-1861261229 Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews) Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,463,947 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Front Cover | Front Flap | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Flap | Back Cover

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Citations (learn more)

6 books cite this book:

• Cosworth and Ford: The Road Cars (Crowood Autoclassics) by Graham Robson in Front Matter
• MG T-Series: The Complete Story by Graham Robson in Front Matter
• Land Rover: Series One to Freelander (Crowood Autoclassics) by Graham Robson in Front Matter
• Volkswagen Transporter: The Legendary Type 2, 1950-82 (AutoClassics) by Laurence Meredith in Front Matter
• Sunbeam Alpine and Tiger by Graham Robson in Front Matter

See all 6 books citing this book

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	57% buy the item featured on this page: Alfa Romeo Spider: The Complete Story 2.8 out of 5 stars (4)
	43% buy Alfa Romeo Spider Ultimate Portfolio 1966-1994 $28.84

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews 5 star:    (0) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:  (3) 2 star:  (1) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 2.8 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews 16 of 16 people found the following review helpful: 2.0 out of 5 stars OK book, but it's a UK publication w/ little detailed info, July 16, 2000 By  Crusader (USA) - See all my reviews I bought this book hoping for a detailed, year by year comparison of each and every year Spider. What it is, in effect, is a vague story of the Spiders. It has its good points but lacks very much the precise detail Alfa owners need. Not enough pictures in color. The title is misleading, should be called "A Vague History of the Spider". Not a good purchase... 4 of 5 people found the following review helpful: 3.0 out of 5 stars The complete story? Not quite!, September 16, 2005 By  Daantjie Badenhorst "Daantjie Badenhorst" (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews Mention the name Alfa Romeo Spider, and most people will refer to the models produced between 1966 and 1993. The original boat-tail Spider became an instant classic by starring in the 1969 movie The Graduate, co-starring Dustin Hoffman and the recently-deceased Anne Bancroft. That is reason enough for a history of these cars to be written. John Tipler, who is known as a "real" enthusiast, has obliged, although in this case, one wonders whether the word "complete" is relevant. There are several reasons for saying this. Firstly,and most importantly, Tipler has included too many models. Yes, the Giulietta Spider and the new Spider are relevant, but more attention should have been given to the classic 1966-1993 Spiders, because those were the real classics. Another important reason is that Tipler had to apologise because he did not get access to the factory, or to relevant information that could have made a major difference. Maybe that is why the classic models could not be discussed in more detail. The people responsible for this dastardly decision have deprived Alfisti of important information. Maybe that is one reason why so much attention is given to driving impressions. However, it is John Tipler we are talking about, and a dedicated chapter is an integral part of any automotive history that he has written. Fair enough, reading about it is not the same as experiencing the real thing, but for those who are not fortunate enough to drive a Spider, even for a short while, he tells you what it is like. It is really a shame that Tipler did not have all the information he needed, because this book had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, that will not be fulfilled. 3.0 out of 5 stars Wanting More, October 27, 2005 By  Gayland Johnson "alfa afecionado" (CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This book focused more on the history of the famous auto maker. I wish it addressed the notorious mechanical problems that Alfas are associated with.		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 3.0 out of 5 stars Better for English/European readers Good information, well written, great pictures, but the book is from the U.K. market. Nearly half of the book is dedicated to the newest Spider, which is not available in the... Read more Published on March 13, 2000 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Crowood (November 15, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861261225
• ISBN-13: 978-1861261229
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,463,947 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars OK book, but it's a UK publication w/ little detailed info, July 16, 2000

By	Crusader (USA) - See all my reviews

I bought this book hoping for a detailed, year by year comparison of each and every year Spider. What it is, in effect, is a vague story of the Spiders. It has its good points but lacks very much the precise detail Alfa owners need. Not enough pictures in color. The title is misleading, should be called "A Vague History of the Spider". Not a good purchase...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The complete story? Not quite!, September 16, 2005

By	Daantjie Badenhorst "Daantjie Badenhorst" (Pretoria, South Africa) - See all my reviews

Mention the name Alfa Romeo Spider, and most people will refer to the models produced between 1966 and 1993.

The original boat-tail Spider became an instant classic by starring in the 1969 movie The Graduate, co-starring Dustin Hoffman and the recently-deceased Anne Bancroft. That is reason enough for a history of these cars to be written.

John Tipler, who is known as a "real" enthusiast, has obliged, although in this case, one wonders whether the word "complete" is relevant. There are several reasons for saying this. Firstly,and most importantly, Tipler has included too many models. Yes, the Giulietta Spider and the new Spider are relevant, but more attention should have been given to the classic 1966-1993 Spiders, because those were the real classics.

Another important reason is that Tipler had to apologise because he did not get access to the factory, or to relevant information that could have made a major difference. Maybe that is why the classic models could not be discussed in more detail. The people responsible for this dastardly decision have deprived Alfisti of important information. Maybe that is one reason why so much attention is given to driving impressions. However, it is John Tipler we are talking about, and a dedicated chapter is an integral part of any automotive history that he has written. Fair enough, reading about it is not the same as experiencing the real thing, but for those who are not fortunate enough to drive a Spider, even for a short while, he tells you what it is like.

It is really a shame that Tipler did not have all the information he needed, because this book had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, that will not be fulfilled.

3.0 out of 5 stars Wanting More, October 27, 2005

By	Gayland Johnson "alfa afecionado" (CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book focused more on the history of the famous auto maker. I wish it addressed the notorious mechanical problems that Alfas are associated with.