goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Jun 19, 2013 23:37:41 GMT
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Mx5... Although I secretly love them they are a bit 'common and boring' compared to what you have sitting on your drive. This is the dilemma as you rightly point out. I'm fairly set on selling the Fulvia, I don't think modifying it is the right way forward for me. It's perfect at being that delicate poised romantic piece of automotive chic-ness as it is and I wouldn't want to ruin that in pursuit of the sensations of an out and out sports car. Realistically I don't think the Montecarlo is a goer of an idea, as you say Duncan, budget is tight for one without lots of issues and it wouldn't be good enough on fuel really with its larger 2.0 engine. I've idly thought of x1/9s before, especially after seeing that hill climb video but I think there's other things I'd rather own all things considered. If I can find the right Italian car, then I'll more than happily stay Italian, there is something special about their cars. Mazda is the only non-Italian brand I've got much affection for. Sorry Mark, your mx is the wrong colour* If I do go for an mx5 I want it to be perfect, that means finding the right base car, with the right spec in the right colour and building from there. Picking out exactly which parts i want as I go to create my ultimate mx5. *Complaining about mx5 being the wrong colour = girlyest thing I've ever said
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that is pretty girlie.. You hairdresser you..
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Ha! I got confused between the X1/9 and the MonteCarlo, sorry. I do agree about the MX5 being a bit too obvious especially considering your automotive past. Sure they can be turned into pretty much anything you want them to be, but somehow it always will be an MX5 among many others. That said, it's not very relevant when you just want to drive the bloody thing. Modifying the Fulvia is one of two ways (imo at least) : all bespoke-made by yourself, having to spend a lot of time researching how to improve on something pretty sorted already (with the risk that you'd still be somewhat disappointed with the end result), or period-correct off-the-shelf parts that will cost a fortune. Not very appealing. As always, it's very motivating to read your reports on the work completed so far. I hope that selling the car will give you a little financial room to play with, you certainly deserve it
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Jun 20, 2013 12:55:18 GMT
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that is pretty girlie.. You hairdresser you.. He does always have immaculately coiffured hair - I'd thought it was a coincidence FWIW I think its the right decision. Flog the Lancia to someone that wants to spend all weekend polishing it and topping up the oil, then get yourself a toy can be fiddled with. I cant convince you to become GreenRust?
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Koos
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mino
Part of things
Posts: 99
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Jun 20, 2013 13:08:14 GMT
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Great Fulvia, I have an X1/9 I would happily swap for it .
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Jun 20, 2013 19:00:35 GMT
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Sounds like you need an Alfa, either 105 or transaxle chassis.
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Click picture for more
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Jun 20, 2013 19:04:45 GMT
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My thoughts exactly
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Jun 20, 2013 22:07:45 GMT
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I like how you treat the Lancia with such respect. Big ups.
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Alfa 105 chassis was top of the list before the Fulvia swept me up, I'm a fully paid up member of the Alfa owners club, test drive a nice Gt Junior and everything. But I think if that's the type of car I'm going for, I'd rather keep my Fulvia. I've been thinking and maybe fuel economy isn't such an issue. Something with lower running costs than the Lancia is gonna be necessary for moving in with my girlfriend, but most of my driving is to see her or my friends, who all live in the same town 25 miles away. Browsing the net tonight has got me thinking about going back from the fire into the frying pan as far as sensible choices of car go. What's kinda like an mx5 but more special? Rx7 of course! FB is off the list as I really want rack and pinion steering and independent rear suspension. I've always liked FDs but maybe too costly overall with purchase price + running costs. I'm warming to the idea of an FC Turbo II though, and this picture is helping that, either that or Regamasters make any car awesome.... hmmm!
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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YES! I've been looking at FC's too, but they're too scarce in France. I have to say a Turbo convertible must be a pretty awesome drive, enjoying the noise and everything. I've even looked at ebay UK, there was a red one that the seller was asking about £3k for, that was tempting.
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Jun 21, 2013 12:02:22 GMT
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Never liked FC's, they always seemed bloated, but that looks good.
Book me a ride round the hills! :-)
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Koos
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luckyseven
Posted a lot
Owning sneering dismissive pedantry since 1970
Posts: 3,839
Club RR Member Number: 45
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Jun 21, 2013 14:04:16 GMT
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I have to agree, even as the most ardent rotorhead, I can't feel much love for FCs aesthetically. They're just too much like a slightly bloated 944, not enough their own car. With that said, they can be made to look well, that modded efini Limited Turbo II they had in the Initial D film sat well. I think to work they have to be white and what you do with the underside of the half-bumper really makes or breaks the entire car stylisitically. BUT, to get a turbo you may well find it's not appreciably cheaper to run than an FD. In addition, definitely try before you buy. The cockpit is the most cramped of all the RX-7 generations, and I physically really struggle to find room for my long legs. To drive one I have to have my foot cocked over at 45 degrees onto the edge of the gas pedal, which would pretty soon gnaws you right off if you had that every day. Negatives aside, I think you should be back in a rotang, dude. If anyone can make an FC righteous, you da man
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Jun 21, 2013 15:16:39 GMT
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Yeah, in a way I like the challenge of the 'underdog' rx7, but I had to admit I'm going off the idea slightly as I'm failing to find many more pics that make FCs look any good! Interesting that the cockpit is cramps, always figured it looked bigger than an FB. FD would be lovely, but still not sure I could pick one up that isn't possessed a money pit for the sort of budget I'm going to have. I wouldn't be after anything heavily modded or too shiny, more something with a solid engine that I can drive hard and not worry about. I guess it's this kinda thought process that often ends up with my cycling round to turbo mx5 being a good option for me. I feel properly lost! haha. In Lancia news, steering bushes are here and will be fitted soon and the paints ready to be picked up so hopefully I'll be painting early next week, weathers set to pick up after the weekend which fits in just nicely
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Jun 21, 2013 23:33:49 GMT
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I always thought FDs seemed pretty cheap over there considering they are truly a mini super car. Certainly prices in the UK are heaps cheaper then here in NZ.
Buy one with a broke motor, have a fun time at Eras rebuilding it while drinking beer. Much fun!
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Jun 22, 2013 17:29:37 GMT
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I always thought FDs seemed pretty cheap over there considering they are truly a mini super car. Certainly prices in the UK are heaps cheaper then here in NZ. Buy one with a broke motor, have a fun time at Eras rebuilding it while drinking beer. Much fun! Or just drop an LS motor in
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Koos
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Jun 22, 2013 22:46:45 GMT
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I'm changing my mind every 5 minutes at the moment. Gone off the idea of an mx5 for now, not 'special' enough, I think it was the idea of a car that didn't need constant car and was fast (with turbo) and cheap that drew me in. Gone off the idea of Rx7 too for now, just not feeling it after a couple of nights sleep. Been researching Alfa 105 coupes again but aside from being RWD, which I'm still not sure I'm actually missing much, they gain me nothing over the Fulvia and in fact maybe for me aren't quite as good in some ways. Yesterday evening I gave the carbs a bit of a once over, I'd not looked at them for a while and it turned out with the warmer temps I could now lean out the idle mix a fair amount. Then I went out for a drive in the sunset. Now it pops and crackles on the over run wonderfully I drove the Fulvia harder than I think I've ever driven it, and it all kinda clicked and I had a lovely time. Smiling now just thinking about it. I know a few posts back I said it was a bad idea, but maybe I do[/b] need to just get on and modify the Fulvia to my tastes. Make it shaper and more raw and faster. Also, good god this looks hard and nails... want that stance!
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This is more like it! you could always turbo charge it. All stuff you can pit back to original if you want.
What are those gold wheels above? they look sweet- the car looks sweet. Never seen one in blue before. Looks great.
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79cord
Posted a lot
Posts: 2,615
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I was just thinking recently that people who like to berate FWD as boring either haven't driven a good one &/or just weren't going fast enough! At least Fulvia 1.6 parts might be a lot more available over there, though I here people have been getting absurd outputs from the 1.3's too. Drat that Dad's is 1.2, but as you say it's still very special just as it is. The curse of power temptations and its corruptions.
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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Jun 23, 2013 12:19:56 GMT
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Wheels are Campagnolo Stellone, as fitted to the factory rally cars in the 70s. Rarest of the rare, and even the replicas are 4 figures otherwise I'd be queuing up the credit card now! My Cromodoras could be worth a good few quid towards some other wheels but they are a bit used which probably detracts from their value. The Fulvias FWD handling is certainly a different beast to the 90s fwd coupes and econo-boxes I've driven. Way more fun through the bends, it does still lack something on corner exits. Corner entry is nicer than the rwd I've driven, mid corner it's got the same sort of enjoyment factor as the rwd cars too. Unfortunately 1.6 parts are still out of my price range. But a little turbo/supercharger on the 1.3 would be just lovely! Still if I keep mine, which is what I'm currently feeling (check back in an hour ill have probably changed my mind!) then de-bumper & suspension is first on the list. I think new suspension arm bushes would be a good start, home made HF style front spring mount should give me a nice drop and ill try and pick up some spare rear sprigs to re-camber, saving mine incase I want/need to go back to standard height.
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Jun 23, 2013 20:02:04 GMT
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These would look nice...
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Koos
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