Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 13, 2013 18:53:13 GMT
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I bought a book about the Fiat 124 Sport versions the other day, they're quite appealing and there are a few for sale at the moment, within my price range They're slightly less left-field than the Alfa 105 though. I've heard the same about the 1750 being the better engine, but the 2000 has a self-locking diff. I'm not sure it'd be any use to me but still! Haha
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mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
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May 13, 2013 19:34:04 GMT
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I'd probably keep the Cortina and just make it what i want it to be. Like i did with the Polo.
Loved the Polo, but the toilet-flush carb was giving me 55bhp for my 40mpg, didn't impress me much. It still does 40mpg but with a 1.6 16v on individual race bike carbs, the power is far too much for the uprated chassis to handle and the noise is fantastic, it's more than i could've asked for.
Course, i could've just swapped it, when it was standard, for an equivalent Alfa like an early '80s Alfasud but then it wouldn't be the hilariously terrifying go-kart it is now.
Your position is easier because you don't wish to go so far. All you really need for the Cortina is a mild brake/suspension upgrade and a Zetec of 1.6/1.8/2.0 in whatever state of tune you could think of, depending on what you want from the car.
You may have heard that MK1 Golfs are good but that's not what you're after, still, the choice of these two cars is oddly specific..? Seems you've seen an Alfa and that's it, that's a sole idea in your head and you'd not have considered getting rid of the Cortina in any other case. If so, it seems there's only one thing to do..
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Here's the problem: I love way too many cars, but I just want to have one. I don't really want to to have several cars to maintain, insure and park, somehow it feels like it would make my life harder and perhaps even dilute the passion a little. I see what you mean with your Polo, you develop a kind of bond with it, and it becomes your car because you work on it, you know it inside out and you love it. I want the same, BUT: - here, it's illegal to swap the engine or modify the suspension or brakes, even if it's for something better - I have a toolbox and a very limited knowledge, I have access to no welder or lathe - I only have the Cortina and I mean it that way, so I can't really take it off the road for long - for the same price of sourcing a Zetec and brakes and stuff, I can have an Alfa. I was about to turn the Cortina into what I would want it to be, and the car would have been absolutely gorgeous (in my eyes at least). Let's face it, it's just too much hassle for a result that is obtainable via other means... On the other hand, I've always liked the Giulia. I've been looking at Jaguar XJ6-12s, TVR Griffiths and Chimaeras, and with these I'd have kept the Cortina as a cheap, reliable runaround and kept the other as a classic car for the week-ends. But the Giulia is a four-door sedan like my Cortina, and I can't help but feeling that it will be whatever the Cortina does, but better. Even cooler, the high-power versions (1750 and 2000) are cheaper than the smaller engines (1300 and 1600). And as much as I love the looks of the Cortina, this isn't bad either: By selling the Cortina and spending 1500€, I get a car that has four disc brakes, 115 or 130hp, sorted suspension all round that apparently could accept coilovers, a nice reliable engine that still is tuneable, etc. Plus I like Italian cars (but then I like English cars too). All in all it's an opportunity to try something new that could potentially be around for a while because it sounds like such a good all-round solution. I'm not risking too much money anyways, and although I wasn't so sure of the move at first, the various opinions expressed in this very thread convinced me that it probably isn't that crazy. I've been looking at Alfaholics. All my money is going to end up there. edit : the Golf was just there as a trap ;D
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Last Edit: May 14, 2013 7:01:17 GMT by Clement
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mikeymk
Part of things
'85 Polo Coupe S 1.6 16v
Posts: 931
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May 14, 2013 23:32:05 GMT
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You've almost convinced me to get one myself, and I think everyone else is too busy searching for one themselves to add further.. They sound too good to be true, reputed to be great to drive and i don't see how reliability can be so bad, especially this far maintained by now.
Good luck with the sale and purchase, and please share the Alfa with us when you get some photos!
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 15, 2013 13:08:13 GMT
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I'll have to watch this tonight. Also, Sunday I'll go and see one (a 1969 1750 model, the black one) with a mechanic friend who has a good camera so I should bring back some nice pictures. And please don't go and buy a Berlina, just let me get mine first.
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thebaron
Europe
Over the river, heading out of town
Posts: 1,657
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May 15, 2013 14:33:02 GMT
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Good luck with the viewing. I have to admit I have been searching for one here in Switzerland as well.
I have an idea that a 5grand classic and a 5grand S4 would be a hugely sensible fleet now that I'm offloading the 840.
Absolutely no chance of getting hold of an Alfa at that price here though which is a pita.
Only thing I can find that is vaguely interesting is a 504 coupe. They are great looking cars but I'm not convinced.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 19, 2013 18:03:03 GMT
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So, I just went to see the darker car: The good: - good engine noises - complete car - drives nicely with good brakes and suspension - MANY spares (two gearboxes, a rear axle, a front axle, two spare rear doors and many many other things) - very nice seller - good underpinnings, no structural rust The bad: - diff is a little noisy and leaky - second gear grinds a little when cold - rust rust rust : bits in the sills, doors, RH C-pillar, a little on the bonnet, spare wheel well, etc - car was originally a shade of yellow, very late 60's colour, rather nice but was badly repainted dark brown in the 80's (orange peel, original paint not keyed so newer paint lifting off, etc) - the spare gearboxes and axle have to be fully rebuilt before being used for anything but decoration It's a good, honest car. I've checked it all with a magnet, the only bit of filler is on the RH rear door but this area is the most corroded of the whole car anyways, so it's quite obvious. I'm hoping that the car I'll see next week-end will be a little less rusty, but it's used a lot less so I'm afraid that things will go downhill once I really start to drive it intensely. This one's pretty good all in all but I have currently no solution for repairing the rust. But boy it drives well. I love it already.
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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May 19, 2013 19:58:51 GMT
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Wooo! Glad to hear you got on well with it generally. It's always hard doing that first test drive where you're not only worrying about condition and faults but also if it's even the right model for you. Good luck on the next one. Heads up on the 2nd gear issue, find out what gearbox oil is in it. Lot of people like to use the oil specced originally by Alfa, but a swap to a modern fully synthetic oil does wonders for old synchros.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 19, 2013 21:01:57 GMT
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What surprised me was that the clutch pedal and the steering are a lot heavier than expected! It was a little frightening at first because it makes the inputs much slower than in the Cortina, but the ride feels a lot more composed and still pretty comfy As for the gearbox oil, well, GL5 oil killed my previous Cortina g/box so I'm a bit reluctant...
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May 19, 2013 21:16:03 GMT
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GL5 isn't good for bronze bearings - which old 'boxes are full of - but a decent GL4 will be fine. Whether it'll help much or not, I can't say.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 24, 2013 13:26:37 GMT
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I'm seeing this car tomorrow: Original paint, 104,000km from new, first owner (who kept it until his death in 2007 I think) was an Alfa Romeo dealer and used to drive this car to Spain every summer. It hasn't been driven much these last years but that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Rust in the sills but I've heard it's the same shape as a Giulia sill so I might be able to buy a new sill and cut repair sections out of it. It's priced at €4,500, less than the other car, in a better state but without spares. I can't get into bodywork at the moment so I'd rather have a car without spares but with little work needed! Then there's the colour, which I don't mind too much but isn't very appealing either. And I kinda like to have a car that people don't appreciate too much anyways. I have a few backup plans in case the car isn't what I'm expecting: this one's €3k this one's €3,4k and this one's €5k I know, these aren't what I talked about but at the moment I fancy another car, and an Alfa at that. If it's not what I want I'll just change again.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 26, 2013 11:24:17 GMT
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Second Berlina was pretty rotten as well. I'm stumped, both cars were described at 'slightly rusty on the sills' by sellers, and one was rotten through near the winscreen on the bonnet edge and on the C-pillar, the second was rusted through on the wing lip and the sill rot was creeping upwards in the floor pans Which means that I'm afraid not-too-rusted Berlinas and Giulias are out of my price range, and that apparently I'm not to believe a seller anytime soon. They're selling oldschool Alfa Romeos, rust is expected but they should at least be honest about it. I really have to start learning how to weld... and find a correct Alfa to buy. Italy is the way to go I'm afraid.
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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May 27, 2013 14:34:03 GMT
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Ah thats a shame I have to admit that I'm not sure how confident I'd be about owning an old Italian car with out my trusty MIG by my side. It's easy enough to pick up though, cheap MIG welder + internet tutorials and lots of practice is all you need That said maybe you've just been unlucky and the next one you go to see will be as described? Fingers crossed....
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 27, 2013 15:05:00 GMT
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There are only three other Berlinas for sale in France: one is a wrecked racecar, the other looks very good but has an Italian plate but no registration papers the last one looks really good, but has some body work to do and is priced at €6500 which is €1500 above my upper limit. In Italy there are more (but they're still quite rare!), these are in the region of Naples, which is a direct flight from Lyon: www.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-2000-berlina-catanzaro-52987442.htmwww.subito.it/auto/alfa-romeo-altro-modello-bari-57609560.htmThere's still hope then, but it'll have to wait till September. As for welding, I forgot to mention I'm quitting my current job to take a little time off, during which I want to take a training in welding and/or machining. The final goal is to work in a restoration shop! So hopefully I'll be able to weld in a year or two, but not right now. Few people can weld here, so it's always a good skill to have.
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May 27, 2013 16:01:43 GMT
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Of the two the Giulia would be my choice.
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unitybonez
Part of things
Blowing Pintos
Posts: 870
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How about the red Alfetta you posted? That would be a great choice, particularly if its a Clover
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Sent from my ouiji board.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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unitybonez> I find it a bit dodgy, to be honest. It's 300km from where I live, and the seller says the starter is dead. After what I've seen with the other two I'm not that warmed up! The ad is deactivated apparently. There's this one too : www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/464824313.htm?ca=3_sSeller says it's a very good condition and all, no rust, but it's far. And somehow the more complicated layout is frightening me a little. The problem is that Alfetta can be made to look like this: which is lovely. Meaty tyres, aggressive 'stance', perfect lines. By the way I might need the help of someone Italian to translate a few technical terms perhaps, not that I'm thinking about anyone in particular espin99> The Giulia is cuter, quirkier, the Berlina is slightly bigger with bigger engines, and both are the same money. If I do fly to Italy to see cars, I'll take whichever comes first in good condition for a good price.
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unitybonez
Part of things
Blowing Pintos
Posts: 870
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May 29, 2013 10:41:51 GMT
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Yeah, that Alfetta you posted is exactley why i asked. I think they look loveley like that, but lower Post here whatever terms you don't understand, or even pm me if you prefer. No hassle at all.
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Sent from my ouiji board.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 29, 2013 11:40:22 GMT
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Yeah it could go a tad lower at the back but the front is perfect in my eyes. I was looking for lowered Alfettas and found this: and that! But then this is nice too: As you can see I'm still limited to inspiration pics... By the way yesterday a friend showed me a new website, www.leparking.fr, which enables you to look for cars all over Europe on the major ad sites (autoscout, subito, leboncoin, etc). Pretty cool.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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I've been won over by the Nuova comments, so next weekend I'm off to see this car: Supposedly not too rusty (both left doors and left rear wheelarch lip), less than 50,000 miles since new, two owners (the first kept it til he died, one of his friends bought it and is selling now), it's a 1600 Super which means 100hp, and he says €4000 buys it. Sounds fair to me, I'm sceptic about the rust claims but we'll see. Otherwise, and I hope he's okay with me announcing it, the Cortina will be going to Totti! It'll still be on RetroRides then, I should be driving the car to him in early August. It really makes me happy to know that I won't totally lose sight of the car. Since I just received lots of parts from the club, including lowering blocks, I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't go ahead with the lowering plans so I have a bit of fun before selling it. I'd have to find spare front coils and second-hand Volvo 240 struts, that's doable. Can't wait to have the new car so I can lower it and buy wheels
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