A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
- rossybee
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A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
OK so a bit of gratuity on my part but something a wee bit different
A year has passed since I took a leap of faith and bought my 1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super unseen . A near 50yr old Italian car, what could possibly go wrong?
This was mainly due to COVID restrictions at the time, and the fact that the selling dealer was based on South Norfolk....who in their defence were excellent. Also, in my defence, I did a fair bit of due diligence by getting videos and pics galore, and doing as much researching and homework possible. Also, a friend of mine is very heavily involved in AROC Scotland, and runs one of the main Alfa Independents in Scotland (local to me ) and knew of the car when it came into UK in 2019.
So a deal was agreed and they would deliver the car to Carlisle, where I would drop a hire car off and collect. Never been so nervous collecting a car before!
The run back up the road was an event (in a good way) as the car ran impeccably
Some of the upgrades are - 1750 Nord Twin Cam on Weber 40DCOEs, LSD, Alfaholics 15" TZ alloys, Alfaholics SS exhaust, Bilstein lowering kit, Alfa 75 Brembo brake upgrade, single headlamp conversion, BF Torino Nürburgring Leatherette / Basket Weave front seats, period Nardi steering wheel with extension boss, and I've added a Momo Targa Heritage gearknob
A year on and I adore this thing - other than needing a new starter motor (not a big or expensive job) she runs brilliantly and is a real event every time I take her for a run
I'm planning on taking her to the Le Mans Classic first week in July with some friends so something I'm really looking forward to - a fitting way to celebrate her 50th birthday I think
That's pretty much it, other than I'm now looking for a garage buddy for her, which could be in the shape of an S1 Elise, as I think they'd make a brilliant pairing
Hope I've not bored you all too much
A year has passed since I took a leap of faith and bought my 1972 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super unseen . A near 50yr old Italian car, what could possibly go wrong?
This was mainly due to COVID restrictions at the time, and the fact that the selling dealer was based on South Norfolk....who in their defence were excellent. Also, in my defence, I did a fair bit of due diligence by getting videos and pics galore, and doing as much researching and homework possible. Also, a friend of mine is very heavily involved in AROC Scotland, and runs one of the main Alfa Independents in Scotland (local to me ) and knew of the car when it came into UK in 2019.
So a deal was agreed and they would deliver the car to Carlisle, where I would drop a hire car off and collect. Never been so nervous collecting a car before!
The run back up the road was an event (in a good way) as the car ran impeccably
Some of the upgrades are - 1750 Nord Twin Cam on Weber 40DCOEs, LSD, Alfaholics 15" TZ alloys, Alfaholics SS exhaust, Bilstein lowering kit, Alfa 75 Brembo brake upgrade, single headlamp conversion, BF Torino Nürburgring Leatherette / Basket Weave front seats, period Nardi steering wheel with extension boss, and I've added a Momo Targa Heritage gearknob
A year on and I adore this thing - other than needing a new starter motor (not a big or expensive job) she runs brilliantly and is a real event every time I take her for a run
I'm planning on taking her to the Le Mans Classic first week in July with some friends so something I'm really looking forward to - a fitting way to celebrate her 50th birthday I think
That's pretty much it, other than I'm now looking for a garage buddy for her, which could be in the shape of an S1 Elise, as I think they'd make a brilliant pairing
Hope I've not bored you all too much
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Lovely Car - the Sunset pic is epic!
Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Superb write up Ross and cracking images too How you getting on with the left hand drive ?
- douglasgdmw
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Looks like you have managed to bag yourself a great car and with your friends experience/garage means you will have less sleepless nights.
Always fancied a classic Alfa but after seeing Harry Metcaffe's experience with his Lancia Fulvia, kind of scared me off classic italians. Been there with the Land Rover Series 2a and something I don't want to repeat again
Cheers
George
Always fancied a classic Alfa but after seeing Harry Metcaffe's experience with his Lancia Fulvia, kind of scared me off classic italians. Been there with the Land Rover Series 2a and something I don't want to repeat again
Cheers
George
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- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Thanks Alistair - was done by a friend's son who is a professional photographer
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Scott - I could have written much more but appreciate that my witterings can go on and didn't want to write war & peace
The LHD really isn't an issue - I had an Integrale many moons ago - the car has spend most of its life just south of Milan, for me this just adds to its "Italianness" even though this model was available in UK. You'll find these are extremely rare due to 60s & 70s Italian cars not being strangers to rust
Rust is lighter than carbon fibre anyway
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Thanks George - they're not mechanically complex so the structure was the only concern.douglasgdmw wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 3:20 pmLooks like you have managed to bag yourself a great car and with your friends experience/garage means you will have less sleepless nights.
Always fancied a classic Alfa but after seeing Harry Metcaffe's experience with his Lancia Fulvia, kind of scared me off classic italians. Been there with the Land Rover Series 2a and something I don't want to repeat again
Cheers
George
Harry's Fulvia is indeed an eye-opener and I don't doubt mine has had some filler at points but the main monocoque is good, thank heavens!
The same dealer I got mine from (mainly deals in British classics) has just taken in a lovely grey '66 1300ti which looks very clean
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Looks great and the sunset pic is indeed spectacular.
LHD has caught me out a couple of times at left hand junctions when I forget that I can't see a thing over my right shoulder but I'm getting better. I do need to work on the wiper / indicator thing tho
LHD has caught me out a couple of times at left hand junctions when I forget that I can't see a thing over my right shoulder but I'm getting better. I do need to work on the wiper / indicator thing tho
Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Wanted: Train.
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Some other pics of the sunset shoot here, along with another 2 rather special if different motors taken up on Garvock Hill near Laurencekirk
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIiGM7IrTf ... =copy_link
The LHD isn't an issue with mine Jim, as all-round visibility is fantastic compared to modern cars, thanks to the super-slim pillars
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIiGM7IrTf ... =copy_link
The LHD isn't an issue with mine Jim, as all-round visibility is fantastic compared to modern cars, thanks to the super-slim pillars
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
- douglasgdmw
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Bet the owner of the Tommi is feeling very happy with his purchase after the result on collecting cars recently
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/200 ... -makinen-4
George
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https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/200 ... -makinen-4
George
Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
Alpine A110S
Mini JCW
Land Rover Defender Puma 90
Land Rover Series 2a softop
Mini JCW
Land Rover Defender Puma 90
Land Rover Series 2a softop
Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Hmmm. That's not too far from me.rossybee wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 8:29 pmSome other pics of the sunset shoot here, along with another 2 rather special if different motors taken up on Garvock Hill near Laurencekirk
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIiGM7IrTf ... =copy_link
The LHD isn't an issue with mine Jim, as all-round visibility is fantastic compared to modern cars, thanks to the super-slim pillars
I sense a copycat adventure
Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Wanted: Train.
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
Indeed! He saw that saledouglasgdmw wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 9:03 pmBet the owner of the Tommi is feeling very happy with his purchase after the result on collecting cars recently
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/200 ... -makinen-4
George
Sent from my SM-G998B using Tapatalk
His is unbelievably mint - and very low miles!
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
It's a really nice spot Jim - the viewpoint is like a mini-Cairn o Mountrenmure wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 9:15 pmHmmm. That's not too far from me.rossybee wrote: ↑Tue Mar 22, 2022 8:29 pmSome other pics of the sunset shoot here, along with another 2 rather special if different motors taken up on Garvock Hill near Laurencekirk
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUIiGM7IrTf ... =copy_link
The LHD isn't an issue with mine Jim, as all-round visibility is fantastic compared to modern cars, thanks to the super-slim pillars
I sense a copycat adventure
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
I thought I saw it up at KH the other weekend, looks great! Sorry I didn't find you to say hi.
2018 Lotus Exige Sport (metallic grey)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
2015 Volvo V60 Polestar (rebel blue)
- rossybee
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Re: A Year with a Classic Alfa - NLC
No probs Mark and thanks!
I was kicking around the pitlane too a fair bit, caught up with some old faces
Ross
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages
---------
1972 Alfaholics Giulia Super
2000 Elise S1 Sport 160
2004 Bentley Conti GT
Now browsing the tech pages