1974 Alfasud Trofeo

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Bryan,
No gopro footage from me I'm afraid. My cameraman (my son) couldn't get the day off of work.
Really pleased with the car. I definitely need to address the mountain climbing gear ratios.
It was told they were low but we had to try it out.
All the best,
Simon

[Veesix75]

It sounds nice - is it a side exit or rear exit exhaust?

On the ratios, how low were they Simon?

For example which gear did you use to go up the mountain, and where did you pull 5th on the main straight and at what rpm

If you can roughly remember I will compare to my 1200 box to see how different it might (roughly) be.

I had to use 2nd for the mountain to keep the revs on cam, pulled 5th after pit lane exit (close to the marshals point on the right) and would be in 3rd through hall bends.

The corner after the long back straight would be 3rd, stay flat in 3rd around the next corner, pull 4th approaching top of gooseneck, back to 3rd for gooseneck. Sometimes 3rd or 2nd for the sharp left at the bottom of the hill.

Tim

[jobeed]

Looks like a good day was had by all, I'm sorry I couldn't make it, it would have been great to see the cars, and meet you all.

Cars look great, and the Trofeo sounds purrfect! in that video.

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Tim,
It's a side exit exhaust. Shrew built it to match the original which would never have passed the noise check.
To keep to 6000rpm I didn't change below 4th at any stage.
When using 7000rpm I got to third at the bottom of the mountain. Corner after back straight was fourth and into fifth by the Apex.

All the best,
Simon

[Marlow Sud]

Looks like a good day was had by all, I'm sorry I couldn't make it, it would have been great to see the cars, and meet you all.

Cars look great, and the Trofeo sounds purrfect! in that video.

Hope to catch up with you at one of the races Jobeed.

Brgds
Simon

[KevJTD]

Hi Tim,
It's a side exit exhaust. Shrew built it to match the original which would never have passed the noise check.
To keep to 6000rpm I didn't change below 4th at any stage.
When using 7000rpm I got to third at the bottom of the mountain. Corner after back straight was fourth and into fifth by the Apex.

All the best,
Simon

it was noticeable from the outside that the gearings were incredibly close, you seemed to drop hardly any revs between the change along the top between the mountain and hall bends, my sud with the 1.2 ti box would be on the limiter just after settling down cresting the mountain in 2nd then 3rd for hall bends.......ok, then it would be mostly in the armco but that's another story



i meant to take a note of your tyre size simon, know they are 13's but didn't look at the rolling circumferance.
i'm sure you could gain about 13 to 15% just by going to a 195/50 - 15 type size if you're able to use them?

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Kev,
The circumference is 1.665m. We reckon using the existing ratios with the 1.5Ti final drive will do the job with the original wheels and max power produced at 7500rpm.

All the best,
Simon

[Veesix75]

We can't use 15 inch in the pre 83 series......

[KevJTD]

We can't use 15 inch in the pre 83 series......

did wonder about that tim, thanks for clearing that up

[Marlow Sud]

This lady takes nice racing photos:

Brgds,
Simon

[Kegsti66]

She does indeed Simon, lovely and sharp images.

[Marlow Sud]

Thinking of a slight change in paint scheme as I will have the original rear spoiler finished in satin black. Love this version:

The plan is to remove the bumpers, return the grille and light surrounds to black and have the front spoiler, wheel arches and rear spoiler all in satin black.

Brgds,
Simon

[alfasuddriver]

The contrast between the black and white should be striking, look forward to seeing the finished article!

[PETROLHEAD]

Thinking of a slight change in paint scheme as I will have the original rear spoiler finished in satin black. Love this version:

IMG_2832 copy.jpg

The plan is to remove the bumpers, return the grille and light surrounds to black and have the front spoiler, wheel arches and rear spoiler all in satin black.

Castle Combe 3 copy.jpg

Brgds,
Simon

Doh!

mine and yours will be like evil twins mate!


but at least mine won't be done for years yet! ha ha!

[Veesix75]

Definitely bumper less ....tough one on the satin arches, I like this one.

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Shrew,

I have found a guy near me who is going to fix the rear spoiler and make a mould for others to be made so you can have one. He is making my GTi bonnet and tailgate. I will send you details when I have it all arranged.

Brgds,
Simon

[Marlow Sud]

Alfasuddriver and Veesix75

Thanks for your comments guys. I was told by someone that a car should only ever have a maximum of three colours on the bodywork. I think they have a point.

Brgds,
Simon

[Veesix75]

The original rear spoiler will look great.

Couple more attached for inspiration, the satin does look a bit more old school so works well. The all white one posted last looks a bit more modern

[Veesix75]

Two more, the first a close example to Simons plans, the second the only trofeo I will ever own....

[Sud 145]

I've got that one in an unopened box.

[PETROLHEAD]

I've got that one in an unopened box.

Me too! I really quite like it


Simon, thats fantastic, thank you.

Pretty much the last piece of the puzzle for my intended bodywork and definitely the crowning glory!

[Marlow Sud]

Great pictures thanks Tim. I do like them in red but I am happy with the white and red and I am sure the previous owner in Italy will be happier if the main colours stay the same. He is a real gent and a pleasure to know. He maintains a keen interest and I send him pictures from time to time.
Brgds
Simon

[Kegsti66]

As said Simon, satin black will keep the old school (skool?) look.
Glad you are keeping the white and red, I think that looks lovely.
If I was building my own car I really would not have a clue on colour schemes
Looking forward to next season.

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Guys,

As well as vented discs and four pot callipers, Tom at BLS is lowering and stiffening the car. Here are some pictures he sent today of the front legs.

Brgds,
Simon

[Johnboy]

Very nice

[Kegsti66]

You have all been very busy.
great work.

[PETROLHEAD]

Superb!

I like the inverted steering arm mount, and rethreaded steering arms,

perfect!

[junior]

Yep, like that, suspension work and the paint ideas. 3 colours only could well be a good rule as well esp as I can think of few exceptions to it.

Mind you that may just be my memory.

[Marlow Sud]

Hi Guys,

The Trofeo suffered from a bit of fuel starvation on a RH hairpin at Rockingham with half a tank of fuel.
Just put an aluminium race tank in the wheel well. The seat back area is aluminium sheet and I am just fitting an aluminium sheet across the rear parcel shelf to isolate the boot. Then I will remove the steel tank and remove the bumpers.
I have added a bit of weight by fitting a retro Italian number plate. The car came from Campobasso and had one of the earliest plates. Campobasso 8.

Brgds
Simon

[Veesix75]

Nice touch , I like the plate.

It will look great bumper less also.

Was it a full tank before ?