Classic Alfa Forums

Ah yes very interesting. I like the way he tried to make all his mods cheap and easy to suit as many customers as possible.

A very rare trait, and yet it worked for him. Good bloke.

I prefer the second generation Corvair Monza myself. I have to hand it to GM, they took the whole VW Beetle thing far too literally and assumed that the reason why the pesky little bugs were so popular in the US was because they had a rear-mounted aircooled boxer engine and swing axle suspension - so that is exactly what the Corvair got - aircooled flat-6 (turbocharged on some later cars), rear mounted, swing axles, the works

GM did make a number of concept cars based on the Corvair that put the engine in the middle though, and were instrumental in getting Jim Halls outrageous Chaparrals going in the right direction, in CanAm and international sportscar racing...

Here's a view I've been looking forward to having for some time!


No, not that it's warmed up a bit!
But along those lines...
I bought the Brera with a load of known faults, dash was lit up like a Xmas tree.
ABS, EBD, Hill Holder, etc plus a temperature reading that insisted it hasn't been above -3 since I got it!
Managed to sort the ABS problems last weekend which sorted most warning lights but the beeps still tried to tell me it was freezing outside.
A good used mirror was sourced (of course you can't buy the temperature sensor from Alfa, only a new mirror at £250!) and swapped over today into my red casing and finally I can drive without any beeps!

Reading through the latest Modern Classics magazine, which I really like as it's not all "VW and Ford are best" and they actually like the odd stuff so you get Volvos, Renaults and even Alfas! Very fair and balanced view so an enjoyable mag.
A few guys send in little pieces about themselves and their cars near the back of the mag, anything turns up.

Imagine my surprise to see our own Rory with his 4 door Sud!

Cheers for the plug too mate

and doesn't it look great.
Really love that colour and I think the wheels look good too.

Cracking weather for February so put the battery back on the 145 and took it for a little blast now the roads are dry, what a fantastic little car that is, great to get it warmed through and blow the surface rust off the discs

Thanks lads and my pleasure Kev!

Seen Tom this afternoon, BLS race 33 Tom, father of Bryan.
They are taking the 33 over to Oulton Park this Saturday for its' first outing since bodywork changes, bigger brakes wheels and wider arches.
Now running in the thundersport championship.
Wish I could get over there, if anyone's over that side of the country I bet it's a great race meeting to go to...fingers crossed they won't need the wets I built up!


https://msvstatic.com/documents/OP%20Ma ... etable.pdf

Must say a big thank you to Lou, which I have already done, but these models deserve to be seen. Fabulous quality, and they will be given a great new home, thanks again Lou

Your welcome Kev . I’d had them for about 20 years. From memory I think they were a limited edition set of sculptures commissioned by the Lancia club (I may be wrong).as you’ve previously mentioned they’ve got some gravity to them And wouldn’t like to drop one in my foot (unless I was wearing my cappers)

They look nice, I can imagine their weight as well.

What a cool set .I like

Just switched the TV on and it's newsnight, not that I watching it, just happened to be on BBC1
Some debate on Politics, usual Trump Vs Clinton guff.
Anyway, the lady presenter says a phrase that just made me laugh, sure she didn't realise what she said.

"is it about the electorate or just somebody that stands up to Trump"

That's polite of them I says

Yep the yanks would not get it in most cases.

Got myself a nice daily driver to take over from the 145 which has done a great job at bridging the gap after the Brera went, but now the weather has arrived I'm pleased to get some air-con back!

It's the 170bhp JTD Veloce which is pretty damn nice to drive I must say. I needed to get something a bit more practical having had a GT and then a Brera of late, both great cars but 4 door with hatch suits my needs more.


Seems to be the same colour as the GT was actually, a dark blue with some lovely sparkly flakes in it

Very nice Kev, as I put on your other post, I have just got one myself.
Love the colour of yours.

Ha!
We didn't even plan on doing that either, eh mate!

How do you like yours? Only got mine Friday night so not been far but seems like a step on from 156/147/GT to me.
The DNA switch does actually do something too!

KevJTD wrote:Ha!
We didn't even plan on doing that either, eh mate!

How do you like yours? Only got mine Friday night so not been far but seems like a step on from 156/147/GT to me.
The DNA switch does actually do something too!

I had been looking for a while to be honest, and yes, quite a step on indeed. I do not drive new cars so stuck in the old days a bit.
I am getting use to the Giulietta more now and it is very nice. I did find it a little claustrophobic at first, with a dark headlining and thick pillars, but that DNA thing is mad. Scary how the flick of a switch can change things so much.
I do think the quality of some of the fittings is poorer compared to the 156 / 147, but that all adds to weight saving I suppose and you can't deny the performance has improved. Mine is also a Jtdm2 but 140 bhp with SS so £30 road tax and has only cost me £70 a year insurance increase over my 156.
I have done about 700 mile in it now and it is very comfy and handles far better than I will ever push it, but when it needs tyres I will steer clear of the Bridgestones it has at the moment. Forum chats confirm they don't work well for noise.

Found the same thing with the thick B pillar being in just the wrong place, find myself looking through the rear side window out of some junctions.
Wouldn't have minded the 140 myself for the cheaper tax, mines £125 a year, the 140 is more than enough for everyday use. Find myself on MPG runs anyway!

Just now here trying to find a reason not to drive up to the unit and do some more work, Bank Holiday traffic from Skeg though hampers the enjoyment

Might go up for a few hours to tidy some bits up, or just relax a bit here as have house to myself.

KevJTD wrote:Found the same thing with the thick B pillar being in just the wrong place, find myself looking through the rear side window out of some junctions.

Ironic really, top of the crash test rating for safety, yet lightly to cause you to test it

Kegsti66 wrote:

KevJTD wrote:Found the same thing with the thick B pillar being in just the wrong place, find myself looking through the rear side window out of some junctions.

Ironic really, top of the crash test rating for safety, yet lightly to cause you to test it

Yes, at least it's safe when you get T boned for pulling out!!

KevJTD wrote:

Kegsti66 wrote:

KevJTD wrote:Found the same thing with the thick B pillar being in just the wrong place, find myself looking through the rear side window out of some junctions.

Ironic really, top of the crash test rating for safety, yet lightly to cause you to test it

Yes, at least it's safe when you get T boned for pulling out!!

If you put it in Dynamic mode from the junction and clog it, you'll probably end up in the opposite ditch and not get hit!!

What a lovely little car the Appia is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lancia-Appia ... Sw33lcwta4

It’s a but push pull style, but nice. How about this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/fiat-127/113 ... 0005.m1851

Back to Giuliettas , we’ve got a petrol 1.4 turbo. Went for petrol as it’s used for shorter journeys. I’ve never bothered checking the actual fuel economy but the computer says avg 35mpg at an avg speed of 18mph. It’s quick and a decent size cabin, it’s a sportiva so looks nice. Very pleased with it.

KevJTD wrote:What a lovely little car the Appia is

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lancia-Appia ... Sw33lcwta4

Oh no !!
Not another purchase Kev ??
Yes, I agree it is lovely.

Hey Tim, we only need a member with a Cloverleaf and we have a model group test.
I have not checked economy yet but thinking of changing tyres as they are so noisy. Took my old 156 up north yesterday to its new owner and was immediately struck at how quiet it was.
I knew someone who had a 127 sport. Followed by a 1.3 gt. Reckoned the 1050 was better.

But gotta love a car with no B pillar at all, eh!

Like the 127, but got my Y10 GTie for a little fun 80's ride.

I haven't bought the Appia, nor am I likely to. Given up on getting more work. Knackered.



Funny you mention road noise Kieth, got the same issue on mine so will look at changing tyres soon.

KevJTD wrote:
Funny you mention road noise Kieth, got the same issue on mine so will look at changing tyres soon.

What is your's running on Kev and Tim?
I have Bridgestone all around but two pairs. Swapped front and back around and that made it a bit quieter, but the quieter ones on the front are a bit cracked. I think the other pair are the replacement style. So may get a set of something different. Can't fault the handling though, but it sounds like the wheel bearings are gone

Mine only has chepo Roadstone ones, agree sounds like a noisy bearing. They were on the rear but I too swapped them around as the fronts (Kumho) had gone horribly lumpy on the iiner edge due to the tracking out, now sorted.

When I've stopped spending at every turn on the integrale I'll look to change them.

Bridgestone are noisy and not the best grip, but a set did 40k front and 28k rear on one of my beemers.

The Giulietta has good year f1 asymmetric, mainly as they were on an incredible offer at Kwik Fit so I had 4 fitted. I don’t notice tyre noise from them but I’m used to the noisy Bridgestone. The sportiva has 18inch qv styly alloys.

I’m a Pirelli fan if they are on offer, but also put some Khumo on the beemer and they are a good ride and wearing well so far.