1964 105 engine bay colour

[Nick Shardey]

Ok all you Alfa historians, I am confused about my engine bay colour. It is black! There is no sign of any other colour anywhere right down to the metal. I know it's a very early car but should it not be body colour. Any views?
Thanks Nick

[Colin Byrne]

hey nick
every 105 I've ever seen has the engine bay the same color as the body

[1750GTV]

Nick,

Try turning the light on in the garage

But seriously - the collars and cuffs should match.

Chris

[Nick Shardey]

Well those who know my car would agree that it has never received a bare metal re-spray (last one was with a spray can) but there is no way around it, its engine bay is BLACK... I'm just really curious...  Is there any possible reason for this that anyone might know?

[1750GTV]

From all of the literature I have, it seems that the bodies, including the engine bays, boots and wheel arches, were painted the same colour.
You could try emailing the Alfa archive, they may have more information.
Chris

[ItalCarGuy]

Nice pic! What literature was this out of?

[SimonR]

Maybe as your car is 1964 and therefore a very early model, it could have been produced either in South Africa or by Lightburn in South Australia and those factories may have painted them differently to the Italian factory produced models.  Back then Alfa had separate factories around the world that assembled the cars and this could be the reason for the difference.

[1750GTV]

Nice pic! What literature was this out of?

Derek,

The book is titled 'Alfa Romeo Coupes 1910 - 2000' and is edited by Bruno Alfieri. It was published in Italy in 2000 by Automobilia and the ISBN is 88-7960-110-5. It's written in Italian, English and French and is a good read. The photo I used is on page 80.

I bought my copy in Italy a few years ago, though I think it's now out of print. From memory it cost about $80.00.

Have a look on AbeBooks or viaLibri, there may be still some copies around.

Regards,
Chris

[Davidm1600]

As like all who have commented on this question, I too have never seen a 105 engine bay, let alone any alfa ever painted anything but the body colour, but Simon may well be correct ??  While you could try the centro storico, from my experience they are unlikely to provide such information.  Normally all you will get from Marco is the body colour, interior colour, and where, when first sold.  Which is great info to have but not likely much help in this case, that is unless it confirms that it was an imported car, it wouldnt help if it were built up at Lightburn.

I don't know Nick, as I havnt seen your car, but from my reckoning, if it was built in Italy, rather than either in Aus or SA, I would have to say I think at some early stage in the car's life it has actually had the engine bay painted black.  Who knows why ??.  Personally if it were my car, I would have the engine bay painted body colour.  The only other suggestion I can offer, is to put a query out on the Alfabb and see if some of the extremely historically knowledgeable guys there can provide some answers.  Dave

[Nick Shardey]

Thankyou all for your comments...
Chris, that is a fantastic picture, it's interesting that there are different colours and models coming out of what looks like an oven!
This is what I received from Centro Documentazione.
"According to our documentation files, the chassis number AR 751229 originally corresponds to an Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint GT RHD (105.04), manufactured on the 4th August 1964 and sold on the 18th September 1964 in South Australia. The body colour is red, with blue interiors."
If it was built in Italy or S/A then how could it have been sold little over a month later in Australia? I would presume that they would be shipped over which would take several weeks if not months?
Perhaps I'll try the BB as well
Thankyou all again,

[Dan H]

Hi Nick

My car is the same colour underbonnet as the rest of the car (Alfa Red 501).  But, I suppose more importantly/relevantly is that it was built within a few days of your car (per Marco at the Alfa archive - built on 30 July 64 and sold from Adelaide on 5 August 64 - AR 751407).  There isn't any trace of black under the bonnet and I've currently got the engine out and have started to strip it back.  Would be interested in whether or not your car was assembled in SA or elsewhere.

Dan

[ItalCarGuy]

Dan,
Interesting that your chassis number is after Nick's but stated as built before his!

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

The plot thickens

[Henry Goodman]

Re-chassis numbers; I've read this same comment/query from time to time and there is a logical explanantion. In true Alfa tradition, the numerical order of chassis numbers stamped on the fire wall panel, does not always correlate with the order in which the cars were assembled. Here is the explanation provided to me from a from a highly respected Alfa historian in the NSW AROCA. Its all has to do with the production sequence of panels and subsequent chassis assembly. Fire wall panels were produced in batches. These panels were formed and stamped with a seperate die punching out the next chassis number and the finished panels lined up with lowest chassis numbers at the back of the batch and most recent stamping at the front. When it came time to build the car, the fire wall panels with with higher chassis numbers were picked first and the panels with lowest numbers were used last. As the chassis move down the line and assembly takes place, the lowest numbered cars come off first and the later numbered cars come out last.
The factory records regarding manufacture dates are correct.
As for the black engine bay, I also suggest this is not Arese factory practice. Hence the car could be CKD chassis modified or re-sprayed later. 
I hope this is useful.
Cheers,
Ric.