Our very own "barn find"...

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks all for replying - sometimes I follow up offline and forget to post a thankyou even just for encouraging words or advice.  Much appreciated.

cheers,
Evan.

[Evan Bottcher]

Received the first shipment of panel repair sections from Classic Alfa in the UK. 
http://alfa.bottch.com/2011/01/1750-gtv-%E2%80%93-january-2011-8/

[Evan Bottcher]

Remove any old sealing compound before going over it with fine steel wool (I use 0000).

Dumb question - where does one find steel wool graded e.g. 00 or 0000 these days?  Bunnings?

[Davidm1600]

Hi Evan, the panels look good and for sure will make a huge difference to your GTV's restoration.

Re: where to get steel wool, for sure both Bunnings and Mitre 10 stock such grades, albeit that 0000 can be a little difficult to get in larger quantities.  A real pain in the arse, given I use this liberally when french polishing/restoring antiques.

[vin sharp]

Evan, re the bootlid badge; I've had three Series 1.0 1750s over the years, all with no recess for the badge. The badge just sits on the surface, located by its two prong holes. The first car was only 8 years old and definitely had its original bootlid as attached on the production line, as I was the one to undo the virgin bolts to remove it. Both the others also had matching original paint etc, so no reason to suspect ever being changed. These were all early cars with crossover air filter, not the Series 1.5 with the later barrel type on the carbs and firewall coil mount.
I would suspect that as time progressed and recessed badge bootlids came on stream, whatever lid was next in the parts bin was used....
Never seen the door handle gaskets on them either, but I do hate the thought of the metal handle biting into and through the new paint!
Vin.

[Evan Bottcher]

Thanks Vin,

"Series 1.5" is a new one on me - ours has the barrel air cleaner (not cross-over) and the bracket on the firewall for the coil, so I guess it is a 1.5 as you say.  I ended up buying a new reproduction boot lid with no badge recess (shown in attachment - covered in vegemite it seems, or seeing as it came from England I guess it's marmite).

cheers,
Evan.

[Evan Bottcher]

In a sorting mood.  Hundreds of zip lock bags with fasteners and small bits.  Getting all the shiny bits together to be re-chromed and polished as required.  Bloody hot in the garage tonight...

[Evan Bottcher]

These headlamp grilles are kind of cool, but I'm unlikely to put them back on.  Of interest to anybody?

[alfagtv100 (Biggus)]

Hey mate.
I am interested in them.
Cheers,
Marco.

[Evan Bottcher]

Steering wheel plastic centre – I bought this replacement centre badge a while back from Mt Carmel Spares.  It's definitely not an exact replica, not quite as thick.  Should be fine though.  Can I polish out the scratches in the plastic somehow?

[cjheath]

Can I polish out the scratches in the plastic somehow?

I think that's most unlikely. It looks like crazing, surface cracking penetrating into the plastic.

[Evan Bottcher]

Some minor bits done - car is going to go to the sandblasters to clean up the engine bay and a couple of other spots.  There were some non-standard holes in the RH inner guard – three for an aftermarket horn bracket, the other four I'm not sure.  They're now filled.  The battery tray removed, and the expected holes in the chassis rail welded up.

[Evan Bottcher]

Last couple of panels from Classic Alfa.  The boot floor on mine would need quite a few patches made, so went for fresh metal.

[Evan Bottcher]

Received another box of small parts from Classic Alfa in the UK.  New door handles and rear window latches are very pretty indeed.

http://alfa.bottch.com/2011/02/new-bits-9/

[Evan Bottcher]

Also received some fantastic NOS and used parts thanks to Robert Panetta at Manning Motors (Sydney).  Rob is clearly a first class hoarder.  NOS Carello front indicator lenses and reverse light lens.  NOS LH front indicator assembly.  NOS inner and outer headlamps correct Carello for the mk1 1750 GTV.  Those are all going to look fantastic.

http://alfa.bottch.com/2011/02/new-and-old-bits-10/

I find the NOS stuff so nice, can't quite describe why.  The indicator lenses are in original unopened bags.