Meet my new Alfa.

[jimnielsen]

Hi All.  I purchased this 1994 (December build) Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 in Tokyo, Japan.  It finally arrived yesterday!  The Q4 is a 2L Turbocharged 4WD car based on the normal Alfa 155 body, but using mechanicals developed by Lancia for the Delta Intergrale.  In standard trim the 155 Q4 produces 195 HP. It weighs 1450kgs - however I have an angle grinder.  Only 2704 155 Q4's were produced by Alfa Romeo between 1992 and 1996. The car is left hand drive.  I will only be using on the track, and am planning its maiden voyage for the September AROCA meeting at Phillip Island.

Should be fun!   

Here are the pictures...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/8634721@N05/851277192/

JimN

[Fast Eddie]

Good luck Jim,
glad i got to see it before anyone else did!  Looks great cleaned up. Pity i will probably not see it in action.

If anyone else wants to import a car into Oz, let me know...

[Scott Farquharson]

Let's turn it into a DTM car.....

[John Toomath]

Jim,

That looks like a really interesting base to work from.  I gather 155s were raced reasonably extensively, especially red ones  , so there are probably plenty of "essential" things you'll be able to throw at it.  I look forward to seeing it at Phillip Island.  The paint looks a bit heavy when compared to the Giulietta  .

Ed,

Since you mention importing cars, how about these two....

1)  If Brad won't give you the Sprint back,  then this looks pretty appealing....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Specialist-cars/Competition-cars/auction-109244348.htm

or

2)  Here's a potential Group S / 6 hour / track car, in the right colour

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Specialist-cars/Competition-cars/auction-109686770.htm?p=4

Approximately how much is it to get a car shipped trans-Tasman?

And yes,  I do qualify to join Sheldon for the Haka before the big duel at PI!

[Fast Eddie]

Both look cool.

you are looking at about A$ 4000 to import ex NZ depot to door including import GST, quarantine etc.

[alfagtv58]

Looks great Jim   Any chance of it coming along to Winton for a shakedown, before you take to it with the angle grinder??

How much work is that angle grinder going to get (ie. what weight are you aiming for)?  And will you be doing as much modification to this as your Giulietta etc etc......In other words what are your plans for it

[jimnielsen]

I was really just joking about the angle grinder, Phil!  I plan to do a number of things with it, but nothing is settled yet. Firstly I'll just run it bog-standard to get the feel for it and see what level of development I think would suit it best, how much that would cost and where I could get the parts and technology from.  Second, I am interested in looking at the engine in the car (perhaps in a non-turbo format however) for the Giulietta. I think that this engine would be more practical than further development on the 116 type engine.  I'm not planning on cannibalizing this actual car though for any parts even for my beloved custard car.  I'd love to take the car to Winton for the Alfa sprint - and for the private practice on the Friday, but I will be away for August, so I can't unfortunately! - jim ~

[Sheldon McIntosh]

Keep the angle grinder warmed up Jim.  From what I 've heard of these cars, they were very unreliable, purely because they weighed a bit more than the Lancia integrale they were based on, putting a lot more stress on all components.  Lovely car though, can't wait to see it.

I was actually looking at one of these about 6 months ago in NZ, at only $7000.

However I think this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105789171&key=717090 or this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=102717304&v=List may be even better deals.  Damn cheap for $10k landed in Oz, although could only ever be a track car. 

And don't even think about exporting interesting cars from NZ, I'm planning to go back some day, don't wanna be stuck with Aussie cars or an old Escort or Hillman.

Heard a funny joke the other day:-  It's funny how my first root and my first car were so similar.  They were both old Escorts.

[Evan Bottcher]

I'm going to banish the Sheldonator to the Lancia forums. 

[Scott Farquharson]

I'm going to banish the Sheldonator to the Lancia forums. 

For crimes against humanity...

[Scott Farquharson]

Found an engine for you.....http://www.racecarsdirect.com/viewlisting.php?view=10914

[jimnielsen]

Thanks Scott - I think that it would do nicely  - and umm only 20K AUD!  I am in Paris at the moment, so I can at least save on transpot costs - I wonder if it would fit im ny hand luggage?

[Fast Eddie]

i'll do you mates rates on the freight Jim, that way you only have to find the cash and not spoil your holiday 

[jimnielsen]

For 20K you apparently dont even get pistons. Maybe these new fangled european engines don't need them anymore?

[alfagtv58]

So Jim, where were you at Phillip Island??  I was looking forward to seeing the car (and you of course....)