Greetings all! Here is my recently acquired 73 105 GTV 2000 convertible :D

[Captain Slow]

Hello,

My name is Ben, I live near Wollongong NSW, and a few weeks ago I purchased a 1973 GTV 2000 that at sometime around the late 80's or early 90's was professionally converted to a drop head convertible.
I'm sure the end result is not for everyone, especially the purists, but the quality of the conversion looks good and it seems to handle well based from the limited amount i've driven it so far.

My last toy was a 74 mini clubman and I had no intention of selling, but once I clapped eyes on the alfa I knew I had to have it. Luckily the owner, a nice old chap with a long and very impressive history of vehicle restorations, was a patient fellow and held the car for me while I sold the mini.

The 105 had been on club rego for a few years, and had done maybe 500 klms in that time. I've since had a blue slip done and it's now got full registration.
Unfortunately on my first real outing one of the rear calipers started sticking so ive got them off at the moment to be re-kitted.

Overall the car is in pretty decent condition. Paintwork is good except for a small area near the boot where the paint has lifted from the body but hasn't broken.
Very minimal rust too (as far as I know) which is a relief.

The vinyl roof is a pretty hideous shape so I don't think i'll be using it. I'll probably get a new one made up, but the car isn't going to see any wet weather anyway so it's not a big issue.

Mechanically it seems pretty good. Plenty of power, idles well, if a bit low at 600 rpm.
The gearbox crunches into 2nd and 3rd, but i've gotten used to double clutching to avoid that, and it also pops out of reverse which i've read to be quite common along with the crunching.
Incidentally if anyone has a good or reco box for sale please let me know!

Sorry for the overly elaborate introduction. Without further delay, onto the PICTURES!

Thanks for looking
Ben

[Captain Slow]

More pics

[dehne]

car does look good, but yeah that roof needs a reno, hope you enjoy it

[Rigi]

Congratulations on the purchase.

Putting aside the roof, it really looks like a nice conversion and in good condition.

I'm sure you'll get lots of pleasure out of it ... what a unique and fun car it will be touring the Illawarra region.

Hope we will see you bring it along to some club runs .. pm sent

With regards to the gearbox, there are a number of businesses that support the club who could assist with this - check out the 'businesses' tab at www.alfaclubnsw.org.au

Is your preference to do a swap rather than have the existing one reconditioned .. could/would you want to do the removal/reinstall yourself?

[ItalCarGuy]

What would be cool is to make a removable hardtop out of a roof cut that you can put on during winter. Welcome anyway, hope you get that engine purring/growling soon!

[Captain Slow]

Thanks for all your comments so far. I'm glad the comments are positive and I'm not going to burned at the stake for some past owners actions lol

Regarding comments/questions:

I have been past durras lake but that's about it. I've never heard of pebbly beach I'm afraid. My work takes me down that way every night through some pretty nice places like huskisson and Erowal bay. Not that I get to see much at night mind you. I did take the mini down there recently for a day out and it was alot of fun. Looking forward to doing the same with the Alfa.

Re: gearbox.
I pretty much do all my own mechanical work and swapping out a gearbox isn't a problem at all.
I've done some looking into options regarding replacement or rebuilding the current box and fitting a good or reco one seems like it would probably be more cost effective and straight forward.
I wouldn't mind having a crack at rebuilding the current box as I've never done one before, but if the right box turns up and is good to go then that would be much easier as I said.

The wife and I would very much like to come along for some club runs. How often are they organized?

Re: the roof.

I've already considered the idea of a removable hard top and it appeals to me very much. I've got a friend who does fibre glassing and a glass one would be good too.
So if anyone has a rusty shell with a good roof I could be interested

Cheers
Ben

[tjb0274]

Another option for the roof might be to take some inspiration from the factory drop-head, the GTC model (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Series_Coup%C3%A9s#Giulia_Sprint_GTC_.281964.E2.80.931966.29). The soft top on those looks fairly reasonable, and the lines are similar.

[Captain Slow]

Ahh that's nice, I wasn't aware there were any convertibles in that shape body.
I'll have to see if I can find more pictures particularly with the top up.

From what I can see the way the roof operates is totally different to mine, but it's still very interesting. Thanks!

Ben

Another option for the roof might be to take some inspiration from the factory drop-head, the GTC model (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfa_Romeo_105/115_Series_Coup%C3%A9s#Giulia_Sprint_GTC_.281964.E2.80.931966.29). The soft top on those looks fairly reasonable, and the lines are similar.

[tjb0274]

I think there's a GTC in Melbourne - saw it at Spetaccolo last year. Maybe the owner would take some pics of the roof for you if you can't find any online.

[AlfaACT]

Hello Ben and welcome aboard.

Two musts for your calendar next year:
Auto Italia Canberra (AIC) - 15th April -  hope you can join us.
Spettacolo (Melbourne) in October or November (you have just missed this years event).

The 105 is the featured model for Alfa at AIC next year (the Giulia is up for its 50th), so it would be especially good if you could get along for that.

Wollongong is almost an outer suburb of the sprawling metropolis of Canberra  and as the Canberra Chapter are planning a trip out your way early next year, I hope we can entice you along.

Cheers,
Peter.

[Sheldon McIntosh]

I think there's a GTC in Melbourne - saw it at Spetaccolo last year. Maybe the owner would take some pics of the roof for you if you can't find any online.

There is definitely two in Melbourne.