Introduction - My 105

[Polyal]

Hello all,

I am here to say hello and hopefully learn alot about 105's and Alfa's in general.

I am a pretty steadfast Ford fan, have owned Falcons all my life and will continue to do so but I also love classic cars and I have finally found something that tickled my fancy. I did a small amount of research before buying and I am ready to tackle this car head on. First for the reason I am here...

So pics....I havent had time to wash it or even get it out of the garage since Saturday, hopefully today or tomorrow ill get a chance.

















Its not ball tearer (yet) but it doesnt mind hanging the back end out, Ive only had a short drive as its not rego'd yet (test drive on temp reg)...but for a car thats been sitting in a shed for 10 years it starts first go and there are no obvious signs of engine issues. Synco on 2nd needs attention, but ill rebuild the whole gear box anyway.

Plan is to get it on the road by mid next year after a mechanical overhaul, then the year after strip it and get the paint and panel right.

Ill keep it mostly original, with exception to brakes, suspension and engine tickle.

Im not knew to forums but this is my first non Ford..so if the site crashes over the next week or so then I am sorry, ill be punishing the "search" function.

Cheers

[Polyal]

Ah obviously its a 1974 2000 GTV...Le Mans blue I believe, I love the colour.

The first part I need to hunt down is an original radio, as it has some 80's CD player and it looks rubbish.

[Evan Bottcher]

Welcome!  Pretty close to Ford Blue, no?

Don't bother with the search function on here, it's crap.  I suggest go to google type your query and then add "site:alfaclubvic.org.au" and you'll get decent results.

E.g. http://www.google.com.au/?q=rusty+nuts+site:alfaclubvic.org.au

Nice car.  Looks a bit mean under the rear side windows, a very common place for these cars to rust.

[Polyal]

Thankyou, yes its Ford blue enough for me.

Well actually I will just sit with a beer and go through the 20 odd pages of threads and see what relates to me at the moment, cant hurt. I intend of doing a bit of research before starting anything to big.

As for the the rust...is that really overly bad? I was looking at buying a 70's Falcon project and some of those rust in a big way aswell, but nothing that cant be fixed.

I have mentally budgeted for the rust removal by a professional, although I dont know what kind of $$ to expect, I believe this will be the most costly part of the resto. Who knows, famous last words perhaps.

[Craig_m67]

I believe the radio was dealer, not factory fit.
So any period or funky retro version will do - whatever floats your boat really

Love the colour. Lots of good info and helpfull people to be found here and on the net (AlfaBB)
Welcome

[Evan Bottcher]

As for the the rust...is that really overly bad?

Agreed it's not especially difficult to fix really - I just think it can be surprising how bad it is under those shiny window trims.  Mine looked pretty similar until the trim was off, revealing this:


..but all fixed now.

As Craig said make sure you check out the GT forum on www.alfabb.com.  Lots of good stuff on there, although sometimes a little US-centric.

Which state are you in?

[pancho]

Welcome!

So last weeks ebay Lemans blue GTV surfaces! I was VERY close to pulling the trigger on this car for a friend. VERY close. But he decided at the last minute to wait as he didnt have the time to inspect it. Good work!

To me it looks like after a good clean it will come out looking great.

[Polyal]

As for the the rust...is that really overly bad?

Agreed it's not especially difficult to fix really - I just think it can be surprising how bad it is under those shiny window trims.  Mine looked pretty similar until the trim was off, revealing this:

..but all fixed now.

As Craig said make sure you check out the GT forum on www.alfabb.com.  Lots of good stuff on there, although sometimes a little US-centric.

Which state are you in?

Yeah if mine is like that then I will be happy, I really dont want to be seeing holes!

Did you fix it up yourself or take it to a professional? Im in Victoria, out near Calder Park.

[Polyal]

Welcome!

So last weeks ebay Lemans blue GTV surfaces! I was VERY close to pulling the trigger on this car for a friend. VERY close. But he decided at the last minute to wait as he didnt have the time to inspect it. Good work!

To me it looks like after a good clean it will come out looking great.

Hey Pancho, yes its the same car. You know I was just trawling ebay as I do looking at older cars and saw the price, inquired and the story was almost to good to be true (we will see when body work starts I guess).

Apparently it has been in storage out in bendigo for the past 10 years. Its last service was in 1999 but it still starts first go and once it was warm we gave it a bootful and there was no hesitation or strange ticking etc...that was my main worry.

I also say that "London to Sydney" rally 105 that interest me, but id rather something more street orientated for now.

Im disappointed about the CD player, does that mean the dash was cut for it? Grr if so. Maybe I need a lap counter in there or something..hehe

[Evan Bottcher]

Did you fix it up yourself or take it to a professional?

The bodywork on my car was done by Sam at Sam's Panels.  The car is still just in fresh paint, completely bare and ready for reassembly - long way to go.  But it's not necessary to go near as far as I've gone (or Pancho is going btw).  I think it's much wiser to get the car running well and drive it for a bit before tackling the bodywork if you can.

I highly recommend joining the Alfa Owners Club (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/content/view/15/28/) you get a bi-monthly magazine of interesting articles, listings of club sponsors and lots of technical nights and drive days.  The 105 register is pretty active with a couple of technical nights each year and organises a couple of runs.  There's also a new members night coming up sometime early next year to meet some Alfa nuts and talk about your project.

Regarding the dash - you can source new timbers for reasonable $$ and they'll cover up the hole if you'd prefer.  I've done this on my dash (photos here).  If I fit a stereo it'll be a small ipod amp hiding in the glovebox.

Your car looks great.  There's a similar blue 2-litre that occasionally visits Maranello Pur Sang - I love that colour.

[pancho]

What are you trying to label me as Mr.Botcher ? some kind of nut case ? ok so maybe I am - but shhhhhh.

[Polyal]

Evan, Ill have to pop into Sams some stage next year, once I get it on the road. I dont think that is going to be too hard, although the horn is not working and I hate electrical issues...fun and games.

Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.

Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?

I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.

I wont be able to do much over the next two months as I am being posted to QLD, so during that time I will read as much as I can and perhaps buy some books etc

[Joe Garra]

Maranello Pur-Sang, Colebrook St, Brunswick are reasonably priced and know their stuff.

[Davidm1600]

From my experience, the 105 motor will work perfectly fine on 95 or alternatively 98 ron, I always add Flashlube, though in truth not even sure you really need to. I just wouldn't use the 91 fuels.

Evan, Ill have to pop into Sams some stage next year, once I get it on the road. I dont think that is going to be too hard, although the horn is not working and I hate electrical issues...fun and games.

Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.

Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?

I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.

I wont be able to do much over the next two months as I am being posted to QLD, so during that time I will read as much as I can and perhaps buy some books etc

[Sheldon McIntosh]

The car looks pretty good, hope you have fun with it.  As a Falcon fan, you'll be amazed how much fun these cars are, especially in the twisties.  They were very advanced for their time (slightly better than a 1974 Falcon anyway), and can still provide lots of amusement. 

I hate electrical issues...fun and games.

But you still bought an Alfa?  Hehe   

Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.

Again, Maranello Pur Sang in Brunswick, they know everything there is to know about these cars, and only a short trip down the Calder.

Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?

Bruno or Giancarlo or John at Maranello Pur Sang will confirm, but I'm pretty sure the twin cam doesn't need any additive.

I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.

I think from hereon in, it would be hard to lose money on a 105, at worst they'll hold their value for a few years, and they'll inevitably go up in value.

Join the club.  For a small investment it will save you lots of money, both in excellent advice (especially if you want to upgrade brakes, suspension, and engine) and in those rare parts that only get exchanged amongst club-members.