1976 Alfetta GTAm Project

[Enforcer]

Sorry, just noticed you already have a shot of the tank...

[Cool Jesus]

Here's a few more pics from the tear down as Bill requested. I was initially avoiding removal of the carpet as I knew it wasn't going to be pretty in the front passanger footwell and A pillar. Turned out to be not so bad, there's just some cosmetic cancer at this stage, I think I may have lucked out in this regard. Front screen wasn't even sealed near the bottom left, amazing it wasn't worse.

[Cool Jesus]

Fuel tank and another shot of the SPICA

[Cool Jesus]

Here's the area of concern mentioned above

[Enforcer]

Wow, look who has been busy over the holidays!!

My car has the same mounts for the fuel tank for sure but has been converted back to standard tank at some point in time. Any idea of the tank capacity?

Regds

Bill

[aggie57]

That rust around the screen is pretty common on the cars. From that photo it does the floor does look like it has some serious issues though. What about the sills?

The boot plastic lining looks in pretty good nick which is good. It was only fitted to the early cars and gets hacked about more often than not. Or just thrown away. So while it is amusing it's also pretty rare to see in that sort of condition.

[Cool Jesus]

Going of the US owner's manual it should be 49 litres, which looks about right. I'll take some measurements and confirm this for you Bill. Thanks for the maths homework!

From what I've been seeing with other rebuilds, yeah the rust areas are as per any other Alfetta, which is why I was apprehensive at lifting the carpet and now stripping that area down further. Sills are good and soild if you can believe it. There's a spot on the left rear just off the trim sill thats worked its way through. There's also a spot under the left door handle, left tail light and lower panel, left rocker panel and the front panel under the area that allows for bonnet opening. Of course, this is only preliminary and I will no doubt find more as I strip to bare metal. Its otherwise fairly solid with a tap test. The panel beaters working at the shop think I've got rocks in my head for working on such an old car, and I laugh as they drive off in their jalopies. The owner, my mate, didn't seem too concerned with what he saw, so I'm quitely confident as to is structural integrity and repairability.

I figured the rear seat lining was a rare item as I've never come across it on the web.

[Cool Jesus]

Still striping down the chassis, getting closer to starting the rust removal. I've searched high and low for replacement Alfetta front floor pans. Does such an item exist? The passanger side is worse than the driver's side, but for consistency I'd like to weld in the same section on both sides. Any ideas? Best alternative I've found with ribbing, shape and drain holes is a Holden HQ panel which will require some minor shaping. Or does the monocoque chassis have some secrets I need to be aware of before I cut and weld the floor?

[Cool Jesus]

Ok, medical crisis overted with the mother in law, we now have back home safe.
Looking at a few options and thought I'd see how the poll function works on the forum.
1. Basically I'm going to be adding air conditioning to the GT, so the fresh air ducts will become redundant. This being the case, I was toying with the idea of sealing off the air vents on the scuttle which will add the benefit of reducing further rust issues. So the first poll I've added is to see what your thoughts are on this.
2. Secondly, I'm also tinkering on whether or not to remove the boot lock/button aswell. Was thinking of sealing it off and using an electronci locking mechanism which funtions off the Alfa Romeo bage, similar to the current models. So the second poll is on this option.

Of course I'd love to hear your thoughts on these ideas. As much as possible, I'm wanting to retain the vehicle as close to original as possible, but I'm wanting to add  some extra functionality at the same time. Looking forward to hearing your opinions.

[Fetta GTV]

Dont you still need the air coming in through the vent for the air con to work. Otherwise you will just be circulating the stale air in the cabin.
Just make sure that your drains are clear and you use a good rust proofing when rapairing the area.
Does not look quite right without the vents.
Removing the boot lock looks good.
Cheers
David

[Darryl]

First post on this thread that I've been lurking on - intersting car/story/nice work!

Ambivalent about the boot lock - losing ugly alfa romeo text is good though! Was this part of the "Am" (American's need big labels on things to know what they are?) - I don't remember my GT having it?

And so far as vents go - I think you need them functionally and I don't think removing them helps the aesthetics (if it was plastic GTV that would be different). I'm also not too sure that water from that side has anything to do with the rust - more of a problem is sealing and draining water properly around the screen than anyting to do with water via vents?

[Cool Jesus]

Should add that the photos aren't from the rebuild. Just a couple I found on the web that best illustrated the modifications.

The www, tells me that AC works best on recirculation. I'll also be using an aftermarket or more current style of vehicle AC system as the 70's style doesn't seem to rate well with users. Regarding the fresh air, if someone did cut the cheese in the car and you didn't want to suffer the continued agony, there's always the front quarters that could be cracked open?... actually how do they go open (even just a bit) when its raining outside?

[Darryl]

The aircon works best on recirc if the air in the car is already colder than the air outside. It is except when you start the car after its been parked in the sun...

[Craig Sinclair]

My2cents worth CJ (and having 3GT's in the shed), I wouldn't consider messing with the aesthetics of such a significant car. Do it original and do it right! This is a restoration, not a hot-rod project? I think the scuttle vents are one of the endearing features of the earlier models, lost with the plastic on later versions. I only wish I had your enthusiasm to start the process on one of mine! Watching with interest, cheers, Craig.

[Cool Jesus]

I know, I know. I'm having to really try and hold myself back sometimes. I guess I'm just after reassurance that I'm going down the right track on the restoration with a concourse judging sheet nearby ticking and flicking the points I'd be relegating... So I guess scissor doors are out of the question too!