Looking into this car, does anyone know of it?

[blairyc]

Hi all,

Still not part of the Alfa club yet but considering this car, it's been on carsales for a while (ive had my eye on it for a while) which makes me unsure of it but it looks in good condition. I've emailed the owner today to see if it's still for sale.

But I was wondering if anyone in the community had ever seen it or knew anything about this specific car??

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/details/alfa-romeo-alfetta-1985-11560023?vertical=Car&cr=14&eapi=2&__N=1216%201246%201247%201252%201282%204294967249%20898&distance=25&silo=Stock&Range=Price:Min,10000~1&sort=default

Thanks

[twistybits]

How did you go with this car?
Don't be put off by the fact that it has been on the market for a while, the market is flat and there are plenty of great cars that sit around for along time looking for a new home.
Sorry i can't say I know anything about this car but it certainly looks very nice.
Get on the blower and check it out.
Good luck!

[blairyc]

Phoning the guy tonight about it actually. I have seen another car I quite like too (a 89 Toyota supra) which isn't anywhere near as cool. But it does have a certain something about it, and I imagine parts would be a fair sight easier to come by and cheaper.

Do you guys find it difficult to get parts for these GTV's? I guess body parts would be sore to buy but what about the mechanical bits and bobs?

I've found a garage I can rent to keep it dry if I did decided to go for it as I was concerned about it rusting too.

[blairyc]

Spoke to the guy tonight. He had the engine rebuilt cause it failed, i'm guessing the timing belt broke (or whatever it has as an equivalent) as he described something pinging off. Its largely the same parts, block, pistons, crank etc. He has all the recipts etc for the work. The place that did the rebuild has apparently closed up shop in Sydney and moved to Queensland,  Queensland is where the car originated from. Theres a little rust, a couple of tiny spots on the sun roof panel and some by the drivers side rear light cluster.

Are small patches of rust easy to take care off on these Alfas? I'm thinking especially about the paint that would go back over it. I wouldn't have the knowledge to do it myself so is there someone in Sydney who would be able to do that, that anyone can recommend?

The guys said that he 'dropped' in a 75 gearbox and LSD as it slotted straight in, does that sound about right? are they compatable parts for the GTV?

Can anyone recommend a company to do a mechanical insection on the car? i'd prefer someone with a Knowledge of Alfas rather than a regular mechanic.

Any thoughts would be welcome..

[Al Campbell]

Yes the 75 gearbox and LSD do more or less go straight in. The LSD is a very desirable change.   I notice the advert also says it's got a modern air-con compressor. Another good change if you expect the system to produce any cold air as the originals were next to useless. Still don't expect the a/c to be great though. Rust sounds o.k., but an ALFA of this era without more rust would be a rare beast indeed.  Wheel arches can be easily be spotted. A-pillars are also rust prone and feed down into the front jacking points.  That's one of the things you want an ALFA mechanic to check out.  Perhaps one of the NSW guys can suggest one (I'm in Melbourne). Go to the "businesses" page on the NSW site:

http://www.alfaclubnsw.org.au/

There are ALFA mechanics around and that's who you want to go to. Any of the recommended businesses will know exactly what to look at. If none of the NSW guys suggest anyone, just hunt around these two sites, you'll find the right mechanics mentioned.

Parts supply? Varies, some things are getting rare, like steering column switches. If you hunt around the websites you'll see some of the guys are getting parts from USA and sometimes the U.K. for competitive prices. It looks like in the ad that the fuel cap is missing or "wrong" – you'll be able to get another one, or one off a 75 will fit, but look different and the lock won't work. It's not a Corolla, so you can't get bits that easily but if you want an ALFA, I wouldn't let parts hold you back.

ALFA ownership? It's not a Corolla, so it will cost you more. It will frustrate you. Sometimes it won't work. But when it does you'll be a happy little vegemite. I've lost count of how many times I've driven right past my house 'cause I don't want to stop driving my GTV6 yet. Put the windows down, find a road with curves and enjoy...  find that nice quiet bit of country road with no one around and rev the engine up to where it was made to go and find out why some say this is one of the best V6s ever made.

Or – don't be a fool, be sensible, save your money and buy a good, cheap, reliable Japanese car.

Good luck
AL.

[Bob Morey]

If you want a good Alfa guy in Sydney try Robbie at Manning Motors.

[massiveluvbuddy67]

+1 for Manning Motors.