First Alfa - Giuseppe's Broom/GTV 3.0 Lusso
Discussion
Bit of a long story so bear with me but twists of fate are always quite interesting - to me at least - so let's go back to summer this year.
My Forester was getting a bit too much for long 4 hour round trips to the office so I thought it was time to sell it on. A quick eBay auction and a very happy Drivetribe editor (hello, Lewis) later I set out to find a more comfortable replacement. After waving her off I started the usual searches on PH and Autotrader and saw a very familiar car - a VW R32 that I sold in 2012. Barely any more miles on it and just one more owner. A 4 hour train to Cardiff and a full service later it's been like putting on an old shoe.
This week, after reading this article on PH about a MK2 GTI I thought I'd have a look at the classified and see what they're going for. Staring back at me was a very familiar car once again... a MK2 GTI 16v I owned between 2006 and 2008, again with an insignificant amount of miles on it and one very current owner. Four hours down to Weston-Super-Mare awaited in the morning and I was all set to pick her up...for double what I sold it for, but hey
And then I got another alert from Autotrader...
In my village there is a GTV that I've always lusted after. I've never really been bothered by Alfas in general but this really looked the part to me and knowing the demographic around here it'll be leading a pretty relaxed life. I've been tempted for years to knock on the door and see if I could have first refusal but never had the balls to do it - felt a bit stalkerish. Anyway, as you can probably guess, the car came up for a pretty good price and the listing also showed it had a few nice extras on it as well and a good thick book of history. A call at 8pm arranged a sit down for 1030 the following morning. I genuinely did a little skip and fist pump I was that excited. I don't think I've ever done that for a car before. I don't think I've done that since I got Megatron from Christmas back in 1986.
After 3 hours looking around and taking it to their garage for a chat and inspection I found that it was in very good condition but did need a few things - one being a first service for 24 months. The oil didn't look bad at all so the fluid quality should at least be ok until I get it in for a service. More on that and the list of to-do's shortly but here's the photo from the seller:
Positives
Negatives
To do list
I'll get some photos up next week once I've sorted the insurance out but it was considerably cheaper than the MK2 GTI I was going to pick up so overall I'm pretty happy with it.
More to come.
David
My Forester was getting a bit too much for long 4 hour round trips to the office so I thought it was time to sell it on. A quick eBay auction and a very happy Drivetribe editor (hello, Lewis) later I set out to find a more comfortable replacement. After waving her off I started the usual searches on PH and Autotrader and saw a very familiar car - a VW R32 that I sold in 2012. Barely any more miles on it and just one more owner. A 4 hour train to Cardiff and a full service later it's been like putting on an old shoe.
This week, after reading this article on PH about a MK2 GTI I thought I'd have a look at the classified and see what they're going for. Staring back at me was a very familiar car once again... a MK2 GTI 16v I owned between 2006 and 2008, again with an insignificant amount of miles on it and one very current owner. Four hours down to Weston-Super-Mare awaited in the morning and I was all set to pick her up...for double what I sold it for, but hey
And then I got another alert from Autotrader...
In my village there is a GTV that I've always lusted after. I've never really been bothered by Alfas in general but this really looked the part to me and knowing the demographic around here it'll be leading a pretty relaxed life. I've been tempted for years to knock on the door and see if I could have first refusal but never had the balls to do it - felt a bit stalkerish. Anyway, as you can probably guess, the car came up for a pretty good price and the listing also showed it had a few nice extras on it as well and a good thick book of history. A call at 8pm arranged a sit down for 1030 the following morning. I genuinely did a little skip and fist pump I was that excited. I don't think I've ever done that for a car before. I don't think I've done that since I got Megatron from Christmas back in 1986.
After 3 hours looking around and taking it to their garage for a chat and inspection I found that it was in very good condition but did need a few things - one being a first service for 24 months. The oil didn't look bad at all so the fluid quality should at least be ok until I get it in for a service. More on that and the list of to-do's shortly but here's the photo from the seller:
Positives
- Overall very good condition with only a few stone chips on the front and minor parking dings
- Started first time at a freezing temperature
- Almost everything works** (see negatives)
- No knocking from anywhere
- Engine pulls very well and has no rattles or worrisome noises
- Gearbox and clutch seem faultless
- No wobble from the steering up to legal speeds (probably beyond too
) - BMC CDA induction kit sounds superb
- Genuine BBS CH wheels with Alfa caps
- Avon tyres seem good and have lots of tread
- 4-pot Brembo front brakes are a nice upgrade
- Service history is huge and detailed
- Black leather Interior has no marks
- Garage they had working on it was very knowledgeable and gave me good advice and a once over that morning
- Headunit has been changed for a DAB one and new speakers already installed
- It looks the balledsocks (in my eyes)
- All electrics work
- Got a good amount of money off it
Negatives
- No regular service since late 2015 was annoying but isn't a show stopper
- Badges front and back need replacing
- Drivers mat has a pin lock missing
- Clutch is too high for my liking but has no slippage. Assume it can be adjusted.
- Small amount of surface rust underneath in a couple of places
- Driver's window regulator is dead** (getting power though, just seized up)
- BBS wheels need a good refurb
- Exhaust is a rusted mess and needs replacing with a lovely noisy one (guess this is a positive!)
- Engine temperature seems to go up and down when driving, stopping etc although I'm told this is pretty normal but worth noting for the service
- Service is probably going to have to be a full one plus belts and plugs so not a cheap start
- Needs a professional detail inside and out even just to find all the leaves!
To do list
- New mats
- Front & rear badges
- Pistonheads badge
- Rust treatment & underseal
- Thorough detail plus engine
- Ragazzon exhaust plus hangers
- Swap carbon intake filter
- Fix bent jacking points
- Full service plus belts & plugs (FFS)
- 4 wheel alignment
- New Brembo stickers
- Replace window regulator
- Odd squeak on full lock right
- Change all bushes
- Refurb BBS wheels
- New BT headunit (period look)
- Respray
- Swap whatever else falls off or breaks
I'll get some photos up next week once I've sorted the insurance out but it was considerably cheaper than the MK2 GTI I was going to pick up so overall I'm pretty happy with it.
More to come.
David
Edited by Ved on Sunday 26th November 10:34
Very nice.
I had a very similar GTV, it had a few niggles including the front window problem but it was a very enjoyable car. I had the Ragazzon rear section with no silencers but kept the standard centre section, it sounded fantastic without being too boomy, I also fitted Bilstien shocks which massively improved the handling and ride.
I had a very similar GTV, it had a few niggles including the front window problem but it was a very enjoyable car. I had the Ragazzon rear section with no silencers but kept the standard centre section, it sounded fantastic without being too boomy, I also fitted Bilstien shocks which massively improved the handling and ride.
Very nice, normally Alfas have nice wheels but those bbs wheels really suit it. Regarding the temp gauge, on busso alfas they normally give the real temp readout rather than round it off around the 90 mark, but its worth checking the thermostat is working ok. Get a pic of the engine bay up!
That's a nice looking GTV.
IMHO, the Ragazzon exhaust isn't worth the extra over similar systems available that can be built to suit in terms of noise. When I had my GTV V6, mine already had the one box deleted (there are 3 I think originally) & I went to MIJ in Walsall who made me a single rear box catback system. The noise was beautiful & it quietly burbled on tick over & roared when it was driven spiritedly.
I note someone's already done some engine bay updating by painting the one cover, I did the V6 section as well with crackle red paint Alabama a Ferrari engine. You can now get replacement header tanks as well I think & it's definitely worth having the suspension alignment checked/set.
My GTV was referred to as the happy car as it made me smile a lot & also appreciative road users. The Alfa Forum is your friend for knowledge /repairs etc. though be prepared that some parts are no longer available & hence replacements might be secondhand (the benefits of a classic car!)
IMHO, the Ragazzon exhaust isn't worth the extra over similar systems available that can be built to suit in terms of noise. When I had my GTV V6, mine already had the one box deleted (there are 3 I think originally) & I went to MIJ in Walsall who made me a single rear box catback system. The noise was beautiful & it quietly burbled on tick over & roared when it was driven spiritedly.
I note someone's already done some engine bay updating by painting the one cover, I did the V6 section as well with crackle red paint Alabama a Ferrari engine. You can now get replacement header tanks as well I think & it's definitely worth having the suspension alignment checked/set.
My GTV was referred to as the happy car as it made me smile a lot & also appreciative road users. The Alfa Forum is your friend for knowledge /repairs etc. though be prepared that some parts are no longer available & hence replacements might be secondhand (the benefits of a classic car!)
Ved said:
Great advice, thank you. Coolant leak is from the pipe coming from the water pump but that and the belts are due anyway.
Any of you used Autolusso before?
I've used them and recommend them. Alfa Workshop in Royston are also very good. I had a busso engined GTV very similar to yours for over 8 years so shout if you have any questions.Any of you used Autolusso before?
Edited by Ved on Sunday 26th November 15:00
Don't leave the coolant leak; head gaskets are a weak spot and cripplingly expensive to fix!
Autolusso do a health check and won't pressure you into doing anything that isn't needed. I'd take it there and let them give you a priority list of jobs.
Rewe said:
Ved said:
Great advice, thank you. Coolant leak is from the pipe coming from the water pump but that and the belts are due anyway.
Any of you used Autolusso before?
I've used them and recommend them. Alfa Workshop in Royston are also very good. I had a busso engined GTV very similar to yours for over 8 years so shout if you have any questions.Any of you used Autolusso before?
Edited by Ved on Sunday 26th November 15:00
Don't leave the coolant leak; head gaskets are a weak spot and cripplingly expensive to fix!
Autolusso do a health check and won't pressure you into doing anything that isn't needed. I'd take it there and let them give you a priority list of jobs.
Check the rear lower suspension arms, where the spring seat is located. They rust from the inside out and you can't buy new ones easily, no one seems to stock them and if you do find some in stock they are silly money. If you catch them in time you can save them with a bit of welding, assuming there is anything left to weld to! Sometimes they pop up on ebay, if you spot them get a pair for spares. Mines's a 2.0 TS Spider an it's fantastically easy to work on. You can't adjust the clutch so it will probably need changing. Great car BTW.
Ved said:
Good call, thank you. Regarding the arms do you mean these?
I was just about today they're "Spring pans", though you beat me to it. Also, prepare yourself for the cost of replacement badges etc. Your preferred Alfa specialist will be a font of useful knowledge. BTW, if you're using the car as a daily driver (which I think you're implying you will), you might want to at the earliest opportunity upgrade the headlight bulbs to HID plug in units (the ones with a small transformer) as they're pitiful/dangerous on dipped beam in original spec. I found when I drove mine in the dark for the first time coming back from LM24 a few years ago. A 5000k system should see you right on dipped head lights
Yes, spring pans. The ones in your link are probably held together with hammerite. These look better https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Alfa-Romeo-Typ-916-Spid...
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