Advice needed for buying a Giulia
Discussion
Over the years I've harboured this strange and somewhat perverse desire to own either an old Lancia or Alfa and after much soul searching have come to the conclusion that a 1970(s) Alfa Giulia 2000 GTV is the car for me. In an effort to disuade me, my wife has promised divorce and theft of my Cooper S. So far this has had no effect on me and the desire remains. I hope to be buying sometime next spring/summer.
So the questions are..
How much should I look to spend?
Does anyone have one in the Thames Valley / London area that I could have a go in?
What should I look out for?
Where I do need to look to get one?
Who are the specialists that can help me with this?
Is it a suitable day to day car?
What are the running costs like?
What problems can I expect?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
So the questions are..
How much should I look to spend?
Does anyone have one in the Thames Valley / London area that I could have a go in?
What should I look out for?
Where I do need to look to get one?
Who are the specialists that can help me with this?
Is it a suitable day to day car?
What are the running costs like?
What problems can I expect?
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Cool cars.
I got my 1750 from Gran Turismo Engineering and Simon there was excellent and very helpful. He was based in Richmond but I think he's moved a bit out of London now:
Contact Simon Whiting at Gran Turismo Engineering 07860 538437 / 01435 813101
Classic Alfa are in Dulwich. They are parts specialists but advertise cars on their website:
http://www.classicalfa.com/cars.htm
As do Alfaholics:
http://www.alfaholics.com/cars_for_sale_menu
Veloce Sport is not very handy for you but very enthusiastic!
http://www.velocesport.com/mainsales.htm
AROC Classifieds are here:
http://www.aroc-uk.com/classifieds/index.asp
The 2000 is not as pretty as the early cars but is probably the best choice for everyday use. It's gotmore modern some ventilation, most power and a LSD as standard. It does however have a pain in the arse double servo brake system....
Bodywork is obviously the main worry. Have a good poke about. Check the jacking points (two small box sections under each sill) are present and strong. Check the sills themselves as best you can. Front crossmember beneath the radiator supports the front anti roll bar so check round there too. Ask for any previous restoration work receipts.
Engines are pretty strong and run on unleaded fine - ideally super for the octane or else retard the timing a bit. Check there's no sign of leaks from the head gasket.
Transmissions are pretty good. All are 5 speed. Second gear can get a bit crunchy if it's synchro is tired and sometimes reverse needs some TLC. The prop centre mount can rumble a bit if it's worn.
Can't think of much else really over and above buying any used car. Join the AROC. They have an excellent forum for technical help. Buy this book...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Romeo-Giulia-Coupe-Essenti...
Remember any car registered up to the end of 1972 is road tax free and some 2000 GTVs do just scrape into this.
Happy hunting! These are great cars, beautiful to look at and lovely to drive!
I got my 1750 from Gran Turismo Engineering and Simon there was excellent and very helpful. He was based in Richmond but I think he's moved a bit out of London now:
Contact Simon Whiting at Gran Turismo Engineering 07860 538437 / 01435 813101
Classic Alfa are in Dulwich. They are parts specialists but advertise cars on their website:
http://www.classicalfa.com/cars.htm
As do Alfaholics:
http://www.alfaholics.com/cars_for_sale_menu
Veloce Sport is not very handy for you but very enthusiastic!
http://www.velocesport.com/mainsales.htm
AROC Classifieds are here:
http://www.aroc-uk.com/classifieds/index.asp
The 2000 is not as pretty as the early cars but is probably the best choice for everyday use. It's got
Bodywork is obviously the main worry. Have a good poke about. Check the jacking points (two small box sections under each sill) are present and strong. Check the sills themselves as best you can. Front crossmember beneath the radiator supports the front anti roll bar so check round there too. Ask for any previous restoration work receipts.
Engines are pretty strong and run on unleaded fine - ideally super for the octane or else retard the timing a bit. Check there's no sign of leaks from the head gasket.
Transmissions are pretty good. All are 5 speed. Second gear can get a bit crunchy if it's synchro is tired and sometimes reverse needs some TLC. The prop centre mount can rumble a bit if it's worn.
Can't think of much else really over and above buying any used car. Join the AROC. They have an excellent forum for technical help. Buy this book...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Romeo-Giulia-Coupe-Essenti...
Remember any car registered up to the end of 1972 is road tax free and some 2000 GTVs do just scrape into this.
Happy hunting! These are great cars, beautiful to look at and lovely to drive!
I have a 1967 GTV which you are welcome to come out for a ride in to see if you like (I live in West Sussex). It will also be going up for sale shortly.
The tips are very valid. Also check the floors and boot and make sure that the brakes work. The earlier step nose cars are a lot more collectable partly as many are converted to GTA replicas. All panels are available in steel, aluminium or fibreglass and as such shouldnt be a huge concern. Check panel fit though as a poorly restored car can be worse than an unrestored. Try and find a car that is driven regularly rather than sat around in a damp garage doing nothing all year.
The ventilation is fairly poor and the electrics well they are italian.
With all the negatives these are still wonderful cars that both very pretty and a delight to drive.
Cheers
Jim
The tips are very valid. Also check the floors and boot and make sure that the brakes work. The earlier step nose cars are a lot more collectable partly as many are converted to GTA replicas. All panels are available in steel, aluminium or fibreglass and as such shouldnt be a huge concern. Check panel fit though as a poorly restored car can be worse than an unrestored. Try and find a car that is driven regularly rather than sat around in a damp garage doing nothing all year.
The ventilation is fairly poor and the electrics well they are italian.
With all the negatives these are still wonderful cars that both very pretty and a delight to drive.
Cheers
Jim
Edited by jimgiblett on Thursday 11th October 11:47
jimgiblett said:
I have a 1967 GTV which you are welcome to come out for a ride in to see if you like (I live in West Sussex). It will also be going up for sale shortly.
The tips are very valid. Also check the floors and boot and make sure that the brakes work. The earlier step nose cars are a lot more collectable partly as many are converted to GTA replicas. All panels are available in steel, aluminium or fibreglass and as such shouldnt be a huge concern. Check panel fit though as a poorly restored car can be worse than an unrestored. Try and find a car that is driven regularly rather than sat around in a damp garage doing nothing all year.
The ventilation is fairly poor and the electrics well they are italian.
With all the negatives these are still wonderful cars that both very pretty and a delight to drive.
Cheers
Jim
I knew I should not have read this thread...do you have pic's of your gtv?The tips are very valid. Also check the floors and boot and make sure that the brakes work. The earlier step nose cars are a lot more collectable partly as many are converted to GTA replicas. All panels are available in steel, aluminium or fibreglass and as such shouldnt be a huge concern. Check panel fit though as a poorly restored car can be worse than an unrestored. Try and find a car that is driven regularly rather than sat around in a damp garage doing nothing all year.
The ventilation is fairly poor and the electrics well they are italian.
With all the negatives these are still wonderful cars that both very pretty and a delight to drive.
Cheers
Jim
Edited by jimgiblett on Thursday 11th October 11:47
Henk
Hi Henk and others. Some pics of my GTV that will shortly be going up for sale 
http://www.freewebs.com/automondial/my1967alfagtv....
The car was subject to a full ground up restoration in 1994 and since when has led a cosseted life. Fully rebuilt 2.0ltr Lombarda engine only just run in. Not a concours car but a solid usable classic. Keep as is or build your own GTA replica.
Cheers
Jim
http://www.freewebs.com/automondial/my1967alfagtv....
The car was subject to a full ground up restoration in 1994 and since when has led a cosseted life. Fully rebuilt 2.0ltr Lombarda engine only just run in. Not a concours car but a solid usable classic. Keep as is or build your own GTA replica.
Cheers
Jim
Wombat Rick said:
If you want to pop into Donington tomorrow it's the AROC Trackday and there will be plenty of 105 Coupes there. If you've got a helmet I'm sure you'll be able to bag a ride!
. Missed your post as I've been busy sorting out the fact that my Mini was stolen a couple of days ago. Would have loved to have gone along to Donni to see that!eta..
Thanks for all the advice. The book has been bought and digested. Those links are just what I need to get this moving. Assuming that I'm mobile before then I'll be heading up to the NEC for the Classic Car show to see what's on offer and have a chat with AROC.
jimgiblett said:
Hi Henk and others. Some pics of my GTV that will shortly be going up for sale
http://www.freewebs.com/automondial/my1967alfagtv....
The car was subject to a full ground up restoration in 1994 and since when has led a cosseted life. Fully rebuilt 2.0ltr Lombarda engine only just run in. Not a concours car but a solid usable classic. Keep as is or build your own GTA replica.
Cheers
Jim
Circumstances have meant that I am now in the market for a replacement for the stolen Mini. If you do happen to put your car up for sale could you let me know as I'm now very very interested. oh. BTW. Lovely looking car and just what I'm after too. http://www.freewebs.com/automondial/my1967alfagtv....
The car was subject to a full ground up restoration in 1994 and since when has led a cosseted life. Fully rebuilt 2.0ltr Lombarda engine only just run in. Not a concours car but a solid usable classic. Keep as is or build your own GTA replica.
Cheers
Jim
Edited by Snoggledog on Sunday 14th October 16:27
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff