Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia Forum

General Category => Photos & Videos => Topic started by: jimnielsen on July 19, 2007, 09:55:39 PM

Title: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: jimnielsen on July 19, 2007, 09:55:39 PM
Hi All.  I purchased this 1994 (December build) Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 in Tokyo, Japan.  It finally arrived yesterday!  The Q4 is a 2L Turbocharged 4WD car based on the normal Alfa 155 body, but using mechanicals developed by Lancia for the Delta Intergrale.  In standard trim the 155 Q4 produces 195 HP. It weighs 1450kgs - however I have an angle grinder.  Only 2704 155 Q4's were produced by Alfa Romeo between 1992 and 1996. The car is left hand drive.  I will only be using on the track, and am planning its maiden voyage for the September AROCA meeting at Phillip Island.

Should be fun!   

Here are the pictures...


http://www.flickr.com/photos/8634721@N05/851277192/ (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8634721@N05/851277192/)

JimN
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Fast Eddie on July 19, 2007, 10:37:56 PM
Good luck Jim,
glad i got to see it before anyone else did!  Looks great cleaned up. Pity i will probably not see it in action.

If anyone else wants to import a car into Oz, let me know... ;D
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Scott Farquharson on July 20, 2007, 08:46:42 AM
Let's turn it into a DTM car.....
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: John Toomath on July 20, 2007, 08:57:32 AM
Jim,

That looks like a really interesting base to work from.  I gather 155s were raced reasonably extensively, especially red ones  :), so there are probably plenty of "essential" things you'll be able to throw at it.  I look forward to seeing it at Phillip Island.  The paint looks a bit heavy when compared to the Giulietta  ;).

Ed,

Since you mention importing cars, how about these two....

1)  If Brad won't give you the Sprint back,  then this looks pretty appealing....

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Specialist-cars/Competition-cars/auction-109244348.htm

or

2)  Here's a potential Group S / 6 hour / track car, in the right colour

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Specialist-cars/Competition-cars/auction-109686770.htm?p=4

Approximately how much is it to get a car shipped trans-Tasman?

And yes,  I do qualify to join Sheldon for the Haka before the big duel at PI! :P
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Fast Eddie on July 20, 2007, 09:27:03 AM
Both look cool.

you are looking at about A$ 4000 to import ex NZ depot to door including import GST, quarantine etc.
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: alfagtv58 on July 20, 2007, 10:20:46 AM
Looks great Jim 8)  Any chance of it coming along to Winton for a shakedown, before you take to it with the angle grinder??

How much work is that angle grinder going to get (ie. what weight are you aiming for)?  And will you be doing as much modification to this as your Giulietta etc etc......In other words what are your plans for it ???
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: jimnielsen on July 20, 2007, 10:39:57 AM
I was really just joking about the angle grinder, Phil!  I plan to do a number of things with it, but nothing is settled yet. Firstly I'll just run it bog-standard to get the feel for it and see what level of development I think would suit it best, how much that would cost and where I could get the parts and technology from.  Second, I am interested in looking at the engine in the car (perhaps in a non-turbo format however) for the Giulietta. I think that this engine would be more practical than further development on the 116 type engine.  I'm not planning on cannibalizing this actual car though for any parts even for my beloved custard car.  I'd love to take the car to Winton for the Alfa sprint - and for the private practice on the Friday, but I will be away for August, so I can't unfortunately! - jim ~
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Sheldon McIntosh on July 20, 2007, 10:38:10 PM
Keep the angle grinder warmed up Jim.  From what I 've heard of these cars, they were very unreliable, purely because they weighed a bit more than the Lancia integrale they were based on, putting a lot more stress on all components.  Lovely car though, can't wait to see it.

I was actually looking at one of these about 6 months ago in NZ, at only $7000.

However I think this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105789171&key=717090 (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=105789171&key=717090) or this one http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=102717304&v=List (http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=102717304&v=List) may be even better deals.  Damn cheap for $10k landed in Oz, although could only ever be a track car. 

And don't even think about exporting interesting cars from NZ, I'm planning to go back some day, don't wanna be stuck with Aussie cars or an old Escort or Hillman.

Heard a funny joke the other day:-  It's funny how my first root and my first car were so similar.  They were both old Escorts.
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Evan Bottcher on July 21, 2007, 08:31:52 AM
I'm going to banish the Sheldonator to the Lancia forums.  :P
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Scott Farquharson on July 21, 2007, 12:20:34 PM
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on July 21, 2007, 08:31:52 AM
I'm going to banish the Sheldonator to the Lancia forums.  :P
For crimes against humanity...
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Scott Farquharson on August 06, 2007, 08:43:15 AM
Found an engine for you.....http://www.racecarsdirect.com/viewlisting.php?view=10914
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: jimnielsen on August 06, 2007, 11:04:16 PM
Thanks Scott - I think that it would do nicely  - and umm only 20K AUD!  I am in Paris at the moment, so I can at least save on transpot costs - I wonder if it would fit im ny hand luggage?

Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Fast Eddie on August 07, 2007, 10:18:55 AM
i'll do you mates rates on the freight Jim, that way you only have to find the cash and not spoil your holiday  ;D
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: jimnielsen on August 08, 2007, 09:50:34 PM
For 20K you apparently dont even get pistons. Maybe these new fangled european engines don't need them anymore?
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: alfagtv58 on September 11, 2007, 06:14:52 PM
So Jim, where were you at Phillip Island??  I was looking forward to seeing the car (and you of course....)
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Scott Farquharson on September 18, 2007, 09:34:21 PM
Where are you Jim - we missed the car at PI!!!!!
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: jimnielsen on September 24, 2007, 08:08:39 AM
Umm. The car has a couple of technical challenges that have only recently come to light - clutch wise....

www.nielsen.org/alfa155Q4/clutch3.jpg (http://www.nielsen.org/alfa155Q4/clutch3.jpg)
www.nielsen.org/alfa155Q4/pressureplate.jpg (http://www.nielsen.org/alfa155Q4/pressureplate.jpg)

I have ordered one from europe, but its not looking good for the 6hr at this stage :(


Jim ~
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: Scott Farquharson on September 24, 2007, 08:24:40 AM
Bad news, expensive?
Title: Re: Meet my new Alfa.
Post by: vin sharp on September 24, 2007, 10:29:20 PM
Quote from: Scott Farquharson on September 24, 2007, 08:24:40 AM
Bad news, expensive?

Nah!
Jim's got the right idea, Fiat based models must be heaps cheaper to fix than an Alfa!

Scott, some nice times posted at PI;  should be able to put a few MGs and Porkers to bed at the historic meeting next year.