Hello all,
I am here to say hello and hopefully learn alot about 105's and Alfa's in general.
I am a pretty steadfast Ford fan, have owned Falcons all my life and will continue to do so but I also love classic cars and I have finally found something that tickled my fancy. I did a small amount of research before buying and I am ready to tackle this car head on. First for the reason I am here...
So pics....I havent had time to wash it or even get it out of the garage since Saturday, hopefully today or tomorrow ill get a chance.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/2000gtv-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa10-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa9-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa6-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa5.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa4-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa3-2.jpg)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/alfa2-1.jpg)
Its not ball tearer (yet) but it doesnt mind hanging the back end out, Ive only had a short drive as its not rego'd yet (test drive on temp reg)...but for a car thats been sitting in a shed for 10 years it starts first go and there are no obvious signs of engine issues. Synco on 2nd needs attention, but ill rebuild the whole gear box anyway.
Plan is to get it on the road by mid next year after a mechanical overhaul, then the year after strip it and get the paint and panel right.
Ill keep it mostly original, with exception to brakes, suspension and engine tickle.
Im not knew to forums but this is my first non Ford..so if the site crashes over the next week or so then I am sorry, ill be punishing the "search" function.
Cheers
Ah obviously its a 1974 2000 GTV...Le Mans blue I believe, I love the colour.
The first part I need to hunt down is an original radio, as it has some 80's CD player and it looks rubbish.
Welcome! Pretty close to Ford Blue, no?
Don't bother with the search function on here, it's crap. I suggest go to google type your query and then add "site:alfaclubvic.org.au" and you'll get decent results.
E.g. http://www.google.com.au/?q=rusty+nuts+site:alfaclubvic.org.au
Nice car. Looks a bit mean under the rear side windows, a very common place for these cars to rust.
Thankyou, yes its Ford blue enough for me.
Well actually I will just sit with a beer and go through the 20 odd pages of threads and see what relates to me at the moment, cant hurt. I intend of doing a bit of research before starting anything to big.
As for the the rust...is that really overly bad? I was looking at buying a 70's Falcon project and some of those rust in a big way aswell, but nothing that cant be fixed.
I have mentally budgeted for the rust removal by a professional, although I dont know what kind of $$ to expect, I believe this will be the most costly part of the resto. Who knows, famous last words perhaps.
I believe the radio was dealer, not factory fit.
So any period or funky retro version will do - whatever floats your boat really
Love the colour. Lots of good info and helpfull people to be found here and on the net (AlfaBB)
Welcome
Quote from: Polyal on December 05, 2011, 11:10:23 PM
As for the the rust...is that really overly bad?
Agreed it's not especially difficult to fix really - I just think it can be surprising how bad it is under those shiny window trims. Mine looked pretty similar until the trim was off, revealing this:
(http://alfa.bottch.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/DSC02469.jpg)
..but all fixed now.
As Craig said make sure you check out the GT forum on www.alfabb.com. Lots of good stuff on there, although sometimes a little US-centric.
Which state are you in?
Welcome!
So last weeks ebay Lemans blue GTV surfaces! I was VERY close to pulling the trigger on this car for a friend. VERY close. But he decided at the last minute to wait as he didnt have the time to inspect it. Good work!
To me it looks like after a good clean it will come out looking great.
Quote from: Evan Bottcher on December 06, 2011, 09:28:18 AM
Quote from: Polyal on December 05, 2011, 11:10:23 PM
As for the the rust...is that really overly bad?
Agreed it's not especially difficult to fix really - I just think it can be surprising how bad it is under those shiny window trims. Mine looked pretty similar until the trim was off, revealing this:
..but all fixed now.
As Craig said make sure you check out the GT forum on www.alfabb.com. Lots of good stuff on there, although sometimes a little US-centric.
Which state are you in?
Yeah if mine is like that then I will be happy, I really dont want to be seeing holes!
Did you fix it up yourself or take it to a professional? Im in Victoria, out near Calder Park.
Quote from: pancho on December 06, 2011, 09:32:12 AM
Welcome!
So last weeks ebay Lemans blue GTV surfaces! I was VERY close to pulling the trigger on this car for a friend. VERY close. But he decided at the last minute to wait as he didnt have the time to inspect it. Good work!
To me it looks like after a good clean it will come out looking great.
Hey Pancho, yes its the same car. You know I was just trawling ebay as I do looking at older cars and saw the price, inquired and the story was almost to good to be true (we will see when body work starts I guess).
Apparently it has been in storage out in bendigo for the past 10 years. Its last service was in 1999 but it still starts first go and once it was warm we gave it a bootful and there was no hesitation or strange ticking etc...that was my main worry.
I also say that "London to Sydney" rally 105 that interest me, but id rather something more street orientated for now.
Im disappointed about the CD player, does that mean the dash was cut for it? Grr if so. Maybe I need a lap counter in there or something..hehe
Quote from: Polyal on December 06, 2011, 10:09:05 AM
Did you fix it up yourself or take it to a professional?
The bodywork on my car was done by Sam at Sam's Panels. The car is still just in fresh paint, completely bare and ready for reassembly - long way to go. But it's not necessary to go near as far as I've gone (or Pancho is going btw). I think it's much wiser to get the car running well and drive it for a bit before tackling the bodywork if you can.
I highly recommend joining the Alfa Owners Club (http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/content/view/15/28/) you get a bi-monthly magazine of interesting articles, listings of club sponsors and lots of technical nights and drive days. The 105 register is pretty active with a couple of technical nights each year and organises a couple of runs. There's also a new members night coming up sometime early next year to meet some Alfa nuts and talk about your project.
Regarding the dash - you can source new timbers for reasonable $$ and they'll cover up the hole if you'd prefer. I've done this on my dash (photos here (http://alfa.bottch.com/2011/09/1750-gtv-september-2011/)). If I fit a stereo it'll be a small ipod amp hiding in the glovebox.
Your car looks great. There's a similar blue 2-litre that occasionally visits Maranello Pur Sang - I love that colour.
What are you trying to label me as Mr.Botcher ? some kind of nut case ? ok so maybe I am - but shhhhhh.
Evan, Ill have to pop into Sams some stage next year, once I get it on the road. I dont think that is going to be too hard, although the horn is not working and I hate electrical issues...fun and games.
Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.
Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?
I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.
I wont be able to do much over the next two months as I am being posted to QLD, so during that time I will read as much as I can and perhaps buy some books etc
Maranello Pur-Sang, Colebrook St, Brunswick are reasonably priced and know their stuff.
From my experience, the 105 motor will work perfectly fine on 95 or alternatively 98 ron, I always add Flashlube, though in truth not even sure you really need to. I just wouldn't use the 91 fuels.
Quote from: Polyal on December 07, 2011, 09:55:04 AM
Evan, Ill have to pop into Sams some stage next year, once I get it on the road. I dont think that is going to be too hard, although the horn is not working and I hate electrical issues...fun and games.
Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.
Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?
I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.
I wont be able to do much over the next two months as I am being posted to QLD, so during that time I will read as much as I can and perhaps buy some books etc
The car looks pretty good, hope you have fun with it. As a Falcon fan, you'll be amazed how much fun these cars are, especially in the twisties. They were very advanced for their time (slightly better than a 1974 Falcon anyway), and can still provide lots of amusement.
Quote from: Polyal on December 07, 2011, 09:55:04 AM
I hate electrical issues...fun and games.
But you still bought an Alfa? Hehe ;D
Quote from: Polyal on December 07, 2011, 09:55:04 AM
Can anyone recommend someone on the west side of Melb preferably to get the car looked over? While I want to do most of the work myself I think Id rather someone who knows what they are doing to get it ok'd first, id probably get them to see what it needs for RWC while I am at it.
Again, Maranello Pur Sang in Brunswick, they know everything there is to know about these cars, and only a short trip down the Calder.
Quote from: Polyal on December 07, 2011, 09:55:04 AM
Also, whats the situation with making the car run without additive on PULP? When I brought it I was told to add a little to the tank, I dont want to be doing that in the future. Does the head need to be rebuilt with valve stem seals (I think??) to suit?
Bruno or Giancarlo or John at Maranello Pur Sang will confirm, but I'm pretty sure the twin cam doesn't need any additive.
Quote from: Polyal on December 07, 2011, 09:55:04 AM
I do really love the colour and thats what sucked me in aswell, that and alot of the classic car mags I read mention the 105 as an "up and commer". While I dont pretend that its an investment, I dont want to be trowing money down the drain either.
I think from hereon in, it would be hard to lose money on a 105, at worst they'll hold their value for a few years, and they'll inevitably go up in value.
Join the club. For a small investment it will save you lots of money, both in excellent advice (especially if you want to upgrade brakes, suspension, and engine) and in those rare parts that only get exchanged amongst club-members.
Congratulations on the plunge to Alfa ownership! As you can see, I too have a LM Blue 2000GTV. Mine came from Victoria about a year ago. It is a colour loved by Alfa enthusiasts and I am a big Ford fan also with a Ford Blue XR6! ;D
They are tremendous fun and can be painful but the thrill of driving them on the twisting roads makes up for it. This is my second 105 car and I plan to hang onto it for many years. It has had a respray and looks fabulous. Currently installing new carpets, front grill and a couple of other bits and pieces. It will be a work in progress for a while but it will always be driven and not left in the garage. All the best for your restoration! ;)
Well, I bought my Le Mans Blue 2000 GTV in 1983. Paid $5000 for it which was market value then for a good, usable car and remembering it was around 10 years old at that time. What would you get for that money now? So no, you won't loose market value but if you use it regularly you'll spend money on it.
Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I really cant wait to get it on the road but I will be interstate for the next couple of months. That gives me time to do some serious reading and learning.
Ive found a site in the UK that has some pretty awesome kits (brakes, suspension etc)....classicalfa.com
Are these recommended or is there someone local who can do similar kits?
I will join the club very shortly too.
Cheers
Ha ha ha ha, it has begun - another one catches the virus. www.Alfaholics.com is another site.
Try the local guys first - Vin Sharp makes some great race tested kits.
Quote from: Polyal on December 09, 2011, 08:01:09 PM
Thanks for the warm welcome guys, I really cant wait to get it on the road but I will be interstate for the next couple of months. That gives me time to do some serious reading and learning.
Ive found a site in the UK that has some pretty awesome kits (brakes, suspension etc)....classicalfa.com
Are these recommended or is there someone local who can do similar kits?
I will join the club very shortly too.
Cheers
By the way mate, Classic Alfa in the UK are great to deal with. We just brought a few goodies for the car and they arrived in good time. Alfaholics in the UK are also very good. :-X
OK so a little update.
Im back in Vic and spent a little time on the car. The bonnet is now closing/locking itself, with a little bit of force. I have a feeling it is just out of alignment a little but I am not sure how to fix it.
The locking mechanism itself works, I took the plate off the bonnet with the hole, and pressed it on the pin..all good. So in order to make it shut on its own I had to shim (with washers) under the plate so it sat on the pin better. I dont know if its a good fix but its working for now.
I also had to fix up the bonnet release cable, was snapped and needed a good regig...all fixed.
Now I am trying to make it water tight...which means the drivers window winder needs looking at.
I took the door skin off, and found that some muppet before me cut the door for speakers, you cant see when the skin is on but still annoying. But the winder cable is a mess and explains why it was not working.
But how the hell do I fix it up? I found a JPEG with the cable route, which helps a little, but space is not easy to come by..ah! And where do I buy some more of the cable from? Is it generic?
Once I get this sorted I want to take it to Maranello Pur-Sang to have a look over the mechanicals and get this puppy running so I can atleast work on getting it to RWC.
X2 in terms of recommendation re the use of both Classic Alfa and Alfaholics. In addition there is also EB Spares and Highwood Motor Company in the UK. Beyond that there is IAP and another mob over in the US who also are pretty good.
Locally, apart from Vin/Pace Engineering, I would suggest Milano Spares (talk to Marc) who are located in Thomastown. Also Turin Imports in South Aus, and from memory there is a guy over in WA who also is really helpful, just can't recall his website off hand, and Rob Manning (Alfa_Veloce) from Manning Motors in Sydney.
The AROCA Vic magazine also lists a range of excellent sources for mechanical help etc, so definitely worth checking out.
I'll be opening up an alfa nos shop soon - for those that want original stuff.
More of a private sales type setup rather than a proper store - I do have a day job (well, so I am told....)
Pancho...do you have the whole window winder assembly for the drivers side (RHD)...I saw the LHS on your site
Also anyone know where I can get a new air filter from? Is the Pipercross one the only option?
I'll check for a Right Door window regulator and let you know.
One RH repaired unit - new cable. Nothing else in stock. $40.
Pancho, I reckon I will take it. Whats the grip/gear spurs like on the actually shaft that the handle connects to like? Mine is a bit worn.
My email is ajbo@deakin.edu.au if you could send a pic
cheers
Ok well I got the car looked at by some pro's yesterday, and its not as bad as I thought so far.
Engine wise, the water pump is just about dead, so that will be replaced with a new one along with a coolant flush and new fluids. Does $500 for the pump/flush/fluids sound about right??
Ill also get a service done on the engine while its with them, and hopefully after they sort it I can maintain the beast from there.
My issue now is sourcing a new drivers side door, Ive made another post as to why but it will make life easier.
Other than that just your usual stuff for a 40 year old car that has been sitting for the past 10 years. Some suspension bushes, new shocks (has koni's but I think I can buy new ones from Alfaholics for less than a rebuild).
A windscreen might be needed as the current one has "sandblasting" issues. I didnt notice it but for a RWC it will be required.
I am impressed with the blokes who have it though..glad I went there.
Well Im back! Long story short my original email address had expired and I couldnt log back in, that coupled with moving states and a new job means my little smurf has seen no love.
But before we moved north I did drive the car to Hobart to my "mechanic", it spent about 4 months there and in that time I managed to get some work done.
I got a fuel filter bowl in, but the bigger job was fixing the window mechanisms on both sides..wow.
Linkages, gear spurs, door checks, complete new door cards, new grab handles (I installed GTA straps instead) etc..the lot..they now look like this. Another example there is no actually internal door lock "pin", you pull the door handle to open, and push itr forward to lock..it was all missing.
Unfortunately I dont have any decent pics of the old trims...this is all...
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/Alfa/DSCN8334_zpsf469e17c.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/fomoco4eva/media/Alfa/DSCN8334_zpsf469e17c.jpg.html)
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/DSCN8463_zpsfc2b8dff.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/fomoco4eva/media/DSCN8463_zpsfc2b8dff.jpg.html)
So I gave her a clean and it comes up alright from 1m away.
(http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b364/fomoco4eva/DSCN0380_zps282f4938.jpg) (http://s23.photobucket.com/user/fomoco4eva/media/DSCN0380_zps282f4938.jpg.html)