Hi , We started a resto on a solid 1600 Spider a while back (maybe two months?) but haven't had time to post - have been collecting photos and words to eventually write a blog (which is supposed to be as you go I think anyway!) but thought forum members might be interested in seeing some pictures for now? I had posted when I purchased this Red (but really White) Duetto last year but cannot figure out how to put the link back to that post just now. Will try and do more over this long weekend. For now here are a few pictures...Cheers
Emmanuel
Fantastic !!
Was it dipped, media, sand blasted... Inquiring minds need to know!
Be interested to know what the budget is too (PM if you like)
My resto has stalled, I just don't have time to do it all myself, going to outsource it.
I have a spare boot skin (last 12") if you need one :)
Paint it the original colour! It will be magnificent!
Hi Mate nice job on the car. Where did you get the rotisserie from? I am considering buying one for my fiat 850 coupe.
Remember guys I am not that technical/mechanical so forgive any appearance of vagueness, it will be well founded! I do intend to pick up a lot of the terminology and understand the processes along the way.....the work is being carried out by a group of people rather than a one stop resto shop. I deliberated over this for a long while but in the end chose this process for this car. Let's see how it turns out.
Some answers so far......the car was completely stripped by Frank and his team at Alfa Car Centre here in Sydney. I purchased a rotisserie as I figured it would come in handy for future projects. It was new off ebay for just under $1,000 but then the guys had to customise mounting brackets so I reckon all up it cost about $1,400? It is on wheels so we could "man handle" the car. From here it was taken to the media blasters. Again if anyone wants specifics I can PM details of suppliers.
The car was media blasted, what exactly they used for the process....? Is there different media? ...not sure. As all cars form this era it isn't perfect but not as bad as it could have been. Drivers floor is very "holey" so I may need to source some new floors (or point the guys to the right supplier). Maybe someone on here has experience, I keep hearing about being wary of so called repo pieces.
Paint job will be AR008 White for sure with black interior.
I will need a new boot lid and it seems from Craig's experience I have little chance of finding one in Oz. I will PM you just the same Craig with some answers questions.
Cheers
Emmanuel
Hi E,
Try Ian Ellis on the alfaBB - he has a bootlid and/or bonnet (Ian Ellis Alfa UK) . I've only ever seen two in 18months for sale so as Craig's aware - tough tracking one down.
There's also:
a rusty looking veloce example on German eBay at the moment for €600./
a whole veloce on eBay US for $US1800, he may separate the boot
and a US based gentleman on AlfaBB who also has a veloce boot he wants to trade for a Duetto one
Pretty sure I contacted Ian in the UK and came up with nada but do ask, it's amazing what people have stored (I've a crumpled one for instance now).
Duetto (1600) boot lids are made of unobtanium. I found a perfect veloce one after several years (+3) looking, and it ended up costing well into four figures landed. There was no economic rational for my actions
That said, i'm tempted to have my old boot and bonnet frame re-skinned in aluminum - just for the hell of it, anybody know somebody in Aust that can do this.. Group deal?! ;D
EDIT Can't remember how to link URLs neatly (maybe and iPad thing)
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Heckdeckel-Alfa-Romeo-Rundheck-/120927279720?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item1c27d3da68#ht_705wt_689
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Alfa-Romeo-Duetto-1969-Body-Shell-Only-/360449494404?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53ec76cd84&vxp=mtr#ht_627wt_689
That's wonderful Emmanuel. These are wonderful motor cars - I have very fond memories of trips around country Victoria and elsewhere in a good friends white Duetto in winter, at night, with the roof down, totally immersed in the experience.
It's great to see this car getting the treatment it deserves and thanks for sharing with us.
It has been too long since I have posted update, so I figured I would put up some pictures. Progress has been slow but steady with a lot of the rust being cut out and repaired or replaced (floors). We are also still sourcing parts. The main thing not even close to being found (yet) is a boot lid but I will try the AlfaBB now.....Tried Ian Ellis but he had sold his.
I might have some more time free of work any moment now for a while so will get stuck into this in earnest, or at least push as many of the buttons as I can!
Fantastic Emmanual, great to see a Duetto, or any 105 for that matter, being properly restored. Duetto's are a work of art and well restored examples a visual, aural and tactile feast. Looking forward to your updates.
DaveT
What was wrong with the crossmember, internal rust ?
Is it being changed to a four bolt at the same time ?
Great pics.. More, more !!