Hi all Alfisti,
I am a prospective owner and I would like to tap into the resource that is AROCA.
I have been without a classic car for the past ten years as I have worked through my motorcycle phase. I love bikes but I have been bitten by the classic car bug once again.
The car that has attracted me the most is the Alfa 105 series. Please be tolerant of my limited nomenclature knowledge (this would be my first Alfa!) but I mean the 1750, 2000 GTV coupes. I think these have all the features that attract me to a car. Excellent styling, advanced (for the time) design, fantastic twin cam alloy engines, competent suspension, lovely interiors.. the list goes on.
So, the intent of my post is firstly to say hi! Secondly I was wondering if there may be an owner of a 105 coupe type car somewhere near Bundaberg who might be willing to show their car off. I think I would need have a sit in one as I am on the lanky side to see if I fitted!
So please keep me in mind if you know of a good example of the 105 on the market, and please, if you live within a couple of hours of Bundy send me a pm if you would be happy to show me your car.
Thanks all. Sean
Sean,
Welcome to the Forum. Mate, you sound like the perfect guy that should own Alfa and I have no doubt that somebody will accommodate you soon enough. A classic Alfa in the right hands is another one saved. Best wishes in your quest.
Hi and thanks MD.
I have already had an offer to crawl through a shed with 105's and some Fiats. Sounds like a good way to spend a few hours!
I just have to work out which type of 105 car suits my needs best.
Cheers
Sean
Quote from: BundySean on October 10, 2012, 08:45:21 PM
I just have to work out which type of 105 car suits my needs best.
That's easy... The one with the best documented rust repairs or original sound sills. Regardless of how shiny the paint, they all cost similar amounts of money to repair if the worm was never checked :)
Good luck
Hmm... rust has been an often mentioned word in connection to my 105 research.
I was hoping that Australia's climate may have been kinder than that of Europe and it would be easy to find a rust free 105!
Still all cars from the period rusted, I'll just have to be very careful when checking out the sills, door, window frames, wheel arches............. :)
Sean
Sean a simple fact, yes our climate is generally better but in truth perhaps not so different. The real difference is that we dont salt our roads, they do over there to deal with ice. Here they use gravel dust.
But yes, 105 Alfas rust, but ditto pretty much all cars from this period. It is only in relatively more recent times that as a rule they don't because of two things, panel preparation (ie. zinc coated) and far better paint protection in cavities etc. In the old days, you were lucky if there was a layer of undercoat. Many times nothing was used, given the construction techniques etc of course cars rusted. A good friend who used to be in trade, his family had the Fiat distributorship here in Hobart, said to me, that back then such cars were not expected to last. Hence, no need to spend money in the factory painting them in places which one doesn't normally see.
Now as to rust, where to look, with 105 GTVs it is quite simple, everywhere. However working from rear to front, and also look for signs of panel damage/repairs. Many a 105 has been hit in the rear. Look inside the boot, especially around the fuel tank lip and spare wheel well. Also check the gutter around where the boot lid sits. Check the outer edge of the bootlid and also under the lip. From there, look at the rear side panel below the bumper bar, check the rear wheel arch, also look at the side rear window lip especially near the bottom of the C piller (where the badge is on some models), next look at the rear cill section the middle section and especially the front section where it wraps under from the sides of the front guards. Check the doors, all the way along underneath, on the bottom of the door, under the door handles. Open the doors and look inside around the base of the B piller, also check around the A piller. Doors can sag, due to wear in the hinges. This can be fixed by an insert. Check under the carpets as floors rot, all areas. So also look under the car. Also check around both the front and rear windscreens. They can rust in this area, under the rubber seal.
Lastly check the front guards/front valance panel. Look for cracks around the front suspension towers. Also inside the engine bay look around where the battery is located, also check for rust/damage around the front sway bar mounts (effectively in front of but under the radiator.
And that is the usual places. I have seen extreme examples where rust pops out elsewhere.
Hope that doesn't scare you, as many cars won't have such rust. However, poor condition cars will, and some less than scrupulous owners have in the past covered up such sins with bog and nice paint.
A well restored GTV is a thing of beauty. You only have to look at such cars on the Alfaholics website, let alone here and on the BB under the photos of GTV threads to see what I mean. Ditto there are plenty of restoration threads on both this forum and BB which show what I have mentioned above.
Thanks David for such an informative post.
I am quite realistic when it comes to cars of the 60's and 70's when it comes to rust. At least in rust protection the modern vehicle is superior to the classics!
I am going to try to see as many coupes as I can in the next few months to build up my abilty to judge each correctly. I have purchsed Kieth Booker's "The essential buyer's guide" to the AR Giulia Coupe in an effort to build up my knowledge.
One snippet of info I have gleamed thus far is that a sound body is the first priority. Body work and rust removal seems more costly to correct than mechanical issues.
The rust issue certainly hasn't put me off, the fact that the 105's tick just about every box in my "classic car" wish list has assured that, chief amoung those was a stylish body!
Thanks again for your very helpfu post.
Sean
God man, as as I say there are good ones out there, the secret is to look and try some out. I have been driving 105s for many years , they are heaps of fun. I miss driving my GTV, it's laid up as rust was starting to become a problem. The 156 is lovely but it's not a classic like my 105s. There are plenty of good books re them, I have many but nothing seeing them and driving them, all the best in finding yours
Thanks for all your help thus far David!
I am gaining knowledge quickly. Even got to look at some cars today.
I think I might have an 105 for Christmas...... :)
Hi Sean. I do know of a 105 GTV that is rust free on the Gold Coast and could be for sale before xmas. It however would not be cheap. PM me if you need to know more. Cheers Jory.
PM sent
G'day Sean. The 105s are great cars as these guys have been saying. I'm onto my second one - a 2000GTV which has a good history and is a beaut to drive. My first was full of rust, floor pan, sills, the usual places but mechanically sweet! We looked here in Qld for one then at a few in Vicotira which is where this little blue is from. You do need patience but it will be worth it. All the best with the hunt. :)
Thanks for the info and best wishes!
I have a number of cars in my cross hairs, all are a little far afield so I will have to wait until work winds down a little! Is is ironic that work gets in the way of buying my 105 but also funds its purchase.
I am now just toying with the idea of juniors vs "non-junior" and step nose vs smooth nose... who would have thought it would have been that difficult??
Still, lots of fun deciding/dreaming!!!
You've probably sat in heaps by now, but to answer your question on if you fit, I'm 6 foot 2 or so, and fitted into my smooth nose 1600 junior easily in terms of headroom, even with a helmet on. The splayed-knee driving style and offset pedals are more challenging, but you can fit a spacer to bring the steering wheel out further, and can always go to a smaller diameter wheel too. Doing those two things made me far more comfortable.
Good luck with your search.
Thanks Ads,
I do think I fit, although having long arms helps, now I just need to find a way to fold up the legs!!!
I have narrowed down my search (for now) to the step nose cars. I think I like the "look" of these, so for now that's what I'm looking for.
So.... does anyone have a good "driver" step nose out there?
That said, a nice early 1750 might fit the bill too!
Sean
If you're tall (I'm 6'2" too), the most comfortable position I've found is to pull the seat forward and rest my forearms against my thighs with my hands at 4:30 and 7:30 on the wheel. Doesn't gel for most people that have been taught the both hands on the wheel at 2 & 10, but is a very relaxed position that offers full control at pace.
I will have to give that a try..... now I just have to find the car!
So feelers out everyone.....
Where is my new (old) alfa hiding??
Sean
I am afraid but as a 6'1 guy I do the opposite, and put the seat as far as back as I can arms resting at quarter to 3. Legs have plenty of room, and alls good. As a tall person having the seat forward makes no sense to me and also at odds with the driver training I did with John Bowe Driving, just my 2 cents worth.
Quote from: LaStregaNera on December 02, 2012, 08:38:31 AM
If you're tall (I'm 6'2" too), the most comfortable position I've found is to pull the seat forward and rest my forearms against my thighs with my hands at 4:30 and 7:30 on the wheel. Doesn't gel for most people that have been taught the both hands on the wheel at 2 & 10, but is a very relaxed position that offers full control at pace.
Something like this?
Ahhhh Bob...aka Mr. Incredible. Great movie!
For a moment I thought he might have been driving a stylised "super" but I don't think so!
I am content with the basic ergonomics, although I think I will be taking plenty of stretching breaks on a long trip.
Sean
Quote from: Neil Choi on December 05, 2012, 10:42:46 PM
Quote from: LaStregaNera on December 02, 2012, 08:38:31 AM
If you're tall (I'm 6'2" too), the most comfortable position I've found is to pull the seat forward and rest my forearms against my thighs with my hands at 4:30 and 7:30 on the wheel. Doesn't gel for most people that have been taught the both hands on the wheel at 2 & 10, but is a very relaxed position that offers full control at pace.
Something like this?
Looks like you Neil at the end of every event...after the car breaks yet again.... ;D
I could just tell that this topic was heading for some good natured jokes. I have to applaud the Forum for blending some humour into our combined passion of all things Alfa. It adds just one more facet to the enjoyment of being part of this band of unique fruitcakes.
Personally, I am seeing the emergence of a revival 105 production for basketballers. It will be called the Bertone Lungo. Not only will it come with a half a meter increase in wheelbase but the turret will have an observation window bubble for a 360* view headroom.
For the purist diehards who insist on the original is best model, they are being catered for by a new development in Italian pharmacology. They are marketing the incredible shrink pill. The dosage is height dependant. Why change the car when you can shorten your legs is the motto.
So BundySean your height is no longer an excuse. We all want to see that photo of your 105 on mums driveway pronto. Just be sure you make room for a Giulia Super when the kids come along so you have the whole 105 package.
;D ;D
Bundy - I am 6' 3" and have driven many 105's over the years, including using a couple as everyday cars and track cars in the 80's. Now of course I am a little larger (but not taller.... :() but what I will offer as comment is that for whatever reason how well I fit varies from car to car. I can't say I have bothered to look into why but some cars I just struggle to get comfortable but in others its no problem at all.
So, my advice would be to try the actual car for size and not assume they are all the same. Its probably just seat mounting or steering wheel choice I guess so probably easy to fix.
MD as ever mate if there is one of us who takes the cake for the most illuminating point in humour, I suspect you probably get the gong. I love the idea re a turret for the basketballer driver of a 105 Lungo coupe !! ;D Man that car would be so 8). In a sense kind of like a version of the Abarth double bubble, except this would be a single bubble.
I do hope that Sean takes note, that when the anklebiters come along though a Super or even a Berlina will fit the bill nicely, and given they will be in the rear, does that mean they will need the tail gun turret off the rear of the boot.
I must have given you guys a bum steer when it came to my age somewhere along the line....
I'm the wrong side or forty, and my two daughters, 15 and 13 are both over 5 foot 9 and still growing.!!!
I would hate to see the styling of an Alfa coupe to fit my family!! It might turn out something like the "Homer," double bubble included. :o
If you don't know "The Homer" just google it. (I don't think I attached the pic properly) It is truely "molto orribile."
Sean
While I can't comment directly on the 105 coupe ergos, 'cause I've never owned one, for older Alfas in general I've found the three easiest and most successful mods to improve the life of a taller driver are:
1. Tilt the seat squab up at the front by either adding spacers under the front of the rails (ensuring the bolts remain in safety) or removing any spacers under the rear. If that is in fact possible on the 105 coupe seats?
2. Get the steering wheel closer to the body using an aftermarket hub (one whole inch makes a huuuuge difference, but makes the controls a stretch for the fingers).
3. Bend the throttle pedal (get a spare to work with). I've cut a few and welded the cut ends into a section of pipe. Use spot welds rather than a curcumferential weld to reduce the change of the pedal snapping off.................
Merry Christmas to all....... but there still isn't a 105 coupe under my tree.
So if anyone has a good, sound drivers car, preferably a step nose, that they would like to sell to a good home, please let me know.
I have sold my motorcyle :'( (Kawasaki ZX14) and a need to replace it, as there is a really blank space in the garage.
Sean
Like a good woman , good stepnoses are hard to find.
One will come along.
Nows the time to save save save. And prepare the garage!
Good luck and Merry Xmas!
Thanks pancho!
I know patience is the name of the game when it comes to finding just the right car. Previously I have purchased a classic that was just about what I was chasing, but not quite. I always felt that little bit underwhelmed when driving and kinder wished I had waited for the model and spec list I really wanted. Lesson learnt here and this mistake is not to be repeated.
So the search goes on!
Perhaps I be driving in the country and see a step nose peeking out from under a tarp, no rust and an unappreciative owner!
Dream on...
Sean
Quote from: BundySean on December 26, 2012, 10:35:11 AM
Perhaps I be driving in the country and see a step nose peeking out from under a tarp, no rust and an unappreciative owner!
Dream on...
Sean
Sean, you have a better chance of stumbling across a winning lotto ticket being blown around in the wind. But then you can buy two rusty stepnoses. Restore one to concourse, and the other for the track..... ;)
Quote from: pancho on December 25, 2012, 08:38:06 PM
Like a good woman , good stepnoses are hard to find.
You can do better than that pancho. Maybe you need to look harder, I find good women are plentiful.
Bundy Sean, I can see the evolution of your search taking long enough that you will actually move onto a transaxle being the superior car... ::) ( ..and that's how the shit fight started , hahaa)
If nothing else, it'll keep your topic alive for a while longer me thinks.. hehhee.
Hmm, step-nosed women..................... :o
Is a Montreal considerd a '105'?
http://www.carsales.com.au/car/brand%20new/dealer/demo/private/ALFA%20ROMEO/MONTREAL?eapi=2&sort=default&vertical=Car&silo=Stock&base=1216&Range=Price:Min,Max~0.5
Hmmm that Monty looks very nice, maybe considered a 105 but way outside my budget..... and looks scary to work on, for me anyway!
As for Alfa's with one of those new-fangled transaxle thingeys, thats way too modern for me, I'm old school.
Never say never though..... :-\
So, who's hiding my step-nose??????
Im bringing up my '74 with me from Melb...but I dont know if I could part with it just yet.
Dont be scared by some of the lower priced ones, you just have to check over them carefully. I wasnt worried about mechanics, just the body...something will pop up.
Hi Polyal,
Victoria seems to be the place for 105's. That's where many of those advertised hail from. Just a little tricky to inspect from Bundy.
I do like the colour of yours. I haven't seen many like that.
Are you leaving Melbourne ?... Good on you, Queensland the place to be! Perhaps all the Victorian Alfa owners could bring their excellent cars with them.
I know the right car will find me, I just need to give it time. I search daily, reading to strike......
Sean