Great Italian car thread

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Fantuzzi said:

jacklewisno1 said:

Fantuzzi said:

I've been wondering this for a while, Maserati's missed opportunity. (Don't worry Jack, its not another mid engine lightweight...)

A short wheel base 2 seater Granturismo. Same 4.7 440-60bhp V8, around 1400-1500kgs, around 95-100inch wheelbase, looks like an 8c with the front of a Granturismo mc stradale.

Call it the Gransport and sell it at 85k and go 911 s, Vantage and r8 v8 hunting.

Then do a lightweight track day special...

Good idea?

Been away for a while again, so need to catch up. Firstly that garage of Abarth's was heaven. Secondly i like your thinking on the car idea however i think the front of the 8c is prettier than that of the Maser'. So really im left with the thought that simply all thats needed is the 8c to be re-engineered by Dallara and then have its price tag reduced

You are right, perhaps a bit(more) of platform sharing could on and do a Maserati version just to spice things up.

Shame they cocked up the 8c, although its meant to be great on the road, I remember EVO putting it in their car of the year test and saying

'if you drive it at 8/10s youd absolutely love it'

Which if I recall translated as it being a great road car but was a little disappointing on track. Alas, the 4c should put Alfa back as a drivers car marque, that reminds me I still need to read the EVO article.


Ive spent most of my time thinking about the Maserati Granturismo GT4 racecar, how I'd like one and a the correct forms and cash to enter it into various sports car races across the world, Spa 24hrs for example would be nice. I've written to Santa early this year for one. But last year he never brought me Jennifer Lawrence so I'm not holding my breath.

Out of interest are you based in Wales or do you live there I thought you were from 'up north'.

How much are those maser' GT4 race cars? Last year i spent christmas in Afghanistan so i kept my requests a bit more modest and asked for a lie-in which i got

Im actually based in Oxfordshire, but my parents live in Wales and we have a place up north which i use sometimes. So theres plenty of travel in the country as well as out of it!

Its only 135000 euros.

See you got your lie-in now I should get my Maserati, that's only fair...

I see, if ever you get based down in Dorset, Ill have to show you the best roads, there are some pretty cool hooning spots through the tank shooting ranges and military areas.

Just make sure there isn't a tank coming the other way, or a truck that carries the tanks, sure fire way to spoil a summers evening drive...

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Yes driving round Dorset sounds good fun, but in this weather you may have to keep the roof on!

My Abarth aircon woes havent stopped yet. And the gear stick is becoming a bit loose and wobbly now. Rather annoying.

Just watched the Chris Harris vid on the F12 Berlinetta. HE makes it look like a lot of fun! I wasnt so keen on it before, but after watching him hoon it about my mind has changed. Nice to see a front engined supercar

I must admit my car worrying hasn't really stopped either, funny raspy sound like before is making me worried, although I'm not sure what is normal car noises or scary expensive noises...

Whats up with your aircon I thought it was just an exhaust squeak that was troubling you?

Oh I thought I' annoy you with this, the 1300 OT is a car expected to sell at around 120-150k at auction,

Except in 2007 one sold for, 13000euros! That's so little for a car with all that pedigree, they were dominating everything in there class in the late 60s, and 13k!

Madness.

I do like the f12, looks really good.

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Fantuzzi said:

jacklewisno1 said:

Yes driving round Dorset sounds good fun, but in this weather you may have to keep the roof on!

My Abarth aircon woes havent stopped yet. And the gear stick is becoming a bit loose and wobbly now. Rather annoying.

Just watched the Chris Harris vid on the F12 Berlinetta. HE makes it look like a lot of fun! I wasnt so keen on it before, but after watching him hoon it about my mind has changed. Nice to see a front engined supercar

I must admit my car worrying hasn't really stopped either, funny raspy sound like before is making me worried, although I'm not sure what is normal car noises or scary expensive noises...

Whats up with your aircon I thought it was just an exhaust squeak that was troubling you?

Oh I thought I' annoy you with this, the 1300 OT is a car expected to sell at around 120-150k at auction,

Except in 2007 one sold for, 13000euros! That's so little for a car with all that pedigree, they were dominating everything in there class in the late 60s, and 13k!

Madness.

I do like the f12, looks really good.

My exhaust is now fixed, but the cars aircon blows out cold air sometimes when when it shouldn't

Yikes 120k is mad! But then so is 13k. I saw one for sale on the internet for 40k a few months ago, it was a race ready version. Im guessing the one your talking about must have some serious pedigree.

The MR2 has started making noises again will have to get that looked at, again. grrr.

I got the estimate wrong, it was 180-220000!

http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/14149/index.h...

Could you place a link to the abarth add/

[Fantuzzi]

Last night I was reading an old mag, there was an advertisement for an Abarth Osella, forgot how awesome there were at Silverstone classic, sounded brilliant, like a 2litre 270bhp wasp.

They took 5 wins with the PA1 and Abarth won the championship for makes, and before that the SE 021 was pretty impressive as well.

A 021 was at bonhams for 65-75k, and a 500km of Nurburgring winning PA1 was est at 80-100k.

Pretty cheap I thought!

Also I saw a black f12 today, look stunning.

[Fantuzzi]

pixelpimp said:

That's a bit more like it!

Rather apt number as well.

[Fantuzzi]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdR4OiduPdo

The sound at the end is savage, as the car alarm testifies...

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Heres another good sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZnUEz2WS7Q

I remember watching that a year ago or so, pretty brutal v12 in that 512, shame the 512 at Silverstone classic died before I had a chance for a proper listen.

Not sure if you saw this about a year ago in mags, but there was a Abarth 500 Trofeo one make series car that had been road registered for sale, think it was around 35k! Seemed a little pricey but I suppose it would be race ready.

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

Fantuzzi said:

jacklewisno1 said:

Heres another good sound http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZnUEz2WS7Q

I remember watching that a year ago or so, pretty brutal v12 in that 512, shame the 512 at Silverstone classic died before I had a chance for a proper listen.

Not sure if you saw this about a year ago in mags, but there was a Abarth 500 Trofeo one make series car that had been road registered for sale, think it was around 35k! Seemed a little pricey but I suppose it would be race ready.

35k, wow that is expensive. But i suppose you'd pay the same for a special edition Abarth. So maybe its about right?

Heres some pics of Ferrari's world finals weekend...



There not the most beautiful cars, but you have to respect the technology.

That is some rather impressive damage!

True the modern Ferraris look a little 'fashion' rather than 'style', if that makes sense.






Cant help thinking the new Speciale 458 is alittle on the style front, I thought the 430 scud was really good looking.

[Fantuzzi]

rijmij99 said:

jacklewisno1 said:

Whats the general opinion on the 164? Ive never been a huge fan but then ive always compared it to the 166, which i think is so much better looking. Found a short vid of a 'tarted' 166. It does sound good

http://vimeo.com/41443403

They're the best car Alfa ever made end of debate.

That quite a claim, I think you'll need to back that one up!

Unless it was a joke I've missed...

[Fantuzzi]

rijmij99 said:

Fantuzzi said:

That quite a claim, I think you'll need to back that one up!

Unless it was a joke I've missed...

Well going from my personal experience and that of a few people with knowledge far superior to mine the 164 is the best of the bunch.

Obviously this discounts proper exotica like Montreals/GTAm's/8C's but as a car you can actually afford and drive it is wunderbar.

When you compare it to anything that has come after it still stands head and shoulders above them (166/156/GT/Brera) and when you look at what came before it (6/Alfetta/75) it still bests them.

Then you look at the other Type 4 cars and they pail in comparison, the SAAB 9000 being the only one you'd buy with your own money (discounting 8.32's obviously).

Obviously there are cars in Alfa's history that are better at certain things but when you put them all in a blender the 164 is the only one that can pull them all together. This with the handicap of wrong wheel drive too!

The 164 is also superior than many of its contemporaries (Audi 100/200 and Mercs of that vintage) the only car that can be considered "better" is the E34 5 series and that's only just in my opinion (I've owned both).

Taking all this into account if anyone can name an Alfa that can better the 164 I'll eat my hat

I see what you mean as an all rounder, but I'd definitely think the likes of the Guilietta Sprint veloce or the Guilia GTA stradale could be at the top, meant to be rather stunning, both in the day and now.

But with modern alfas its a fair point.

[Fantuzzi]

Mid engined - check

Light weight -check

Italian - check

Badge with proven racing/rally heritage - Check

Seen one on the dual carriage way about 8 months and now think they are really cool - check

Can you guess what it is?

Ok so the last point might not help...

Oh and it hasn't been posted in this thread before.

[Fantuzzi]

rijmij99 said:

X-19?

Nope

[Fantuzzi]

Ill give you a clue,

it has two names depending on where you live.

[Fantuzzi]

rijmij99 said:

Gotta be a Montecarlo then

Yep.

Read an old review comparing it to the Esprit, said the Lancia was a little slower and less refined, but a lot cheaper and rather awesome.

Im sure I could handle the front locking now and then...

I saw one ages ago look really, really good. If they were cheap it would make a rather fun classic rally project...

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

I always thought the Monte Carlo had a very long nose considering it was mid engined, i think it would have been prettier if it was slightly shorter.

Speaking of spotting cars though, i saw a Alfa 147 GTA in Nairobi the other day. Possibly the most inappropriate car for that environment!

Yeah the nose is longer than most mid engined cars, but it does have certain something about it in the flesh as rijmij said.

I havent spent much timing in the Italian world of cars recently, mainly been thinking about getting an s1 Elise...

[Fantuzzi]

iva cosworth said:

At todays Goodwood SS.



Have another gratuitous Barchetta pic too...

Your 'great Italian car threads' man on the street, constant great pics of meets and events!

The Fulvia's are surprising cheap, and rather brilliant little cars to drive, and achingly pretty.

That reminds me to plan a trip to the Vernasca silver flag...

[Fantuzzi]

jacklewisno1 said:

rijmij99 said:

Sounds like the best car for that environment to me

High maintenance, Gas guzzling, low sprung and front wheel drive. Not ideal for Kenyan traffic jams or 'roads'. It looked like it got used a lot though as it had dents in every panel.

They are rather tasty, in pearl white.

[Fantuzzi]

MarkwG said:

jacklewisno1 said:

Whats the general opinion on the 164? Ive never been a huge fan but then ive always compared it to the 166, which i think is so much better looking. Found a short vid of a 'tarted' 166. It does sound good

http://vimeo.com/41443403

That link goes to a 164, not a tarted 166? The only "tarty" bit is the OZ alloys?

Out of all the great looking O.Z wheels they picked those...

[Fantuzzi]

richardgcs said:

Fantuzzi said:

Your 'great Italian car threads' man on the street, constant great pics of meets and events!

The Fulvia's are surprising cheap, and rather brilliant little cars to drive, and achingly pretty.

That reminds me to plan a trip to the Vernasca silver flag...

Fulvias are quite cheap but not that model- series 1 HF 1.6 "Fanalone" are £35k and more.

Ah that's not so cheap...!

[Fantuzzi]

Disappointed, if that's GT6, where's the TZ2 Pics...

Why no 33 stradale Granturismo?

Why?

I would buy a ps3 if they had just for GT.