ALFASUD /SPRINT

[finlo]

I remember looking at one of these in a showroom back in 82 and the front wing's were covered in rust bubbles!

[Flying Phil]

StescoG66 said:

^^ I am sure I saw a thread on that car - was it on Alfa Owner?

Yes, there was a thread on the AO site, together with the 6C and 16V threads - but they were both sold as well. I do like Sprints!

[StescoG66]

Well excited/chuffed doesn't quite cover it. Phone call today, she's painted!!!

[Flying Phil]

Very Nice - please post build pics!

[StescoG66]

Flying Phil said:

Very Nice - please post build pics!

Happy to oblige Phil. Todays pic - she's home, and hunting down the parts is the order of the day. However interior placed in position, and its chosen wheels fitted along with the bonnet and some of the rubber seals.

[coppice]

I owned two- a '78 1.3 Ti and an '83 1350Ti. Former was rust free and one of the best cars I have ever owned ; hugely charismatic engine, 'sprint' gearing (ie 5000 at 80 in 5th ),terrific exhaust note , stunning brakes and peerless handling and grip. It felt like a baby Ferrari and I am only half joking.

The 83 car was just appalling - terminally unreliable , shoddily built and, worst of all. the gearing had been changed as it was now stupidly over geared and this wrecked the whole persona of the car. I bought it from Amersham Motors who apparently had bought a shed load of run out Suds and stored them in a field- or so another Alfa dealer told me . Customer service dreadful from both anyway

Replaced .first Sud with a Mk 1 Golf GTi - and the only improvement was a lot more go. But Golf was noisy, uncomfortable and had no brakes ...not a patch on the Sud

[robemcdonald]

Not too sure how I have managed to miss this thread. Anyway I got mine mot'd a few weeks ago. Time had not been too kind to the underside despite being garaged for the last 10 years. (Some poor repairs by previous keepers being the real culprit) New inner and outer sills later and a fresh MoT.
Should be back on the road in the next couple of weeks. The engine is in desperate need of an Italian tune (and a new temperature sensor)

[Flying Phil]

Nice looking Sprint Rob.

[robemcdonald]

Evoluzione said:

MarshPhantom said:

Pistom said:

The sprint was especially good.

If you were a Midget. No room inside.

I'm nearly 6'2" and had no problem. Couldn't shut the door in an MX5 or an E-type mind....

I fit easily in mine, but I am too tall for many cars including an Aston v8 vantage.

[robemcdonald]

Flying Phil said:

Nice looking Sprint Rob.

Thanks. It needs a respray really, but finding someone to do it isn't easy.

I am als going to change the mirrors. They'd seemed like a good idea at the time but are next to useless.

[POORCARDEALER]

Lovely sprint...good news these days is the cars can be repaired properly as their values rise.

[robemcdonald]

I think good standard cars will be worth something.

Modified not so much. Although the 16 valve engine does mean it has no problems keeping up with more modern traffic.

[iSore]

coppice said:

I owned two- a '78 1.3 Ti and an '83 1350Ti. Former was rust free and one of the best cars I have ever owned ; hugely charismatic engine, 'sprint' gearing (ie 5000 at 80 in 5th ),terrific exhaust note , stunning brakes and peerless handling and grip. It felt like a baby Ferrari and I am only half joking.

The 83 car was just appalling - terminally unreliable , shoddily built and, worst of all. the gearing had been changed as it was now stupidly over geared and this wrecked the whole persona of the car. I bought it from Amersham Motors who apparently had bought a shed load of run out Suds and stored them in a field- or so another Alfa dealer told me . Customer service dreadful from both anyway

Replaced .first Sud with a Mk 1 Golf GTi - and the only improvement was a lot more go. But Golf was noisy, uncomfortable and had no brakes ...not a patch on the Sud

The 1978 car was a 1286 cc, and from memory they retained the close ratio box from the 1200Ti and 5M - 4.1 final drive? It's odd how you'd see the occasional example that was rot free after 5-10 years when most were teabags.

I never liked the 105 bhp Green Cloverleaf with the 14 inch wheels as much tbh. The 85 bhp 1500 was the best compromise imo b ut the 95 bhp Veloce version really bloody went.

[waterden]

I had one too, bought new in 1977 or 1978, forget which. It was in a leaf green colour, same green as in the red and green one above. Forget which engine - may not have been any choice. Loved the car until forced to brake hard when some dear old soul pulled out of a side road while I was overtaking another car - dead straight, clear road in the country mind you! - and the car did a 360 degree turn. Shook me but I think it shook her rather more. Anyway decided it was time for a change and bought a Datsun 240Z in metallic blue with the sale proceeds. Crap car, Alfa much better, but the 240Z is now worth 35-40k, which is probably a lot more than the Sud Sprint.

Edited by waterden on Thursday 20th April 08:22

[StescoG66]

small bits of progress........ 30 year old Italian electrics are proving a bit of mystery to me, but finally the front illuminates as it should.



And much fannying around finally has her holding a steady tickover speed. Alas can't seem to upload that video.....

[littlebasher]

It's only when i read threads like this that i remember owning certain cars

I had a Sud followed by a sprint - loved that flat 4.

That being said, all i can remember about them now is the biblical rust! Couldn't drive the sprint in the rain, due to all the holes in the roof thanks to the poorly fitted aftermarket sunroof.

[Veesix75]

Mine in action.....

[Flying Phil]

Nice action Veesix!

[coppice]

Croft HSCC Nostalgia Meeting 2018 ?

[Veesix75]

Yes, Croft 2018........one more for good measure