'68 Alfa Romeo Gt Junior
Discussion
Very nice, is that colour Bluette? My dad has a 1968 1300 GT Junior 'step front' like yours that he's restoring at the moment. As you say they are a gorgeous shape and the epitome, for me at least, of 60's cool. When finished his will have a 2 litre twin spark on tb's, so should be a fast road car in the same vein as yours. Also has yours got Duetto Spider wheels on it? Lovely looker, thanks for sharing 
The 105 Alfa is one of the all time classic designs, coupled with a wonderful range of engines.
As an owner of a classic Lotus Elan, I have always been interested in the 105 ; upon reading into the history of the evolution of the Elan, I discovered that when they were revising the S3 into the S4 ( around 1968 ), one of the Lotus designers was driving home, and happened to be following a 105 Alfa. He apparently admired the rear light clusters so much, that they became the template for the S4 Elan lamps.. Also, Lotus engine designers 'copied' the design of the cam cover of the Alfa twin cam...which is why all classic Elans have the legendary thick aluminium 'crackle painted' cam covers !
As an owner of a classic Lotus Elan, I have always been interested in the 105 ; upon reading into the history of the evolution of the Elan, I discovered that when they were revising the S3 into the S4 ( around 1968 ), one of the Lotus designers was driving home, and happened to be following a 105 Alfa. He apparently admired the rear light clusters so much, that they became the template for the S4 Elan lamps.. Also, Lotus engine designers 'copied' the design of the cam cover of the Alfa twin cam...which is why all classic Elans have the legendary thick aluminium 'crackle painted' cam covers !
I drove a GT Junior 1300 for a weekend once, and thought it a car of perfect balance and poise, and a sheer delight to drive on a country road. I could not fathom why Alfa ever stopped making so fine a car. It just goes to show that the crazed pursuit of horsepower and bling so beloved of parts of PH is, well, crazed.
The modern seats look grotty in the stylish classic interior, so you are right to aim to replace them. If you want high backed seats, at least try some from a 1970s GTV or Spider.
The modern seats look grotty in the stylish classic interior, so you are right to aim to replace them. If you want high backed seats, at least try some from a 1970s GTV or Spider.
Thanks men.
Ive used the alfa for commuting 3 days this week and it's a joy. It takes longer to get to work in the morning over my 20 mile commute, but I've sought out the a roads that run alongside the duel carriageway. It's been really great, sun, window open a bit and an raspy twincam to listen to.
This evening I had a few hours so took the armchairs out of the car to have a go putting my cobreau alpines in. I took out the passenger side one first and sized up the runners with the new seats, not a match. Oh! The new subframes are much narrower than the existing set up, so it's more than an hours job go fit them. Once I'd resined myself to the fact I gave the car a vacuum as it was full of dog hair (!) and wiped down inside. It was in a bit if a mess. Then I washed it.
It absolutely gleams now!
I went for a drive and took a couple if shots which I'll upload shortly.
Plan of action is to get the car checked over by a work friend who rebuilds formula cars from the 70s and then get a local trials car builder to fit the seats for me. After that I don't know really. Just get on enjoying the car.
Velocemitch: no LSD as I found out on Monday around an island also im wondering if the speedo is left over from the 1300 days. The car was found in a barn in 1990. It had the later brakes (atc?) and a gta style dash and instruments. Thes things had been specd at the factory apparently!
More soon. Thanks for looking.
Ive used the alfa for commuting 3 days this week and it's a joy. It takes longer to get to work in the morning over my 20 mile commute, but I've sought out the a roads that run alongside the duel carriageway. It's been really great, sun, window open a bit and an raspy twincam to listen to.
This evening I had a few hours so took the armchairs out of the car to have a go putting my cobreau alpines in. I took out the passenger side one first and sized up the runners with the new seats, not a match. Oh! The new subframes are much narrower than the existing set up, so it's more than an hours job go fit them. Once I'd resined myself to the fact I gave the car a vacuum as it was full of dog hair (!) and wiped down inside. It was in a bit if a mess. Then I washed it.
It absolutely gleams now!
I went for a drive and took a couple if shots which I'll upload shortly.
Plan of action is to get the car checked over by a work friend who rebuilds formula cars from the 70s and then get a local trials car builder to fit the seats for me. After that I don't know really. Just get on enjoying the car.
Velocemitch: no LSD as I found out on Monday around an island
also im wondering if the speedo is left over from the 1300 days. The car was found in a barn in 1990. It had the later brakes (atc?) and a gta style dash and instruments. Thes things had been specd at the factory apparently! More soon. Thanks for looking.
An LSD would be your first upgrade I guess, though you are doing the right thing to get used to her as she is for a while. I'm not too sure about the speedo, but I'd suggest you check the revs in each gear against actual road speed to see if the gearing is right. A standard 1750 will be reving at about 2900 at 60mph in fifth, (from memory...I have a spreadsheet somewhere)) I think you are on bigger wheels so that should drop the revs a bit.
Brakes are ATE on the later cars, they are easier to set up than the Dunlops, many have been swapped over. Corbeau Alpine's would suit nicely, it's not too difficult to adapt the mounts, though setting up a sliding mechanism might be tricky, it might be worth trying to source some original slider rails, then all you need is a couple of cross pieces to fix the seats to.
Brakes are ATE on the later cars, they are easier to set up than the Dunlops, many have been swapped over. Corbeau Alpine's would suit nicely, it's not too difficult to adapt the mounts, though setting up a sliding mechanism might be tricky, it might be worth trying to source some original slider rails, then all you need is a couple of cross pieces to fix the seats to.
Thinking about things on the way to work this morning, and I have a list of things I'd like to work on.
Interior
- Re finish the dash, as there are a few empty holes, and the vinyl is bubbled in places. This may be in a sympathetic wood effect vinyl, or maybe a flat colour. I don't know yet, but maybe refinish the dash top in black/dark grey alcantarta.
- Fit a period radio with updated internals and a usb lead
- Drill holes in the rear parcel shelf to allow sound through from the speakers fitted underneath
- Fit speaker under the central dash mounted grille
- Obtain an original gearknob to replace the leather one fitted
- Fit my new seats
- Sort a 12v plug
- Isolate the car a bit from wind noise around the window frame
- fix fuel gauge
Mechanicals
- Rejet the Webers for smoother running at low rpm. Its a bit jumpy and at present
- fit limited slip differential
- Brake overhaul (currently pre pressing to get decent pressure)
- sort out ticking sound. This is, I think, down to the speedo as is speed related irrespective of revs.
Others
- Surface corrosion on sills cleaned and sealed
- Underside inspection and touch up where needed
- source a gta spare wheel
- slow the indicator speed down a bit!
Interior
- Re finish the dash, as there are a few empty holes, and the vinyl is bubbled in places. This may be in a sympathetic wood effect vinyl, or maybe a flat colour. I don't know yet, but maybe refinish the dash top in black/dark grey alcantarta.
- Fit a period radio with updated internals and a usb lead
- Drill holes in the rear parcel shelf to allow sound through from the speakers fitted underneath
- Fit speaker under the central dash mounted grille
- Obtain an original gearknob to replace the leather one fitted
- Fit my new seats
- Sort a 12v plug
- Isolate the car a bit from wind noise around the window frame
- fix fuel gauge
Mechanicals
- Rejet the Webers for smoother running at low rpm. Its a bit jumpy and at present
- fit limited slip differential
- Brake overhaul (currently pre pressing to get decent pressure)
- sort out ticking sound. This is, I think, down to the speedo as is speed related irrespective of revs.
Others
- Surface corrosion on sills cleaned and sealed
- Underside inspection and touch up where needed
- source a gta spare wheel
- slow the indicator speed down a bit!
Edited by joesnow on Friday 15th July 09:07
Beautiful car!
Just in case you weren't aware, and I am sure you must be, the colour is Dutch Blue. I had a GT1600Junior in the same colour - and I reckon it is one of the best, most classy, colours for the Berties, in my opinion!
NAD would be a good run out if you can make it - lots to see / do / buy!!
Just in case you weren't aware, and I am sure you must be, the colour is Dutch Blue. I had a GT1600Junior in the same colour - and I reckon it is one of the best, most classy, colours for the Berties, in my opinion!
NAD would be a good run out if you can make it - lots to see / do / buy!!
With respect, I disagree. I don't think that these cars need a lot of power. They are very enjoyable with their original fairly modest (although still properly Alfatastic and slightly highly strung) engines, and the driving experience can be very rewarding at speeds which threaten neither life nor licence.
There's a good video somewhere of Clarkson driving and enthusing about a small engined Lancia Fulvia, a similarly beautiful Italian coupe which feels quick and is great fun to drive with spirit on a twisty road, despite its relative lack of raw power.
There's a good video somewhere of Clarkson driving and enthusing about a small engined Lancia Fulvia, a similarly beautiful Italian coupe which feels quick and is great fun to drive with spirit on a twisty road, despite its relative lack of raw power.
Beautiful. I love how the earlier step front cars have a closer wrap around bumper at the rear and the dashboard is a work of art. The engine notes are just a joy!
I had the same problem with my quarterlight window, 3 years on and I still haven't got round to fixing it!
Enjoy, you lucky fellow.
I had the same problem with my quarterlight window, 3 years on and I still haven't got round to fixing it!
Enjoy, you lucky fellow.
Yes, it was for sale through Alfaholics, somewhere else at a higher price, and also included for auction at Goodwood (the owners' last resort). I basically covered the previous owners costs which made me happier than he.
Went on a proper drive around my locale last night, roundabouts are great fun, as are flowing roads. You feel so much through the wheel as it weights up and then goes light depending on camber. Fantastic. Its going in for a thorough inspection and tune up in a couple of weeks. I have been promised that it will be running better and stronger as a result of the air/fuel being adjusted and a possible reject of the webers.
I may make a short video.
Went on a proper drive around my locale last night, roundabouts are great fun, as are flowing roads. You feel so much through the wheel as it weights up and then goes light depending on camber. Fantastic. Its going in for a thorough inspection and tune up in a couple of weeks. I have been promised that it will be running better and stronger as a result of the air/fuel being adjusted and a possible reject of the webers.
I may make a short video.
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