Alfa 156 GTA (+ Car History)
Discussion
43034 said:
Grand Dai. Keep me in the loop please as id love to come a long!
How is the 2.8? Still wishing you got an Auto?
Lol! Yep!!! This clutch upgrades coming in over £2k including the diff How is the 2.8? Still wishing you got an Auto?
I'd be up & running ages ago with the Auto!I've got all the stage 5 kit sat upstairs ready to fit, but can't do a thing until the clutch is done.
I love that. It screams petrol head because a) it's an Alfa and b) it's the all-singing all-dancing slightly mad one. A rare sight too in GTA guise too, it's reassuring and ego-boosting to know that those in the know will always look at it and look again. I know I would!
The second car I owned not long after passing my test was a red and pink 1996 Alfa 146ti. I bet you've never seen one in the flesh. Checking howmanyleft.co.uk shows there's less than none out there. You remember the early days of driving fondly and I loved this car. Drove it everywhere like I'd stolen it, it sounded glorious (early Twin Sparks with metal rocker cover sound fruitier) and felt way more than it's 150 horses, thanks in part to the super-sensitive throttle Alfas have always possessed. I ran it on a shoe string, and ultimately into the ground. Back then I spent what little money I had on fuel and nights, both out of necessity so she got neglected. It desperately needed a radiator; I remember the summer of 2003 being particularly hot only because I'd have to drive round everywhere with the heater on full strength to keep the engine temp down. Fun times!
In the end the cambelt snapped, bent the valves and it went on eBay for spares. Typical Alfa story! A succession of e36 coupes ensued, all with six cylinders but none captured "that Alfa magic". I ALWAYS thought I'd end up with a Busso-engined 3.0 GTV, but that never happened, and probably never will. I tried to reacquaint myself with Alfa a few years ago and bought a 156 2.4 JTD Veloce as a commuter. Gorgeous looking saloon. Alas it came with every single 156 foible, the suspension was shot to bits (despite an advisory-free MoT cert) and 5-pot growl aside; it was a bit disappointing. That heavy diesel lump killed any handling finesse that the petrols were renowned for, and the weight at the front also meant it chewed suspension arms for fun. The auxiliary belt snapped when I went to overtake a tractor one day and the damage that resulted due to heat/stress/sheared bolts was incredible, unsurprisingly such engine damage is only heard of in the Alfa circle! So for the time being at least, the fondness for Alfa Romeo has diminished. I've come to the conclusion that although I may love them, they don't love me, so I won't be having another. That said;, both the 147 and 156 GTA really do it for me, and looking at your car makes me all hot and bothered! Nice work, chap.
The second car I owned not long after passing my test was a red and pink 1996 Alfa 146ti. I bet you've never seen one in the flesh. Checking howmanyleft.co.uk shows there's less than none out there. You remember the early days of driving fondly and I loved this car. Drove it everywhere like I'd stolen it, it sounded glorious (early Twin Sparks with metal rocker cover sound fruitier) and felt way more than it's 150 horses, thanks in part to the super-sensitive throttle Alfas have always possessed. I ran it on a shoe string, and ultimately into the ground. Back then I spent what little money I had on fuel and nights, both out of necessity so she got neglected. It desperately needed a radiator; I remember the summer of 2003 being particularly hot only because I'd have to drive round everywhere with the heater on full strength to keep the engine temp down. Fun times!
In the end the cambelt snapped, bent the valves and it went on eBay for spares. Typical Alfa story! A succession of e36 coupes ensued, all with six cylinders but none captured "that Alfa magic". I ALWAYS thought I'd end up with a Busso-engined 3.0 GTV, but that never happened, and probably never will. I tried to reacquaint myself with Alfa a few years ago and bought a 156 2.4 JTD Veloce as a commuter. Gorgeous looking saloon. Alas it came with every single 156 foible, the suspension was shot to bits (despite an advisory-free MoT cert) and 5-pot growl aside; it was a bit disappointing. That heavy diesel lump killed any handling finesse that the petrols were renowned for, and the weight at the front also meant it chewed suspension arms for fun. The auxiliary belt snapped when I went to overtake a tractor one day and the damage that resulted due to heat/stress/sheared bolts was incredible, unsurprisingly such engine damage is only heard of in the Alfa circle! So for the time being at least, the fondness for Alfa Romeo has diminished. I've come to the conclusion that although I may love them, they don't love me, so I won't be having another. That said;, both the 147 and 156 GTA really do it for me, and looking at your car makes me all hot and bothered! Nice work, chap.
Thanks for the kind words.
You're correct in saying i've never seen a 146. Seen one 145 and that's only because someone in my village owned one for a while!
After I took the photo of it that appears on the other page I went to start it up and it was dead. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Starter motor wouldn't even click.
Disconnected the battery and left it for 20mins and when I reconnected it, all was well in the world! Just part of that Alfa charm I guess. That said, it's the only problem I've had since I've owned the car and I do drive it at some pace!
ETA: There's a reason Alfa engine bays are so pretty to look at!
As for not owning another Alfa, going out in a Busso engined car will certainly change your mind! Even if it's just the 2.5 in a 156!
You're correct in saying i've never seen a 146. Seen one 145 and that's only because someone in my village owned one for a while!
After I took the photo of it that appears on the other page I went to start it up and it was dead. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Starter motor wouldn't even click.
Disconnected the battery and left it for 20mins and when I reconnected it, all was well in the world! Just part of that Alfa charm I guess. That said, it's the only problem I've had since I've owned the car and I do drive it at some pace!
ETA: There's a reason Alfa engine bays are so pretty to look at!
As for not owning another Alfa, going out in a Busso engined car will certainly change your mind! Even if it's just the 2.5 in a 156!
43034 said:
....I went to start it up and it was dead. Nothing, absolutely nothing. Starter motor wouldn't even click.
Disconnected the battery and left it for 20mins and when I reconnected it, all was well in the world!
In Alfa circles this is known as Self Healing Italian Technology (SH*T)! Disconnected the battery and left it for 20mins and when I reconnected it, all was well in the world!
Quick update.
The GTA went in this morning for a cambelt, a service and some other work (front suspention battery etc). Can't wait to pick it up later on and hopefully it'll drive like new!
Lots of Italian cars around when I dropped it off. There was a 456 running in the garage and it sounded lovely
Had the MOT last week and all was fine, just an advisory for a bit of wear on the front tyres. Got caught speeding come home from the test station - 73 in a 50
The GTA went in this morning for a cambelt, a service and some other work (front suspention battery etc). Can't wait to pick it up later on and hopefully it'll drive like new!
Lots of Italian cars around when I dropped it off. There was a 456 running in the garage and it sounded lovely
Had the MOT last week and all was fine, just an advisory for a bit of wear on the front tyres. Got caught speeding come home from the test station - 73 in a 50
Thanks gents.
Yes it was a van, saw it but obviously it saw me first. Oh well, can't do anything about it now. I'll have to see what comes in the post. Hoping for 3points & £100.
Let me know when you get something with the dyno sorted. As long as i'm off work i'll be in. The 9-3 should be pretty bonkers now then!! Certainly will outpace the GTA with its meagre 250bhp.
Yes it was a van, saw it but obviously it saw me first. Oh well, can't do anything about it now. I'll have to see what comes in the post. Hoping for 3points & £100.
Let me know when you get something with the dyno sorted. As long as i'm off work i'll be in. The 9-3 should be pretty bonkers now then!! Certainly will outpace the GTA with its meagre 250bhp.
king gutted. Was such a good fun car. 
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