Great Italian car thread
Discussion
After watching Monaco Historique I started to look up the Alfa p3.
f
k me they are amazing. The weight of the things is mental, according to wiki they were 680kg (dry one guesses) but Ive seen it stated from 700-770, so who knows. But when you remember that the superlight Bugatti 35 was 750ish, it makes the 190bhp it made from its supercharged 8cylinder all the more mad. That's 250 bhp/tonne with no seat belts and skinny tyres. That 100 more than the Bugattis and only 50 less than the 4 and a half litre Bently, which was more than double the weight.
Tazio, I applaud thee.
f
k me they are amazing. The weight of the things is mental, according to wiki they were 680kg (dry one guesses) but Ive seen it stated from 700-770, so who knows. But when you remember that the superlight Bugatti 35 was 750ish, it makes the 190bhp it made from its supercharged 8cylinder all the more mad. That's 250 bhp/tonne with no seat belts and skinny tyres. That 100 more than the Bugattis and only 50 less than the 4 and a half litre Bently, which was more than double the weight.Tazio, I applaud thee.
jacklewisno1 said:
I think its disappointing todays turbos in f1 sound so bad. Ive been watching some classic f1 races recently on sky and the 1.5 ltr turbos they ran back then sounded great. TO add to your Ferrari theme, heres a vid of some...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJAriYU6rhM
Yeah the 1.5s sounded ace. Even when you compare them to the sonorous ('that means it sounds good'-Chris Harris) v12s of the 90s.Senna and v12s? F1 fans were lucky in the early 90s. Very lucky.
On the subject of engine notes, of modern road cars the Carerra GT and the LFA seem to be ticking some major high pitched boxes at the moment, really sweet sounding.
How's the Abarth?
Ive been watching a lot of classic F1, the early 80's were very entertaining. Lots of power but hardly any downforce. Lots of sliding and wheel spin! Plus they had several different engines on the grid at once, V6 Turbo's, N/A V8s and V12s.
On the subject of road car sounds i think the GT3 sounds rather nice revving all the way to 8500RPM
The Abarth is doing well. Having been sat still for 3 months it developed some problems. A coolant leak and power steering warning light to be precise. I asked my mate to disconnect and reconnect the battery while i was away which solved the warning light. The coolant leak has proved a mystery though. It was definitely leaking as i saw the drip tray and contents, but when i took it for its MOT the garage were unable to find a leak at all. Since then its been fine.
Getting back in the car and driving it after so long was fantastic, it felt like the first day i drove it. Its had a bit of TLC in the form of machine polish and wax courtesy of myself too. It will be getting a Piper Cross air filter fitted when its serviced in a few weeks.
Ill be taking it to the Cholmeley Pageant of Power and Silverstone Classic this year with the owners club. Maybe ill see you there?
Hows the MR2 doing?
On the subject of road car sounds i think the GT3 sounds rather nice revving all the way to 8500RPM
The Abarth is doing well. Having been sat still for 3 months it developed some problems. A coolant leak and power steering warning light to be precise. I asked my mate to disconnect and reconnect the battery while i was away which solved the warning light. The coolant leak has proved a mystery though. It was definitely leaking as i saw the drip tray and contents, but when i took it for its MOT the garage were unable to find a leak at all. Since then its been fine.
Getting back in the car and driving it after so long was fantastic, it felt like the first day i drove it. Its had a bit of TLC in the form of machine polish and wax courtesy of myself too. It will be getting a Piper Cross air filter fitted when its serviced in a few weeks.
Ill be taking it to the Cholmeley Pageant of Power and Silverstone Classic this year with the owners club. Maybe ill see you there?
Hows the MR2 doing?
jacklewisno1 said:
Ive been watching a lot of classic F1, the early 80's were very entertaining. Lots of power but hardly any downforce. Lots of sliding and wheel spin! Plus they had several different engines on the grid at once, V6 Turbo's, N/A V8s and V12s.
On the subject of road car sounds i think the GT3 sounds rather nice revving all the way to 8500RPM
The Abarth is doing well. Having been sat still for 3 months it developed some problems. A coolant leak and power steering warning light to be precise. I asked my mate to disconnect and reconnect the battery while i was away which solved the warning light. The coolant leak has proved a mystery though. It was definitely leaking as i saw the drip tray and contents, but when i took it for its MOT the garage were unable to find a leak at all. Since then its been fine.
Getting back in the car and driving it after so long was fantastic, it felt like the first day i drove it. Its had a bit of TLC in the form of machine polish and wax courtesy of myself too. It will be getting a Piper Cross air filter fitted when its serviced in a few weeks.
Ill be taking it to the Cholmeley Pageant of Power and Silverstone Classic this year with the owners club. Maybe ill see you there?
Hows the MR2 doing?
Ah that's weird about the coolant leak.On the subject of road car sounds i think the GT3 sounds rather nice revving all the way to 8500RPM
The Abarth is doing well. Having been sat still for 3 months it developed some problems. A coolant leak and power steering warning light to be precise. I asked my mate to disconnect and reconnect the battery while i was away which solved the warning light. The coolant leak has proved a mystery though. It was definitely leaking as i saw the drip tray and contents, but when i took it for its MOT the garage were unable to find a leak at all. Since then its been fine.
Getting back in the car and driving it after so long was fantastic, it felt like the first day i drove it. Its had a bit of TLC in the form of machine polish and wax courtesy of myself too. It will be getting a Piper Cross air filter fitted when its serviced in a few weeks.
Ill be taking it to the Cholmeley Pageant of Power and Silverstone Classic this year with the owners club. Maybe ill see you there?
Hows the MR2 doing?
MR2 have me a scare, warning light and seriously low oil made me think pre cat problems (means new engine...) but turned out to be just an o2 sensor gone.
I might be at Silverstone, not sure though, think I need to get to Goodwood this year so will have to allocate funds. Silverstone was pretty awesome last year though, if tickets are cheap Ill be there!
I really want to see the group C Lancia's now, and I'm hoping the 33/2 that ran last year has got more competitive/ louder - you could barely hear it over the Fords and Corvettes, oh and those bloody Abarths...
I think its a smart move by FIAT making the MX5 cross over an Abarth, they are trying to keep the Alfa brand 'premium' so a cheapish little sports car doesn't really fit. Plus it would be nice to see Abarth expand a little from just the 500.
Hopefully they will drop the twin air 105 in it and some tax free fun will be had!
Anyone else think Alfa or Abarth should get in LMP2? I do.
That's a Honda...they sound epic.
Yes the Tipo 33 was driven very carefully last year, i was rather disappointed. But then again, seeing the 512s and T-70 having accidents brings home the reason why.
Silverstone was great last year, its on my birthday this year! Ive been told by a friend i need to go to Goodward, but i hear its too popular these days.
So i take it the mx5 collaboration is now officially going to be an Abarth not an Alfa? I think it makes sense for the reason given, i just hope im not tempted to buy one myself. Cant wait to see what it will look like.
Silverstone was great last year, its on my birthday this year! Ive been told by a friend i need to go to Goodward, but i hear its too popular these days.
So i take it the mx5 collaboration is now officially going to be an Abarth not an Alfa? I think it makes sense for the reason given, i just hope im not tempted to buy one myself. Cant wait to see what it will look like.
jacklewisno1 said:
Yes the Tipo 33 was driven very carefully last year, i was rather disappointed. But then again, seeing the 512s and T-70 having accidents brings home the reason why.
Silverstone was great last year, its on my birthday this year! Ive been told by a friend i need to go to Goodward, but i hear its too popular these days.
So i take it the mx5 collaboration is now officially going to be an Abarth not an Alfa? I think it makes sense for the reason given, i just hope im not tempted to buy one myself. Cant wait to see what it will look like.
Yeah I know what you mean about Goodwood, but it is meant to be epic for racing, you can see a lot apparently. But it is a bit, exclusive. Apparently you need a goodwood membership to be allowed into the 'good' paddock, with all the Sportscars, the great unwashed can only access the touring cars and the likes...takes the piss a bit. At Silverstone, I walked into a pit with 2 DBR1s, and a DP214. There is only one dp214. In the world. And the bloke said 'sure come on in'! Plus I was able to touch cars, an owner of a GT40 was rather cool about that. So it seems a bit elite for the sake of it at Goodwood.Silverstone was great last year, its on my birthday this year! Ive been told by a friend i need to go to Goodward, but i hear its too popular these days.
So i take it the mx5 collaboration is now officially going to be an Abarth not an Alfa? I think it makes sense for the reason given, i just hope im not tempted to buy one myself. Cant wait to see what it will look like.
And dressing up like an extra from Miss Marple seems a bit much...
I think most of the people racing have a pretty good ethic with racing the cars, 'if I crash, Ill rebuild it, that's what their made for'. But if you're not experienced with the car, I can see why you'd be tip toeing around! Hopefully it will be at full tilt this year. If not Ill volunteer!
I hope the designer for the Abarth spider doesn't just take the easy option and use a 500 style front facia. Lots of the mags own artist have done that, and they look really crap. Abarth have done some wicked looking sports cars, doing something that is just a 500 copy would be a real waste to show of. Once again Ill volunteer if they need a designer...
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah I know what you mean about Goodwood, but it is meant to be epic for racing, you can see a lot apparently. But it is a bit, exclusive. Apparently you need a goodwood membership to be allowed into the 'good' paddock, with all the Sportscars, the great unwashed can only access the touring cars and the likes...takes the piss a bit. At Silverstone, I walked into a pit with 2 DBR1s, and a DP214. There is only one dp214. In the world. And the bloke said 'sure come on in'! Plus I was able to touch cars, an owner of a GT40 was rather cool about that. So it seems a bit elite for the sake of it at Goodwood.
And dressing up like an extra from Miss Marple seems a bit much...
I think most of the people racing have a pretty good ethic with racing the cars, 'if I crash, Ill rebuild it, that's what their made for'. But if you're not experienced with the car, I can see why you'd be tip toeing around! Hopefully it will be at full tilt this year. If not Ill volunteer!
I hope the designer for the Abarth spider doesn't just take the easy option and use a 500 style front facia. Lots of the mags own artist have done that, and they look really crap. Abarth have done some wicked looking sports cars, doing something that is just a 500 copy would be a real waste to show of. Once again Ill volunteer if they need a designer...
Yeh the openness and level of access at Silverstone is what draws me to it. My parents managed to get some passes to the Goodward membership bit when they went, dad said it was amazing. And dressing up like an extra from Miss Marple seems a bit much...
I think most of the people racing have a pretty good ethic with racing the cars, 'if I crash, Ill rebuild it, that's what their made for'. But if you're not experienced with the car, I can see why you'd be tip toeing around! Hopefully it will be at full tilt this year. If not Ill volunteer!
I hope the designer for the Abarth spider doesn't just take the easy option and use a 500 style front facia. Lots of the mags own artist have done that, and they look really crap. Abarth have done some wicked looking sports cars, doing something that is just a 500 copy would be a real waste to show of. Once again Ill volunteer if they need a designer...
Reading the rumours online the Abarth Spider will have either the same engine the 500 has or the same engine as the 4c and a flappy paddle gearbox. Hopefully a manual will be an option as supposedly the current Abarth flappy paddle is a bit poo.
Speaking of the 4c ive entered a car competition to win one, so fingers crossed!!
I know we've discussed the 8c before but i found this.. http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-...
Looks amazing in that colour!!!
jacklewisno1 said:
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah I know what you mean about Goodwood, but it is meant to be epic for racing, you can see a lot apparently. But it is a bit, exclusive. Apparently you need a goodwood membership to be allowed into the 'good' paddock, with all the Sportscars, the great unwashed can only access the touring cars and the likes...takes the piss a bit. At Silverstone, I walked into a pit with 2 DBR1s, and a DP214. There is only one dp214. In the world. And the bloke said 'sure come on in'! Plus I was able to touch cars, an owner of a GT40 was rather cool about that. So it seems a bit elite for the sake of it at Goodwood.
And dressing up like an extra from Miss Marple seems a bit much...
I think most of the people racing have a pretty good ethic with racing the cars, 'if I crash, Ill rebuild it, that's what their made for'. But if you're not experienced with the car, I can see why you'd be tip toeing around! Hopefully it will be at full tilt this year. If not Ill volunteer!
I hope the designer for the Abarth spider doesn't just take the easy option and use a 500 style front facia. Lots of the mags own artist have done that, and they look really crap. Abarth have done some wicked looking sports cars, doing something that is just a 500 copy would be a real waste to show of. Once again Ill volunteer if they need a designer...
Yeh the openness and level of access at Silverstone is what draws me to it. My parents managed to get some passes to the Goodward membership bit when they went, dad said it was amazing. And dressing up like an extra from Miss Marple seems a bit much...
I think most of the people racing have a pretty good ethic with racing the cars, 'if I crash, Ill rebuild it, that's what their made for'. But if you're not experienced with the car, I can see why you'd be tip toeing around! Hopefully it will be at full tilt this year. If not Ill volunteer!
I hope the designer for the Abarth spider doesn't just take the easy option and use a 500 style front facia. Lots of the mags own artist have done that, and they look really crap. Abarth have done some wicked looking sports cars, doing something that is just a 500 copy would be a real waste to show of. Once again Ill volunteer if they need a designer...
Reading the rumours online the Abarth Spider will have either the same engine the 500 has or the same engine as the 4c and a flappy paddle gearbox. Hopefully a manual will be an option as supposedly the current Abarth flappy paddle is a bit poo.
Speaking of the 4c ive entered a car competition to win one, so fingers crossed!!
I know we've discussed the 8c before but i found this.. http://pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/alfa-...
Looks amazing in that colour!!!
I thought the mx5 engine was being crossed over into the alfa/abarth? f
k it, no one knows until its properly made.Id imagine they will put the 1.4 turbo in it, its got good range from 135 -180, then perhaps use the 4c engine for a super hot version. Hopefully it will be a manual, or at least the base model will.
What competition was that for the 4c? Pretty good competition!
The 8c looks insane in that ice blue, I'm surprised they haven't had the leather changed from red to cream/black. Then it would be perfect!
I've always thought a Black 8c with a deep purple leather interior would look ace. But purple isn't so popular...
Started a Mille Miglia pictures thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Not all Italian cars but an Italian event....
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Not all Italian cars but an Italian event....
Fantuzzi said:
Yeah I think Goodwood needs doing this year. Need to see me some GTO's!
I thought the mx5 engine was being crossed over into the alfa/abarth? fk it, no one knows until its properly made.
Id imagine they will put the 1.4 turbo in it, its got good range from 135 -180, then perhaps use the 4c engine for a super hot version. Hopefully it will be a manual, or at least the base model will.
What competition was that for the 4c? Pretty good competition!
The 8c looks insane in that ice blue, I'm surprised they haven't had the leather changed from red to cream/black. Then it would be perfect!
I've always thought a Black 8c with a deep purple leather interior would look ace. But purple isn't so popular...
Yes i assumed they would use the Mazda engine, as you say no one knows. Presumably the hottest version will be refrained from being quick as a 4c. So perhaps 200bhp in a 1100kgish car would be about right. That could make it a BRZ rival. I thought the mx5 engine was being crossed over into the alfa/abarth? f
k it, no one knows until its properly made.Id imagine they will put the 1.4 turbo in it, its got good range from 135 -180, then perhaps use the 4c engine for a super hot version. Hopefully it will be a manual, or at least the base model will.
What competition was that for the 4c? Pretty good competition!
The 8c looks insane in that ice blue, I'm surprised they haven't had the leather changed from red to cream/black. Then it would be perfect!
I've always thought a Black 8c with a deep purple leather interior would look ace. But purple isn't so popular...
The competition is a 'spot the ball' one. Its run by Best of the Best. Basically you buy as many tickets as you want, the price varies depending on which car you want to win. So in my case a 4c is 5.50 each and then you just click whereabouts on the picture you think the ball is and the closest wins. Theirs 170 different cars to choose from. I was tempted by a 355 but if i won one i wouldn't be able to keep it. So i went for the 4c as its beautiful and affordable to run.
Yes the 8c interior was a disappointment, cream leather would look the biz. I think your on your own with the purple interior idea though.
Gassing Station | Alfa Romeo, Fiat & Lancia | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff