Rare for a reason? 1972-1983 4-door Alfetta type 116

Rare for a reason? 1972-1983 4-door Alfetta type 116

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Discussion

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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I lust for a 1972-1983 4-door Alfetta 1.8 or 2000 (type 116):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VW5g86Gj2hE
Liking the model with the 4 round lights.

xyyman

1,075 posts

224 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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I love the 116 transaxle models. My first ever Alfa was a 2.0 Alfetta saloon, an '82 with the square headlights. Still miss the Giulietta 2.0 I sold on a couple of years ago. Was a real nostalgia trip when I saw it at Spring Alfa Day earlier this year. Looked extremely well looked after. Yes I know they were notorious for rust, like just about every other car at the time with no rustproofing. Those that survive were probably Zeibarted from new, like my old Giulietta was, did I say that I still miss it. smile

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
quotequote all
They can be found at 5-10K euros over here. I'll inform at my local Alfa specialist which happends to be the best in the NLs. A Polizia nosed car looks the dogs!

jamieandthemagic

619 posts

191 months

Thursday 28th May 2015
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Mate of mine has 3, one is identical to that pic and same colour and condition.

If you are after one, let me know.

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Friday 29th May 2015
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Thx, maybe show me the money pits I should avoid. What is the difference with the Giulias?

Apart from rust - only the good ones have survived - the period Alfa mechanicals should be pretty good.

renorti

727 posts

195 months

Friday 10th July 2015
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lovely cars, my late father had a few ,early 1.8 and later 2.0 model. the one pictured {early type} is better looking to me, they not as popular as the previous giulia saloon or as valuable.I think in time these will become more sought after,as each year passes they get a bit more retro.
the alfetta saloon never had a good reception over here,rust and build quality was poor and the handling,while not terrible they did understeer badly.
and the gearchange was pretty poor too,unlike older alfa saloons.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Saturday 11th July 2015
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Love those early Alfettas, the later models with the oblong headlights just don't look nearly as good to me.

Used to meet up with an ex-classmate from school when he came home from Uni in the holidays and he rocked up in a red N-plate Alfetta back in 1979 iirc - fabulous car! I was pretty proud of my Fiat 125 until that point!

kiseca

9,339 posts

218 months

Sunday 12th July 2015
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My dad had a 159i, (Alfetta Gold Cloverleaf in Europe I think). I loved that car, it's the one that made me an Alfaholic.

Body panels and glass and so on are, as far as I am aware, very hard to get hold of as the cars don't have the support that the older Giulias enjoy. As said earlier they also don't handle as well and the gearchange is its worst characteristic while on the Giulias it was one of the best bits.

Still, I'd like one if I can find one. They should be relatively easy to find in South Africa, there were plenty out there and they don't rust.

rodericb

6,663 posts

125 months

Monday 13th July 2015
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And you can revell in the fact that you will have Countach taillights!

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Tuesday 14th July 2015
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rodericb said:
And you can revell in the fact that you will have Countach taillights!
Italian parts bin: everything goes!

LordGrover

33,532 posts

211 months

Tuesday 14th July 2015
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I always enjoy the Alfaholics day at Castle Combe, Spring/early in the year IIRC.

Mound Dawg

1,915 posts

173 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
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Always loved these, I was part owner of a 1977 1.8 back in the 80s. Lovely car.

These transaxle cars are a bit like Citroens, if you drive one and "get it" then there's no better thing. If you don't "get it" they're an abomination.

I "got it" in 1983 and it's still there.

arguti

1,773 posts

185 months

Wednesday 22nd July 2015
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Mound Dawg said:
Always loved these, I was part owner of a 1977 1.8 back in the 80s. Lovely car.

These transaxle cars are a bit like Citroens, if you drive one and "get it" then there's no better thing. If you don't "get it" they're an abomination.

I "got it" in 1983 and it's still there.
Thanks for reminding me why I own three transaxle Alfas !

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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Aren't the 105 series transaxle cars as well?

kiseca

9,339 posts

218 months

Thursday 23rd July 2015
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No, the 105s have the gearbox bolted to the back of the engine, and a live rear axle.

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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OK, so in terms of handling and roadholding these 116 cars should offer an improved drive?

kiseca

9,339 posts

218 months

Friday 24th July 2015
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No. Depends a bit on spec but the 116 cars tend to understeer more and aren't as keen to turn in. Unless you have one of the 105 GTVs with an LSD, they also understeer more. But they're still nice.

The 105s feel more sporty, the 116 is more refined. The 116 also handles more power much better. The old 105 Spiders in particular are very loose. When they dropped a V8 in a 105 (the Montreal) the handling wasn't up to the engine, whereas the 116 handled the V6 rather happily.

I prefer the 116 personally. I liked the balance, the feedback, the steering feel and in the GTV I really liked the driving position and view. The 105s though, feel more agile.

EDIT: in terms of roadholding, the 116 rear axle copes better with bumps. Other than that, grip level wise I couldn't really tell which had more but the 105s felt punchier so they did feel faster. Not sure if they were lighter but they did feel it.

Edited by kiseca on Friday 24th July 13:24

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Tuesday 28th July 2015
quotequote all
The roadhandling in the 105 series varies from Coupe to Spider to Giulia.

The Coupe is the driver of the bunch. Agility is compromised by lack of PAS. The later Spiders have both PAS and EFI and are very relaxed to drive. No need to push hard because it won't like its limits. The Giulia ... well, go find an umolested example wink

116 prices are half or even a third a good 105 price tag. Seems like a logical choice to pick a solid 116 and spent some cash to make it a beautifull driver.

Although it will never match the 105 in looks ...

dinkel

Original Poster:

26,889 posts

257 months

Monday 23rd November 2015
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Bertone hints:






Splendid stuff.

rodericb

6,663 posts

125 months

Tuesday 24th November 2015
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dinkel said:
PAS ...
PAS?