1979 Fiat 124 Spider
Discussion
Mini sort-of (non)-update but, wonder of wonders, my lackadaisical Italian garage-iste chum phoned me today. 3 months on.
They have done some work on the car and he was querying one of the jobs on the worksheet, specifically why the English idiot can't adjust the seat back when everyone else apparently can. The surly brother does bodywork and interiors, so I suspect it's him that's pulling my chain, but if I can drive without being at a star-gazing decline then I can tolerate the piss-taking.
I am going in to see them tomorrow or Sat to confirm that they have the paperwork needed to get the car registered and tested here. I confess I'm really looking forward to having it back.
I'll update on progress and costs once I have news. I know you can barely wait.
They have done some work on the car and he was querying one of the jobs on the worksheet, specifically why the English idiot can't adjust the seat back when everyone else apparently can. The surly brother does bodywork and interiors, so I suspect it's him that's pulling my chain, but if I can drive without being at a star-gazing decline then I can tolerate the piss-taking.
I am going in to see them tomorrow or Sat to confirm that they have the paperwork needed to get the car registered and tested here. I confess I'm really looking forward to having it back.
I'll update on progress and costs once I have news. I know you can barely wait.
I went to see the car and organised for them to get it registered and through the Controle Technique. The chrome trim and interior is fitted. The central trim around the gearstick is a different shade to the seats but I'll see how I get on with it. All the jobs are done.
The seat recline mechanism was demonstrated to me and it does indeed work perfectly. I think they're convinced that I'm a bit 'special'.
The car stays with them for a little longer so I have no pics, but the garage is a photogenic little place.
The seat recline mechanism was demonstrated to me and it does indeed work perfectly. I think they're convinced that I'm a bit 'special'.
The car stays with them for a little longer so I have no pics, but the garage is a photogenic little place.
I think that at this age, when these cars are close to or more than half a century old, the running costs must be about the same for comparable Alfas and Lancias. Specialist and parts support is about the same. Some bits of some Lancias might be better built and last longer than on the Alfa equivalents, but I reckon much of a muchness overall.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
Nice car OP, here it is in 2007 following it's rebuild. It was really nice to drive back then, although the lack of power steering still came as a shock when you aren't used to it. I only took it out for a brief spin, about 5 miles, because I was driving it with third party insurance cover on my DOC, and didn't want to risk pranging it!
The story is that the car appeared one day in the corner of a West London pub car park, US spec on American plates! It was in a pretty poor state, and didn't move for months. My mate Adrian asked the landlord about it and he said it just turned up. He'd been on to the council to shift it but nothing happened. Adrian is pretty handy with spanners and restores old bikes and cars as a hobby. He had a poke around and decided that underneath the mess, it was a pretty sound car, got in touch with DVLA but they had no trace of it. It just didn't exist! So he just towed it back to his place round the corner, applied for a V5 and it was his.
CharlesdeGaulle said:
You're right, but cost of entry is high here. He reckoned a Fulvia would start from around €60,000. In general, cars are much cheaper in UK. I'm going to explore the idea of importing one from Italy I think. No rush, but I bet that's a more cost effective way than buying here.
Oddly cheap, odd wheels, WHACK interior.https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1323296
This one is eight miles away from my country place - happy to go and kick its tyres for you.
https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1182299
I gather that in Italy you might have got that one for 7 or 8, but the dealer has brought it in from Bari and is asking 15 (not a crazy price for a Fulvia in the UK if it is OK).
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Twig, I've mailed you with a question linked to this. I need to find the chassis number on the car itself and am hoping your chum Adrian might be able to help.
Managed to get hold of him, he's dug out this old pic of the car, chassis plate located behind the distributor (or at least it was 18 years ago!!)
Edited by TwigtheWonderkid on Friday 2nd April 20:57
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff