Discussion
Well after 11 years of Toyota ownership I took a punt on this that came up for sale on an MR2 forum. Bought unseen, transported to my folks in Yorkshire and finally picked up by myself this weekend. Fancied a challenge!
Needless to say I'm very happy with it, a few issues to sort by me but vitally no rust anywhere!
She's a 2.0 Twinspark Widebody. I don't know much about these yet and the various options, but it seems to have the things I want and the things that break have been left off. Engine seems sweet and drove the 250 mile back to Scotland without a hiccup and was quite relaxing
I'll post a few pictures of it now, but will be asking a few more questions about it when I get chance!
Things to sort:
Light tap at the back deforming the bumper and pushing the body in slightly, nothing major
Why the sunroof doesn't leak, but doesn't work
Indicator alignment+ cleanup
Sagging roof lining
Other things off the top of my head:
Replace Nexen tyres with Kumho's
Oil temp gauge is dead
Radio only gets a signal when underneath a transnsmitter (where the hell is the aerial??)
Damn good interior cleanup and shampoo
2 parking dings in passenger door
Respray front bumper
Full detailing session
Oh and if Sam the previous ownber reads this, thanks for been straight with me and not letting me down on the description of it.
Looked for your LED lamp you left behind, but can't find it. Any ideas?
Needless to say I'm very happy with it, a few issues to sort by me but vitally no rust anywhere!
She's a 2.0 Twinspark Widebody. I don't know much about these yet and the various options, but it seems to have the things I want and the things that break have been left off. Engine seems sweet and drove the 250 mile back to Scotland without a hiccup and was quite relaxing
I'll post a few pictures of it now, but will be asking a few more questions about it when I get chance!
Things to sort:
Light tap at the back deforming the bumper and pushing the body in slightly, nothing major
Why the sunroof doesn't leak, but doesn't work
Indicator alignment+ cleanup
Sagging roof lining
Other things off the top of my head:
Replace Nexen tyres with Kumho's
Oil temp gauge is dead
Radio only gets a signal when underneath a transnsmitter (where the hell is the aerial??)
Damn good interior cleanup and shampoo
2 parking dings in passenger door
Respray front bumper
Full detailing session
Oh and if Sam the previous ownber reads this, thanks for been straight with me and not letting me down on the description of it.
Looked for your LED lamp you left behind, but can't find it. Any ideas?
I had some fun with one of those, reenacting my own personal Trophée Andros. Same color also 2 liter, and the same sagging roof lining. Though mine wasn't a widebody and did not have such a nice sunroof.
But it was great fun and I still got the engine laying around. The engine is/was probably the best bit of the car and I'm hoping to reuse it in my Matra Murena.
The 155 was actually sold with two different twin spark engines. The first one was sold till about 1994 and was a real Alfa engine. 8 valves with a cast aluminum block and head. The newer engine was based on a cast iron 16v Fiat lump with a revised Alfa cylinder head for the second spark-plug.
I've got the 8v, so what do you have?
But it was great fun and I still got the engine laying around. The engine is/was probably the best bit of the car and I'm hoping to reuse it in my Matra Murena.
The 155 was actually sold with two different twin spark engines. The first one was sold till about 1994 and was a real Alfa engine. 8 valves with a cast aluminum block and head. The newer engine was based on a cast iron 16v Fiat lump with a revised Alfa cylinder head for the second spark-plug.
I've got the 8v, so what do you have?
It's the 16v which so far I've found to be great. Quite characterful and willing, though i was surprised at such a low redline for a sporting 4pot
Is it a real Alfa engine? Who knows, the 155 is regarded by many as not a real Alfa and that argument I believe has raged for years? However it seems a great combination of engine and chassis which I enjoyed driving and feels a bit special. That's an Alfa in my book.
Not sure what the long term plan is with the car. However it will have all the little niggles sorted and staying salt free in the garage for the winter.
I had a look at engine conversions, something I'm familiar with in my MR2. A 20V Turbo unit or 24v Alfa V6 is an appealing option. Especially with everything else kept standard for the Q car look.
Is it a real Alfa engine? Who knows, the 155 is regarded by many as not a real Alfa and that argument I believe has raged for years? However it seems a great combination of engine and chassis which I enjoyed driving and feels a bit special. That's an Alfa in my book.
Not sure what the long term plan is with the car. However it will have all the little niggles sorted and staying salt free in the garage for the winter.
I had a look at engine conversions, something I'm familiar with in my MR2. A 20V Turbo unit or 24v Alfa V6 is an appealing option. Especially with everything else kept standard for the Q car look.
robsco said:
Congratulations OP, looks smart. Conjures up memories of the BTCC everytime one of these pops up.
Yep, part of the appeal for me too. Tarquini getting it on 2 wheels every other corner, brings back a time when I found BTCC great to watch.John Boy 616 said:
Looking at one of these as a second car. Need to get one before there arent any left. Fantastic looking cars imo
They seem to be getting hovered up especially rot free examples. Good luck with your search
Enjoy! 
Lovely car!
Is it ur firsr alfa??
Always liked the edition they did in red with black wheels and full bodykit (was it the silverston edition?). Dropping a 20v turbo unit would be fun but i would try and keep it alfa and maybe drop in the 3.2 24v am sure cambelt failure ones will pop up cheap and regulary if u can rebuild it yourself?!
Shame they didnt keep the drivetrain from the 75 tho
Is it ur firsr alfa??
Always liked the edition they did in red with black wheels and full bodykit (was it the silverston edition?). Dropping a 20v turbo unit would be fun but i would try and keep it alfa and maybe drop in the 3.2 24v am sure cambelt failure ones will pop up cheap and regulary if u can rebuild it yourself?!
Shame they didnt keep the drivetrain from the 75 tho
Always wanted one, but age, mileage, insurance and the right spec has never ever come up, and I think a lack of balls to buy one.
Old man had one brand new, 155 Widebody 2.0 Twinspark Super
with 16" black Speedlines (btw you need Speedlines)
Bloody lovely car, electrics weren't great windows would do what they wanted sometimes you would be going along, pissing down with rain and the window would just start going up and down on its own then stay down for an hour or so.
I still would love one but I just can't man up and buy one as I just know it will go wrong and that is not being the usual "oh Alfas go wrong all the time, never owned one etc" rubbish our 155 was massively reliable bar the windows, but I just know that these days most haven't been looked after and need work, and the ones that have had all the work done will still need work in the near future and I just get that feeling it will be a money pit, I test drove a 156 with sillyspeed and I loved it, apart from the sillyspeed didn't really work.
Look after it, they are getting bloody rare.
Old man had one brand new, 155 Widebody 2.0 Twinspark Super
with 16" black Speedlines (btw you need Speedlines)Bloody lovely car, electrics weren't great windows would do what they wanted sometimes you would be going along, pissing down with rain and the window would just start going up and down on its own then stay down for an hour or so.
I still would love one but I just can't man up and buy one as I just know it will go wrong and that is not being the usual "oh Alfas go wrong all the time, never owned one etc" rubbish our 155 was massively reliable bar the windows, but I just know that these days most haven't been looked after and need work, and the ones that have had all the work done will still need work in the near future and I just get that feeling it will be a money pit, I test drove a 156 with sillyspeed and I loved it, apart from the sillyspeed didn't really work.
Look after it, they are getting bloody rare.
Sorry missed the updates on this. They seem to be gaining interest among enthusiasts now. They are rare, have pedigree and in my opinion look great and are a great drive.
I'm sure they are more maintenance intensive than other makes but it's time I have to give and not too bad with a set of spanners and multimeter.
I'd have loved a red one with black speedlines but most are pink now. However it could always be resprayed from what it is now fairly easily
Also engine conversions are a thing I'm quite into after doing the MR2 so a 3.0 or 3.2 24V V6 would be lurvley in there
I'm sure they are more maintenance intensive than other makes but it's time I have to give and not too bad with a set of spanners and multimeter.
penryar said:
The aerial is in the rear heated screen element and there is a signal amplifier underneath the rear shelf, next to the boot light.
Thankyou, typical of Alfa to try and keep the lines and not have an ugly mast on view. I suspect the amp but shall have to wait until I'm back from offshore after xmas.jamieleehodgson said:
Lovely car!
Is it ur firsr alfa??
Always liked the edition they did in red with black wheels and full bodykit (was it the silverston edition?). Dropping a 20v turbo unit would be fun but i would try and keep it alfa and maybe drop in the 3.2 24v am sure cambelt failure ones will pop up cheap and regulary if u can rebuild it yourself?!
Shame they didnt keep the drivetrain from the 75 tho
Yes it's my first Alfa. Always liked the squarer style Alfas and my friend had a GTV cup which I absolutely loved so always have a soft spot for them.Is it ur firsr alfa??
Always liked the edition they did in red with black wheels and full bodykit (was it the silverston edition?). Dropping a 20v turbo unit would be fun but i would try and keep it alfa and maybe drop in the 3.2 24v am sure cambelt failure ones will pop up cheap and regulary if u can rebuild it yourself?!
Shame they didnt keep the drivetrain from the 75 tho
I'd have loved a red one with black speedlines but most are pink now. However it could always be resprayed from what it is now fairly easily
Also engine conversions are a thing I'm quite into after doing the MR2 so a 3.0 or 3.2 24V V6 would be lurvley in there
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff