Buying First Classic Alfa - help!
Discussion
Despite never having driven one, for a while I have been saving to buy either a Giulia 105/115 Coupe or Giulia Super saloon. The use will be purely for Sunday jaunts, pub runs and the odd show etc.
I've very little knowledge at this point around the differences between, for example, a 1300 Junior or a GTV, a Super or a Ti and was hoping somebody might be able to point me towards the best resources so I can continue my research and figure out what route I'm going to go down.
At the moment, I've switched to favoring the 4 door Super.
Any insights, warnings or help would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks
I've very little knowledge at this point around the differences between, for example, a 1300 Junior or a GTV, a Super or a Ti and was hoping somebody might be able to point me towards the best resources so I can continue my research and figure out what route I'm going to go down.
At the moment, I've switched to favoring the 4 door Super.
Any insights, warnings or help would be very gratefully received.
Many thanks
First of all, excellent choice! Though I might be a bit biased, owning both a saloon (1600 Ti) and a coupe (1300 Junior stepnose).
This is a good site for the visual differences: https://alfa-giulia.wixsite.com/alfa-giulia. Also AlfaBB has a treasure trove of information, also on what to look out for when buying (yes rust).
In short a Ti has a single carb and a Super double carbs, both in 1300 and 1600. All coupes are double carbs, with either 1300 (GT Junior), 1600 (GT Sprint, GT Sprint Veloce and GT Junior), 1750 (GTV) and 2000 (GTV). Prices very widely between these, with 1300 being the ‘cheapest’ option in both body shapes.
This is a good site for the visual differences: https://alfa-giulia.wixsite.com/alfa-giulia. Also AlfaBB has a treasure trove of information, also on what to look out for when buying (yes rust).
In short a Ti has a single carb and a Super double carbs, both in 1300 and 1600. All coupes are double carbs, with either 1300 (GT Junior), 1600 (GT Sprint, GT Sprint Veloce and GT Junior), 1750 (GTV) and 2000 (GTV). Prices very widely between these, with 1300 being the ‘cheapest’ option in both body shapes.
Suggest you lock your cheque book away before you watch this. One of my favorite clips.
Turn up the volume.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2yhdU3DYYU
Turn up the volume.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2yhdU3DYYU
Thanks for all of the replies- some very useful insights and resources there.
It seems (naturally) that Italy and the Netherlands turn up some nice examples so I’ll be widening my search- I’ll keep this updated.
Any more insights, please do go ahead. I’m almost certain the saloon is the one for me.
It seems (naturally) that Italy and the Netherlands turn up some nice examples so I’ll be widening my search- I’ll keep this updated.
Any more insights, please do go ahead. I’m almost certain the saloon is the one for me.
jonesey said:
Thanks for all of the replies- some very useful insights and resources there.
It seems (naturally) that Italy and the Netherlands turn up some nice examples so I’ll be widening my search- I’ll keep this updated.
Any more insights, please do go ahead. I’m almost certain the saloon is the one for me.
100% Saloon. Such understated cars, same mechanicals as the coupe, and the handling is arguably better due to the slightly longer wheel base.. It seems (naturally) that Italy and the Netherlands turn up some nice examples so I’ll be widening my search- I’ll keep this updated.
Any more insights, please do go ahead. I’m almost certain the saloon is the one for me.
For many years I was focussed on coupe's only. My Super is far from perfect but I have bonded with the car.
Netherlands would be my "go to" market if LHD is not an issue.Huge following out there.
I've got a 105 saloon, bought from auction as my first car. And bloody hell. Get that thing on some country roads. Twisting and turning. F me I'm a happy chap.
Great fun car. Almost every other time I stop for fuel I'll get someone to come up to me in the petrol station saying they used to have one back in the day.
Plenty of smiles and thumbs up around town. As well as a good dose of people peering round the front of the car to try work out what it is (personally love that it's fairly discrete).
As ever, rust. Usual spots, sills and doors. If you're seeing it on the outside it'll be even worse on the middle and inner sills.
Also the Italian electrics have landed me with a big bill so tread carefully there. Mechanically though she hasn't missed a beat in 4 years.
Looking forward to seeing yours
Great fun car. Almost every other time I stop for fuel I'll get someone to come up to me in the petrol station saying they used to have one back in the day.
Plenty of smiles and thumbs up around town. As well as a good dose of people peering round the front of the car to try work out what it is (personally love that it's fairly discrete).
As ever, rust. Usual spots, sills and doors. If you're seeing it on the outside it'll be even worse on the middle and inner sills.
Also the Italian electrics have landed me with a big bill so tread carefully there. Mechanically though she hasn't missed a beat in 4 years.
Looking forward to seeing yours
This is exactly what I had imagined I’d hear and it’s great that these anecdotes continue popping up. My misty eyed visions of keeping one on the boil down my favorite roads and then taking the family to the pub or tinkering in the garage seem well placed here!
Thanks for the heads up on bills- I’ve run and modified a 911 (albeit the “ugly” one) for a few years so I’m no stranger to heart over head spending.
Any pics?
Thanks for the heads up on bills- I’ve run and modified a 911 (albeit the “ugly” one) for a few years so I’m no stranger to heart over head spending.
Any pics?
This was my '72 Super, I used it to cut my teeth in historic road rallying before I did it pretty terminal damage on the Abergwesyn mountain road in mid Wales.
It came as a 1570cc with twin Solex side draught carbs, rules meant I had to go to a single twin choke Solex for night events, it still went just fine though. Harvey Bailey supplied a front anti-roll bar and I tightened up the damping a bit. I added a separate loom for all the rally nonsense and a bigger alternator.
Perfect colour for getting dirty too!
Just so much fun to drive, enjoyed every minute of ownership (apart from the last bit!)
It came as a 1570cc with twin Solex side draught carbs, rules meant I had to go to a single twin choke Solex for night events, it still went just fine though. Harvey Bailey supplied a front anti-roll bar and I tightened up the damping a bit. I added a separate loom for all the rally nonsense and a bigger alternator.
Perfect colour for getting dirty too!
Just so much fun to drive, enjoyed every minute of ownership (apart from the last bit!)
velocemitch said:
If you do Facebook the AROC 105 register group is worth joining. Lots of knowledge on there and usually quickly given.
As you will have noticed the saloons are cheaper than the coupe but there are fewer around and parts supply not quite as good.
There are specific groups on FB also for 105 Giulias/Berlinas and for the 105 GTVs etc. I am a member of the former and it is invaluable in terms of advice and support, which could include finding a suitable car in your case. Mine here pictured at Stonor Park in Henley recently - it was the subject of a Carpool feature a while back which you might find a useful read.As you will have noticed the saloons are cheaper than the coupe but there are fewer around and parts supply not quite as good.
This FB group in particular will suit your purposes well, as it's got as many Dutch members as UK or elsewhere - https://www.facebook.com/groups/Giulia.Berlina/
Alfa BB is a good web resource
https://www.alfabb.com/forums/#alfa-romeo-producti...
For general 105 stuff, Jethro Bronner's You Tube channel is great
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0fSgL1geSF5L7GSh...
I would second joining AROC and getting on the 105 register - they also have an active Facebook page.
The Alfa Romeo Owners' Club UK 105/115 Guilia Register Facebook page is a friendly resource.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/950487368385557/
IMO the 4-door Giulia drives better than the coupé. My advice would be to go for the best 4-door Giulia 1600 you can find. The 1300 & 1600 engines are more "revvy" than the 1750 and 2 litre models, but the 1300 is a bit underpowered (still good fun on B-roads though!).
Add an Alfaholics fast road kit, and you'll have a blast. As others have said, good bodywork is everything - all the oily bits can be sorted at a reasonable price, especially if you can do it yourself.
Add an Alfaholics fast road kit, and you'll have a blast. As others have said, good bodywork is everything - all the oily bits can be sorted at a reasonable price, especially if you can do it yourself.
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