Alfa Romeo 55 Giardinetta Restore, Modify or Custom?
Discussion
^I've just bought this.^
The car is one of only 1000 made and comes with all the parts to get her back on the road.
Do I restore the car? Even though the car is rare mint ones are only selling for between £1500 and £2000 at the moment.
Do I modify the car? The engine has been lifted to be replaced with a two litre boxer, should I follow the previous owners ideas and maybe go for a different colour?
Do I go mad? Fit a Subaru 2.5 turbo or WRX running gear and have a full on customised 55?
What do you think?
I'm aware of somebody who is quite interested in this particular car, bidded on it when it was on Ebay before (I think it's been on 3 times now, in the last year or so). Wasnt in the position to bid/buy this time (has a cool fleet already). In my eyes I'd like to see it either restored to standard, or updated in a few modern ways but nothing too over the top.
Gompo said:
I'm aware of somebody who is quite interested in this particular car, bidded on it when it was on Ebay before (I think it's been on 3 times now, in the last year or so). Wasnt in the position to bid/buy this time (has a cool fleet already). In my eyes I'd like to see it either restored to standard, or updated in a few modern ways but nothing too over the top.
Agreed. 
Sorry about the 55 reference I was thinking of a Q4 engine donour at the time.
Knowing my schedule (24 hours off this month) you friend may still be in with a chance.
Oh and for the record I would never put a Jap engine in a Alfa, people have woken up next to horses heads for less.
Breadline powered 147? 
I have a spare gear box and rear axle so an Alfa V6 four wheel drive Se7en may be on the cards when the Giardinetta is finished or get the old girl up and running and use the spare axle to do a disk conversion. Haven't decided on anything yet (typically).
Next question. Original or suggestions for colour? I like Fiat Calipso orange (Punto II) or Portofino blue (Coupe')
Robert060379 said:
Gompo said:
I'm aware of somebody who is quite interested in this particular car, bidded on it when it was on Ebay before (I think it's been on 3 times now, in the last year or so). Wasnt in the position to bid/buy this time (has a cool fleet already). In my eyes I'd like to see it either restored to standard, or updated in a few modern ways but nothing too over the top.
Agreed. Sorry about the 55 reference I was thinking of a Q4 engine donour at the time.
Knowing my schedule (24 hours off this month) you friend may still be in with a chance.
Oh and for the record I would never put a Jap engine in a Alfa, people have woken up next to horses heads for less.
Breadline powered 147? I have a spare gear box and rear axle so an Alfa V6 four wheel drive Se7en may be on the cards when the Giardinetta is finished or get the old girl up and running and use the spare axle to do a disk conversion. Haven't decided on anything yet (typically).
Next question. Original or suggestions for colour? I like Fiat Calipso orange (Punto II) or Portofino blue (Coupe')
Nero601 said:
Robert060379 said:
Gompo said:
I'm aware of somebody who is quite interested in this particular car, bidded on it when it was on Ebay before (I think it's been on 3 times now, in the last year or so). Wasnt in the position to bid/buy this time (has a cool fleet already). In my eyes I'd like to see it either restored to standard, or updated in a few modern ways but nothing too over the top.
Agreed. Sorry about the 55 reference I was thinking of a Q4 engine donour at the time.
Knowing my schedule (24 hours off this month) you friend may still be in with a chance.
Oh and for the record I would never put a Jap engine in a Alfa, people have woken up next to horses heads for less.
Breadline powered 147? I have a spare gear box and rear axle so an Alfa V6 four wheel drive Se7en may be on the cards when the Giardinetta is finished or get the old girl up and running and use the spare axle to do a disk conversion. Haven't decided on anything yet (typically).
Next question. Original or suggestions for colour? I like Fiat Calipso orange (Punto II) or Portofino blue (Coupe')
Gave the car a wash today (too see where the rust is) and there are a 
load of jobs to do.
I don't think the car will make it as a tow car for this season's track days. Oh and the passenger front seat is missing. Looks like I'll be after a leather interior out of a 155/164/33 Cloverleaf at some stage (was planning a few upgrades anyway). Nearly every pannel has rust, but in an entirely different place. Typical 80's Alfa then. So I'll be looking for a T.I.G welder as well, cutting rust out and blending new metal in with a little filler as possible. More discrete modernisation rather than out and out modification is the plan now. As I said before the spare rear axle will get disks and a full rebuild before retrofit and the front may get a more up to date package as well. I had considered losing the rear axle in favor of an independent set up but that would involve cutting the floor about and even though I have done it before (to my MGB) I think the S.V.A people would want to know more about it these days. The engine will stay as Alfa intended besides the 1490 boxer sucking on a pair of down drafts is one of the nicest sounding engines about. I may redesign the exhaust a little. The four into one may end up a Stainless Steel four into two to compliment the Webber tuning and possibly a bit of head (s) work. Noting too drastic just enough to get the performance to match the brake and suspension upgrades. While I'm looking at brakes I'll be looking for complete assemblies including shocks and springs and I haven't had a look at the rear end yet but if it isn't alread a nice four link set up to tighten things up (insert tight rear end gag here).
load of jobs to do. I don't think the car will make it as a tow car for this season's track days. Oh and the passenger front seat is missing. Looks like I'll be after a leather interior out of a 155/164/33 Cloverleaf at some stage (was planning a few upgrades anyway). Nearly every pannel has rust, but in an entirely different place.
Typical 80's Alfa then. So I'll be looking for a T.I.G welder as well, cutting rust out and blending new metal in with a little filler as possible. More discrete modernisation rather than out and out modification is the plan now. As I said before the spare rear axle will get disks and a full rebuild before retrofit and the front may get a more up to date package as well. I had considered losing the rear axle in favor of an independent set up but that would involve cutting the floor about and even though I have done it before (to my MGB) I think the S.V.A people would want to know more about it these days. The engine will stay as Alfa intended besides the 1490 boxer sucking on a pair of down drafts is one of the nicest sounding engines about. I may redesign the exhaust a little. The four into one may end up a Stainless Steel four into two to compliment the Webber tuning and possibly a bit of head (s) work. Noting too drastic just enough to get the performance to match the brake and suspension upgrades. While I'm looking at brakes I'll be looking for complete assemblies including shocks and springs and I haven't had a look at the rear end yet but if it isn't alread a nice four link set up to tighten things up (insert tight rear end gag here). 
Because people didn't get it and now drive Legacys and Quatros. Personally I like the car it has potential and exclusivity.
Whilst Googling for ideas I found this and thought you'd like it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m9Lc4bqdo&fea...
Whilst Googling for ideas I found this and thought you'd like it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m9Lc4bqdo&fea...
Edited by Robert060379 on Sunday 24th January 20:58
I used to have a similar car - a 16v one though, I bought it as a donor car for my Sprint, but it was too good for that, so I MOT'd it and pushed it on.
If it is anything like saveable then to that and keep it as standard looking as poss would be my vote. What are the cills and rear suspension turrets like? I can get my hands through the ones on my Sprint - one day, one day!
My old Sprint
Current one
Cant find any pics of the old 33 16v, sadly.
ETA What do you know of the history of yours? It looks like it came from the Exeter area originally, from the plate.
If it is anything like saveable then to that and keep it as standard looking as poss would be my vote. What are the cills and rear suspension turrets like? I can get my hands through the ones on my Sprint - one day, one day!
My old Sprint
Current one
Cant find any pics of the old 33 16v, sadly.
ETA What do you know of the history of yours? It looks like it came from the Exeter area originally, from the plate.
Edited by Rollcage on Monday 25th January 16:53
Robert060379 said:
Because people didn't get it and now drive Legacys and Quatros. Personally I like the car it has potential and exclusivity.
Whilst Googling for ideas I found this and thought you'd like it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m9Lc4bqdo&fea...
Sorry i was only teasing Robert Whilst Googling for ideas I found this and thought you'd like it to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24m9Lc4bqdo&fea...
Edited by Robert060379 on Sunday 24th January 20:58
good luck with the restoration I know ou were Lost Soul.
Have no idea about the cars history I collected her from Fakenham and the owner lives in Leeds and is posting it all to me.
Every time I look at the car I see another patch of rust. had a poke around the inner wings today. Grrr!
On the up side the one being broken for spare on ebay now isn't I've bought that one as well. Have a new pair of sills with the car and the pannel around the filler cap has gone so I think the iner-rear wings may be gone as well. I'll get the other car home as soon as possible (mid-February I kid you not) and see which one will be saved and which one will be a donour (no the thought of making a streached one hadn't crossed my mind, until then).
Have no idea about the cars history I collected her from Fakenham and the owner lives in Leeds and is posting it all to me.
Every time I look at the car I see another patch of rust. had a poke around the inner wings today. Grrr!
On the up side the one being broken for spare on ebay now isn't I've bought that one as well. Have a new pair of sills with the car and the pannel around the filler cap has gone so I think the iner-rear wings may be gone as well. I'll get the other car home as soon as possible (mid-February I kid you not) and see which one will be saved and which one will be a donour (no the thought of making a streached one hadn't crossed my mind, until then).
Edited by Robert060379 on Monday 25th January 21:21
jamieboy said:
Robert060379 said:
I no have a deadline. Alfa Romeos 100th birthday on May 25th.
June 24th.I found out a couple of things last night. There are only SEVEN 33 Giardinettas registered in the UK and I now own two of them. Made an offer for the one being broken for spares on ebay. I haven't got any time off for a couple of weeks to collect it though.
Just as well because I haven't told 'er in draws yet.
Also bought a nice set of 156 red leather bum holders for the 33 as well, or the den haven't decided yet.
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