Alfa Romeo 33 1.7 Cloverleaf
Discussion
Wow they look the absolute business!
I haven't heard form the new owner directly since the 33 was sold on, but Phil at Alfacraft mumbled something about it 'still going' so I assume he knows its about.
Only the previous owner was listed on the V5, and I think there were not many owners.
Jane - if you would like me to put you in touch with the new owner send me a PM and I'll send you both email details.
I haven't heard form the new owner directly since the 33 was sold on, but Phil at Alfacraft mumbled something about it 'still going' so I assume he knows its about.
Only the previous owner was listed on the V5, and I think there were not many owners.
Jane - if you would like me to put you in touch with the new owner send me a PM and I'll send you both email details.
Janeage said:
Hiya
I’ve just stumbled upon your post and I think this might be my old Alfa 33 which I sold some years ago. I’ve regretted it ever since but if you check for my name on the V5, that would be so cool...
Jane West, Feltham, Middlesex
Hi Jane,I’ve just stumbled upon your post and I think this might be my old Alfa 33 which I sold some years ago. I’ve regretted it ever since but if you check for my name on the V5, that would be so cool...
Jane West, Feltham, Middlesex
It probably is your old car - if you recognise the reg number, but as Spinakerr mentioned ( Hi James ), it doesn't make mention on the V5 and I can't see your name amongst any of the old receipts.
Apologies for not making an update sooner - I have been meaning to and was hoping to do it during the lockdown period, but work has been getting in the way. I got to enjoy her and drive her until the end of November, when I parked her up in a nearby garage that I am renting and she has stayed there ever since. Was going to tax her at the beginning of April, but this blasted virus has put paid to any fun for the immediate future, so waiting it out and hoping that we can go out for some drives to events that may or may not happen this summer.
Not done a great deal since getting her, aside from repairing the driver's mirror, replacing the battery and buying spares on eBay when I spot them, for my stockpile. But I will make a more detail post, as promised.
Janeage said:
Hiya
I’ve just stumbled upon your post and I think this might be my old Alfa 33 which I sold some years ago. I’ve regretted it ever since but if you check for my name on the V5, that would be so cool...
Jane West, Feltham, Middlesex
Hi Jane,I’ve just stumbled upon your post and I think this might be my old Alfa 33 which I sold some years ago. I’ve regretted it ever since but if you check for my name on the V5, that would be so cool...
Jane West, Feltham, Middlesex
I'd love to hear from you about your time with the car and any stories you may have. You could either add them as a post to this thread so that others can enjoy it too, or send me a private message and we could chat that way if you prefer. If you click on my name, you should see a link in the top right that says 'Email me'.
Regards
Richard
Great to hear its accumulating parts! Will be very interested in how the project goes and pictures along the way - sadly my plans to import a load of 164 parts from Italy have been somewhat delayed too.
That black sportwagon looks the business - in a few years the first examples will be ULEZX and tax exempt, and I will be sorely tempted if our Rover 75 diesel is no longer allowed near any town centre.
That black sportwagon looks the business - in a few years the first examples will be ULEZX and tax exempt, and I will be sorely tempted if our Rover 75 diesel is no longer allowed near any town centre.
Time for a long overdue update on the 33. Having owned it now for nine months, it has certainly been enjoyable ( for the time that it has been allowed on the road at least). But back to the beginning.
After collecting her from the amiable Phil at Alfacraft, ( what a nice guy and will be my defacto man of choice for all things Alfa related ), I gingerly made my way out into the rush hour traffic on the A316 in Chiswick, noting how little attention or acknowledgement my fellow motorists were showing her. There is no accounting for taste, obviously. It was with some trepidation that I set off, not sure of the car’s reliability yet – she had been lounging around for many months and may not take kindly to being forced to do some exercise.
First thing to note was the very faint lighting on the instrument gauges – were all 80’s cars like this? I seem to remember my last 33 being the same. I tried the windscreen washer and the windscreen wipers moved across the screen with the urgency of a passing season. Better hope it doesn’t rain on the way home…
I stopped off at Heston services on the M4 to add some petrol and an AA van pulled in behind me. I chose not to view this as a foreboding sign - I had the faith! Headed onto the motorway and up to cruising speed and all was well – no warning lights to alarm me, but the cassette deck was proving recalcitrant. Maybe it didn’t approve of my teenage mix tape, or maybe it just needed some cleaning inside. In any case, the boxer thrum proved an equally satisfactory background soundtrack. Happily, the little Alfa got me home with no trouble and I spent the first Saturday having a closer look at it and giving it a wash. The driver’s mirror needed repair, as it wouldn’t stay in a position that was of use, without the assistance of the optional extra Alfa stick, wedged between the housing and glass. Having to resort to road debris to make your car function properly isn’t ideal, so I had purchased a replacement mirror in readiness.
The switchover went seamlessly and without issue, which pleased me greatly. Once I had refitted the door card, I checked that everything still functioned as it should. Just as the window reached the top of its travel, a cracking noise was heard and the glass dropped back into the door, like a startled fish into a coral reef. “Bloody Alfas!” my father muttered, as he walked off, shaking his head. “So close”, I thought and resigned myself to removing the door card again to investigate. It appeared that the regulator had decided that 29 years of active service was sufficient and would end precisely at that point and promptly disintegrated, flinging springs and other bits into the bowels of the door. Good job I had just sprayed everything liberally with Waxoyl, as it made fishing the sticky shrapnel out a thoroughly pleasant experience. I wedged the glass back up with some different Alfa wood, this time plundered from the shed and looked online for a replacement. I expected it to be more difficult than it was to find a new one, but the Alfa gods were smiling on me and I managed to get one and installed it without drama.
Next on the list was the unreliable radio. Since it was the original, I wasn’t going to be binning it, but I did have a new Kenwood deck dating back to about 1994, that had never been fitted. I’m sure that you will all agree that it is essential that I be able to play 2 Unlimited tapes while cruising around, garnering looks of envy from other road users, so the deck was installed and pressed into service. It looks in keeping with everything around it and is only a couple of years younger than the car itself, so quite happy with it.
By now it was early November and time for the Alfa to find a place to hibernate for the winter. I found a pleasant lock up nearby and tucked her up, expecting to be able to use her again from the beginning of April. Of course, a certain virus had other ideas, so things got delayed until the beginning of June. But I made use of the downtime by servicing her, treating the car to new oil, filter, air filter, plugs, leads and rotor arm. I also replaced the rear badge and freshened up the cloverleaf badge. Most recent job was recolouring the steering wheel. I debated doing this for a while – was the faded look charming patina, or just old car tattiness? I decided that it was the latter and quite glad that I did restore it somewhat.
It looks like the car was treated to full rustproofing treatment early in its life and this has preserved the important bits. I haven’t found much in the way of crunchiness ( I’m also choosing not to look too hard), but did uncover this little bit of rot above the tail light. Hoping that this wouldn’t be too hard for a competent person ( ie, not me ) to put right at some point. I daresay that new panels don’t exist any longer.
Next jobs on the list are to take it back to Phil to replace the cambelts, tensioner and water pump. And also to investigate why there was some petrol leakage when I brimmed the tank on Sunday and heard a splashing sound, only to see a puddle forming by my foot. I think it is probably due to a split in the filler hose, where it joins the tank and thankfully, these are still available. I will miss the intoxicating aroma of V Plus in the cabin though.
Hopefully there will be some or other event that we can attend before this summer of disappointment is completely written off.
After collecting her from the amiable Phil at Alfacraft, ( what a nice guy and will be my defacto man of choice for all things Alfa related ), I gingerly made my way out into the rush hour traffic on the A316 in Chiswick, noting how little attention or acknowledgement my fellow motorists were showing her. There is no accounting for taste, obviously. It was with some trepidation that I set off, not sure of the car’s reliability yet – she had been lounging around for many months and may not take kindly to being forced to do some exercise.
First thing to note was the very faint lighting on the instrument gauges – were all 80’s cars like this? I seem to remember my last 33 being the same. I tried the windscreen washer and the windscreen wipers moved across the screen with the urgency of a passing season. Better hope it doesn’t rain on the way home…
I stopped off at Heston services on the M4 to add some petrol and an AA van pulled in behind me. I chose not to view this as a foreboding sign - I had the faith! Headed onto the motorway and up to cruising speed and all was well – no warning lights to alarm me, but the cassette deck was proving recalcitrant. Maybe it didn’t approve of my teenage mix tape, or maybe it just needed some cleaning inside. In any case, the boxer thrum proved an equally satisfactory background soundtrack. Happily, the little Alfa got me home with no trouble and I spent the first Saturday having a closer look at it and giving it a wash. The driver’s mirror needed repair, as it wouldn’t stay in a position that was of use, without the assistance of the optional extra Alfa stick, wedged between the housing and glass. Having to resort to road debris to make your car function properly isn’t ideal, so I had purchased a replacement mirror in readiness.
The switchover went seamlessly and without issue, which pleased me greatly. Once I had refitted the door card, I checked that everything still functioned as it should. Just as the window reached the top of its travel, a cracking noise was heard and the glass dropped back into the door, like a startled fish into a coral reef. “Bloody Alfas!” my father muttered, as he walked off, shaking his head. “So close”, I thought and resigned myself to removing the door card again to investigate. It appeared that the regulator had decided that 29 years of active service was sufficient and would end precisely at that point and promptly disintegrated, flinging springs and other bits into the bowels of the door. Good job I had just sprayed everything liberally with Waxoyl, as it made fishing the sticky shrapnel out a thoroughly pleasant experience. I wedged the glass back up with some different Alfa wood, this time plundered from the shed and looked online for a replacement. I expected it to be more difficult than it was to find a new one, but the Alfa gods were smiling on me and I managed to get one and installed it without drama.
Next on the list was the unreliable radio. Since it was the original, I wasn’t going to be binning it, but I did have a new Kenwood deck dating back to about 1994, that had never been fitted. I’m sure that you will all agree that it is essential that I be able to play 2 Unlimited tapes while cruising around, garnering looks of envy from other road users, so the deck was installed and pressed into service. It looks in keeping with everything around it and is only a couple of years younger than the car itself, so quite happy with it.
By now it was early November and time for the Alfa to find a place to hibernate for the winter. I found a pleasant lock up nearby and tucked her up, expecting to be able to use her again from the beginning of April. Of course, a certain virus had other ideas, so things got delayed until the beginning of June. But I made use of the downtime by servicing her, treating the car to new oil, filter, air filter, plugs, leads and rotor arm. I also replaced the rear badge and freshened up the cloverleaf badge. Most recent job was recolouring the steering wheel. I debated doing this for a while – was the faded look charming patina, or just old car tattiness? I decided that it was the latter and quite glad that I did restore it somewhat.
It looks like the car was treated to full rustproofing treatment early in its life and this has preserved the important bits. I haven’t found much in the way of crunchiness ( I’m also choosing not to look too hard), but did uncover this little bit of rot above the tail light. Hoping that this wouldn’t be too hard for a competent person ( ie, not me ) to put right at some point. I daresay that new panels don’t exist any longer.
Next jobs on the list are to take it back to Phil to replace the cambelts, tensioner and water pump. And also to investigate why there was some petrol leakage when I brimmed the tank on Sunday and heard a splashing sound, only to see a puddle forming by my foot. I think it is probably due to a split in the filler hose, where it joins the tank and thankfully, these are still available. I will miss the intoxicating aroma of V Plus in the cabin though.
Hopefully there will be some or other event that we can attend before this summer of disappointment is completely written off.
Fantastic update, very good to see the 33 is up and running, in good hands and benefiting from some TLC!
Give Phil a call on the 33 - I'm pretty sure he changed the cambelt in 2018 wiht a spare kit he had lying around but just never wrote it down - you might be very much in luck there.
All the very best and hope to see you (both) at an Alfa event when they all get up & running.
Give Phil a call on the 33 - I'm pretty sure he changed the cambelt in 2018 wiht a spare kit he had lying around but just never wrote it down - you might be very much in luck there.
All the very best and hope to see you (both) at an Alfa event when they all get up & running.
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