Looking at 105s

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Discussion

velocemitch

3,808 posts

220 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
Yes parts supply is excellent.
You are welcome to come and have a look at my pair if you like, I have a Tatty but fully functional 2000GTV and a fully stripped 1750GTV which is currently a bare shell waiting for paint.
I'm up in Wetherby, mind you looking at what I've got to do in the next two weeks.....

arguti

1,774 posts

186 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
That advert seems to have disappeared!.

Do you really think the 2000GTV's are not fetching those figures Arguti?. I seem to remember seeing plenty advertised at that or higher, not many lower.
Obviously asking price is not sale price, maybe people are just being optimistic?.
I was only commenting on my car because I am looking at it as if I were to buy it and what needs to be done, etc. I think the reality is that you will always find some substantial remedial/modification work to be done and in hindsight, it would have been better to start with a stepfront.

I learned the lesson with my afettas where i purchased 2 GTV6 3.0s from South Africa albeit one is heavily modified and missing its original engine, but I have sourced most of the important original bits to revert to original - most costly than a 2.5 bog standard ones but at the end of the day much more valuable when comes to reselling if I ever wanted to.

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
Yes parts supply is excellent.
You are welcome to come and have a look at my pair if you like, I have a Tatty but fully functional 2000GTV and a fully stripped 1750GTV which is currently a bare shell waiting for paint.
I'm up in Wetherby, mind you looking at what I've got to do in the next two weeks.....
very kind offer thank you. i'll oblige with a run in my R8 if you like, Wetherby isnt far. i'm at Elvington on the 16th Sept for a top speed event so will message you and maybe have a run over if convenient?

ive spent hours and hours now looking at previously sold cars, and whats available, its a fair old spread of pricing etc. dealers are also quite cute with their descriptions of how the vehicles have been used lol, its as bad as the air cooled porsche market :-)

velocemitch

3,808 posts

220 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
That would be good, problem is I'm away most weekends at the moment, probably better one weekday evening later in the month (loads of prep work for a Rally I'm organising in the next fortnight) if that works for you?.

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
velocemitch said:
That would be good, problem is I'm away most weekends at the moment, probably better one weekday evening later in the month (loads of prep work for a Rally I'm organising in the next fortnight) if that works for you?.
super, good of you. will message you off list thanks

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
quotequote all
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Thoughts /comments please? Assuming it's not had major chassis work a bit expensive but got some nice bits on it?

And this one caught my eye altho much later car it's very clean and has nice bits done
http://classicalfa.com/productimage.php?product_id...

Edited by 200Plus Club on Tuesday 29th August 23:28

Scalino

121 posts

89 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
200Plus Club said:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Thoughts /comments please? Assuming it's not had major chassis work a bit expensive but got some nice bits on it?

And this one caught my eye altho much later car it's very clean and has nice bits done
http://classicalfa.com/productimage.php?product_id...

Edited by 200Plus Club on Tuesday 29th August 23:28
First one;

Looks good. First series 1750 is one of the more sought after versions. It has the correct seats, which is nice because those are expensive if you can find them. Personally I think it's a shame it now is resale red instead of the original beige cava, but that won't hurt the value. Price is strong, but not insane seeing at what some examples bring.

The second;

I would like a bit more information and history, but that could be solved by a message to the seller. I would want a close up of the sills (as with every 105), I can't tell wether the seams are still there.

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
Scalino said:
200Plus Club said:
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Thoughts /comments please? Assuming it's not had major chassis work a bit expensive but got some nice bits on it?

And this one caught my eye altho much later car it's very clean and has nice bits done
http://classicalfa.com/productimage.php?product_id...

Edited by 200Plus Club on Tuesday 29th August 23:28
First one;

Looks good. First series 1750 is one of the more sought after versions. It has the correct seats, which is nice because those are expensive if you can find them. Personally I think it's a shame it now is resale red instead of the original beige cava, but that won't hurt the value. Price is strong, but not insane seeing at what some examples bring.

The second;

I would like a bit more information and history, but that could be solved by a message to the seller. I would want a close up of the sills (as with every 105), I can't tell wether the seams are still there.
cheers. i spent a happy hour last night reading my new veloce publishing book on 105s as suggested previously, very very helpful in terms of where they rot etc. rot, rot and more rot are my only concerns lol!



velocemitch

3,808 posts

220 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
On the basis the general advise is always buy the best you can afford, in this intstance the 1750 would be my choice.
It looks slightly straighter, there are a few minor things on the body of the later White one which let it down a little bit. ( not to say it isn't still worth the asking price)
Both look tastefully modified, but the 1750 is simply a nicer car to start with, so I'd certainly pick that.
Body condition is everything as always, if it's as good as the vendor says brilliant, but you do need to check carefully at those prices.

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
yea it looks well, very clean. i'm not yet 100% familiar with the various models and power outputs and kerbweights, but my heart says go for one with more uumph even if its the non original engine fitted, something with upgrades doesn't scare me as i know i'll be bored with just perhaps a stock 1300 or 1600
i'm in no rush, and budget isnt really an issue at £30-40k levels, so if something exceptional comes up i'm well up for travelling to view.

I've a good friend who runs an alfa garage as it happens and was picking his brains at the weekend, hes done a few engine swaps for people to "save" their original stock engine and pep up the power with a larger sized unit etc. he's also a big fan of the step front cars.

Elderly

3,492 posts

238 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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If you don't get a step front, the mk1 1750 is the one to get IMO.

That red one, although looking nice, is very expensive and maybe you're paying for upgrades that arn't necessary;
I had a 1750 which I took on a few trackdays, it had standard callipers, but uprated fluid and pads, and it stood up to track use well with that setup.
And I wouldn't pay for extra for 15" wheels on a road going 1750, which should have been on 14".

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
Elderly said:
If you don't get a step front, the mk1 1750 is the one to get IMO.

That red one, although looking nice, is very expensive and maybe you're paying for upgrades that arn't necessary;
I had a 1750 which I took on a few trackdays, it had standard callipers, but uprated fluid and pads, and it stood up to track use well with that setup.
And I wouldn't pay for extra for 15" wheels on a road going 1750, which should have been on 14".
thats interesting because i also fancy the odd trackday, and wondered if the brakes would cope.

Elderly

3,492 posts

238 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
200Plus Club said:
thats interesting because i also fancy the odd trackday, and wondered if the brakes would cope.
The 1300/1600s have smaller discs than the 1750/2000s.
The 1750/2000 setup with something like Ferodo DS2500 pads, a higher rated fluid
and braided hoses would definitely be more than adequate for the odd trackday,
I'm not sure about the Junior setup though.


arguti

1,774 posts

186 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
If you are wanting to trackday, etc then you will have to methodically go through the whole car from one end to the other checking and replacing worn out bushes, spring pans, brake hoses/lines, etc etc unless it has all been gone through properly - problem with buying "restored" cars IMHO it very much depends on who has done the restoring and to what standard/price point. on my 105, the springs and shocks had been replaced by previous owner only for the both spring pans to collapse through corrosion (they were nicely painted over mind) luckily whilst in the garage and not on the road.

Last year i imported a well known trackday/racing Alfetta GTV6 from South Africa which has awesome performance but once over here in the UK, spent over £10K uprating things to UK standards - and that was through a 100% genuine seller and the car was inspected pre-purchase by well known experts etc - but I knew that going into the deal - I still think you need to call Alfaholics, Classic Alfa, Ian Ellis etc and ask them if they know any good cars that may be available but firstly you have to know what you are wanting from the car - trackday weapon, investment or something in between. The best investment cars I have bought have been ones where I have sent Alex Jupe (alfetta expert) to go inspect and purchase removing the risk of buying dross - has been excellent as professional like him will see every wart and negotiate etc. For non investment, i am happy to inspect myself but have paid the price over the years!

Overall, investment wise, stepfronts win every time and as has been said, state of bodywork is the most important cost wise.

Book wise, the Veloce book is a good starting point but there is is an out of print book about the Giulia coupes written by Chris Savill and has a number of period articles including ones about collapsing suspensions on early 105s, etc! copies come up on ebay. This is a similar article written by him.

http://www.aroc-uk.com/105register/articles/sprint...


Edited by arguti on Wednesday 30th August 16:51

Scalino

121 posts

89 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
arguti said:
problem with buying "restored" cars IMHO it very much depends on who has done the restoring and to what standard/price point.
+1 Exactly this

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
Some great information and help thanks guys.
PH is cool for stuff like this :-)

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
One last question for now does everyone retain the steering box setup (inc the alfaholics cars) or do people fit a rack or conversion perhaps?
First experience of driving one last weekend and it was ok to be honest, not like a quick rack obviously but acceptable weight based on how my sunbeam lotus was without power steering.

velocemitch

3,808 posts

220 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
I've not really heard of any rack conversions, the geometry of the car would probably make it quite difficult. Some of the Race Cars use shortened steering arms which are the virtual equivalent of a quick rack, but I understand they make the steering a bit too heavy. The Aluminium casting on the steering box is prone to cracking too, especially when people use wide modern rubber increasing the steering forces.
I'd say the steering is an acquired taste, when it's set up right it's superb, light but with with plenty of feel at speed, but a tad heavy at low speeds. Get the set up wrong and it can be a bit of a pain.
Have to say though that when I used mine for Historic Road Rallying I reckon the steering was the main reason I couldn't keep up with the Escorts (or Sunbeams for that matter) on loose tests, a good rack is easier.

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
quotequote all
I can see what you mean. My kit car used a 2 turn alloy quick rack which was lightning sharp and the Sunbeam had a modified rack and a very fast road spec setup which was fairly heavy but direct.
I'm sure I'll get used to a steering box car :-)

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,737 posts

278 months

Friday 1st September 2017
quotequote all
going back to this one
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

which does look nice if a little pricey, i cant find anything online about the dealer, and they have no premises or website which is intriguing.
a quick companies house search shows they only became a company in July and have no named directors as yet. the only contact number is a mobile. interesting!