Looking at 105s

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
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Started looking around having been inspired by the Alfaholics GTAR thread but obviously not that many cars around. Ideally a step front with a solid body (restored Or other) and an engine swap wouldn't worry me, fast road spec would be ideal.
I've searched on here and found a few links to dealers etc, anyone who can point me in the right direction would get a big thank you :-)

Emailed about this one already but owner seems hard work, doesn't have any other pictures or want to offer any so I doubt I'll travel hundred plus miles to view
http://classicalfa.com/products.php?product=1965-G...


Edited by 200Plus Club on Wednesday 23 August 20:40


Edited by 200Plus Club on Wednesday 23 August 22:06

200Plus Club

Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Wednesday 23rd August 2017
quotequote all
coetzeeh said:
Www.stelvio.dk

These guys always have quality stock.
Cheers am browsing and their old sales :-)

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Thursday 24th August 2017
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velocemitch said:
That Spring GT looks like a cracker. I think if you are serious about a 105 and it's within budget to travel 100 mile is a no brainier.
Though the vendor should be working a bit harder I'd want underside photos proper history etc, before making the trip. Wheels could easily be changed open carbs like wise. That car would have had the old cross over style air filter which was a bit restrictive and made tuning the carbs a bit trickier too.

No it won't be a pants on fire manic machine like the GTAR but it will still be a superb car to own and cherish.
Exactly all I asked for. Any pics, what's the history. Was told it's worth every penny, no more pics, come view if interested. Not sure I want that to be the first one I view!

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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Fair comment. Well known on a forum? I'm not on any yet so don't know him or the car unfortunately. Unusual not to have any chassis or underside pics of it I thought that's all. If it was 50 miles away it wouldn't matter :-)

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Friday 25th August 2017
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Managed to drop on one very local to view on Sunday to start the ball rolling and as luck has it I know where it's been serviced and looked after for last 3 yrs! See what happens, I've never even driven one to be honest.

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Saturday 26th August 2017
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arguti said:
Good idea to take one for a test drive - I have a number of Alfas from alfetta GTV6s, 75s, 105s, alfasud and 155s and they are all very different to drive - I also had a 105 spider from new so know what they should feel like out of the box and many of the 105s have been messed about which is why my best advice is speak to the usual suspects who will know which good cars may be available but not necessarily advertised for sale if that makes sense.thats how I sourced my best Alfas with hindsight.

A well sorted and maintained 105 should be cheap to maintain (certainly cheaper than the transaxle 116 series).

For a more modern Alfa don't discount the 155, practical and cheap as chips now and easily upgraded, etc.

Ps whereabouts are you based ? I am in Worcester so if nearby you can always come over and see a few different Alfas and a lancia or two.
Very kind offer! Am in Sheffield. The 105 is to be honest the only Alfa classic I'd be considering, I did recently however drive the new QF with 500+bhp and would happily have one if I wasn't a bit wary on first year depreciation and reliability with it being new.

I ran a sunbeam lotus for 3 yrs and won a couple of trophies with it at the club events but I bought it as a restored car as bodywork isn't my thing. 150bhp on carbs in a lightweight classic was fun :-)

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Monday 28th August 2017
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Test drive yesterday on this
http://classicalfa.com/products.php?product=1972-A...
it's very nice and solid and drives well. It's bog stock so performance as to be expected, it wouldn't light many fires but it drove and steered very well. The front wings are just starting to go on the arch lips but thats all you can fault, its had a restoration 3 or 4 yrs ago but probably a smaller scale one.
Step front with 160bhp or so still on my bucket list methinks!

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Monday 28th August 2017
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arguti said:
That's strong money for a later one - I have a late 2l in similar condition and I would only be looking for around 18k if I were to sell but if I were looking for a 105 I would be sticking to earlier stepfronts -either original or as upgradeable project.
I think 23k would secure it and it's very solid but I think I'm hooked on a step front now and bumperless :-)

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Original Poster:

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Monday 28th August 2017
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Saying that this looks a bargain lol or a typo
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
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Yes it's gone maybe it was a scam anyway. The search continues.
I'm hoping to get to an Alfa meet or event at some point even if next year as I generally only see these cars at the classic racing stuff I attend, it would be good to look over one closely with a knowledgeable owner.

One thing I am suprised at is how much spares/panels/parts are still available for the cars compared to when I had the Sunbeam Lotus. People were literally making wings and sills from other cars as virtually impossible to find them and no pattern bits available. I paid 100 quid for 2 plastic bumper over riders (new old stock) and sold my scratched originals for 50 quid!

Edited by 200Plus Club on Tuesday 29th August 06:53

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Original Poster:

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278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
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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 :-)

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Tuesday 29th August 2017
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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

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Original Poster:

10,770 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

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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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!



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Original Poster:

10,770 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.

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Original Poster:

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278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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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.

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

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

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Original Poster:

10,770 posts

278 months

Wednesday 30th August 2017
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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.

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Original Poster:

10,770 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 :-)

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Original Poster:

10,770 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!