I did Alfa before I did Morgan. Had two spiders, a red 72 and a black 81. I bought the red Alfa and my college buddies bought white and blue MGBs. We were red, white and blue, running with tops down throughout NY.
The 72 was a wonderful car until that fateful day in Radcliff, KY . . . The 81 was problematic.
Cheers,
Mark
1934 SS MX4 1938 Series 1 DHC 1951 Plus 4 2005 Roadster
Alfa Sud 1973, 1200cc, three door in vomit yellow bought in 1977 to replace a Hillman Imp. Rust killed it... Alfa Sud TI, 1500cc 1976 bought in 1978, three door Red, traded in before it rusted Alfa Sud Hatch Green Cloverleaf, bought new in 1981, Red again, the hatch rusted, nothing else.. Alfa 33 Green Cloverleaf, white bought new in 1987. No faults, no rust. Alfa 145 1.6 1998 Alfa 156 2.0l 2000, metallic blue, quick, comfortable and nothing went wrong.
Our 30 odd year Alfa journey ended in 2008 with an Audi TT.
Still tempted to buy a well restored basic Sud. Some great 1980s Suds at £5K to £6K. I've still got the Haynes book...
Last edited by Aldermog; 04/09/1402:09 PM.
Peter, 66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...
Alfa Sud 1973, 1200cc, three door in vomit yellow bought in 1977 to replace a Hillman Imp. Rust killed it... Alfa Sud TI, 1500cc 1976 bought in 1978, three door Red, traded in before it rusted Alfa Sud Hatch Green Cloverleaf, bought new in 1981, Red again, the hatch rusted, nothing else.. Alfa 33 Green Cloverleaf, white bought new in 1987. No faults, no rust. Alfa 145 1.6 1998 Alfa 156 2.0l 2000, metallic blue, quick, comfortable and nothing went wrong.
Our 30 odd year Alfa journey ended in 2008 with an Audi TT.
Still tempted to buy a well restored basic Sud. Some great 1980s Suds at £5K to £6K. I've still got the Haynes book...
Peter - I hope you complained to Alfa about the later ones not rusting!! I remember the Lancia Betas were atrocious rust buckets and killed Lancia in the UK. A friend had one and the front wings completely rusted through within 18 months.
The 33 was remarkable: we did close to 90,000 miles over 11 years and other than normal servicing we replaced ONLY the waterpump...!!
We sold it because the interior was getting a bit tired and the speedo was only working occasionally, as were the brake lights. All could have been sorted but we wanted a change!
The 147 was a stopgap, not really an Alfa as it was more of a Fiat. The 156 was magic and again served us very well. That 2L engine was, for its time, rather special....
It is said if you havent owned an Alfa you can't call yourself a petrol head...!!
Peter, 66, 2016 Porsche Boxster S No longer driving Tarka, the 2014 Plus 8...
I would agree even though I have never owned one. I have thought about it a number of times as the Italians have an amazing flare for design - and the engines!
I remember the Lancia Betas were atrocious rust buckets and killed Lancia in the UK. A friend had one and the front wings completely rusted through within 18 months.