The Alfa Thread

[rloewy]

rloewy - do you have extra 4.5x15s in decent shape? I could use 3 or 4 to widen. I'm keeping my original 5 stock (with the original ancient Pirelli spare).

I do not, that is why the set I have is not out there for restoration already, I just hate not having the car usable. I have one rim that needs restoration - it has a slow leak and it is not tire related, so it clearly needs to happen.

It is really hard to find the 4.5x15 wheels - that is why I am wondering if maybe it is time for brake upgrade - I have sets of Turbinas and a set of Cromodora style that just will not go over the original brakes.

On the other hand, my GT Jr. is mostly original spec - which is why I am reluctant to do the brake update as well. It is nice to have a car that is close to original without the updates.

[LateFan]

"It is really hard to find the 4.5x15 wheels"

That's too bad. There used to be stacks of them and you couldn't give them away.


I'm keeping the axle assembly, calipers, etc, just in case. Crappy Dunlop brakes, but who knows what collectors might want. I never do anything to it that can't just be unbolted and changed - shocks, rad hoses, clamps, battery - all that stuff is easy to change. But I won't drill holes or weld stuff on.

[rloewy]

That's too bad. There used to be stacks of them and you couldn't give them away.

Well, I was wondering if there is something I can find in the Seattle area - and there is, but he will not ship...

Do we know anyone in the greater Seattle area? ;)

[LateFan]

I'm not there any more, but maybe check with Darron (sp?) who owns Vintage Customs in Tacoma. http://www.vintagecustoms.net

Also Group 2 Motorsports in Seattle / Interbay. They were really nice when I've visited on trips. http://www.g2motorsports.com/contact/

There was a place called Ralli-Round, on Lake Union. Not sure if still there or if still an Alfa shop.

Or contact the NW Alfa club.

[BlackbirdM3]

Installing disks on the car is an expensive proposition. It can be done, but is it worth the cost to do? Most people say no. The wheel wells just aren't that wide. That is the biggest issue.

As for installing a late model rear end into a 105 chassis, easy as pie, and a 4.1 LSD with a 50% lockup is a beautiful thing. I did that on the GTV. I'm going to look into having one of those rear ends modified to work on the Sprint. 160 hp in a Sprint is going to need a serious LSD to be good for anything.

I was in a friends 914-6 when he was running R compounds on widened stock steel wheels. I asked him if he had ever had one crack just before we went out on Sears Point for a session. Following that session I checked all 4 wheels and they all had cracked. Thanks, I'll pass.

I was running 14x6.5 Panasports on the GTV, they were sweet. I had the steel wheels and they were scary, just flexed everywhere.

I didn't know VTO wheels made anything in a 4x108 pattern. Perhaps I can get a set of the LeMans knockoffs from them.

Will

[ELVA164]

I didn't know VTO wheels made anything in a 4x108 pattern. Perhaps I can get a set of the LeMans knockoffs from them.

Will

Strictly speaking I can't guarantee they have 4x108, but I know they have 4x4.25" which is 108.05mm.

[BlackbirdM3]

10.5 hrs got me a stripped interior, all the trim removed from around the windows, all the window glass removed, paint stripped from the floor boards, paint stripped nearly entirely off the roof, and the steering wheel removed (original Nardi, so old there is no date stamp on it.) I also stripped the inside of the hood to bare metal and acid etched it, then treated it with Rust Mort. Tomorrow I hope to get the floors better scrapped, then get some Rust Mort on them so they will be ready for POR-15.

Here are a couple pics. Sorry for the poor quality cell phone pics



Will

[Wschnitz]

Even all rusty looking and partially stripped its got beautiful lines.

Yeah I def vote dark gray.

Wonder if you can get some wheels custom made for the car like rotiform or fifteen52. Ones that follow an original alfa style like phonedial or something. But are forged alloy and the perfect size.

[BlackbirdM3]

Even all rusty looking and partially stripped its got beautiful lines.

Yeah I def vote dark gray.

Wonder if you can get some wheels custom made for the car like rotiform or fifteen52. Ones that follow an original alfa style like phonedial or something. But are forged alloy and the perfect size.

There isn't much rust on the exterior of the car. The reddish areas are original paint that doesn't want to sand off. The darker areas are where I painted Rust Mort on over the surface rusted areas where there was paint failure. I agree, it does have awesome lines on it.

I'd really love to find a set of these for it. I had a line on a set but the guy vanished on me. American Racing LeMans.


Panasports are still hard to say no to however.


I can get reproductions of stock looking wheels. Just don't really like the look



Will

[Wschnitz]

I like those stock looking wheels. Panasports are pretty hard to pass up on that car I agree.

[BlackbirdM3]

One of the reasons I really like the LeMans wheels is because you never see them on Alfas, and I've never seen a set on a Sprint. The wheels were originally designed by Pete Brock for the Datsun roadster.

Will

[BlackbirdM3]

Front brake drums have been conquered! They finally let go after whaling on them with a 5lb dead blow hammer, the driver side actually looks good, the passenger side had one of the shoe linings let go. At least now I can take care of the brakes on it. I got the driver side wheel well scraped, brushed cleaned, and treated with rust killer. I now have the entire exterior of the car pretty well sanded down. There is still a little paint on the car but its nearly transparent. The amount of very thin bondo under the paint is blowing my mind. I didn't know they used filler at the factory back then. It seems to be the reason for the factory paint failure. Everywhere I've found bondo, the paint had failed. The areas with no bondo, the paint was good.

Will

[Wschnitz]

They didnt use presses for the panels right? All hand machined? Thats probably why, could be they couldnt keep up with demand or something.

[BlackbirdM3]

They didnt use presses for the panels right? All hand machined? Thats probably why, could be they couldnt keep up with demand or something.

That sounds about right. These were all hand made and finished so no two cars are 100% alike. My paint guy is going to hate me I think.

Will

[LateFan]

Some history tidbits..

http://www.giuliettaregister.com/history-of-the-giulietta/

I think these might be Saab wheels. 61 Sprint, 175+hp, 6x15 steel