EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Hello, my name is Martin and I am an Alfaholic. [everyone else in chorus]: Hello Martin It all started when I sold my Fiat Multipla, I was vulnerable and on the rebound. Then I saw her for sale on Retro Rides and I couldn't help myself. [everyone else] It's okay Martin we are here for you. ;D Anyway since I can't keep that up, I'll just post some pictures. Here she is the day after the drive back from Leicester. It's the 1.8 16v T.Spark widebody and it's a non-sunroof. Only done 90k miles and seems to have been looked after very well. The first changes were already lying around. I had a pair of 20mm hubcentric spacers and also a pair of 15mm ones. It doesn't need them on the front, so I just put the 20's on the back. Also, I swapped the wheels for my gold Zender 15's I had on the Fiat. I didn't take a picture of them on the Alfa, so here they are on the Fiat: You'll have to use a little imagination Next up was to buy some clear side repeaters to replace the orange ones. before: after: A small and affordable change, but a big improvement. The rest of the stuff I've done has been a bit boring so far, things like tax disc holders and batteries but bear with me it should hopefully get better as we go. I think it may have something to do with being an Alfa owner (I'm not actually a fully fledged Alfaholic - it's my first one), but for some odd reason I felt compelled to give the engine bay a spruce up ;D It looked like this: I had a tin of old brake caliper paint lying around so it would be rude not to really. Don't have any finished pics, but you get the idea. I've also treated her to a nice new battery, I won't bore you with a pic of that BUT I do have something equally as boring for you instead. The car had been off the road for four years (always a good sign), and the previous owner had just done the cambelt, oil and filter etc. BUT he did mention it could probably use an air filter. So I investigated. Everything in the bay has a date on it Anyway it looked BRAND NEW. I gave it a bit of a shake and stuck it back in. Result. Next up, my Zenders came off (actually the 20mm spacers were causing some rubbage) and the standard wheels went back on. With the 15mm spacers on the rear and some 195/50/15 Toyo Snowproxes Next up was the stereo. The standard one was awful and the tape player didn't work, so I chucked my trusty alpine in. It's not a particularly fancy one, but it does have USB and aux in so it does the job. I also put a JBL 12" sub in the boot with a little Rockford Fosgate punch amp. I didn't take any pictures of this though - my bad, I'll get some soon. So tomorrow it is booked in for a new stainless exhaust with Longlife in Wallington. I've taken many cars there and they always do a good job, so fingers crossed. Oh, and this morning I bought these: Some FK Konigsport Silverline X coilovers. How exciting.
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Last Edit: Dec 13, 2013 0:13:45 GMT by EmDee
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nofrills
Posted a lot
my wings are made of Steeeeeeeel!!!
Posts: 1,243
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Hello Martin.... What can i say that looks awesome i love the 155 shape and once dropped will look sweet
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,410
Club RR Member Number: 52
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vqwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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Fantastic! When I was a young un my uncle Craig had a 155 Twin Spark. Ever since then I've always loved them! Such a good looking car. Really looking forward to seeing this progress!! Keep us updated!
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vBenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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I was eyeing this up in the RR Classifieds too! Lovely looking car, and quite unusual in that colour (to me anyway).
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I also love the shape of these. It always makes me laugh when people say angular cars aren't stylish. I reckon they tend to be the most stylish...and this has bags of style. That swage line is so distinctive and atually works even better with those arches.
Looking forward to seeing this progress.
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I'm happy that pete and me gave it a new life after it had been sitting for so long. Keep up the good work. Have you joined alfa155.org? ??
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Alfa 155 2.0 16v, Alfa 155 white v6 skinny,White widebody 20vt more bhp project, Alfa 155 Q4 soon to be repaired
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That looks pretty sweet Martin. Why don't you own up and admit you used your nail varnish on the cam cover? I think it looks better on the original alloys, will look really good lowered on the coilovers. Glad to see the old Alpine wireless set is back in service! Are you having a OE type Longlife stainless system fitted? I had a Longlife on my Manta GTE, superb bit of kit for the price. Cheers mate, Richard.
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Geordie
North East
Course I'm out of my mind...........it's dark and scary in there!!
Posts: 2,512
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I've always loved these since watching Gabriele Tarquini destroy everyone else in the BTCC in 1994.
Original alloys preferred by me too, but it's your car and all that.
Changing to clear side repeaters is usually one of the first things I do on a new motor. Good work.
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CURRENT FLEET '91 Nissan Primera (41k miles, an early one and immaculate) '99 Ford Mondeo Ghia X (60k miles) '01 Mini (#869) '06 Audi A6 (18 year old 'modern' daily)
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Good to see a few Alfas showing up. Had a white 155 1.8 back in 1995 - everyone called it 'the fridge'. Started with an Alfa 33, then the 155, a Giulia Coupe (1600 GT Junior), a 156 1.8, another Giulia Coupe (2000 GTV) and a 156 2.5 V6. Still have the last two and can't bring myself to sell the Giulia, but looking for a lowish mileage 166 3.0. Will post some pictures when I've got some decent ones.
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Last Edit: Jan 8, 2013 0:43:01 GMT by lamsdale
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maf260
Part of things
Posts: 513
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I have lots of love for these cars. Owned a very rare Tropical Green 2.0 Twin Spark Super in the late 90s from when it was about 9 months old. Cracking car, sold it when I bought one of the first 156 Selespeeds in 2000. That's another story.
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Thanks for all of the kind comments, very much appreciated. I'm glad it's not just me who loves these cars. This one has been good as gold with the only trouble I've had involving the alarm going off all the time (now sorted) and a dodgy indicator relay. I think as long as you look after these cars they should be dead reliable. Welcome to the site! That looks pretty sweet Martin. Why don't you own up and admit you used your nail varnish on the cam cover? ;D Okay you got me, I used your Mum's nail varnish I think it looks better on the original alloys, will look really good lowered on the coilovers. Yeah a few people have said they like them, and I do too I just can't seem to keep a car on it's original wheels! I'll be running them each and every winter on the snowproxes unless I see something I prefer (it does look nice on the Zenders). Choice is restricted by budget, which is at this point all gone! Are you having a OE type Longlife stainless system fitted? I had a Longlife on my Manta GTE, superb bit of kit for the price. Yes, Dan there does a great job, I dropped it off this morning. Basically the standard pipe has a trim on the end which fits perfectly in the bumper recess so the plan is to use that tip on the new catback system since all of the aftermarket tips are gigantic. I don't know if you can make it out in this pic, but it's the only shot I have from behind (oo er). It was nice to stand under it while it was on the ramp and have a good poke around, she's dead solid. I'm happy that pete and me gave it a new life after it had been sitting for so long. Keep up the good work. Have you joined alfa155.org? ?? Yes I have, seems a good site. Also I've gotta say that Pete is the nicest guy I've ever bought a car from! Truly a DIAMOND GEEZER!!!11one Exhaust pics should get posted very soon after I pick it up and give the old girl a run up to the RR awards tonight at the Ace Cafe. Really looking forward to it. I can't believe I've put 2k miles on her already! In other news, I have also ordered some SuperPro SuperFlex poly bushes, I'll probably replace the lower wishbones and droplinks while I do the coilovers. TTFN
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Last Edit: Jan 14, 2013 11:25:33 GMT by EmDee
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Nice car. I miss my 156 terribly but I reckon my next Alfa will have to be a 155. Have you joined www.alfaowner.com too? Not too many 155 owners on there but one or two.
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Jaguar S-Type 3.0 SE
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Welcome to the site! [/quote] Thanks! Been reading about readers rides on this site for a few weeks and it's great to see people caring about and enjoying the most unlikely cars. I love Alfa's especially and have fond memories of my 155 - seeing yours makes me want another one! Mine was a 1.8 pre-facelift with the narrower track, but the garage fitted Silverstone wheels and colour-coded the bumpers white (adding to the domestic-appliance aesthetic!). Seems most recent Alfa's have well-protected bodies, and the engines are always good. They just need to sort the trim and electrics now :-) But all my Alfas have been pretty reliable, but like you say, they don't respond well to bodging or lack of maintenance.
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Last Edit: Jan 8, 2013 12:28:41 GMT by lamsdale
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Alfa ;D
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Ali...GT 3.2 V6 Christine...V6 3.0 24v 155 Spider...2.0 TS Scoob...2.5 Outback
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Jan 14, 2013 11:21:24 GMT
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Last Edit: Jan 23, 2013 17:34:03 GMT by EmDee
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Jan 21, 2013 15:43:09 GMT
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Well, I've always said that I won't put bigger alloys on this because the tyres are so expensive. I like the 15s, they look nice and the tyres are affordable. Except I accidentally slipped on some ice and won these on a well known auction site: They're Dotz alloys in 17" 4x98 flavour. Tyres are needed however so it will be a while before these go on. I think I will be putting the Zenders in the snow tyres and selling the standard alloys with summer tyres to help finance some new 17" tyres. Wow I just said tyres a lot. They should respond well to a ghetto back yard refurb, I have the Montana Black sitting here ready for em. Hell right now I don't even know if they are actually proper 2 piece wheels or if they just have fake bolts! I imagine they're fake. Either way the "bolts" will be painted gold. Can't believe I own a set of Dotz maybe I should start cruizing ebay for a new tracksuit In other news, still no coilovers have a snow pic
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Last Edit: Jan 24, 2013 13:35:06 GMT by EmDee
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EmDee
Club Retro Rides Member
Committer of Autrocities.
Posts: 5,920
Club RR Member Number: 108
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vEmDee
@emdee
Club Retro Rides Member 108
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Jan 24, 2013 13:52:36 GMT
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HUGE thanks to AlfaChris for these bits: TOP GEEZAR! One of my vents was busted so he's sent me not one, but two! Not sure how easy they are to fit yet, I imagine with me doing it it'll be dashboard out and an entire day of swearing and broken clips. Can't wait! ;D The blue relay is for the indicator, you know that ticking noise when you indicate? Well I've been listening to it for weeks now even when I'm not indicating. It got on my nerves really badly at first but now I'm pretty used to it! Can't wait to replace that little b***ard, been driving round with the stereo up all the time! In other news, 14 working days and still no coilovers. Getting upset now, might get a refund and buy elsewhere since they've not even called or sent an email. I don't mind waiting another month if I have to, it's just the principle. I hate being kept in the dark, especially when I've just parted with a large sum of money and at the time of purchase they set the expectation at "usually 2-3 working days or up to 2 weeks for special order". Anyway, road trip to collect my Dotz alloys tomorrow, that should be interesting! Hope they're at least circular...
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stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 14,834
Club RR Member Number: 174
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1997 Alfa 155 1.8 16vstealthstylz
@stealthstylz
Club Retro Rides Member 174
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Jan 24, 2013 13:57:42 GMT
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The Dotz wheels will look great, bit like OZ Ultraleggeras but I assume not a millionty pounds.
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