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alolympic> Having the two cars at the same time is not really a money problem, it's more about me not wanting to have to maintain, insure & garage two cars that have essentially the same use I think you miss my point. I don't mean keep 2 cars, I mean keep hold of the Cortina until you have bought an Alfa and run it for a few weeks. You then have the option to sell either, based on real experience. Just a way of avoiding that "wish I'd never sold that one" feeling
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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... will probably happen anyway Just posting the pictures for the ad made me long for the car (which is approximately 1.5 miles from me right now), I'm that pathetic. To answer seriously, it will all depend on whether the Cortina sells quickly or not, and whether I have an opportunity to go to Italy soon or not. I'm not tied up, I like my car but I don't need it either.
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barrett
Part of things
Plastic cars with metal doors BEST
Posts: 390
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my two cents this car belongs to my boss, he's just got it back after a very expensive engine rebuild and has been using it every day for the last week. 1968 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super by barrogance, on Flickr It's a '68 1600 Super, so a notch down from the Ti in performance and desirability stakes. It's VERY quick for a 1960s saloon, and loves to be driven hard. the handling is exemplary and it eats the twisty narrow roads round our office for breakfast. I can fully understand why these have such a great reputation as 'driver's cars' even from sitting in the passenger seat. It's impossible not to grin when you're buzzing along even using half the available revs (not over 3200 until the engine is run in!). Inside you can tell that it's a quality machine, everything is screwed together beautifully and there is bags of room up front. My only other experience of 1960s saloon cars are a Simca 1301 and Seth's Minx. The Alfa is light years ahead of both in terms of quality, comfort and performance. I love it dearly and I desperately want one of my own.... ....BUT all this lovelyness comes at a price. When something goes wrong - and it will, it's an Alfa - you can guarantee it's going to cost a fortune to put right. I'm not vulgar enough to mention figures on a public forum, but getting the engine sorted on this example cost a rather significant amount. Easily enough to buy a nice 2 door Mk1 Cortina, in any case. A lot of parts have been remanufactured but the market for these cars is far smaller than, say, the Cortina, and not only are the bits hugely expensive, they are of fairly poor quality even when compared to the Italian-made originals. Fuel consumption is a nightmarish sub-25mpg if driven with anything like enthusiasm. It might be perfectly affordable to buy a Giulia, but it's certainly not affordable to run one. another small point is that people just do not notice it as anything unusual. For what is, to old car fans, something deeply desirable and very unusual, to the general public it's simply another anonymous old car. Very few people notice it passing by and those that do probably think it's a Lada. If you're an extrovert who enjoys the attention you get from using an old car daily then these probably aren't for you. As a usable, capable car the Alfa will do almost everything better than the Cortina and you will be astonished at just how well they go, but you will be forever wondering if something is about to break and how much it's going to cost to fix it - possibly to the detriment of you actually using the thing the way it's supposed to be used. You'll have great satisfaction from the subtly high quality, but everyone else will think it's just another old banger. You might very well bankrupt yourself keeping on top of the running costs, but you will smile every time you step inside it and enjoy every mile you do. Tough choice, right?
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Somebody find me a Watling. £££ waiting! (Seriously, I want a Watling. Help me plzzzzz)
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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To be frank, that's already the case with the Cortina. I have a one-car garage without power or light (not even dreaming about water), so if anything major breaks, I'm screwed. I have time on my hands, but not a lot of experience, I work on my own most of the time and I'm not afraid to get committed. What you are saying about parts being expensive is quite the opposite of what I've read elsewhere (including a magazine that did a feature on Giulias a while ago). Bear in mind that for the Cortina, almost any special part had to come from the UK with the associated delays, p&p and currency fees. The thing is, I'm 23, and I don't mind taking a bit of a gamble like this. I feel like I've touched the limits of a 1200 Cortina: I've driven it on snow, on dirt, under thunderstorms, when it was freezing cold or scorching hot, I've worked on it, enjoyed the hell out of it on so many occasions... but it's not the slightly sporty car I'd want it to be. And it won't be either. I really appreciate the advice given here, believe me even though I still want to go the Alfa way, those warning comments won't be forgotten any time soon. It's always good to be aware of what you're in for, if only because you savour this delicate pleasure even more. Last night I couldn't sleep, so I wrote down all the work I want to do on the Cortina before selling it. I'll update its thread accordingly Only trouble is, now I have to learn Italian like I learnt English. Benzina Olio Acqua
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goldnrust
West Midlands
Minimalist
Posts: 1,880
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....BUT all this lovelyness comes at a price. When something goes wrong - and it will, it's an Alfa - you can guarantee it's going to cost a fortune to put right. I'm not vulgar enough to mention figures on a public forum, but getting the engine sorted on this example cost a rather significant amount. Easily enough to buy a nice 2 door Mk1 Cortina, in any case. A lot of parts have been remanufactured but the market for these cars is far smaller than, say, the Cortina, and not only are the bits hugely expensive, they are of fairly poor quality even when compared to the Italian-made originals. Fuel consumption is a nightmarish sub-25mpg if driven with anything like enthusiasm. It might be perfectly affordable to buy a Giulia, but it's certainly not affordable to run one. Please don't take this wrong but this is kinda what I was talking about in my earlier post about many Alfa owners having money to spend. If it was the Cortina that needed an engine rebuild, many owners would strip it down in their garage, order the new parts needed and drop it back in with the help of a Haynes manual and some mates. Where as in the Alfa world I saw lots of 'oh take it to *****, they're really good and it might cost a bit but the results are fantastic'. At the end of the day second hard parts are plentiful and cheap and new parts are no more expensive than any other car. Certainly I found parts would be no more costly than for my classic Mazda. The fuel economy I would agree with, but as a counter point I'd say if you are using it everyday then you'll probably be driving it 'normally' as often as driven with enthusiasm and it'll average out to low 30s MPG. Regarding being noticed, certainly in the Lancia I've noticed many men eyeing up the car, but pretty much every lady I know seems to treat it with indifference. All the heads it seems to turn are grey mens heads, so I hope you're not hoping it'll help you pull
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Cortina = faithful wife and friend that you've grown bored of, but have no real complaints with. Alfa = feisty young thing that gets your blood pumping but could break your heart and your wallet, or could be the best thing that ever happened.
In your shoes, I'd stick with the Cortina because I know you'll miss it when you do part with it (and you do seem to have made up your mind) even with the faults you've mentioned. The Cortina is the kind of car that keeps a couple together, the Alfa is the kind of car that gets called The Other Woman. Tread carefully.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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Don't get me wrong, I'm far from being bored with the Cortina! I drove it 200 miles today (and about 300 tomorrow), and it still puts a heck of a goofy smile on my face. Compared to 99% of what's on the road it already feels like a delicate mistress anyways I'm only selling it because life is short and I want the extra thrill of the screaming twin-cam! I should probably close this thread because it is going to make people want a Giulia and not my Cortina
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May 10, 2013 21:13:05 GMT
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You might able to find a A-R Berlina 1750/2000 for similiar money and it is still 105 chassis based.
Otherwise, a Capri might be an idea. The v6 sounds cool and coupe shape gives it a little bit more sportiness. Even a X-flow may be good. I have driven a tuned X-flow (twin DCOE, reworked head, A2 cam, 1600cc) with 110 hp and that is as lovely an Alfa twin-cam to run.
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Click picture for more
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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ettorebugatti> I've seen those Berlinas, they're pretty cheap for what they are as a car! But the 1300/1600 pre-Nuova cars are so much quirkier! So many details, little things to look at, that are here for not much more than just being different. I love cars that feel refined, even though my current car does not fall into this category. Somehow a quite powerful sedan seems more appealing to me that a slightly sporty coupé... I'm not sure I really have any kind of justification other than 'oh that Alfa' with little hearts instead of my eyes. Dan> Haha looks like I can't really go wrong there can I? ;D When I look at my car now I can't help but being curse word at the idea that I can't modify it. I've forgotten to put a pic with its new wheels like this: and it would look absolutely spot on, lowered heavily with a little more spacing at the rear. Oh and a pea-shooter exhaust that sticks out upwards! That'll be for the Alfa then. I've washed the car since I took that pic, it was absolutely filthy!
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djefk
Part of things
Posts: 844
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May 11, 2013 10:23:20 GMT
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Just stuck my vote in and see that nearly 3/4 of everyone on here agrees with me - Mind you I reckon Goldnrust introduced some bias into the vote by posting those amazing videos - It's made me think if I never get my dream car (Alfa Romeo Montreal): Then I'll defo be getting an Alfa saloon or GT Junior at some point when I return to the UK!! I have to say though, if it's more power you need in your cortina, why don't you simply buy a 1500cc runner, grind the engine number off and have a plate stamped with your current engine number on it attached instead? Simples, plus like has been said, nobody would know or care. I also don't agree that disc brakes up front are going to be noticed in the event of an accident. Your choice though.
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Last Edit: May 11, 2013 10:26:36 GMT by djefk
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Doc
Part of things
Drives Alfa 156 and GTV rocks a Mk2 x pack capri and 750 NINJA !
Posts: 113
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May 11, 2013 20:34:33 GMT
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alfa all day and I'm a ford man albiet with two daily alfas ....
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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djefk : what I like most about the Cortina is that's a good little honest car, going all dodgy on engine numbers isn't really what I want to do. It's not just about power but also the five-speed gearbox, the sporty interior, etc. And frankly the more I look at the Alfa, the more I think I'll love it The Montreal is incredibly good looking, but putting its V8 in a Giulia saloon would be good fun too! Doc : You're not the first to say so, I'm amazed at how people just love the Alfa...
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May 13, 2013 12:49:31 GMT
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Have you thought about a Mk1 escort Mexico or maybe a 1300GT? they would be much sportier than the Cortina but cheaper to maintain (and probably more reliable) than the Alfa.
Possibly out of your budget and arguably not as pretty a classic as the Alfa but almost certainly a Mexico would keep up round a track.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 13, 2013 13:39:06 GMT
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I've never driven a car around a track I like the Ford suggestions, though they are expensive here. A Mexico is pretty much impossible to find and a 1300GT somehow doesn't feel as exclusive as the Alfa. Good thing is that I found a Maserati Mexico for sale, out of my price range but it certainly has some exclusive feel going on! Now that's somehting I like. ;D
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May 13, 2013 14:30:48 GMT
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Escorts are definitely more " mass market" than a lot of classics, try and have a drive of a good one at some point even if you don't buy it, there is a reason they are so popular, my old 1600 mk1 with a few light mods was my daily driver but it was still faster down the lanes than my mates Celica GT4 (in the dry anyway).
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 13, 2013 14:48:36 GMT
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I have nothing against the little Fords you know, I just feel like trying on an Italian suit while I can Earlier, I was saying I didn't especially like the Berlinas... Well I just found two in France, close enough from my place, one with the 1750 engine, the other being a 2000. Both for under €5k. With yellow headlights (I like that). It would be sooo much easier than buying a 1300 Super in Italy. I'm thinking. Here are pics of the cars in question: and Only trouble is, they seem to love fuel. A lot.
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May 13, 2013 15:20:08 GMT
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that brown one looks great and no one buys a classic for the fuel economy.
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Volvo back as my main squeeze, more boost and some interior goodies on the way.
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unitybonez
Part of things
Blowing Pintos
Posts: 870
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May 13, 2013 15:21:20 GMT
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If that is the steering wheel in the dark one and not a cover its a dead give away of how hard the car was driven. Bloody thing is bent LOL
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Sent from my ouiji board.
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Clement
Europe
ambitious but rubbish
Posts: 2,095
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May 13, 2013 16:25:24 GMT
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I don't buy a classic car for fuel economy but I'm planning on changing careers and the Alfa will be my only car, so I'd drive around 10,000 miles a year in it, it does count I called the sellers of both cars, they both seem pretty good (owners and cars alike), I'll see the black one sunday and the yellow one next week-end. Yellow one has lower mileage but no parts, black one comes with a heckload of stuff (gearbox, dash, rear axle, etc), yellow one is 130hp and the black one is 115, both need a little welding on the sills. Both guys invited me to come have a look at the car even if I don't buy it, they seem genuine chaps who really like their stuff. I guess I'll start a thread in Readers' Rides to document my quest once I've seen the first one
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Last Edit: May 13, 2013 16:29:32 GMT by Clement
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May 13, 2013 17:41:28 GMT
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You wont be disappointed. Lovely cars to drive and come with more than sufficient performance. Rumour says that the 1779cc engine is a sweeter unit than the 2 liter. If the Alfa search fails to deliver, have a look at the twincam Fiat 124s. I recon in France you can find a rust free 124 Coupe.
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Click picture for more
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