Alfa Romeo Forum banner

Autolusso 156 GTA full mechanical rebuild

36K views 152 replies 57 participants last post by  valinco 
#1 ·
We have this 156 GTA in for a full mechanical rebuild

Over the next couple of weeks we will be stripping off everything and repairing the body by fitting new floor pans etc

Everything that is removed will be replaced with new or powder coated fresh

Rebuilt engine, gearbox, all new brakes & suspension

This is going to be a very nice car when done

Ned
 

Attachments

See less See more
4
#7 ·
This is my father's car. He has owned it from new and although it may not seem it, he has looked after it very well. In fact, this car is like part of our family.

We changed the trailing arms and rear hub bushes together about 2 years ago, and i distinctly remember having a conversation with him about preventative undersealing. It was looking pretty decent back then so we left it as were both very busy with work etc (dad hates it when i remind him of this conversation!). 2 years later... the thing has rusted to bits around the trailing arm mounts and all across the pan in the predictable places. :disappointed:

I am pleased he has taken the car to Autolusso and not gone down the welding route, which was discussed. You could really go to town on this and do lots of nice things, but as its road car I thinks hes going for the pretty normal things (Quaffie, uprated ARB's, uprated suspension etc). Hopefully the car will be good for another 130k after.

BTW - over 130k on the original diff, just like my GTA. Maybe there were some made on a Monday? :thumbup:

I hope Ned and the team can upload a few photos as the jobs are being done.

I cannot wait to drive it when it's done :biglaugh::biglaugh:

Good luck.
 
#11 ·
Mechanical components stripped off now and we can really start to see the state of the body

Ned
 

Attachments

#20 ·
OK all the parts that are getting powder coated have been stripped, removed and delivered to the powder coater (who is away until Monday so will cause a slight delay)

Cut out one side of the floor and replaced it with a new floor panel

Ned
 

Attachments

#137 ·
Great to see such effort going into saving motors like this. The pictures should be posted to Alfa Romeo, perhaps that may induce a little shame and ***** their conscience about the continuing high prices they charge for spares for obsolete models. But I doubt it. I need a new sub-frame and steering rack for my 159 Q4. There is no point in doing any work unless it is done well and I know I am unlikely to see the cost reflected in the resale value. Non the less, it has to be O.M. parts and that is going to cost me £2k. Thanks Alfa!

Keep posting the pictures.
 
#30 ·
Cleaning up the little bits and precise while waiting for the majority of the parts to come back from the powder coaters.

Underside is looking good I will get some pictures of that later

Ned
 

Attachments

#31 ·
Underside rust treated and the laborious job of fully painting the underside has started

Every bit of loose rust, old under seal and loose paint was stripped off and then treated with Hydrate 80 then painted with red oxide and now 3 coats of black gloss Hammerite are going on to protect the underside.

Ned
 

Attachments

#32 ·
Bits are back from the powder coater, we now have a 156 GTA in kit form :hehe:

Ned
 

Attachments

#33 ·
This is giving me mad ideas!
I have a shell rollover spit so when my Capri is off and i have finished the Jag, i may strip the GTA and do the same, makes working around a car alot easier.
On a GTA that is a hell of alot of work though. I am scared of waht mine really looks like underneath everything, but also impressed with your work even more :)
Nice job
 
#34 ·
Thanks, my tech is doing a great job, the photos of the underside really don't do it justice

Every nut and bolt that is not being replaced has been sand blasted and painted

Sub frame has been powder coated and new TRW arms are being fitted, Eibach roll bars, even the roll bar clamps have been powder coated

Ned
 

Attachments

#36 ·
That level of attention to detail on a customers car is very impressive, a very lucky guy, or a very rich guy or both ;P
 
#38 ·
Full Powerflex'd back end

Bilstein B4 shocks with Eibach Pro springs

All new brake pipes and hoses

Eibach roll bars

Petrol tank back in with powder coated straps

Ned
 

Attachments

#40 ·
Looks great.
Get rid of those horrible plastic droplinks and put some Meyle HD ones on instead, look much better as they shiny. Go with the rest of the shinyness ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: Cuore Sportivo
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top