your own experience

Hi everybody,

I am Andre, presently I drive a MGB BG 1973.

I have been thinking of selling it to get Alfa GTV from about the same age.

Before I do so I would like to know what's your feeling about his car. I am sure you all love your car with its UPS but you deal also with the DOWS.

So could you tell all about this car.
I love the look of the old GT's, the B gave me a lot of joye, yet I am starting to feel a bit squeezed. I have, after 2 years learn few tricks on classic car. Getting dirty or spending a bit too much time at the petrol pump is part of the game.

Usual question:
Base on a decent car

1/ petrole comsumption 12 L / 100 km is that correct
2/ maintenance, does the car has a tendancy to break down?
3/ engine tunning, is it require often? (ignition, timing, carbs)
4/ clutch/gear box, fragile or solide?
5/ engine heat, does the inside of the car gets hot from the engine?
6/ engine over heating, I live in a hot country, is the engine able to cope with that
7/ any over commet is welcome

Cheers

Andre

Hi Andre welcome to AO. The older Alfa's all have issues with rust. Check out our tech section for the Classics for more info and help with your research. The Classic Alfa Romeos - Alfa Romeo Forum Cheers.

I haven't owned, but have driven and worked on MGBs, so some points of comparison:

- fuel consumption sounds about right. I think in miles per gallon, and get 25 to 30 from a 1750 alfa (spider)

- how often you breakdown is going to depend on how well sorted and mainteined the car is. A well maintained Alfa will be similarly reliable to a well maintained MGB. They are not inherently unreliable cars.

- They stay in tune. the webers (or dellortos) are mounted on rubber mounts with a support bar, and do not suffer the vibration related causes that mena that many cars fitted with aftermarket webers do to need regular set ups. So you will need to check reset the ignition just as you would on an MG, and tune the webers just as often as you do the SUs on an MG. Set them up properly and they are not temperamental.

- older Alfas often have worn synchro on 2nd gear, which you can drive around, either by slower changes, or heel and toe change if in a hurry. Mine does. The clutch is fine.

- Heat soak into the passenger area is not a problem

- Cooling is no problem. Less so than on comtemporary British cars in my experience. Obviously it needs to be in good condition. If it is then it will be fine in hot climates.

- General note, and Alfa was a more expensive and advanced car when new than a comtemporary MG. (Twin cam, 4 wheel disc brakes, 5 speed box, more advanced suspension). This shows in the driving experience.

- The Alfa needs to be maintianed carefully, the engine is alloy, not cast iron, and needs more care in assembly (use a torque wrench). The MG engine will stand more abuse and dare I say it incompetence at the hands of mechanics.

- Fixing a rusted Alfa properly will cost more than a contemporay MG. The shell is complex (especially the sills). So buy carefully.

- Parts availability is good, but not as extensive as MGs, where you can buy everylast piece very easily (including a new body shell).

I like MGs, but the Alfa is a better car in my opinion, and so it should have been at twice the price when new.

Jonathan

Buying any old car you have to be careful, check or have a specialist check every mechanical and body part of the car. Buy the best (you can afford).
On maintenance I agree with Jonathan.
3 years ago I bought to mentioned rules a Spider 1970 (similar in all respect except for being soft top) that had been reconditioned some year and 5000 km earlier, knew I would have to deal with some issues with sills and some electrical.
The sills (and lower pars of the wings) was complicated (and expensive), electrical fairly straith forward. Other than that and a good service before starting to use it, it has behaved well and been very reliable, use it very often except during winter, done about 20000 km since.
I used to own MGBs and other MG models when they were new, Alfas of the same age are much more sophisticated, faster, better road holding and more comfortable than most British sports cars.
Erik

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for your feedback. Sounds good to me.

I love my B GT, but yes when I have started to look closely at the Alfas I realised the diffrence. First and foremost the 4 disc brake...

Ok reading your comments it seems like dealing with my car now.

I may open to a spider after all since I have someone at home who can imagine her long hairs blown by the wind.

I will keep you posted, however it might take a little time between selling my B (I have done up so much on it that I have to sell it at the right price) and find a good looking (rust free) Alfa. GTV or spider either way I love it already, with the bad days included, there will be some...

Talk to you soon.

Cheers.

Andre