Which Classic Alfa?

I'd quite like to get a classic Alfa to join my stable of 156, two old Golf GTIs and lots of Jowetts. It needs to be reasonably reliable (?) with plentiful spares - and good looking too!
Would a 105 Series make sense, or perhaps something a little older? Is a 2600 a sensible choice - or a can of worms?
All comments appreciated - thanks.
Geoff

I love my duetto - beautiful looking car - BUT - every time i see a montreal for sale I get this strange itch in my wallet. I feel that I'm fighting against inevitability.

I don't think you can go too far wrong with a 105, they are great to drive, mechanically reliable, most parts are available and there are still a fair number to choose from.
OK they rust, but all old Cars rust, without exception.
If you choose wisely and have a modicum of luck a Bertie or a Spider will make a great classic.
Are you coming to Northern Alfa Day at Birstal on the 7th, August?. You can have a crawl all over mine to see what you can get for relatively minimum outlay.

Mind you it might put you off as well....

I'll be there Mitch.

Could you post some more pics of the car please so I'll be able to recognise it easier?

I'm a bit of a Newbie when it comes to the classic Alfas.

It all comes down to what you expect, what you want and how much you're willing to pay.

A 2600 convertible is mighty tempting to me, but here it's essentially a category jump in price from a 105 spider. I don't know what the prices are like where you are.

Here mechanical bits are generally available, body and trim bits however, are either unavailable or very, very dear. Again you'd have to check out the market in your area.

Before you buy a classic, you need to figure out exactly what you want from a car. You can buy a newer 105 with plenty of creature comforts -- air conditioning, power assists, fancy audio systems, electronic toys, etc. or you can buy an older bare bones car wit with manual steering.

You also need to decide if you're going to be working on the car or if you want to pay (generally through the nose) for somebody else to do it. That decision will play a big part in your budget and the type of car you're looking to buy. One local restoration shop quotes an average of one year's worth of work, 1,000 hours and $65,000 in labour costs alone to completely restore a classic.

In the end you should buy the car that calls to you and makes you happy.
--Toronto

Originally Posted by Roswell

I'll be there Mitch.

Could you post some more pics of the car please so I'll be able to recognise it easier?

I'm a bit of a Newbie when it comes to the classic Alfas.

Hi Ros, there should be some pics floating about on the older threads and there is one in the members Garage as well.
Mine's easy to spot as it's usualy the only White one amongst a sea of Red one's
I have also started putting a little note in the windscreen with 'Velocemitch' on it so you can't miss me.

Cool. Were you at NAD?

Yup, I didn't prearrange it but I ended up getting waived through into the register parking which was about three rows up from the house wall.

Yup, I saw the car and remember commenting to Mr. O that it probably belonged to 'that Mitch blokey'.

Thanks everyone to date. A 105 sounds good.

Hope to be at Birstall Mitch (IanM?).

It's a strange coincidence, Birstall is where Jowetts were made - and I have 6 of those!

Suppose I'd better come in the Alfa though!

Geoff

Geoff!!
I believe Jowetts were only supported from Howden Clough as that is where the sales and service moved to after the Idle factory closed. I don't think any cars were made there....

But back on topic, any 105 will stand you in good stead as one of the best supported (not to mention desirable) classic Alfa Romeos.

Originally Posted by RicksAlfas

Geoff!!
I believe Jowetts were only supported from Howden Clough as that is where the sales and service moved to after the Idle factory closed. I don't think any cars were made there....

But back on topic, any 105 will stand you in good stead as one of the best supported (not to mention desirable) classic Alfa Romeos.

You're quite right Ricks, I was mixing up my Idles with my Birstalls (although a few Jupiters were assembled at Howden Clough I believe, from where, as you say, spares and servicing were handled, for about 9 years after car production ceased).

Main manufacture of course was at 5 Lane Ends in Idle - now a Wm Morrison's Superstore. Most Javelin bodies however came to Idle from Briggs in Doncaster. Thanks for keeping me right, I'll give my wrist a good slap - but back to Alfas...!

Had an enjoyable look around the Alfa field (but sorry VeloceMitch - I saw your car but you weren't in/under it!).

The 105s all looked good, as did the boat-tail Spiders. If they're as good to drive as they are to look at, then one should fit the bill. Incidentally, is the 1600 GT Junior significantly under-powered compared with, say, a 1750 or a 2000 GTV?

Thanks,
Geoff

Originally Posted by jowettgeoff

Incidentally, is the 1600 GT Junior significantly under-powered compared with, say, a 1750 or a 2000 GTV?

Not particularly Geoff. They even did a 1300 which some people say is the most fun of the lot with a real rev happy engine! All the engines are quite easily interchangeable - and many cars have had a bigger engine fitted. It is more important to find a car which is in good nick and which you like the look of. For instance although the 2000 is tempting with it's 130bhp and standard LSD, it suffers (in my eyes) from some heavy handed 70s modernisation and has a truly hideous grill, dreadful dashboard and huge rear lights. Some people only like the earlier "step front" design, I love the 1750 grill and dash, so take your time to check out which cars really grab you and then find one with the engine you like!

Originally Posted by jowettgeoff

Had an enjoyable look around the Alfa field (but sorry VeloceMitch - I saw your car but you weren't in/under it!).

Thanks,
Geoff

That's the problem with these do's isn't it, we all wander around wondering who each other is.

The Ochre 1750 next to mine was Ricks by the way, so you will have seen both.

On the 1600 front, according to the figures there is not much in it between that and the 1750 or 2000, but when you read the contemporary road tests most of the tester's agreed that the bigger engined cars had significantly more grunt, particularly the 2000's, longer gearing makes them better cruisers as well. The smaller engines are more keen to rev though.
Keep us posted especially if you find something and want some thoughts, the new buyers guide by Keith Booker would be a usefull aid if you are going to look at one, there's usually a copy on Ebay or Amazon.
Keith used to lurk on here but I haven't see him much recently..

Head v heart
105 v Montreal

Head has it by a nose...

PS: Head in an Alfisti sense is more heart than head anyway. Am I repeating head too much? Must need some...

Originally Posted by v6junky

Am I repeating head too much? Must need some...

You might want to consider rephrasing that...

wrinx

Originally Posted by wrinx

You might want to consider rephrasing that...

wrinx

Thanks again guys for all the sage advice (and the 'double-entendres'!).

I was talking to Peter at Alwyn Kershaws this morning. He feels that the 1750 is a really nice compromise between sweetness and performance. Like you guys, he recommends choosing a car by appearance and condition rather than engine size.

Price is a consideration, but I guess you gets what you pays for - as usual with classics. Must sell my BSA Scout and my Golf Cabrio (and maybe a couple of Jowetts) to swell available funds! Seems like £5k to £7k could by a reasonable 105 do you think?

Geoff