Classic Alfa Forums

lol, didn't think there was too much interest anymore with me bombarding non Alfa stuff Ian?
Haven't done too much up at the new unit of late, been more about trying to get things going again really, as good as it is being in bigger premises it's taking time to get going again, and I still need to do more before serious work can get going again.
The integrale has had some more work done which I've not updated, may update that this weekend.

We are all still interested Kev.
You inspire us (and make us feel guilty) with your challenges and ability to overcome them.
I appreciate it takes time to post the info and pictures, but we do like to keep connected.
Input is what makes this forum work.

Kegsti66 wrote:We are all still interested Kev.
You inspire us (and make us feel guilty) with your challenges and ability to overcome them.
I appreciate it takes time to post the info and pictures, but we do like to keep connected.
Input is what makes this forum work.

Totally agree with you .keep up the great work you do kev . Wish I had your motivation

Few more little bits done to Robs' Imp.

The headlights were a pain. As they sit in the front which is the boot they need to be watertight, not being a modern design they are not a mega snug fit, there is a rubber collar that rivets to the body panel then the headlight pops through it, bit like a deep sea divers wetsuit
The side trims should have all been on today but after finally getting hold of the right ones only half came! Got the stainless trim all round the back window though.
Rob has started to put stuff in the engine bay, getting impatient now I think!

Looking pretty Kev, you have made a fantastic job of saving that Imp.
I honestly thought it was too far gone. Top man.

Mixed bag of tasks this afternoon, after I'd woken from a dinnertime nap that is

I finally had all the side trim clips to fasten the side mouldings on, apart from I left the drivers door one in the 145 at home! With so much metal being altered I kind of hoped the trims would fit well and line up, in particular the front drivers wing that is pretty much all hand made especially along the curved and tapered swage line where the stainless trim fits..happily it seems to have been worrying about nothing!
Must say I'm chuffed with the front wing result, not wanting to blow my own or anything
Rear quarter I'd replaced complete just below where the C pillar drops down, with the stainless trim on I can rest easier that it has blended in pretty well
The rear window Rob had fitted a few weeks back before I got chance to get involved, still needed a bit of fettling to fit better as there was a fingers width gap along the bottom seal, issues with the window stays and altering the hinge fixing points then the latch positioning have got it just about right. Quite pleased at this too as a huge amount of the back window opening got replaced along with the whole inner shelf where the latch fits, there was nothing there to build from at the time so I had a guess at where stuff should be !
That all took up a few hours to be honest, a visit from shrew and some fettling on other stuff meant that was the sum of my achievements for the day. Still, all useful stuff to get done, one step closer and all that.

It all lines up really nice Kev.
The job you have done is superb and can't wait to see it on its wheels.

Looks excellent. That high a standard is hard to achieve. Hats off to you.

little bit done to the Imp this afternoon, sorted a few issues out, notably tapped a new thread onto the steering column so robs new mountney steering wheel can have a nut to hold it on! it stripped all the original threads off it when he took it off, getting a tap of the original thread proved tricky, only wanting to borrow not buy one so I just tapped it to a metric thread as I have plenty of nyloc M14 fine thread nuts, job done

had a delivery though, a new addition to the fleet as I have made space by the Delta turbo's going last week....
needs some welding in the boot around the inner wheel arches but the bodywork is in very good order. looking forward to finding the time to get it going...

I see that Anglia Car Auctions have a 155 lined up for their next Auction too, I guess like the 75 has the 155 will begin to find its niche as a future classic soon.

I reckon the 155 is on the ladder already personally, and deservedly so.

Cracking car to drive, modern functionality, pedigree Alfa motors, (earlier the better!) reliable, and lets not forget the racing heritage!

Getting thin on the ground now, less for sale coming up, an indication that the worst examples have fell away, and the better cars are kept and loved,

Hopefully!

Nice addition to fleet . I'd love a DTM 155 .but a bit out of my price range

A quick visitor this week whilst I've had some time off, new lower rear panel, hinge panel, repairs to both corners under lights, repairs to both boot floor corners, bit of welding to a few other places to keep the mot man at bay

Hinge panel had completely rotted away at one side, bit droopy to lower the boot lid!

All chopped out and new metal let in

Hinge panel fitted with rear corners repaired
All done with me now, the paintwork I will be leaving to the owner

That was a Mini project for you Kev!

Nice one Kev.
Should keep it going for a few more years. Looks quite tidy over all.

Nice work on the Mini Kev - I learn't to drive in my mothers Mini in the ......late 60's! We then had one as our family car in the early 80's - but sold it on when the passenger door fell off....

It isn't a bad little Mini at all, quite solid underneath just needing a wire brushing then some protective coating of some sort as is pretty dry underneath.
Nice little car to save from the scrappers although with the prices rising on them it's got an good few years left in it yet

Bust afternoon really with a few things going on.

Rich kindly brought my other Lancia 200 sedan down for my when he collected the Mini, he's been storing it for me for about a year, I bought it but had never seen it, mainly bought for the glass and some spares...what a beauty we agreed!
It's been stashed away for now, will probably be a few years before I get around to it..

With the Mini all loaded up and Rich on his way I got the 155 out and changed the leaky fuel pipe. With a jump battery it started up pretty well, must remember to charge the battery! Happy to say that I've now had it up to temp and even drove it around the yard to turn it around so I have clutch and gears, even if no brakes
Finished off a little job for Shrew then to complete the payment for the 155 so things coming together.

155 running quite well, even did a little vid for you guys


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vy2m8P0 ... e=youtu.be


So with things all buttoned up and a few hours to spare I thought I'd get the back end apart and see how much welding was needed...

Rear undertray floor came off pretty easily but having its fair share of rust deposits on it was nice to see

The towing eye seemed remarkably loose, a sign of things to come, surely things aren't that bad?
It was barely held on with more than the paint, can't think what would have happened had Shrew loaded it rear end first!

With it all cleared out and without me making more holes this is what I have found, bit of a floating rear inner arch situation!
Rot has crept further forward than first thought, more trim into footwell will need removing..

Passenger side only marginally better but I bet once I get chopping it'll be a similar story..
Passenger side has pretty much a lack of bumper mount!
Drivers side at least has some of the shape for a guide
Fuel tank all out of the way so next time I can start the lovely task of recreating what is missing, kind of feels familiar

Blimey that is poor. No wonder we see so few of them on the road.

Don't let it dampen your enthusiasm for doing your Lancia.

Good luck.

As if you needed more work to do Kev.
It is great that you are saving these cars.
Can I ask, are you full time on these projects now mate or do you still work else where as well ?
I don't know how you do it.

I wouldn't have expected as much rot as that on a 155, I know it's older in years now but still a surprise. Don't fill the unit up too much, I'll finally make that long promised but never happened phone call in the next few days.

Yes, it's a bit rotten that's for sure!
Having heard about 155's doing this and indeed my old Dedra turbo doing the same thing I expected it to be fairly far reaching. At least it's solid away from the holes to be able to get a decent weld to so shouldn't be too bad....

Delta enthusiasm won't be dimmed, amazing how I've ended up with 2 cars welding the back end together at the same time though!

Only my part time hobby stuff still, work 40 hours away from this stuff still although they allow me to do that with slightly longer days to give me Wednesday off which I am doing the integrale on for a while, but I still work until 12-30 Saturdays then up to unit until 8 or 9 PM, that's my Saturday evening

Look forward to hearing Tim, saved some space, but amazing how things are starting to fill..

You are,

lol, try telling the mrs that

Rob had some time up at the unit this afternoon so I helped him a bit with some wiring, we're changing from a dynamo to an alternator so the separate voltage regulator is now redundant, some wires needed getting rid of and some altering.
Also we are putting a pair of fuse blocks in as the car has not a single fused wire on the car! Amazing that a switch or wire never shorted out but as they were mostly all like that save for the later ones then guess it couldn't be all bad....we're not taking any chances though!

Rob is now trying to decide if the bumperless look suits, the front chrome one is pretty bent so another one would be needed, guess he's thinking of his pocket! I quite like it without though,...thoughts guys?

Morning

Yeah leave it off .looks great without them

Bumper less, it will look even better when the wheels go on.