Classic Alfa Forums

Hi all,
Just wanted to say hello and hope to get some support and pointers in the restoration of my 1988 Sprint QV. You may have seen me discussing mainly newer Alfas on The Alfa Nut channel but I have wanted a Sprint virtually my whole adult life and now have finally put my head on the chopping block!
My car has a recently restored body (done well) but the repaint was sloppy and will probably be redone eventually in the cars original black. The floorpan, boot and various other nook and crannies need the loving attention of a skilled welder. Finally I will then renovate the interior which isn't too bad but the seats need recovering with some original seat cloth I have got with the car. The engine is in good condition with just 83k miles from new.
Basically a 12- month project but well worth saving another one of these little beauties.

Welcome to the forum Alfa Nut. Nice looking sprint project .
Lou

I thought I recognised the reg, but not the colour.
I sold that car to STEVE5M on this Forum a bit back.
Search his posts more more info!

LooLooSud33Spider wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:27 pm Welcome to the forum Alfa Nut. Nice looking sprint project .
Lou

Hello Lou - thanks, I have wanted a Sprint for as long as I can remember, so really looking forward to driving this. (After lots of welding!)

alfadave wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 8:57 am I thought I recognised the reg, but not the colour.
I sold that car to STEVE5M on this Forum a bit back.
Search his posts more more info!

Hi Dave, yes I bought this from the guy, who bought it from the guy, who bought it from Steve!
It has had quite a lot of (proper) body restoration along the way, including a change of colour. The respray (and prep underneath) wasn't great sadly and its in thick acrylic 2-pack, so my ultimate plan once the mechanical work is done, is to strip and respray the car in original black.
I took these pics last night whilst underneath the car.....it's a bit "crispy" Yes, that is the underneath of the carpet! Fuel tank will probably have to come out.... Lots of areas I daren't poke with a screwdriver!

The engine and gearbox were shot when I bought it.
I put a low mileage 301.28 95 bhp engine in it.
It ran sweet as a nut!
Hope you've got welding skills!

Welcome along Chris. Knew you'd make it along here eventually - its a treasure trove of knowledge, information and masochism............

Just goes to show looks can be deceiving, looks great in the pix but as you say, a bit crusty underneath
All good though, metal is metal. It's easier than trying to find a decent interior, which it looks like you've got

alfadave wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 3:17 pm The engine and gearbox were shot when I bought it.
I put a low mileage 301.28 95 bhp engine in it.
It ran sweet as a nut!
Hope you've got welding skills!

Hi Dave, yes I've read some of your previous posts about the car and I'm happy to say that engine is still running very nicely.
Unfortunately I am not a welder! (Not yet anyway) Looks like I'll have to get some help with that.
I'm curremtly deciding which direction to take the car and I'm leaning towards an Alfaholics-style makeover, with leather and Alcantara interior, uprate engine (maybe even supercharged - I saw Lou's post on that!) and some suspension and brake tweaks. Ambitious yes but why not?

StescoG66 wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 6:58 pm Welcome along Chris. Knew you'd make it along here eventually - its a treasure trove of knowledge, information and masochism............

Thanks - looks like I've already started the masochism part!

KevJTD wrote: ↑Thu Sep 24, 2020 7:10 pm Just goes to show looks can be deceiving, looks great in the pix but as you say, a bit crusty underneath
All good though, metal is metal. It's easier than trying to find a decent interior, which it looks like you've got

Hi Kev, yes the body is very solid and freshly restored, with full photo log to prove what was done. Lots of fabricating and welding around the screen, inner wing rails, rear hatch, all the usual places. The restorer ran out of enthusiasm after the disappointment of the poor spray job and sold it on.
That was 2 years ago and it has sat in lockups since. The car is actually pretty complete, so lots of fiddly bits like rear window winders will have to be sussed out but hopefully most things are present to complete it.
I'll do a quick intro video on the car soon.

LooLooSud33Spider wrote: ↑Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:27 pm Welcome to the forum Alfa Nut. Nice looking sprint project .
Lou

Hi Lou, just curious how far you got down the path of supercharging? I am toying with the idea of trying this on my Sprint in due course and would be interested to know more.

Anyone know if STEVE5M is still a member here?

Hi Nutty I’ll
Pm you I’ve been the pub and am a bit pissed and can’t think straight

Btw. Welcome too ok the form um

LooLooSud33Spider wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2020 5:59 pm Btw. Welcome too ok the form um

LOL - I think I know what you mean!

Quick word if you remove the tank Take it easy they are almost impossible to find now So take care with it and tank straps are also Quite rare. I do have plans to have new straps made I’ll be posting details when they are available

Thanks - will do. My mate Gary Fisher of TotallyAlfa.com is making some replacement stainless tank straps for my 156 and GTV ones too. I could probably persuade him to copy the Sprint ones if I use enough beer!

AlfaNut wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:13 pm Thanks - will do. My mate Gary Fisher of TotallyAlfa.com is making some replacement stainless tank straps for my 156 and GTV ones too. I could probably persuade him to copy the Sprint ones if I use enough beer!

Gary is a top man I have his prototype quik-shift for the Mito on my car.

Quick question for anyone who may have the answer: On removing the air filter housing cover, my (dirty) filter panel was just sitting inside, with no apparent means of keeping it in place. Is this right, or should the filter element have some sort of clips or retainer?

Sud 145 wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:17 pm

AlfaNut wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:13 pm Thanks - will do. My mate Gary Fisher of TotallyAlfa.com is making some replacement stainless tank straps for my 156 and GTV ones too. I could probably persuade him to copy the Sprint ones if I use enough beer!

Gary is a top man I have his prototype quik-shift for the Mito on my car.

Yes he is - he's very generous and keen to help. I wouldn't have got through my V6 engine rebuild without his assistance and excellent parts! I've got a quick shifter on the GTV now too

There’s 2 types of filter assembly one has a plate attached to the top lid that holds the filter in place the other has a separate panel that Sits on top of the filter and is held with 4 clips It looks like your lid is the Latter. So you should have a separate bit. I may have one but need to look through my junk first

Thanks Lou - that's what I was thinking - it didn't seem right to have nothing stopping the panel from jumping up and down!
The inside of my lid is empty - just concave. Thanks in advance if you can find me one - I'll pay for it of course.

LooLooSud33Spider wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2020 10:54 pm There’s 2 types of filter assembly one has a plate attached to the top lid that holds the filter in place the other has a separate panel that Sits on top of the filter and is held with 4 clips It looks like your lid is the Latter. So you should have a separate bit. I may have one but need to look through my junk first

Like this?

That’s the fella .

Stick a bit of wood in to hold the filter down.......did I leave a bit in there?

I always thought the attraction of driving a Sud was not massive power, but was keeping the revs up.
Maximum power at approx 6000 rpm.
Torque......there isn't any!

..........and cute handling of course.

alfadave wrote: ↑Sun Sep 27, 2020 9:39 pm Stick a bit of wood in to hold the filter down.......did I leave a bit in there?

I always thought the attraction of driving a Sud was not massive power, but was keeping the revs up.
Maximum power at approx 6000 rpm.
Torque......there isn't any!

Agree with all that - love the sound a Sud makes when revved hard too. However, a little bit more power never hurts does it?

That photo of the interior makes me realise my accelerators been bent away from the brake pedal ,which I'm glad of ,as I still sometimes hit it when meaning to brake! Be nice to be able use the resting pad next to the clutch also ,I wonder if that can be bent across?

Yes, the pedals are VERY close together! Ideal if you have hooves like a goat but not so great for "normal" sized Human shoes!