GTAm

Actually if they can agree and make it work it could be a perfect tie up. Fiat and all European manufacturers except the Germans are facing massive problems in their home continent because of the current crisis, however the bigger issue is that they've been facing over capacity for too long with thin margins and poor productivity. Italy also has the unique undesirable situation with a very militant labor union that Fiat is battling with. All the other unions have fallen in line except this one. The Italian market has plummeted in the last few months and is down to 1979 levels. Fiat has taken a brave but risky stance of freezing most new models for the past few years in Europe, saving cash and investing in the US (Chrysler) and South America which is profitable (They are market leaders in Brazil). Those two markets are cash cows. And now thanks to the Chrysler takeover they are bigger than Honda. In contrast Peugeot is bleeding badly and had to sell a stake to GM, sell many assets and are now trying to shut down plants. They have no cash to tide the storm. Renault is staying alive because of the Nissan connection and the success of Dacia. Many analysts who study, watch and advise on the auto industry say that in order for long term survival companies need to produce 6million units a year. All to do with economies of scale. GM, Toyota, VW, Hyundai are on safe ground. Renault-Nissan and Fiat-Chrysler have a great chance of are getting there. All the others are on thin ground. The most vulnerable are, Mistubishi, Suzuki and Mazda. Many have said that they face certain death or takeovers and alliances. Most of Mazda's manufacturing comes from Japan and the high Yen is enlarging losses. They don't have plants in Europe like Toyota, Nissan and Honda. Therefore it would make perfect sense for them to transfer some production to Fiat's under utilized Italian plants. Secondly for the replacement of the Mazda 2 and 3 they would not have the funds required to develop new platforms. They could easily share with Fiat's next Punto and C-segment car both of which are ready. Mazda could also benefit from Chrysler's plants in the us US and NAFTA region. In contrast Fiat can gain access to some Asian markets where Madza is present - Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and even Japan. Apart from which is Mazda's excellent RWD MX-5 platform. I'm not sure if you are aware that they've already signed an MoU to develop the next MX-5 and the Alfa Duetto will share the same platform. The Alfa junior Spider will be built in Hiroshima. They will differ in exterior and interior, suspension and engines and gearbox. But there'll be so much of common components that will benefit both models. Lancia is a different story. The brand was killed by previous Fiat management and management even before that were short sighted and always running the company to the ground despite ground breaking legendary cars. Lancia has not much appeal outside Europe and it will take a lot of funds to rebuild the brand. So it's low priority, hence the Chrysler badging for now. I guess if not for the success of the Ypsilon, the brand would have been killed already. Sorry for the long post which takes it OT but I think linking up with Fiat is a great opportunity for Mazda to survive.

The end could indeed be nigh - http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2012/07/tesla-slashes-model-s-output/#more-453276

The Ford era is well and truly over. They have sold most of their holding and don't wield any power over Mazda anymore. Mazda is in advanced talks with Fiat-Chrysler on platform sharing, joint production etc.

I have been having a soft spot for Mazda as I may have mentioned before. Our first ever family car was a 808! It was a very rare sight on SL roads way back then. It had factory fitted AC, a great stereo and dash dimming lights which was cool in a 70's car. Since then we owned many Mazdas and I had two memorable cars. One was an Interplay which was very quick and had a very short throw gear shift compared with other Interplays I had driven. The only gripe I had was that it did not handle the properly given that performance. Under-steered too much I thought. Then I had a BH TDI. Decent performance for a early TDI not refined but what a reliable car it was! Easily the car I have spent the least amount of money in 3 years of high mileage use. Btw that car had an AC that could freeze your balls stiff even at the 1st setting. Never experienced such a cold Air con. Regret selling it as it was such a great work horse. Handling again not the strong point though. Then I got a black BJ Hatch with a body kit. Looked great but it was my first auto. Handling was the best out of the lot and comfy ride too. Then I test drove an Alfa 156 and my loyalties changed forever. But still Mazda is my favourite Japanese brand. One of my most unforgettable drives is in a MX5 1st gen. Truly awesome car! Regret not buying it then. Mazda has been a silent achiever - Rotary engines and RX series, Best selling and handling Sports car in the world - MX5, Only Japanese Le Mans 24h winner despite Toyota and Nissan attempting it with much bigger budgets! Sadly now the company is in dire straits financially. Their long term survival is questionable given their small size. They will need many joint ventures or a merger to survive in the long term.

I think Ideal Motors at Panchikawatte are agents for Boge.

True, although the down turn is affecting me as well However this guy is dead slow, so my payments are stretched over a year (or two in this case). So it's a bit manageable. I doubt I can do a detailed job in updating like Master Don but will definitely keep posting. This way I thought it will help motivate me and keep frustration at bay. Btw I've found a bonnet, boot lid and the front air vent panel (just in front of base of the windscreen - which is curved and not easy to turnout) in Aussie. Need to make arrangements to have them shipped over.

Heard it was about it too. Rs.40k I was told. I'm also looking for someone who has had it on for a few months to see if it is worth it. Autoglym Leather cleaner and treatment is available at the usual place between Gangarama Temple and the A*W boat showroom. I think it's called Consolidated Agencies.

Absolutely the 132 is the ideal Colombo runabout with our pot holes. Plus you have enough oomph to surprise quite a few modern machines. For the track you have your 131 Milindu. That handles beautifully and can be enhanced quite a bit. How's progress with it? Will it be ready for our track day in August?

Thanks Miniace. Yes anywhere else in the world it would have been junked long ago. The previous owner had actually let it get smeared with cement!!!! My takaran baas coming out of retirement and actually pitching for new work was a big reason I decided to take the plunge in to the dark water. (I'm still worried that I might find a great white shark in there .) For this I must reluctantly thank the downturn in the SL economy. He can no longer afford retirement ....

Komi if it was a 2000 GLS it would have come with power steering, Power windows, 5 speed and even central locking. Your mum's one could have been a Fuel Injected one with 122 bhp! Rare indeed. I always thought the 132s in SL had weber carbs. There also was a supercharged one with 135bhp I doubt any made it here. Btw one of our pals here on Autolanka, Milindu has got a nice 132 2000 GLS.

Thanks Supra and everyone else for the words of encouragement.

Yes it's got a somewhat generic late 60's/early 70's 3-box euro sedan look. Without the Alfa shield it could be anything. But it's what's under the skin that's quite sexy - Twin choke twin Weber fed 2.0 all alu Twin Can 132bhp with enviable of race pedigree, 5 Speed, RWD with a LSD. The Fiat 132 also had a very good twin cam - though iron block, so heavier although still lighter than the Lotus twin, and very poor handling. It was more of a stylish luxo barge compared with the Alfa which was a class leading performance sedan at the time. They could have done so much more with the Styling. The UMC Mazda (Luce 1500/1800) was the proposed body (by Bertone of Turin) for this car. However some strange decision making process rejected that beauty in favour of this in-house boxy design. Mazda subsequently snapped that up.

Hi MD not sure if anyone's asked already but any target dates set?

Brilliant First Review from Autocar - http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/pagani/huayra/first-drives/first-drive-review-pagani-huayra

At last Fillipe seems to be back. I must say the Pirellis suddenly "falling off" provides for some entertaining unpredictability.

Very brave move, but somehow I don't see this going very far without the support of a big manufacturer getting involved sooner or later. The economics just don't add up, at least right now.

It's a long long way from deciding on a colour but yes this dark blue looks good. The original colour was red but silver is also on my mind right now as I saw one in the UK and it looked great. But enough dreaming, better get back to reality

Can't see the posts I put up yesterday. So here they are again. This is what the end result should look like.

Hey nice video. Naturally he set the fastest time of the day!

Master Don is it easy to rebuild SU carbs if they have not been stored properly? I found out that Webers are a bugger and a half and eventually had to buy new ones after many people tried.

Great to hear that you are keeping it original. Too many cars are modified and eventually messed up. This is a great car as it is.

Those were Giulia Sedans. This was the replacement, larger but closely related. The Giulia sedans are more valuable. And these days are sought after for historic racing as their bodies are even more rigid that the Giulia coupe. The pick of the range is the limited production Ti Super which is lighter and more powerful and has some serious motorsport credentials. For example one came 5th overall in the 1963 Tour de France behind two Ferrari 250GTOs, and 250 Swb and a lightweight E-type. The Giulia Ti Super has only a 4 pot 1.6L engine! I met the former owner of this car. He told me how competitive this car was when he raced it agaisnt more modern machinery. His favourite victory was at a Hill Climb in Kandy where he won against a Renault Fuego Turbo (driven by a race Meister) and a Isuzu Piazza Turbo. The technology is chronologically separated by over ten years apart from being turbo charged coupes against a four door sedan. Of course he now regrets selling the car.

In fact he has an above average number of kids considering his pontential income level. One of them very young, so he not just a great panel beater I gather the downturn in the economy (despite all those rosey numbers published by the cetral bank) is what made him come out of retirement. His elder kids are not able to give him the same support as before.

Carboy, sice I have experience with 03 rusty Italian projects before this I hope I am seasoned enough to last. I have a lot of confidence in my tinker, he's got natural talent. I always tell people that if he was born in Italy he would be working at Scaglietti! He's dead slow though, which is also good cause then my payment is spread out. Parts - Nothing available here. I've located a bonnet and a boot lid in Oz and will be getting those down shortly. Mechanical parts are not an issue as they are common with the Giulia so everything is remanufactured and available from the UK, Italy and US. I usually buy from the UK although now with the Pound at 210/- bucks things are going to be tough.

Thanks MD. Yes we should do a run once they both come out of surgery. Actually your post on the TR resto is what led me to post this. I thought it'll keep me motivated. ICE Club track day is on the 25th of August.