Alfa Romeo

[GTAm]

thanks GTAm,as always....i'll check these links out...

there's no hope getting the parts from here is there?

Well a day of hunting at Panchikatwatte may hold certain surprises. Let me check with some folk who have GM cars if there is any hope. I recall how a friend of mine found an original gasket for his Pontiac 6 cyl in a small shop in panchi.

[pradfred]

you Italian car owners really are a curious bunch!

Oh yeah, and we love it.

Or else why would we put ourselves through the joys of Italian ownership eh? lol.

[Supra_Natural]

Oh yeah, and we love it.

Or else why would we put ourselves through the joys of Italian ownership eh? lol.

errmmm..... several reasons come to mind, but since AL is a family friendly site.......

[Supra_Natural]

I have to say... the Mito GTA's Startup sound is properly cool

http://jalopnik.com/5167985/if-thats-what-...l-be-alfa-happy

Edited March 14, 2009 by Supra_Natural

[GTAm]

I have to say... the Mito GTA's Startup sound is properly cool

http://jalopnik.com/5167985/if-thats-what-...l-be-alfa-happy

Ah what music. . From the car I mean

Did you notice that deflector on the left side, end of bonnet? For the wiper blade I guess???

[GTAm]

Alfa-Addiction

Robert Petersson visits one of the world’s leading Alfa-specialists and drives a classic roadracer with Porsche performance.

It was supposed to be easy to find Alfaholics, but… ”Go to Bristol, then take the M5 South and in just over an hour after Bristol you’ll be there…”

Sure, but it took a full page of hand-written instructions to get through the last few miles.

”Go past dirty Devon farm, turn right after a green barn, and when you’re going downhill over a field, you’ve arrived…”. Not that I had one with me, but I still doubt that a GPS-navigator had heard of ”The Bells” in the middle of nowhere…

Here you will find the Banks’s family residence, at least where Mum and Dad, Diana and Richard live. The two sons, Maxim and Andrew, nowadays have their own places in Bristol.

The house is large and extends in all directions, and here you will also find the Alfaholics office and the comprehensive stores.

Close by, in another building, is the workshop where the cars are stored, and where work on them is carried out. You can see it in the opening photo where Maxim’s GTA Replica is on the right, full-blooded racer on the left, and a customer car behind it.

”Dad’s on his way from London, why don’t we go for a spin in the GTA Replica while we’re waiting.” Maxim’s proposition is very tempting since I’ve had four ”Bertone-Coupé’s” myself: Three race cars and one road car, and in addition to those I’m in the process of building another race car. All this makes it very interesting to try out new solutions to the usual old problems!

Alfaholics has been around for almost ten years and during that time a lot has happened. One important development is that the company has gone from just selling parts for old cars, to developing improved parts, as well as remaking original parts. The start of this change came when Richard and an earlier partner went separate ways a few years ago. Then in 2004, youngest son Maxim joined the company after having finished his law studies at Bristol University. Today he is 24 years old and bubbling over with enthusiasm: ”The old ’Nord-engines’ used in the 105 series are getting expensive, that’s why we’ve turned our attention to the more modern TwinSpark instead. They are also getting rare, and therefore more costly, but the positive things still outweigh the negative.”

As the name implies the TwinSpark uses two spark plugs per cylinder, just like the old race version of the Alfa 105, called GTA. ”Compared to the old engine, it’s much easier to get good power from it,” Maxim continues. Alfaholics uses Weber carburettors intead of the normal injection, but they keep the more modern ignition. ”By using the throttle position indicator, now mounted on the Webers, we get a three-dimensional ignition curve and the result is a broader power band and much better driveability.”

Absolutely! From being a quick classic, Maxim’s Coupé has been transformed into a Porsche 911-challenger! Yes, honestly! The power to weight relation is almost the same as that of a new 997 Carrera, and as an added benefit, the old Alfa is about 500 kilos lighter…

This means that the car is a stunning road-racer over the exciting Exmoor roads. Brakes are of course updated and the chassis balance is really impressive.

”It’s hard to find the right shock absorbers. The Bilsteins on my car are OK for road driving and Track Days, but the fully adjustable race shocks on the racecar are much better. Problem is they’re not accepted for historic classes by the FIA and are very costly. However, we’re working on a new solution to the problem”

Brother Andrew is four years older than Maxim and is also a law graduate from Bristol University. The difference is that he has had a few years as a successful business lawyer before catching the Alfa virus and joining the company last fall.

Andrew is also the most successful racing driver in the family. As a 19-year old he was the quickest local Formula Ford driver, but then the studies got the better of him. From 2002, the racing focused on proving the Alfaholics products and together the brothers have, amongst many other things, won the ”Eau Rouge Trophy” at Spa by finishing 8th overall in the 2005 Six Hour race. Of the 91 starters the majority had much quicker machinery…

In other words, the Alfaholics crew live as they learn, something daddy Richard has been doing since the early seventies when he started to concentrate on Alfas. Since then he has become Britain’s leading expert on GTAs and restoration of classic Alfas. Nevertheless, he also has a past on the racing circuits, something that is obvious from the second we meet:

”Whatever happened to Conny Andersson, that nice Swedish Formula 3 driver? And Swede Freddy Kottulinsky? We both ran Lotus 69’s, terrible cars, but he was stunning at the ’Ring’…”

Today Richard devotes his time to tracing original parts and cars, preferably GTAs, while the two sons take care of the daily business and development. Maxim also tells me that the USA recently has become a strong market. He’s also quick to mention that there’s no business in just selling original parts these days. It’s the go-faster bits that they develop themselves that makes the company tick. The next project is to develop new parts for the Alfa type 916, the frontwheel-drive GTV/Spider launched in the early nineties, a project led by Andrew.

So, addiction to Alfa Romeo in not limited to one model, or one generation…

Look out, Virus Alfa is out to get you…

[GTAm]

New 159 ad' check out those roads,

http://www.alfaromeo.it/bestroads/

[Devinda_Z]

New 159 ad' check out those roads,

http://www.alfaromeo.it/bestroads/

nice advert , but apparently the one from the gulf isn't that fab , given it doesn't really go anywhere

its not like i've been on any of these , but i recon our very own road to N.E would look pretty darn awesome from up on high in the sky?!

i.m not the biggest fan of hairpins , and these are a little cliche n mainstream , but impressive none the less - http://www.redlineblog.com/top-gears-world...road-in-detail/

http://forums.finalgear.com/photography/ro...he-world-22869/

[GTAm]

nice advert , but apparently the one from the gulf isn't that fab , given it doesn't really go anywhere

its not like i've been on any of these , but i recon our very own road to N.E would look pretty darn awesome from up on high in the sky?!

i.m not the biggest fan of hairpins , and these are a little cliche n mainstream , but impressive none the less - http://www.redlineblog.com/top-gears-world...road-in-detail/

http://forums.finalgear.com/photography/ro...he-world-22869/

Oh I love the NE roads. They are my favourite. Actually Alfas seem to come alive on these NE roads! Have managed to get away from so many more powerful cars.

I guess they could be close to the Italian Mountain roads and that's where the cars would be developed the most.

That said my Alfetta's alignment was simply not right when I drove up. Tyre squeal on every right hander, even the mildest one. This means I'll have to drive her up again soon once sorted

[pradfred]

That said my Alfetta's alignment was simply not right when I drove up. Tyre squeal on every right hander, even the mildest one. This means I'll have to drive her up again soon once sorted

Yeah yeah, just a another excuse to drive up ha ha

That said can we join ? lol

[CHAP]

That said my Alfetta's alignment was simply not right when I drove up. Tyre squeal on every right hander, even the mildest one. This means I'll have to drive her up again soon once sorted

Yeah yeah, just a another excuse to drive up ha ha

That said can we join ? lol

Pradi lets do the east cost! some roads are very well done it seems

[Devinda_Z]

Pradi lets do the east cost! some roads are very well done it seems

lets leave that for until after when Nagenahira Navodaya gets into high gear shall we?

That said my Alfetta's alignment was simply not right when I drove up. Tyre squeal on every right hander, even the mildest one. This means I'll have to drive her up again soon once sorted

Yeah yeah, just a another excuse to drive up ha ha

That said can we join ? lol

this seems far more realistic

[GTAm]

Thought of sharing these excellent vids that I came across while browsing....... from down under, from many years ago. Fantastic racing.

[Supra_Natural]

Bad news for alfisti... keeping fingers crossed that it works out.

Ruh-Roh: Marchionne reportedly puts Alfa Romeo under review

Take a look at the Fiat auto group. What division (barring Ferrari and Maserati) would you think holds the highest value for the company? If you thought Alfa Romeo, you're on the same page as yours truly, but you'd be mistaken. Horribly mistaken, as it turns out: Alfa has lost Fiat hundreds of millions of euros every year. Its sales have declined sharply, and not just since the global economy collapsed: Alfa sold 203,000 units in the year 2000, but only 103,000 last year. That's a heck of a drop-off.

In response, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has ordered a full re-evaluation of the marque, with two courses of action to potentially result. The first would see Alfa more closely integrating its future products with Chrysler platforms. The second would be to stop investing in the brand altogether, leaving the still-new MiTo and the brand-new Giulietta to carry its aging stablemates (including the 159, Brera, Spider and GT) for the foreseeable future.

Speaking with Automotive News Europe from Fiat's headquarters in Turin, Marchionne reportedly said the new plan for Alfa will be revealed this coming February or March. Even if he chooses to keep Alfa alive with Auburn Hills synergy, though, Marchionne has nixed the notion of merging the brand with Dodge, noting that there's a limit to how many times a brand can be reborn.

Source: Autoblog and European automotive news

[GTAm]

Bad news for alfisti... keeping fingers crossed that it works out.

Source: Autoblog and European automotive news

Yes the Alfa forums are full of F words for Marchionne. There is speculation however that this is a precursor to the meetings that he's having with the Italian government next week regarding the closing of a factory in Italy. All European manufacturers have excess capacity so they need to shut down some plants to remain profitable.

But it's really bad timing to make such a statement when the new Giulietta is being launched.

[Pericles]

Source: Autoblog and European automotive news

The Brera is an "aging stablemate"??

[terrabytetango]

psh. A diesel Brera would be the ultimate urban prowler, simply because it looks so fine, especially the rear quarter view

[Supra_Natural]

The Brera is an "aging stablemate"??

Well, technically I suppose it is, Was launched in 05 after all.... Good 4 years ago now. Traditional Euro model cycle is about 5 to 6 years so I guess some could call it aging.

Wearing it's years Damn well though... But IMO if i was given the choice I probably would pick the older 1990's Alfa GTV with the lade model 3.2V6 and manual box. To me it looks even better.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Supra_Natural

[GTAm]

Well, technically I suppose it is, Was launched in 05 after all.... Good 4 years ago now. Traditional Euro model cycle is about 5 to 6 years so I guess some could call it aging.

Wearing it's years Damn well though... But IMO if i was given the choice I MIGHT pick the older 1990's Alfa GTV with the lade model 3.2V6 and manual box. To me it looks even better.

The Brera is a complete failure, despite not being a BAD car. Right from the start everyone, even Alfa knew it's not going to be a success - at least they should have. The reason is that it was such an overweight car and the 4wd system has too much inertia. This is the unfortunate result of being forced to use the GM platform that was spawn the next Saab 900 as well.

The rest is now history. Fiat and GM fell out and when the Brera, 159 and Spider performance figures were publised GM knew they had a white elephant in this platform and ditched it (and Saab altogether).

This platform and the GM twin phaser engines (Brera/Spider/159 have GM blocks and Alfa heads) might be good for yank tanks but for a sporting brand like Alfa they are off pace!

The Brera with those looks should have been as Giugiaro designed it, i. e. RWD and the Maserati V8. It would have sold in low volumes but the image and credibility of the brand would not have been affected.

On the other hand, the image of Alfa has suffered so much over the years thanks to poor marketing management that car jurnos expect a flawless car from the brand or else they bash it.

For example the 159 is not overweight when compared with it's rivals from the class. Look at the C-Class and Lexuse IS!!!! However no road test has called them heavy! Only the 3 series is considerably lighter. And now with the new 1.8T 200BHP engine the 159 is very competitive car in the sector.

Supra I'll go for the GT with the Arese V6!

[Supra_Natural]

The Brera is a complete failure, despite not being a BAD car. Right from the start everyone, even Alfa knew it's not going to be a success - at least they should have. The reason is that it was such an overweight car and the 4wd system has too much inertia. This is the unfortunate result of being forced to use the GM platform that was spawn the next Saab 900 as well.

The rest is now history. Fiat and GM fell out and when the Brera, 159 and Spider performance figures were publised GM knew they had a white elephant in this platform and ditched it (and Saab altogether).

This platform and the GM twin phaser engines (Brera/Spider/159 have GM blocks and Alfa heads) might be good for yank tanks but for a sporting brand like Alfa they are off pace!

The Brera with those looks should have been as Giugiaro designed it, i. e. RWD and the Maserati V8. It would have sold in low volumes but the image and credibility of the brand would not have been affected.

On the other hand, the image of Alfa has suffered so much over the years thanks to poor marketing management that car jurnos expect a flawless car from the brand or else they bash it.

For example the 159 is not overweight when compared with it's rivals from the class. Look at the C-Class and Lexuse IS!!!! However no road test has called them heavy! Only the 3 series is considerably lighter. And now with the new 1.8T 200BHP engine the 159 is very competitive car in the sector.

Supra I'll go for the GT with the Arese V6!

Hmm, i dunno.... personally prefer the older GTV, that car is just pure sex on wheels and in any sensible country they're cheaper than chips nowadays.

Edited December 4, 2009 by Supra_Natural

[Pericles]

and I thought the Brera was FWD.... And I like it purely on looks. GTAm's post is pretty much new stuff for me.

[Supra_Natural]

and I thought the Brera was FWD.... And I like it purely on looks. GTAm's post is pretty much new stuff for me.

they started with a AWD only policy, realized it was too heavy and tried to sort it by making it FWD. Shoulda done it other way round honestly....

[GTAm]

It was FWD for the 4 cylinder and 5 cylinder (diesel) cars and 4WD for the V6. They gave the FWD option to save weight further! However the GM derrived V6 is no match for the old Arese V6 in terms of performance and charachter!

[Devinda_Z]

the Arese V6!

thats such a pretty engine! i really mean it - quite easily one of the best looking engines on a standard production car

....OT, but was i the only one who wanted a Stratos replica again with one those plunked in the middle after last weeks top gear?

[Supra_Natural]

thats such a pretty engine! i really mean it - quite easily one of the best looking engines on a standard production car

....OT, but was i the only one who wanted a Stratos replica again with one those plunked in the middle after last weeks top gear?

Probably you were, considering how dangerous the handling looked!