FrancoSpider, the status report...

[Godfrey DiGiorgi <ramarren@domain.elided>]

Resurrection continues, but this has been a slow week. The shop actually
needs to attend to some other jobs now and then, I guess. ;)

Last week I determined that there was no saving the soft top on the car.
The rear window was yellowed, hardened and crazed by the years and sun,
and the fabric of the top was fragile at best for the same reasons. I
worked on the window with the Meguiars cleaner and polish for an entire
afternoon and the results were only marginally noticeable. My decision was
to have a new Alfa Romeo original top installed, as they've always had the
best fit as far as I'm concerned.

So this week that was done, and the car was driven over to the alignment
specialist so that the front end was properly set up. It's been reported
to me that it runs passably although lacks the performance I want and
pushes a lot of oil in the process. It needs that valve job and
pistons/rings. Handling is right on the money, the chassis is tight and
works well, all the controls and electricals seem to be in good order. 

Next week they'll work on the engine overhaul. Once that's done and the
tune up/settings are all done so that it passes the emissions
certification, it's officially on the road. It will then go to the
detailers for a thorough compound and polish, wax job ... I'd love to
paint it, but that's going to have to wait a bit. The money supply is
finite. 

Godfrey

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