Antique electrics

[C M Smith <cmsmith@domain.elided>]

Hi Simon

No, you didn't put the grenade among the pigeons, but you may have let the 
cat out of the bag (nothing to do with four legged felines but trouble 
nonetheless).

This point about obsolete electronics is both important and timely. We are 
living in  a throw away world and it's a shame.

The irony is that my 164 has a galvanized body!!!!! Theoretically, this 
body should last longer than mine. If the electrics go and Simon's point is 
accurate, this is just plain silly. Imagine how many happy spider and gtv 
owners there would be now if they were all hot dip galvanized from the factory!

Let's hope someone refines electronic engine controls far enough that some 
sort of generic programmable ECU is developed. Plug and Pray anyone? The 
steppers are another thing altogether, if mine go again I'm shopping Italy 
for a set of manual controls! I can probably buy return air fare to Milano 
with the saving.

Apropos this thread, I just completed a trial in which an antique (using 
the term loosely) stereo and TV dealer was claiming some remarkable values 
for antique turntables and tvs. He claimed a 1955 RCA round tube tv was 
worth $1,300 (Canadian). And the old turntables were in the hundreds of 
dollars. No 8 tracks , though the "Expert" testified his best customer had 
a collection of 3,500 original 8 track recordings (well, they'd have to be 
original!).

What a strange and wonderful world we've created with these weird electronics.

Michael Smith
Calgary, Alberta
Canada
91 Alfa 164L, White, original owner

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