Re: the Reincarnatable Car

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

Scott Fisher's meditation on how "One of the more endearing features of the 
older cars that I've enjoyed for the past ten years or so was the degree to 
which the cars were designed so that the consumable portions could be easily 
removed, renewed or replaced, and the car continue operating" is exactly on 
the mark. 

The extent to which this philosophy pervaded Alfa Romeo's thinking in the 
Golden (preFiat) Years is obvious in going through the parts book, where the 
most critical consumable portion invariably has Pride of Place on the first 
page of the "Carrozzeria" section; in my case part # 105.45.49.000.03, the 
1750 GT Veloce body shell, painted, trimmed and glazed. Also 
105.44.49.300.03, the same, untrimmed and in primer. Or # 105.48.49.000.00, 
the 1750 Berlina. Even the Sprint Zagatos (101.26.49.000.00 for the 
roundtail, 101.26.49.000.01/01 for the Kamm-tail) are listed; so also the 
earlier Sprints; even the 1900 Super Sprint (148408711) as well as all 
Berlinas from the 1900, 102, 106, 105. The only exception among roofed cars 
is the Sprint Speciale, which one had to buy panel-by panel. The Spiders, 
with the single exception of the 750 Giuliettas, seem not to have been 
available as complete bodies, which is probably why Godfrey DiGiorgi had to 
recycle a second-hand body on his.

Oddly, none of my "List of Recommended Spare Parts Prices" books include the 
prices for the complete shells, but if anyone knows of a NOS 1750 coupe or 
sedan shell, trimmed or untrimmed, gathering dust behind some defunct 
dealership, I would be interested  - -

John H.

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