Re: My New '91 Spider! (Long, now; sorry)

[Hal Taylor <taylor@domain.elided>]

Yeah!  Alright John!

I'm happy every time I hear about an enthusiastic new Alfa owner (kind of reminds me
of It's A Wonderful Life; something about "everytime a bell rings, an angel has gotten
his wings" or something like that), but especially this time, wherein I actually got
to play matchmaker!!!

(Disclaimer: John, remember that I hadn't SEEN the car; I just thought it SOUNDED like
one that might be good for you...)

That said, let's see what I can do to help you settle in...

The power window problem could be a couple of things which range in degree of
pain-in-the-butt factor.  First thing to check is the fuse.  If that's it, replace it,
try it again and see what happens.  Try holding the button for up and banging the door
panel.  Don't get carried away and bash it, just kinda hit it a bit with the heel of
your hand, near where the motor is slightly back and below the inside door handle.
Any sign of life?  If so, possible motor bearing problems.  For a while, I could get
mine to go up if I hit it a few times as it went (again, don't bash it).  If not, it's
time to start taking things apart and checking electrics and maybe the regulator
mechanism.  But my bet is that it's the motor.

If you're handy, you can get pretty far with this yourself.  If you're more the
checkbook mechanic type, take it in and let them take care of it.  Do you have a shop
yet?  If not, let me know where you live and work, and I might know a shop near one or
the other.  If you ARE going to attack it yourself, let me know first and I can give
you some specific guidance.  As for the heat, see my post to Jon Inge tonight ("Heater
Output").

Don't get too caught up in the "Veloce" designation; it's fairly arbitrary for a '91.
If yours is a nice car, just enjoy it and don't stress.  If there are some little
improvements you want to make, by all means, make it "your" car.  There are plently of
knowlegeable and helpful people on this list who'll be able to advise you on
individual issues as you hit them.  Get to know the car a little before you get too
deep into your specific agenda for it.  But to hit what I can of your inquiries: seats
- - don't expect it to be cheap, but I'll tell you in another message what I've learned
(I've started looking into it, but haven't done it yet).  Wheels: the OEM 5-point
stars are nice, but are 6x14.  The phone dials (I'm pretty sure) are 6x15.  There are
also aftermarket wheels available for the car.  Again, I'll tell you what I know in a
seperate note.  This one's too long already, but I can't help it, since I feel like
the car's godfather...  Top: I think I may have already given you my advice on this
one.

By the way, when I bought my car, I did the same inaugural ride home along the PCH
with the top down.

Congratulations!!!

Hal

John Conway wrote (in part):

> > Yea!!!!! I am back behind a  spider's wheel and must vent to people who can
> > appreciate my enthusiasm. (My girlfriend won't let me say another word about
> > them, as I have been talking about them non-stop for about two months!  Little
> > does she know that it has just begun!)  Thanks to Hal Taylor for the tip on an
> > available car, and I picked up my black over tan spider today  in Santa Barbara
> > for what seems to be a low price of 7300 for a virtually flawless looking and
> > driving car with 63k miles. I drove it back  on highway 1 to Santa Monica
> > tonight. Brrrr, that was cold, but I had to go topless.  [...]

>  Anyway, on the drive home, just after I purchased the car,
> > The famous (infamous?) "Alfa Romance" began.  I rolled the drivers side window
> > down, and now it won't roll back up!  I am particularly interested in the post
> > made about the mysterious relationship between the window and the heater, as I
> > received essentially no heat on my after dark, windy, and very very cold  long
> > coastal drive home.  [... ] In addition, the upholstery is in
> > fine shape, but faded in places and the suede is pretty tired looking on the
> > drivers side so I am planning to soon redo it all in new leather and suede to
> > veloce spec.  [...]  Also I am looking to
> > replace the perfect, but I feel cheesy, stock spider wheels with either the alloy
> > phone dials or the 5 point star wheels.  Additional advice, recommendations or
> > cost estimates on that?  If I am thinking correctly, as my car has a leather
> > steering wheel, ac, and map light in the glove box, I will essentially have a
> > Veloce.  Am I missing anything else?  I am aiming to get this car in the best
> > looking and driving condition possible, and am willing to put the money into it,
> > so any additional advice from other spider lover/restorers would be greatly
> > appreciated, i.e. top quality canvas tops, exhaust systems, chassis stiffeners
> > etc.
>

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