Re: Weight penalties -- was: Re: daily driver - ironic twist?

[Alex Jenner <alexj@domain.elided>]

In AD8-0038 John Hertzman writes.....

> I wonder about the weights, particularly the 2300 lb nose-heavy car and the
> 300 lb penalty for having rear wheel drive with the weight penalty of a
> DeDion. The lightest of the Fiat-era cars listed in d'Amico & Tabucchi is the
> 145 1.3, a two-door hatch with the Alfasud-based engine, at 1140 kg, 2,513

Not wishing to start (re-start?) the FWD vs RWD thing again, I've
owned only Alfasuds, but have driven 105 GTV and 116 GTV6 and find
each to have their own charm, but I must question John's weight
comparison.

For example, we are talking Alfasud engine based two-door hatchbacks,
so why not mention the Alfasud 2-door (3-door?) at 890kg? (sorry, but
I don't do pounds) Or the later Alfa 33 4/5 door at about 960kg 
depending on model and/or year?

> pounds, which doesn't make the grade for his 2300 lb nose-heavy car. The only
> 1.3 liter DeDion comparable in the old AR SpA lineup is the Alfetta-based four
> door Nuova Giulietta tipo 116.44, at 1020 kg, 2,248 lb, 265 pounds lighter
> than the 145 when it is supposed to be carrying a three-hundred pound
> penalty.

Or if the Alfasud seems like an unfair choice, as it might have a
little less interior space than the Alfetta/75, then what about the
Alfetta GT 1.6 (more than 1000kg, vs the Alfasud Sprint Veloce 1.5
(915kg). Both cars from same era, similar cramped but useable rear
seat space, although correct me if I'm wrong, the Alfasud Sprint
might have the slightly longer wheelbase?

> Admittedly some of the differences between weights of apparently comparable
> cars listed in d'Amico & Tabucchi must be blamed on things other than
> front-drive versus DeDion rear drive. D'Amico & Tabucchi give weights of 1120
> kg and 1160 kg for the lightest and heaviest 75 Twin Sparks, 1200 kg and 1250
> kg for the lightest and heaviest 164 Twin Sparks, and 1260 kg and 1300 kg for
> the lightest and heaviest 155 Twin Sparks, the appreciably larger 164 coming
> in at 80 to 90 kg over the 75 and the appreciably smaller 155 coming in at 50
> to 60 kg over the 164.

Conclusion, modern cars are heavier and the 147 is one real heavy
son of a bitch - it might be even more so if it were RWD or 4WD.

There's certainly one thing with which I'm in full agreement with
you John, there's not much "Alleggerita" about the new GTA's.

Best Regards
Lex Jenner
1982 Alfasud ti 1.5 (mainly for racing)
1980 Alfasud Sprint Veloce 1.5 (mainly rusting)

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