More Alfa Romeo convert propaganda!

[JeffreyOlson@domain.elided]

How's this?

I let my friend rip around in my '78 Spider and '86 
Spider before I stupidly sold each.

I talked him of buying a British 'sports car' and 
instead found him a local NC, one-owner, 106K mile, '85 
Graduate with $14,000 in service receipts for only 
$1,000.  

Only catch is the engine had been badly overheated due 
to a broken upper radiator inlet and had almost 'zero' 
compression.  Warped head and worn piston rings were 
indicated by very low dry and wet compression test.

I put new cylinder liners, pistons, and connecting rod 
bearings($300).  Bought a good used cylinder head($150) 
and reinstalled after mild resurfacing($40), new 
headgasket and a few odds and ends.  Put the camshafts 
from the old head in the new 'used' head and 
recycled/resold as many of the old parts as practical.  
Basically a 'bargain' engine rebuild perfomed with the 
engine in the car.

Car runs GREAT!  Very satisfying to bring a 'basket-
case' Spider back to life!  Did this all myself with a 
good set of tools and lots of Alfa Romeo manuals and 
technical articles from various sources.  Can't imagine 
what the total cost would have been to have the work 
done professionally.  Guy is now a totally into the car!

Many thanks to Dino at AlfaHaus in Charlotte, NC!  I've 
been a frequent customer with several GTV-6's and 
Spiders and cannot say enough good things about his 
service and expertise(and patience!) when it comes to 
quirky Alfa Romeos with cheap owners!

Like to think I kept someone else from buying a rusty 
British 'sports car' with leaf springs, cast-iron single 
cam 'cooking' engine, drum brakes, 4-speed, and a 
steering wheel that sits in your lap.

Funny, the last British 'mild restoration' project I 
looked at with him was, what appeared to be, rusty 
tractor parts in old cardboard boxes.  'Needs a little 
work' was what the ad said, a classic...

Wish I had not sold my '86 Veloce but am looking hard 
for another!

Jeff

Presently without an Alfa of my own but selfishly and 
vicariously enjoying those owned by friends!
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