possible heresies inspired by : a Duetto question (regarding wheel studs)

["John Hertzman" <johnhertzman@domain.elided>]

Dana and Bibacybercite (and evidently Andrew Watry, off-digest) all remarked
on the nuances of fitting late alloy wheels, rather than the rare early alloy
wheels, on a Duetto, but I don't think any yet mentioned a possibly worthwhile
alternate or parallel upgrade. The GTA, which started with the same suspension
geometry as a Duetto, was soon altered with a part known as a "knuckle riser",
which later led to a lot of confusion on the digest a few years back when some
people asked about adding "knuckle risers" to their later cars. Somebody, I
believe perhaps anonymously relaying information from a lurking Don Black,
pointed out that the 1750 spindle redesign incorporated, as far as was
desirable on a road car, the suspension geometry improvements which had been
accomplished on the 1600 by adding "knuckle risers", and that 1600 owners
could gain the improved handling by fitting 1750 spindles, or 2000 spindles if
they didn't mind having the incorrect long studs.

This might not do if one wanted to keep the car strictly correct, but then one
wouldn't be fitting late Spider wheels either. And the cool unfair advantage
could be to fit the 1750 spindles while retaining the steel wheels and stock
hubcaps.

On the general subject of alloys, there was a sort of 'tipping point' in alloy
design in the mid to late sixties. Serious cars had often had cast alloys
optional, but they normally looked fairly similar to the standard steel
wheels. Then somebody found that radically different looking wheels made
splashes on show cars, in magazines, and quickly on salesroom floors, and
suddenly it was important to have alloy wheels look different not only from
steel wheels but also from all other alloys. A few makes exercised restraint,
and a few styles became classic, but very few were deliberately modest to the
point of anonymity to all but the more perceptive cognoscenti.

I don't keep a Duetto parts book handy, but one of the optional wheels offered
for the Sprint GT, GTC, and Sprint GT Veloce, and I assume for the Spiders, is
#105.02.28.010.00, a 6" x 15" Campagnolo alloy which appears very similar to
the wheels used on the Giulia TI Super - in other words, pretty much like all
ordinary Alfa wheels except for slightly more elongated slots. The biggest
difference between it and the GTA wheels, if I'm reading things right, is that
it accepts the clips to retain stock hubcaps. If I thought wide rubber was
acceptable, and wanted a Duetto, it would seem to me a pretty neat way to take
a Duetto - fit the GTA-ized 1750 front geometry, 6 x 15 Campys, hubcaps, and a
"Who, me, Officer?" color choice, of which Alfa offered several nice ones. The
wheels are probably hard to find, but I should think one could add the clips
and hubcaps to GTA-style repro wheels.

But that is just my itch. Enjoy yours,

John H.
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