Everyone knows what to do when in Rome. But what to do when not in Rome? - or anywhere else in your adopted homeland of Italy - that's the big question.
When the Italian Correspondente's not living it up in the boot-shaped country, he practices his Italian, enjoys good Italian food and makes his own limoncello, that's what! And he drives his classic 1979 Alfa Romeo GTV whenever he can!
The last time I saw the GTV it was in our local Italian car specialist's workshop, sharing space with my X1/9 while gearbox parts for the former and the latter's new head were hunted down and fitted. I'm pleased to say that since then both cars have acquitted themselves very well and haven't required anything too onerous from our mechanic, Steve.
A few minor cosmetic issues aside, the GTV is in very good nick. The body is straight and almost entirely rust- and bog-free; the duco's not bad for a forty year old car; the chrome is in great condition; and the interior is remarkably nice with supple, unfaded and split-free seats and only a couple of minor cracks in the dashboard, plus there's an immaculate centre console and slightly faded, but unworn, carpets. However, the original wood-rimmed steering wheel is missing, so if anyone's got one spare ... .
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| This seat's a proper bit of in-car furniture! |
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| Beauty meets function: The wooden head-rest slides look fabulous and provide whiplash beating shock absorbency. |
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| These would have to be amongst the best, most sculptured and comfortable looking rear seats ever! |
All this said, it's clear that the Italian Correspondente's Alfa doesn't require the full-on resto that the Alfa Male's 33 does. It's such a great car, however, that it deserves a bit of a tart-up and that's exactly what it's about to get: some minor rust repairs, a panel or two tidied-up and a new paint job will see it looking very sweet indeed! And, just in case you're wondering, the car's staying exactly the same tasteful shade of ivory-ish, beigey sort of off-white that it is now. No one's saying that red's a cliche but there is something to be said for originality.
The engine fires-up easily, idles without fuss and doesn't smell fumey. It also makes a very satisfying noise, breathing as it does through twin Delorto side drafts and out via a custom-made stainless steel exhaust pipe running off the standard - but very curvaceous - semi-extractor style cast iron manifold.
The only other non-standard items fitted to the GTV are a set of gun metal grey Alfa 33 wheels which look pretty good. Otherwise, the whole car's era-correct and hugely unlikely to offend any Alfisti purists!
The photos featured today are a bit of a catalogue of the before, taken during the first stages of the car's strip-down. The now removed-interior and exterior parts have been carefully labelled and set aside inside the Correspondente's man cave, ready to be cleaned up, refurbished or replaced, as required, although most bits are in excellent condition. Even the original Carello headlights - known to suffer from dulled reflectors - still look quite new. The same can be said of the indicators and tail lights; they're uncracked, show no signs of having faded and don't appear to have been moisture affected, either.
Hopefully, the next time this GTV graces this 'blog, it'll be as a finished product. I'm looking forward to seeing it, I have to say!
U M P H
(uppermiddlepetrolhead.blogspot.com.au.)
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