ALFA "always looking for another"

#1

Alfa “Always Looking For Another”

Which leads me to the submarine base in Charleston, at night and it is raining. I took the train down to drive this 1983 GTV6 back home, the train was 3 hours late and I had no way to contact the guy that was meeting me with the car. He was shipping out to Groton CT in 2 days, the movers had packed the phones and he is not allowed to have a cellphone on base. After a call to Travis to make sure I had the correct #, he shows up. We head over to the base to get the Alfa, my plan to spend a relaxing day at the beach is trashed because of the late train and the weather. I just want to get the car, find a hotel and then drive home as fast as possible.

The car has a Hella H1 H4 headlight conversion but without the additional relays so they are very dim and poorly aimed due to broken plastic headlight thingy’s. The much needed defrost is impossible to find/missing due to a really expensive vintageaire AC system (which is also causing a drain on the battery…) So I fire the car up and it sounds like a hammer pounding the top end. Luckily it was just a stuck “lifter” or I would have been back on the train. A few minutes later and I am on the road, blind, and with a faint battery light the only thing lit on the dash. I find a hotel within a few miles at about twice the price it should have been, welcome to Charleston.
Trying to park the car blind was tough and after I shut it down I realize I am in 2 spaces, the car will not start, so I figure on top of everything else I will get keyed or worse during the night.

I wake up figuring I will call AAA and get a jump.The car barely started on its own so at least things are going OK. I have to find a library and a post office to take care of the tax stuff I was working on and then it is north bound. I get to within free AAA tow home range and pull off at South Of the Boarder and take a nap in the car. I wake up and try to fire the car, I must have had my foot on the gas as the plenum blew off and took the hood bulge with it. I reinstall the plenum and the car still wont fire…and the battery is getting weaker with every try. A call to my Alfa shop buddies yields no idea’s but some crap for having my foot on the gas while trying to start. I recheck the plenum, it is mounted with 2 inch hose to the 6 individual intake runners and 2 were not seated well, and of course the screws to tighten them require a special tool. Anyway I got the car to run and hauled ass home.

I am leaving in 2 days to drive to Ft Lauderdale FL to pick up a 1967 Guilia Super, with my 5 series and a tow dolly…and I am sitting in a bookstore near Baltimore Md and I just read a post for a 3.0 Milano near Richmond for $400.

Damn, I need an intervention.

Al

#2

Al - this problem will solve itself. Just park them all real close together and when one starts on fire (which it will) then it will take the rest down at the same time.

Just be sure to insure your ‘antique car collection’ appropriately.

BTW I’d love to see one of those survival shows on the TV use an Alfa to start a campfire instead of their usual dryer lint, or moss.

#3

Funny, I have a “Friend” on facebook who’s Alfa went up in flames, right after she spent $4k on it…and she saw one of your posts and agreed with your feelings about Alfa’s…

Al

#4

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]
Damn, I need an intervention.
Al[/quote]

we know you can just whip out your Black Card, Al …

http://www.carbonfibergear.com/look-out-amex-here-comes-the-visa-black-cardnow-with-carbon-fiber/

#5

Anybody who is on this forum has to be labeled as a serious car guy without any doubt. We understand what “feel” is all about and we understand how a man can “love” a car.
Having said that, I have never been able understand the “Alfa” thing. Your storyy Al, is whay I love BMWs. They run.

Don

#6

Al:

I’m going to Charleston, probably tonight, to help a customer. Should I pick up any Alfa parts that might be lying on the road between eastern NC and Charleston?

Carter

#7

Hey Carter

I still owe you lunch, why dont you come down to CMP in a couple oif weeks, I have a can of Vi-eener Sausages and a pack of saltines with your name on it…

We can heat em on the manifold.

Al

#8

I’m not too crazy about any cars…they are just objects…but the ones that were built mostly by hand, in Italy and Germany back in the 50’s and 60’s are works of art to be appreciated. The Alfa’s still have that hand made feel to them…Every time I jump in my 77 280Z I am reminded why I like European cars also.

Al

#9

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]I’m not too crazy about any cars…they are just objects…but the ones that were built mostly by hand, in Italy and Germany back in the 50’s and 60’s are works of art to be appreciated. The Alfa’s still have that hand made feel to them…Every time I jump in my 77 280Z I am reminded why I like European cars also.

Al[/quote]

well I love my 77 280Z so screw you!

#10

well buy mine and have a set…77 5 spd, factory air Arizona 1 owner car, window sticker records, etc…interior fried from the years in the vally of the sun, struts shot. I drive it everyday to go get coffee, today there was a fuel leak from under the car…I may become a motivated seller. Further proof of the generation gap between Damion and myself.

Al

#11

ALFA, “always looking for another” (for parts)

I fixed it for you.

#12

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]well buy mine and have a set…77 5 spd, factory air Arizona 1 owner car, window sticker records, etc…interior fried from the years in the vally of the sun, struts shot. I drive it everyday to go get coffee, today there was a fuel leak from under the car…I may become a motivated seller. Further proof of the generation gap between Damion and myself.

Al[/quote]

How much? Got any pics?

#13

Yo Al,
Lotta Alfas and Alfa parts here in France! When you coming to visit?
-Vic

#14

Come on Greg, you know this isn’t for you. What would you irish ancestors think if you were driving an Alfa?

#15

ukrbmw wrote:

I was asking about the 280z

#16

Yo Vic

when the $ is worth something!!!

#17

hmm…

Something like $2k for the Z…

Al

#18

Al, it might not get any better! That’s why I’ve got my money tied up in a rock solid “investment” - a sweet E36 M3 GT. Paid for in Euros. I hope I don’t “Vic” my investement up…headed to the Prenois (ex F1 track) track this weekend!!

-Vic

#19

FARTBREF wrote:

[quote]I’m not too crazy about any cars…they are just objects…but the ones that were built mostly by hand, in Italy and Germany back in the 50’s and 60’s are works of art to be appreciated. The Alfa’s still have that hand made feel to them
Al[/quote]

Per your comment about “works of art to be appreciated”. I stopped by an “all British car show” this morning that I happened across. I saw a guy driving a mint TR6 and I asked home where he was going. Anyway, this was a big show that had THE largest collection of Austin Healey’s, XKEs, and MGBs in any one place I have ever seen. Despite the fact that I assumed that the owners of the cars to be gluttons for punsihment, there was definitely some English “works of art to be appreciated”. The leather and wood trim in the 50s Jags was awesome.

Don