[blacklotus99]

Really interesting thread!

Im amazed that no one has already done this a la Alfaholics treatment, perhaps the demand wasnt there before, I dont know. There have been people restoring/updating Jags, Astons, Healeys and lots of others to customers specifications for years.

The difference here I think is that, just as the dutch guys have said, these 105s are cheap cars. They were sold in what in collectors terms are "large quantities" in almost all variations and there always seems to be plenty for sale, yes, even here in Oz IMO. Restoration cost vs potential sale cost is always an interesting one and unlike some Jags or Astons etc, with values the way they are now you would never recoup the resto cost once you sell it. Hence the reason there are so many very ordinary 105s around. The market isnt there to warrant restoring them. Not many people are prepared to tear up lots of money properly restoring a car, lets call it 50K, when you are likely to get a little over half of that back. Only the truly dedicated would embark on that.

The GTA replica concept I think is just another example in the long line of cars that have become unaffordable to most. The July 09 issue of Thoroughbred and Classic Cars has an article on exactly this phenomenon, and the 105 is one of the cars looked at. With GTA prices only going one way (because of limited supply and historic motorsport), I dont see any major issue with the replica issue as long as people arent trying to "fake" a real car. That just causes problems for everyone including the experts. Look whats happened with the '73 911 Carrera RS, even the experts have some trouble identifying the really good fakes.

Someone was talking about modern performance cars compared to an original 105 and thats why people are updating to GTA type spec. Im not sure about that one. I drove a few original spec restored 1750s before I bought my 105 and they were, to be honest, very ordinary to drive, compared to other cars of the era (admittedly more expensive cars). They roll around, marginal traction and pretty slow. Great car if you like going sideways at walking speed. Compare that with a properly sorted 2L with 150hp+ and its a completely different car to drive. Now you have something thats fun to drive rather than being IMO, rather pedestrian.

I have gone down the middle path I suppose. I have the 105 with the 2L and all the goodies, sans bumpers etc, but I have all the original parts to take the car back to concours if either I, or a future owner wishes to do that. That option, I think is quite important. Choice is a good thing. My taste in whats fitted to the car is not necessarily someone elses and maybe thats just where the Alfaholics car misses. Mind you, taking a complete wreck and turning it into a replica GTA is work of genius.