Restoring Alfetta Sedans?

[iracema1]

Hi folks:
I have a 1978 Alfetta Sport Sedan in excellent mechanical condition, decent body but NOT so great interior. Nevertheless, the car has always been in California, (and passed CA smog without a hitch), and rust is not substantial. I love the car and plan to restore it albeit SLOWLY as budget allows!
Cheers
Best
Andy Smith

[alfa156]

Dear fiatosca.
I have owned a 74 Alfetta since 1975. Drove it hard every day for 25 years. Treated it to a spray can of fish oil. This stopped rust for about 10 years.While restoring (cutting out rust I would lead-wipe) the welds instead of using plastic filler). Rust around windows front and back. Needto remove glass as rustmay be anywhere. If it's a 74 the windows will be glued in. You need to poke through a wire (say a guitar string) wrap it around a piece of timber at both ends and se-saw it in a cutting motion all around the perimiter. THe glass will just fall out.
If it's a later model say 77 it will have the conventional rubber molds. Be very careful with front glass as it's laminated and relatively thin.Will break
Rust also occurs in the lower sills, between doors and front wheel (near the lower chrome strip). remove the panel inside the front guard (pop rivets) and a rubber plug at the rear.INside the wheel arch
If you look from the front you should see straight through with 3 water holes under the car. keep them clean. Stick a hose in there and clean out all the mud. Do not replace rear rubber plug and cut away the front panel to allow dirt to be hosed out later.
After all repairs rerust proof by painting with rust converter and fish oil.
Good luck

[alfari]

I recently joined the ranks with the purchase of my 1979 Sport Sedan back in November. It was the cream one on ebay being sold out of Brewer Maine. Took 14 hours to get it back to Rhode Island due to serpentine belt breaking at 10:30pm with no parts stores open until 10am next day. If my father-in-law (big Fiat guru) had not been with me I think I'd still be in New Hampshire. It has some electrical issues I'll sort out over the winter, then springtime I'll tackle the transmission, and eventually....the rust!!!!

Overall, like Andy stated, it will be a slooow process as funds allow, but it should be fun!

By the way Andy, I really wanted to buy the one you wound up purchasing, but distance was what prevented it. Had to wait for one closer to home.

[fetta78]

Y'all do know that Milano seats, both front and rear, will bolt right in your Sport Sedans...........

Milano Gold cloth seats, in good condition, are a great interior choice. Did that to my ole SS. Gone now, but not too far away!!

By the way....I have a few pics of a Boniface at Nelson Ledges a few years ago in a GTV6 if I remember right. Got to search my files.................

[onethumb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetta78 Y'all do know that Milano seats, both front and rear, will bolt right in your Sport Sedans........... Milano Gold cloth seats, in good condition, are a great interior choice. Did that to my ole SS. Gone now, but not too far away!! By the way....I have a few pics of a Boniface at Nelson Ledges a few years ago in a GTV6 if I remember right. Got to search my files.................

[sprintgtc]

I thought I'd post this here rather than over in the parts area. (since all you Sport Sedan owners are hanging out here). While cleaning the basement last weekend I found:

'78 Grille center and full right side grille, with the headlight door and 3 headlight buckets (two rights and a left)

Nice left side door armrest - rear I think, Brown.

PM me if interested, yours for the cost of shipping.

[sprintgtc]

You boys are quick! Parts are spoken for. Thanks,

[fiatosca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetta78 Y'all do know that Milano seats, both front and rear, will bolt right in your Sport Sedans........... Milano Gold cloth seats, in good condition, are a great interior choice. Did that to my ole SS. Gone now, but not too far away!! By the way....I have a few pics of a Boniface at Nelson Ledges a few years ago in a GTV6 if I remember right. Got to search my files.................

[gt601]

Fetta78 is really a Kirzinger but has yet to admit it!!
HA now the truth is out.
Paul

[fetta78]

gt601 is really on crack.........

Is this a Boniface car??

There are a few more pics at:

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/fetta78/albums/

Check the Nelson Ledges folder!

[fiatosca]

Quote:

Originally Posted by fetta78 gt601 is really on crack......... Is this a Boniface car?? There are a few more pics at: http://new.photos.yahoo.com/fetta78/albums/ Check the Nelson Ledges folder!

[gt601]

Oh.... I'm the one on crack? At least I wouldn't get rid of a perfectly good Alfa for a Bimmer!! Wow!

Paul.

[fiatosca]

Some photos of my project. Here's how it looked when I got it and after a bit of bodywork.

[fiatosca]

Now for the good stuff: hard to find MOMO Mote Carlo in wood and REAL NOS bumpers. Paid thru the nose for them but they sure make me happy!

[iracema1]

Wow, I will say that this thread had re-affirmed my enthusiasm for these quirky little cars. I am so glad to see that there are so many other Alfetta Sedan fans out there, with some beautiful examples. Threads like this bring the Alfetta people out of the woodwork. I wll have to copy a couple of photos of my car now...doing workhorse duty as it rolls into "rolling restoration" status, cheers, Andy