I have seen most of the cars that are for sale via Ebay, drive and carsales currently. Although not specifically looking for a project I wanted something I could add value to and searched through the range from $9 1/2 to $27k. I had a budget up to low to mid 20's but initially thought $10-$15k would get me something decent to start with...it won't at the moment unless some of the parties are more realistic on price and the $10-$12k range is basically overpriced by at least 30% - largely accident damaged, rust rotted, junk. Nothing is selling at the current prices so there is no rush. Although not actually having seen the cars going out via the AROCA classifieds these cars did appear to be the best value if descriptions were to be relied on...which they quite often aren't. I've been to Qld twice in the last 6 weeks and SA once, chasing 105's. Too much to list here but if you want to send an email via the BB I'll give you a mobile number you can get me on and I can give you one person's idea of what was seen in the cars on offer. I bought today, so I'm no longer competition.
Buy the "Essential Guilietta Buyers Guide" - David at "Bookshop World" in Canterbury has them for about $15 - I bought one from Classic Alfa, before I knew I could get one locally and it kept me on track during inspections. In the end I had it down to a pretty fine art, but I still used the book.
I can't comment as to the actualities of the specific cars that I pointed out that are out there for sale, but in truth I would be somewhat suspect at such comments that they are all rusted out and have been subject to major damage, simply because of the lower price being asked. Remember all of these cars are now at least 38 + years old and so pretty much all of them have had some panel damage and or rust issues to be attended to over the years.
In my experience, and I have had my GTV since '97 and been involved in 105 Alfas since the early '80s I would tend in general to disagree with such comments. Sure at the higher end of the market you are likely to get better condition/better restored cars but that is perfectly normal in any classic car market.
As I say, ultimately it comes down to your budget and what you are happy with/prepared to accept.
As to books while the one mentioned is perfectly fine, and by the way the correct title is "the essential Giulia and Giulietta Coupes and Spiders, in truth there are a raft of other books out there equally as good if not better in terms of information to provide to both the enthusiast or new owner.
Included in these are the Brooklands Books AR Giulia Coupes 1963-1976 (basically reprint of magazine articles from the period) good reference material. David Owens Alfa Romeo Always with Passion, AR Giulia History and Restoration by Pat Bradden and Jim Webber, and finally AR Giulia Coupe GT and GTA by John Tipler. I have a few others as well but they are relatively hard to find these days. Tipler's book by far is the best reference book to all the models while Bradens' more so in terms of the technical details.
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"Sporting blood has run through the veins of every Alfa Romeo produced over the last **100** !! years"
Just a small point perhaps, but if you have not driven one have you sat in the drivers seat of a 105? If you are over 6 foot tall you should before buying. I have wanted one since I was twelve (nearly forty years) and have nearly bought one twice. I am 6'2" and even with a dished stearing wheel and seat modified to go back an extra inch I find it extremely difficult to drive a 105. The gear shift ends up under my knee.
I currently have an Alfasud Sprint and 147 GTA. I will get a 105 one day despite the discomfort so I'm not trying to turn you off them. Just trying to avoid disappointment if you are particularly tall. Several really good ALFA 105 mechanics have concluded they are not ideal for really tall people.
Know what you mean Paolo. I'm 6'4" and while I've had 105's since the late 70's I actually havent had a GTV on the road of my own for 20 odd years. Everytime I get into one at driver training I have to squeeze myself in and if it's got a roll cage forget it!
Hey guys I know what you mean, but all things are relative. I am roughly 6' 1" to 6' 2" and actually feel right at home in my GTV. To me the relationship between pedals, steering wheel (and it is the standard Hellebore), and gearstick are ideal.
On the other hand try fitting into a Fiat 850 sport, a Honda S800 or even a Triumph GT6 and it is a different story. Now they are a little more cramped.
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"Sporting blood has run through the veins of every Alfa Romeo produced over the last **100** !! years"
Well, i bought my '74 GTV for $8000 back in 2005. Yes, it had rust and i was well aware of that, but it was all i could afford at the time. It had excellent mechanicals with stacks of receipts going back for several years.
I did the bodywork myself, all up i spent maybe another $8 to 9k on replacement panels, primer, paint, consumables, interior items such as re-skinned dash, new headliner, new windscreen, SS exhaust etc but i did it all myself (have a welder, compressor, tools etc)
So that’s already $16 to 17k there and i still want to go right through the suspension (another $3k).
So i guess the moral of the story is, if you don't want to get your hands too dirty or pay others to do the work i would save up at least $18-20k and get a real nice one, or more for a stepnose
3. My recommendation is to educate yourself, believe half what you read, and none of what you are told (which renders this post void)
4. As others have said, get yourself into a club, and to club events. Even if you can't get to an Alfa-specific club, try other clubs dealing with older cars. There is not much uniquely Alfa when it comes to owning and maintaining a 40-50yo car (I'm assuming you haven't experience in this area).
5. Books: Remember those? They are a rectangualr device consisting of sheets of paper. Not saying you need to become an expert overnight but to understand the 105 it helps to understand Alfa Romeo more broadly. If you only buy one Alfa book (yeah right) I recommend Pat Braden's Alfa Bible read cover-to-cover, although this will make more sense to you once you've gotten your hands dirty. Second, aimed squarely at the 105, would be Chris Saville's The Giulia Coupes, or one of the buyers guides (Keith Brooker-Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupe. The last two fit in a glovebox and help deciphering the different models. Be a little careful of differences between Europe, USA, UK in both models, and in the language used.
6. Don't hold back with questions. I've likely forgotten more about Alfas than I know, and still get confused about the damn things.
Hey guys I know what you mean, but all things are relative. I am roughly 6' 1" to 6' 2" and actually feel right at home in my GTV. To me the relationship between pedals, steering wheel (and it is the standard Hellebore), and gearstick are ideal.
6'2" here and likewise thing my GT Veloce is a wonderfull thing to drive - even fit with plenty of room with a helmet.
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1966 Giulia Sprint GT Veloce - pretty much finished!
Bunch of bikes too.
years"
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(which renders this post void)
. Not saying you need to become an expert overnight but to understand the 105 it helps to understand Alfa Romeo more broadly. If you only buy one Alfa book (yeah right) I recommend Pat Braden's Alfa Bible read cover-to-cover, although this will make more sense to you once you've gotten your hands dirty. Second, aimed squarely at the 105, would be Chris Saville's The Giulia Coupes, or one of the buyers guides (Keith Brooker-Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Coupe. The last two fit in a glovebox and help deciphering the different models. Be a little careful of differences between Europe, USA, UK in both models, and in the language used.
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