Is a 1986 Sprint QF worth restoring?

[mavafa]

Hello, can I say this is a great and very inspiring forum.
My white Sprint has been my every day pony for the last 6 years and is now in need of some mechanical and body work (rust).

The dilemma is do I spend money just to keep it on the road or should I invest more and restore it?

I would rather be restoring a GTV 1750 series 2 but I don't have one.
The Sprint is all I have.

Cheers
Peter.

[81Sprint]

I would say yes.
But it all depends how much time and money you think its worth, and where and how bad the rust is....
I also have a very biased opinion.

[mavafa]

Thanks 81 Sprint

I,m in Australia and my supplier is Milano Motors. They looked after and kept my Lancia Beta Coupe running for 20 years.

They should be able to supply me with parts.

I do like driving my car its only that I need to keep it going and at the same time fix it.

[Martin480Turbo]

Hi Peter,

this is my first post on this marvel of an international forum.

I feel tempted to stop lurking und give you some advice, because I was in your position
15 years ago:

When my Sprint was severely rusted I decided to split company und relied on public transport for several months. Afterwards I bought a Spider.

For me it wasn´t what it was supposed to be.

I should have kept the Sprint, which was absolutely sound mechanically, but needed welding work which I couldn´t do myself. Ever after since I found myself lusting for another sprint. (I guess I am one of a kind. . .)

Of course I do like the "north" alfas. Surely I would take a Bertone in good condition. But I am not willing to shell out big bucks for one of those, because everybody likes them.

Ask yourself, If you could live without the Sprint. If not, buy a stopgap car (Mitsu Colt or anything) and a restore the Sprint in the meantime. Hodgepodge Repairs are for no good in the long run.

The question is not only if the car is worth the work, but what it is worth to you.

My 2 cts

Martin

[lenus]

I've consistantly heard far from desirable stories about Milano Motors and their parts from mechanics up here in Brisbane.

Maybe they treat customers different....


But yes, I would do up the sprint, if it is the car pictured it looks like it's in pretty okay condition.

After owning a sprint recently, I've decided that later on down the trick I will be owning another one, they are a very nice car to drive.


lenus.

[GTVnut]

Yeah, I agree. If it's 'doable' keep it running. Where in Oz are you?

[mavafa]

I live in the south east of Melbourne.
Thanks for the replies. I guess its a matter of choice which car to drive but I really cant justify the cost of a new car. I have never been able too. The only cars I ever had have been a Fiat 1500 and 132, Lancia Beta Coupe and now an Alfa. Nearly forgot the Fiat 125 Sedan.

All the information on the website is excellent and has contributed to the idea of restoring in a major way.

The idea of a small run around car while I restore the Sprint is sounding very good.

Thanks again.

[alfatt]

yes keep your sprint any car can be restored so long as you have time and money,have been restoring my 84 sprint now for 6 yrs i did a welding course to save on panel beating costs this a full resto now nearing completion will be on road late this year.

[mavafa]

Looks great!
Great idea to do the welding course. I will look into as well.

I am looking at the left hand front that has been repaired after a car ran a stop light across the middle of a huge intersection causing me to slam the brakes only to have hit him in the side with the left hand side of my car copping all the damage.

Its not looking really good. At this stage the car looks as if its 20mm lower on the left looking from the front.

Did you have your car checked for body twist and alignment?
I think mine will have to wait till its stripped of the motor at least before I can get the front checked.

Keep posting your pics.

Regards
Peter.
Cheers

[alfatt]

HI Peter no did not have car checked this car had original faded red paint and when stripped back to bare metal had no body filler or accident damage only rust around screen ,hatch front guards completely gone had to buy new ones from Italy. regards Darren

[mavafa]

Even better. Your a lucky man.
Whats the link to your Italian supplier?

Also do you know if the front struts are worn, shocker or spring, would it show as the front being lower than normal?

The left front of my car that looks lower also has a very loose shocker. When compared to the right by bouncing the car the left bounces 5 or 6 times where as the right virtulaly stabilzes straight away.

Peter

[alfatt]

Hi Peter don't have a link for supplier it went through a couple of channels to get guards i got what i needed didn't ask about links yes have recently lowered my wife's verada with 20's and found car sat lower than specs new shocks soon fixed the problem now sit same height all round. Regards Darren

[baldy]

Ive just noticed that you have cut away some of the front panel! is this so you can fit a differant radiator? ps your car looks well smart.

[alfatt]

Hi Baldy this cut was made for front mount inter-cooler for turbo motor a lot of time has been spent on planning for this project with major mod's currently running 86 33 brakes and suspension including custom 33 dash complete with wiring harness not easy but coming along nicely. Regards Darren

[ALFA GTV6 GP]

Yes as a platform for a Giocattolo.