Survivor: 58 Giulietta Veloce Spider Race car - Page 2

**velocealfa** · #16 (**permalink**) 07-28-2009, 04:31 PM

Boy does rebuilding the braking system take a while, first time through i found all my (mistakes) with the flaring tool. Rebuilt all of the leaky hard lines and finally (two days later) have full non-leaking pressure. I know all this work will be worth it in the end... but the "one step forward, two step backwards" can get quite aggravating!!!

Tonight, out comes the fuel tank, chemical it with por-15 then put back together in the morning. Hope to have engine in by the weekend!!!

Anxious to see what other problems may come my way.

Hope to have the car making snotty noises causing a ruckus in the township before i head to school! 3 weeks and counting.....

Wish me luck

Phillip

**velocealfa** · #17 (**permalink**) 08-04-2009, 11:56 AM

Engine all set up, now ready to be dropped... (without webers).

Fuel tank almost ready.

Brakes done.

Couple more weeks

!!!

Phillip

fiametta · #18 (**permalink**) 08-05-2009, 11:53 PM

Awesome car. I have a red '58 veloce spider racer also. But it was continually updated into the 70's, where as yours looks to been parked much earlier.
In my opinion: Don't be tempted to over restore it, do as little as possible. Anyone can make a "vintage legal" race car today, but no one can make a real period race car like you have there.
Love it, makes me want to tear off my decal numbers and hand paint them on.
David

**velocealfa** · #19 (**permalink**) 08-07-2009, 05:20 PM

After about a book full of choice words and a Pabst Blue Ribbon or two, the engine finally made its way in. In a few more days the car will be running and hopefully make it to at least one track event before the summer is over!

I cant wait!!!

Phillip

raelorance · #20 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 05:39 AM

It still looks like a good start for a Spider Veloce restoration. I wonder how much money is spent moving cars from small time dealer to small time dealer? I imagine when this car finally finds a home interested in it as a project rather than a money maker, there will have been a $1500 ‘transport’ tax applied.This car is available now on eBay and Bringa Trailer out of Northern California. It has been modified to perform at an amazing level for track and event use, but retains it’s trim and charm. $35,000 is the price of entry.
______________
Alfa Romeo Car Lease

**velocealfa** · #21 (**permalink**) 08-19-2009, 11:05 PM

I am not restoring this car, its a REAL time capsule race car from the 50's and 60's. Restoring this car would be like erasing and restoring a monet... it wouldnt be the same. It will not be modified with new parts. It will find its way back to the track but not to compete. I'll let other the guys destroy 750F's... this one will stay a barn fresh nostalgic racer.

A car can only look its age and experience once.

Phillip

PSk · #22 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velocealfa

I am not restoring this car, its a REAL time capsule race car from the 50's and 60's. Restoring this car would be like erasing and restoring a monet... it wouldnt be the same. It will not be modified with new parts. It will find its way back to the track but not to compete. I'll let other the guys destroy 750F's... this one will stay a barn fresh nostalgic racer.

A car can only look its age and experience once.

Phillip

raelorance · #23 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 01:45 AM

It's really nice.We used to beat everything with the Veloce, except the 4-cam Porsches. We could even beat some of them.The secret was in the preparation of the car. You couldn’t pay someone to do the same job you would do – it’s like Bruce Jennings or Vasek Polak in Porsches.

**velocealfa** · #24 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 09:28 AM

Thank you for the comments everyone, i enjoy reading them as much as i enjoy working on the car. I left for college out in colorado two days ago and i must say that i really miss the car. I worked on it all summer and unfortunately i will not have the ability to drive it.

But next time i visit home it will be all ready for me. I learned a lot about how cars (especially Alfa's) work. They are lovely little cars, i cant wait to see which other ones come my way!

Cheers to all!

Phillip

**velocealfa** · #25 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 09:38 AM

And back to PSK's comment, rust preventative treatments will be done on the car. But to be honest the rust gives it its charm, I had to get the radiator re-cored, when we dropped it off at the shop we told them NOT to paint it. They gave us a funny look and said ok? When it was finished our good friend Nick Hardie (also painted the numbers back in) took it home and put some acid on it and left outside for a few nights to add rust.

Call me crazy but when this car will stop people dead in their tracks when they see this car. over time i will freshen up the suspension but use the original parts anything new on this car just wont look right.

Its going to be so great...

Thank you all for looking, and if you ever come across any images of a race car similar to this one. Please post

Phillip

PSk · #26 (**permalink**) 08-20-2009, 05:18 PM

I guess you want it to look old and like a war horse ... That I can understand but preservation is not letting things look rusty but maintaining them to their original finish. Now that does NOT mean concours or over restoring just chucking a bit of paint on things.

Anything else is neglect, and even the new concept of original and unrestored class at Pebble Beach has many people complaining that too many of the cars are just neglected instead of maintained as original. Leaving things alone is not original as things deterorate over time, we have to stop that.

I would personally restore it to exactly how it was raced, and that would mean definitely not over restoring but keeping the "I am a working race car look" but also loved and it would never have been raced with rusty looking brake back plates and radiator, etc. ... heck it would not even get passed scrutineering and be allowed to take to the track (I used to do a bit of scrutineering).

Anyway, as I said I still love the car and enjoy in good health.
Pete

**velocealfa** · #27 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009, 12:56 PM

Thanks to the wonderful work of David Michele At European Auto Restorations,
The survivor is still slowly coming back to life, the exhaust has been fabricated and will be painted and bolted to the car very soon! We used several old images of Giulietta's to make it as authentic as possible, i think we did very well. This car is going to sound great!!! The drive shaft has been bolted together and the cross member support for the 4 speed has been modified and put in place! Hopefully we can get one day of testing on the track before the snow falls!!!s

Hows it look guys?

Phillip

**velocealfa** · #28 (**permalink**) 10-13-2009, 09:31 AM

How great does this look???

David Michele of European Auto Restoration fabricated the exhaust himself, i could not ask for anything better...

Phillip

**velocealfa** · #29 (**permalink**) 10-25-2009, 11:52 PM

For the first time in nearly 40 years. The Survivor has a beating heart once again! I will post a video as soon as possible, i wish i was home to drive the old girl. But im sure David Michele and my Father will have at least one good weekend with her before the snow falls. There are not words for how happy i am!

Phillip

**Subtle** · #30 (**permalink**) 10-26-2009, 07:22 AM

Interesting thread. +++