'63 Giulia Spider Normale Restoration (Euro)

[pathung]

Does anyone have a photo of the U.S. style rear license plate bracket assembly? I ordered a set from Alfastop, and it came with two vertical brackets and a backing plate that's meant for UK's large black plates; too big, in other words. Thanks.

[alfazagato]

Patrick,
Half a tick, There is an adjustable clamp type bracket which seems able to accommodate any license plate variety and, the large square job which is for European format plates not just UK. So why not have your plate re-pressed (in Italy) into the larger square format. I have just had my SZ plates redone (in Italy) and apart from the seal (face profile with words round the outside, say 12mm dia...which I will be painting on shortly) they are fantastic and make the car "real". The registration is SZ 1677! Adds 5 mph!
Merry Christmas

[Gordon Raymond]

Quote:

Originally Posted by pathung Does anyone have a photo of the U.S. style rear license plate bracket assembly? I ordered a set from Alfastop, and it came with two vertical brackets and a backing plate that's meant for UK's large black plates; too big, in other words. Thanks.

[Subtle]

Stuart

Terrific plate number.

Good info. Finally, with the air intake set up as close to a 1600 Veloce as I can get, I can now get the "Collector" plate. At a much lower premium ($250.) I will have a new number.

Perhaps I could have one made in the horizontal style to fit the front bracket that I have, but not installed. This so if a cop talks to me about having no front plate I can say I can't install one.

So far no problem.--who do I contact to get this done?

All the best.

Bob

[alfazagato]

Bob,
Firstly, lovely to talk to you the other day and Merry Christmas.
The number SZ 1677 is a UK number which I just had made into an Italian format plate. You can have both front and rear plate sizes and you will need the aluminium surround for the front one with the brackets to the holes on the underside of the RH front bumpers.
I would use your US registration number re-made in the Italian style on European sized plates. You are thus somewhat legal and with a plate both ends ...why that 10 mph more.
I will find the company's name and PM it to you. Warning...they are not cheap, I recall E120 for the pair,
regards,

[pathung]

Stuart,

Are you sure that these plates are legal in California? I'd thought that all plates needed to be issued by the CA DMV, regardless of size/shape.

[Gordon Raymond]

I like Stuart's idea for your car, Patrick, as it was a euro car to begin with. Most of these cars here in the U.S. were made for our market. I would check with the Calif. DMV for legality. Here in Illinois we must have a front and rear plate, but the bottom of the front plate must be a 'minimum" of 12 inches off the ground, and affixed to the front of the car. On my 275 GTB Ferrari, that puts the plate up on the nose of the car by the panel gap in the hood! DUMB!. I contacted the Ill. DMV years ago, and they said just keep the front plate in the car, and point out to any curious officer the problem, show them the DMV note, (it's not a "free" pass) and that I have the plate in the car. I have only been questioned once by a young State Trooper, and when he recognized the problem, sent me on my way.
Possibly, if you showed the DMV a photo of the Euro version of your car with Euro plates, they might make you the same type offer (at your risk from an over ambitious officer) to just keep your "real" Calif plates in the car. Worth a try! Gordon Raymond
P.S. Stuart, Please PM me with this info as well. Maybe I'll make up a Euro front for my 275!

[Gordon Raymond]

Hi Patrick,
I sent you the photo's of the assembly, as requested, and you suggested I attempt to post them here for other BB'ers. I'll give it a try. Here they are (I hope!) Gordon Raymond

[Gordon Raymond]

Patrick,
So far so good! Here's the last three. Gordon Raymond

[pathung]

Thanks, Gordon. Looks like the BB's back! Good, I've got some interesting photos to post...

[pathung]

My birthday happened a few days ago, and my wife surprised me with yet another Alfa-related cake, one with the picture of a Sprint on it! The Alfa cloisonned-cake is from two years ago.

[pathung]

Okay, back to business.

I made some progress with the front drum brakes. Glenn (my mechanic) and I have taken them apart and cleaned up the drums, adding a light coat of silver paint to spiff them up a bit. The shoes were sent out two weeks ago and have come back - they are incredible! New lining has been installed, and the shoes blasted and possibly painted a gorgeous metallic grey.

We're now working on the cylinders and backing plates. After some cleanup and honing, the cylinders and pistons seem fit for further use (another 40 years' worth), and will be refitted with new rubber seals. The backing plates will be powder-coated and returned to the shop in a few weeks. The spaghetti-like brake pipes are too rusty to be safely reused, so I've purchased a new set from Alfastop, which have yet to arrive.

I'm planning to install the dashboard knobs (idle; choke; headlights; cigarette lighter) tomorrow; interestingly, Glenn told me that I wouldn't be needing the "choke" cable since twin Webers don't have a choke feature, as does a Solex. Looks like I'll merely be curling up that choke cable somewhere under the dash.

[pathung]

Photos of re-lined shoes, followed by some photos of 3 vs. 2-shoe drums; guess which is which?

[Subtle]

Good photos of the big brakes --- 13.5 inches dia. and the shoes are 7 mm wide.