'63 Giulia Spider Normale Restoration (Euro)

[pathung]

Second set of photos:

[pathung]

Last set of photos:

[pathung]

Put in a few more hours of work this past Saturday; we worked on smaller items this time and I'm having a hard time remembering what we accomplished! Not having brought my camera to the shop didn't help either.

We first tackled the battery. My old battery was considered a total loss, so we sub'ed with a new one. With the battery cables + and - properly connected, it was a relief that a test crank of the key caused the engine to turn over a few times nicely - the first time I've heard the engine since buying the car in 2005.

We then proceeded to install a new fan blade, followed by the radiator - the cap was too far gone, though the radiator itself has been refurbished at a radiator shop in Santa Cruz. Just when we were ready to pop it in, I realized that I forgot to bring the four new radiator rubber supports; will have to wait till next time to get the coolant system finished.

We likewise couldn't do further work on the induction part of the engine (air box, air intake hoses, etc.) for lack of a suitable carburetor support, as a result of using a Veloce mount that had a different support attachment setup. The "engine mount end" of the support will have to be modified to "straddle" over the mount's attachment point.

Last but not least, I have both the front and rear license plate brackets attached to the bumpers. The front is lacking an Italian-style mini-sized plate (to be ordered), while the rear sports a reproduced CA black plate, with original numbers, ordered online. Installation of the rear plate assembly had me scratching my head for nearly a year now. It took lots of work to maneuver the center section of the bumper into place, and it looks as if it'd be impossible to reach under it and tighten the plate bracket nuts without taking it off. Luckily, Glenn decided to simply pop in two threaded inserts into the bumper itself to take 5 mm bolts from the bracket, which greatly simplifies things.

Alas, no photos to post this time of any of the work mentioned above. Will be sure to take the camera with me next time in three weeks.

[Subtle]

Getting there--progress + + +

[A V]

Pat

About the battery, do you have any photos of it in place and mainly of the cables layout.

I know the + goes through the boot floor (mine was really rusty so don't know exactly how it was) and the - goes were to?

Any help would be appreciated.

A V

[pathung]

A V,

I'll try to get some photos for you this weekend of the battery area, but from I can recall, the positive comes up through the trunk floor via a grommeted hole, and the negative is simply bolted to the floor just inside of the right-rear tail-light assembly. My battery's positive terminal is toward the front of the car, which is also closer to where the + hole is located. Boy, a picture is sure worth a thousand words! I'll get those posted ASAP.

[Gordon Raymond]

Ha! Giulia man to the rescue! The non-restored '65 Giulia Ausca Spider Veloce 1600.
{Patrick was just WAITING for me!}

No battery tray and hold down in this car as it used a closed lashed down plastic battery box. All else pictured is as it was in these cars.

[pathung]

Now I remember! My battery cable and electrical harness for rear lights do come through the same hole, at the same location as in Gordon's photos; thanks Gordon. Be sure to insert a rubber grommet, because it's a bit tight with both cables going through that little hole.

[A V]

Pat & Gordon

Many thanks for the information.

Gordon, I assume that the grey cable you see going under the bumper is the negative cable, «bolted to the floor just inside of the right-rear tail-light assembly» as Pat says.

Rergards

A V

[Gordon Raymond]

That is correct. In a non-raced car, it was black, rather than grey.

[pathung]

Today was the BIG day - we hooked everything up and started the engine; I'm glad to report that it ran well enough, and without the full exhaust installed, the Alfa burble from my own Giulia was the sweetest sound I've ever heard.

We're having the windshield installed at Frank's Auto Glass in Berkeley next week; the car would then be street-legal, and drivable for the upcoming Monterey Jaunt. There are still lots of loose ends to tie up, such as installing the full exhaust system, passenger seat, trim, but today represents the most significant milestone of the entire restoration; I'm absolutely elated! Looks like I finally DID it, but not without lots of folks' help, here on the BB and in Berkeley, CA. Thank you all again.

This journey hasn't ended yet though, so stay tuned for more updates; when the day comes for it to end, there's another one involving a '59 Sprint Normale vintage race-build So, stick around!

YouTube - Start #1

YouTube - Alfa Romeo Giulia Start #2

YouTube - Start #3

[Gordon Raymond]

Celebration? When DID it run last? I love this stuff!

[pathung]

I was happily applying Bill Gillham's stickers all over the car, but I forgot to bring the SNO Quadrifoglio sticker! That'll go on next, in the engine compartment or on the rear bumper.

Now I actually have a running Alfa to take to Conventions with!

[alfagtv74]

congratulations Pat fantastic job! When is the giulietta jaunt?

[pathung]

There is one planned for the Thursday before Concorso Italiano, but it may not be feasible for folks who have to work. On the other hand, I'd like to organize a proper Giulietta Jaunt for sometime in October; it's been a while since the last one. I'll keep you updated through my mailing list.