'66 GT Sprint Veloce for Liposuction - Page 2

**Super1600** · #16 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 08:42 PM

Hang in there Oyibo, since you will have the immense satisfaction, albeit eventually that your car will be fine, unlike what it really was like. There indeed have been far worse.

I am a little scared of what I might find when I get around to stipping my GTV down. I keep telling myself it can't have as much rust as my Giulia Super used to (at least that has been fixed properly now), but as to the depth of bog on the panels,....yes that is going to be interesting. Kind a bit like archaelogy, you dig and dig but are never exactly sure what you might uncover. Hopefully in my case it is not in a terrible state, though I am sure it is not going to be pretty.

Hey at least your gearbox came up looking champion. Been there with my Super's one also !

Cheers Dave

maxludo · #17 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 01:15 AM

some really shocking things were done to these cars in the 70s and 80s.
I have made some scary finds throughout my restoration...
like holes filled with solder!
I think the most satisfying thing you get after a resto is knowing where you stand with the car and not this dreaded anticipation of what might be lurking under the paint.
She's looking much better now!

Oyibo · #18 (**permalink**) 11-01-2008, 08:54 AM

Super 1600 and maxludo,

Thanks for the encouragement. I couldn't agree more with you both when you say that the satisfaction comes from knowing what you have done, and what state your car is really in. Let's face it, we don't restore these things as a sound financial investement.

I am sorry I do not have more photos to post - I was going to Thursday PM, and at lunchtime I received notification that two deliveries of parts, one from Alfaholics and one from Classic Alfa, had arrived at separate depots in Cape Town and I spent the rest of the day collecting them. Friday was spent travelling back to Nigeria where I work. At least I'll have time to think about what I will be doing to the car when I get back home in December.

Oyibo · #19 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 09:02 AM

Well this started off as a cosmetic paint job, but I've had a bit of mission creep. Everything is coming of the car now. Suspension & running gear first...

Oyibo · #20 (**permalink**) 12-15-2008, 09:06 AM

Primer on the outside (and a smear of filler on the rear three quarters). Note the rear panel inside the car...

Oyibo · #21 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 05:33 AM

Rear end chopped off, and awaiting the replacement panel from Alfaholics. The boot (trunk) floor is in shocking condition

Does anyone know whether anyone makes replacements?

And, damnit, the PO chopped up the rear parcel shelf to put in some cheesy speakers.

Oyibo · #22 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 05:37 AM

But at least the interior is coming along (with the usual repairs to the floor pans). More mission creep with the roof - I was going to leave the headlining in, but no... Out it came, and of course, there was some rust underneath - thankfully nothing too serious.

Oyibo · #23 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 05:40 AM

The photo doesn't really show it, but the firewall looks like it has gone 15 rounds with Tyson (in his prime). But it has been battered back into, more or less, original form. (I did think about keeping the interior uncarpeted and getting a nice paint job inside, but I don't think the battered panels will be conducive to that look.)

Oyibo · #24 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 05:54 AM

May I ask for some feedback from you all (any opinions accepted)?

Due to the great difficulty in finding parts for a '66 Sprint Veloce (especially the seats) and my desire to use the car for trackdays, I have decided to go for a period, but not necessarily original, look. To that end, I have the Alfaholics fast road/race 'C', the front geometry kit, and a few other goodies. Front suspension and running gear is currently at the powdercoaters (40pence a kilo, wooo wooo) and should be ready on Friday - I will post pics.

The interior is a bit of a problem. I don't really want to fit a cage in case I find enough parts to restore to (near) original; I have some nice 1750 seats which suit the period look, and I found the holy grail - an RHD dashboard, albeit in a sorry state.

Apart from the lowered suspension and no bumpers (for the period boy racer look), I would like to keep the exterior completely original, and I have all the parts and trim for that. I am undecided on the interior. Any suggestions on front seats; rear seats or not; battery placement; carpets or not; etc.

Any views gratefully welcomed.

**Super1600** · #25 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 02:22 PM

HI Charlie

You are doing really well on your '66 sprint. Re your questions, from my perspective you may wish to consider just how far you wish to take the project in terms of track use etc.

Perhaps as a compromise between being able to return your car to standard but as well as being mindful of competition and therefore the need for safety a bolt in cage rather than welded in one might be ok. Personally I am not a huge fan of bolted in cages since they are ultimately not as safe as a welded in one but it would provide you with a greater level of protection than none.

As far as seats go, the flying buttress style 1750 GTV seat is good and definitely period. And for light track use would probably be fine, especially if you fit the car with a harness. Ditto ensure you have a fitted fire extinguisher. Again if you are doing track work a leather bound wheel rather than a wooden one would be preferable from a safety perspective. Wood look lovely but not on someones face. I have seen the results of the two meeting, very ugly.

Re battery placement, on another GTV thread, there was someone who fitted two 6 volt batteries in the rear seat area, deleted the base of the seat and had a parcel shelf constructed over it. Apparently, the parcel shelf actually was a period option. Otherwise put the battery in the boot.

Re carpets, I would have thought that the majority of people who use the GTVs for track work would delete insulation and definitely have no carpet (weight saving), on the other hand if you also wish to use your car on the road, then some level of comfort, insulation from noise would probably be most welcome. If it were me, I probably would leave the carpet in.

Just some thoughts, and I am sure others will have their own ideas and/or even better advice. All the best with your project. Dave

rafael · #26 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 02:54 PM

great project.

About the floor of the trunk, I have never seen repair or replica panels. I cut the floor out the car, fixed the support of the gas tank, replaced all the rusty bits, and placed it back. Lot's of work, but result is good.

Oyibo · #27 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 03:31 PM

Super 1600,

Many thanks for the very detailed reply (and the encouragement). I think you have nailed the dilemma I have - Track or Road or compromise. I'm afraid it will be a compromise. I have thought long and, not so hard, about a bolt-in cage and I might still go down that route - it is, after all, removable should I go back to an original restoration.

Good point about the steering wheel - I am refurbishing a wooden one, and also have a foam Momo. My intention was to put the wooden one in for the period look, but yes, you're right, not much good on the track.

You read my mind on the back seat. I know the thread you mean, and that is just what I have in mind - I'll plan for the extinguishers as well. As far as carpets go, well I'd like it to have a period 'fast road' look' but I think the floor pans etc are just too ropey for it to look good just in paint.

That said, vive la difference, if you'll excuse my French, and I welcome other thoughts.

Rafael,

Thanks - I had the feeling that no-one produced those panels. At least it's not me doing the bodywork

Oyibo · #28 (**permalink**) 12-16-2008, 03:41 PM

Wife and mother-in-law asleep, so the cam cover went into the dishwasher (on low heat, and at least the sinks are clean now). The photo doesn't do it justice - although I put the dishwasher on the lowest heat setting, the cover has a curious (heat induced?) patina, but it's pretty smooth so I think I will polish it - I have two other covers to play with, my real wish being to have one in red wrinkle paint - anyone in SA know where I can find some?.

borrani · #29 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008, 04:04 PM

Such an amazing amount of work, and great job sharing it with the BB.

As far as I'm concerned, this car was in the grave, and you have brought it back to life.

Perhaps you can build a bit of a support plinth for the bolt-in roll cage, i.e. added sheet metal to support the bolt-in cage, just like we'd do with a welded-in cage. Bolting it to the thin sheet metal is not the most ideal.

I'd look around for a modern track oriented seat that is made to look period in a '60's car. I've seen a few and think it'd make a very comfortable road seat, yet still hold you in on the curves. 5 or 6 point harness, please, or a good 3-way across the shoulder belt.

Steve Schaeffer
Seattle, WA
ex '67 GTV
ex '65 GTA

Alfajay · #30 (**permalink**) 12-18-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Super1600

As far as seats go, the flying buttress style 1750 GTV seat is good and definitely period.

Re battery placement, on another GTV thread, there was someone who fitted two 6 volt batteries in the rear seat area, deleted the base of the seat and had a parcel shelf constructed over it. Apparently, the parcel shelf actually was a period option.