Ongoing restoration of our 1967 Giulia GT Sprint Veloce - Page 2

Biscione · #16 (**permalink**) 08-23-2009, 11:56 PM

tj in Los Gatos

I my opinion you are maximizing the future value of this rare car by holding to an original restoration.

However, deviating from the original colors will classify this car as a semi-original car; this may not be a big factor today, but will be more influential in the future.

Just my opinion,

**Super1600** · #17 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 02:29 AM

Personally I would re-consider re the leather issue for the seats. Having restored both my '69 Fiat 124 sport and '69 Giulia Super's seats in Connolly leather, I would never go back to vinyl. The feel is so different, so much better.

And apart from the most anal of concours judges, trimming in leather IMO wouldn't detract from the value of your GTV but rather in fact add to its appeal.

I reckon far too many people seem to get hung up on the originality thing. Its your car so why not dress it in the clothes that appeal to you.

twincam4 · #18 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 05:32 AM

I really like leather for the interior as well. I have the black with the fabric centers and thought it was great until I saw a gt with the leather,Stunning.As stated in previous post I can only imagine it increasing the value.
Went to check out your blog,reads very well. Your are very lucky, my wife doesn't even go in the garage let alone weld!! I will be checking in from time to time.

mike

**78-AR-SPIDER** · #19 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 09:15 PM

tj I am looking forward to following both this thread and your blog.
thank you for posting

**alfa_corsa** · #20 (**permalink**) 08-24-2009, 11:35 PM

Thanks for the good words guys. I've restored a lot of cars in my life and I've never done one completely original. It's definitely more challenging but it forces you to do a lot more research and ultimately learn more about the car. Additionally, I love the aesthetic that results in something that is as it was when new. It's indescribable, but a very profound visual experience. I do love the idea of anything but vinyl seats for obvious reasons, but coming up with something that looks period correct in leather may be a challenge. Frankly, the herringbone fabric center is very appealing to me.

**Super1600** · #21 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 12:21 AM

Hi Derek, first and foremost it is your car, your restoration project and indeed your $$ so I definitely respect your decisions, whatever you may decide.

I think from my experience, for I do understand where you are comming from, all I am trying to suggest is that don't discount the leather option, since the grains and colours in leather that are obtainable these days are excellent if you go through a good supplier. Connolly leather (out of the UK) was and is ?? factory fitted to many makes including Ferrari, Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Aston Martin etc.

The grade and colour of the leathers I chose for the two car interiors I had restored were carefully selected to match those of the vinyl that the cars had originally, and were consistent with the grade (texture) and colour of vinyls used for the new door cards etc.

The other key is to ensure what ever material you use, that your trimmer replicates the original stitching and ribbing patterns, for if you can achieve this I am sure you will be very pleased with the results. Well this was my experience. Obviously leather costs more upfront (2 hides should be sufficient) but then on the other hand if looked after properly (fed and cleaned regularly) is significantly more durable than vinyl.

All the best with your GTV as I am sure it will come up superbly, based on what you have recorded so far. Love the BMW CSL as well. Definitely a seriously cool car

Dave

**alfa2go** · #22 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 02:00 AM

Yeah, I have the same dilemma with mine, although my coupe is a way off. Here are a few pics of some different treatments and the alfaholics seatcovers.

I have an original parts manual and for a 66 Veloce the options listed are:

SEATS
Lampblack vinyl
Leather colour vinyl
even grey cloth - lampblack vinyl
fawn cloth - leather colour vinyl
dark brown leather
red leather

DOOR CARDS
Lampblack vinyl
Leather colour vinyl

Red leather & Dark Brown leather are door card options for the 'Bertone De Luxe body' for both the GT & GT Veloce. I've never seen anyone refer to their coupe as a De Luxe model. Anyone got one?

So leather is definitely period but the basketweave does look cool!

cavilry · #23 (**permalink**) 08-25-2009, 10:38 PM

A fellow alfisti in the lg area? AWESOME!! I live in campbell and am just getting going on my 72 GTV. Are you going to the swap meet in September? Once we get our cars done we will definitely have to get a drive goin

**alfa_corsa** · #24 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 07:28 AM

Derek-thanks for posting the pictures and info. You have the same parts information I have, which does show leather as an option. I've never seen a 105 with leather, but it does seem to be a legitimate option. The picture of the red interior is striking. I wonder if the door panels were custom as I don't see red door panels ever being offered.

Cavilry-I'm not familiar with the swap meet. Where and when? I'd love to see your project. Feel free to send me a note if you'd like to come by and see ours. We're up on Summit off 17. Most weekends I'm wrenching, if not out driving the CSL or M6. And yes, a drive will be in order, although that's gonna be a long way off.

Ciao!

-tj in Los Gatos

Alfajay · #25 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfa_corsa

The picture of the red interior is striking. I wonder if the door panels were custom as I don't see red door panels ever being offered.

kpc655 · #26 (**permalink**) 08-26-2009, 12:12 PM

I tend to post things twice. once here, once on my blog,

Corrigan at Large

I started this a few years ago when i moved to Europe. My family (especially) is used to readings...hence i've kept it up to date.

**alfa_corsa** · #27 (**permalink**) 09-05-2009, 11:40 PM

Today Chela and I took a major step in the restoration of our old Alfa. We cut the damaged rear end of the car out. I've been spending a bit of time in the trunk over the past week and after drilling out the spot welds that run along the midsection of the tail panel and cutting the inner brace loose from the trunk floor we were ready. I clamped my new replacement panel on the rear of the car, traced the outline with a Sharpie, and turned on my plasma cutter. It didn't take more than 5 minutes and I was holding the extremely damaged rear panel in my hands.

Here's what the rear of the car looked like with the panel removed.

As you can see, I've got some pretty serious rust in the trunk panel. If I could find a good replacement trunk floor I'd buy one and weld it in, but I've yet to source that part. With the panel roughly removed I then turned to my Dynabrade angle grinder with a metal flap disc in it, and began slowly grinding metal away, stopping short of the Sharpie outline I'd made. As I progressed I was able to get to a point where the rear bumper mounts were nearly flush with the indentation in the panel, indicating I was getting close to where I needed to be. I was able to temporarily hold the panel in place by installing the bolts that hold the bumper to the body, but this is where it gets tricky. Obviously cutting too much metal out would be disastrous so I need to go very slowly, make lots of measurements, and trial fit the panel after each pass. I've also bolted the trunk lid back on to check the shut lines where it meets the top of the rear panel.

Over the next few days I'll keep working on fitting that rear panel. Then I'll remove the rust from the lip of the trunk floor where it butts up against the inner part of the panel, primer it and start welding the panel in.

It's really rewarding to remove rusted and damaged metal from an old car, and also to fit the new panel in place. I decided to start with the rear because this panel is not nearly as complex as the front, and I hoped I'd learn something without making too many mistakes.

Speaking of the front of the car, I found a used grill on eBay that is not perfect, but which should be a good candidate for re-chroming, assuming I can figure out how to get the stainless steel slats out without ruining the part. It looks to be an original grill and has none of the quality control issues that I've found in the reproductions. After getting it chromed it will no doubt cost as much as a new reproduction part, but hopefully it will look and fit much better.

Ciao!

-tj in Los Gatos

**1750GT** · #28 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 11:48 AM

It's looking good so far tj! I'm sure you'll agree that there's no better feeling during a restoration than when removing a beat up or rusted panel and popping in a new one! I noticed you've gone ahead and stripped all the paint on the outer panels, I was contemplating doing the same three year ago or some when I started the bodywork on my car but decided I'd better do that as a last step since where I live (a mile or so to big lake Ontario) flash rust will set in within a day! I guess in the sunny dry SOCAL that's probably not as much of a concern.

**alfa_corsa** · #29 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 01:31 PM

Thanks for the good words. Even here in relatively cool and damp NorCal (compared to SoCal anyway) I've yet to get any flash rust at all. That may change when the rains come, but thankfully my garage is warm and dry.

kpc655 · #30 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alfa_corsa

Thanks for the good words. Even here in relatively cool and damp NorCal (compared to SoCal anyway) I've yet to get any flash rust at all. That may change when the rains come, but thankfully my garage is warm and dry.