Questions about my new '74 GTV

[aurion7]

I just picked up a '74 GTV, my first Alfa since the '67 GTV I had when I was a kid a hundred years ago. This car runs great and shifts smooth and has no rust (okay, 99.9%), which is all great. It needs a lot of little stuff, and most of all it will need the paint and interior re-done. I have questions maybe some of you might be able to help with:

1. The VIN is AR3023997. How can I check to make sure this is a '74 and not a '73? I just want to check.
2. The BWA's (see photo) are nice and undamaged but faded and tired-looking. Is there a tag/link/post or website that would tell me how to improve them as much as possible without paying for a full restoration?
3. The attached photos show the interior, and I have 3 questions about that:
3a. Is this steering wheel stock? I saw another like it online but most photos of '74 steering wheels don't look like this.
3b. The whole dash (top and face) is covered with a "mouse fur" material like what I've seen on some Ferrari 308's and Dino's. The door panels have the correct lines or grooves in them, but they and the rear side panels are also covered in the mouse fur. That's not stock or correct, is it?
3c. The three gauges under that dopey after-market radio are also an after-market addition, right?
By the way, I have the stock shift knob.
Thanks, everyone. I'm happy to once again be entertaining my long-dormant Alfaddiction.

[Peter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurion7 I just picked up a '74 GTV, my first Alfa since the '67 GTV I had when I was a kid a hundred years ago. This car runs great and shifts smooth and has no rust (okay, 99.9%), which is all great. It needs a lot of little stuff, and most of all it will need the paint and interior re-done. I have questions maybe some of you might be able to help with: 1. The VIN is AR3023997. How can I check to make sure this is a '74 and not a '73? I just want to check. 2. The BWA's (see photo) are nice and undamaged but faded and tired-looking. Is there a tag/link/post or website that would tell me how to improve them as much as possible without paying for a full restoration? 3. The attached photos show the interior, and I have 3 questions about that: 3a. Is this steering wheel stock? I saw another like it online but most photos of '74 steering wheels don't look like this. 3b. The whole dash (top and face) is covered with a "mouse fur" material like what I've seen on some Ferrari 308's and Dino's. The door panels have the correct lines or grooves in them, but they and the rear side panels are also covered in the mouse fur. That's not stock or correct, is it? 3c. The three gauges under that dopey after-market radio are also an after-market addition, right? By the way, I have the stock shift knob. Thanks, everyone. I'm happy to once again be entertaining my long-dormant Alfaddiction.

[Seldom Seen]

Check the date code on those tires. They look too old to be safe.

[Alfajay]

As others have written, mouse fur is definitely not stock - I'll bet you will find that the PO wrapped this over the factory installed, head-formed vinyl because the vinyl had cracked from the sun - at least on the dash. Who knows why he put it on the doors as well.

Centerline and others sell new door panels - I believe the original panels have some chrome trim and heat formed "stitching", which appears to be missing on your panels - e.g., a local upholsterer might have a hard time creating original panels.

If you want an original steering wheel, it shouldn't be too hard to locate - the same wheel was used on the spiders, as well as the GTV's, and APE or ebay (or your local club's swapmeet) should turn one up.

Those gauges are clearly an add-on. It looks like they would be impossible to read from the driver's seat. I hope the PO didn't cut the dash to install them. It looks like he did something funky in the area where the top of the console comes up against the bottom of the dash.

[aurion7]

Thanks for all the helpful feedback. I know the tires are ancient/unsafe. I drove the car about 30 miles after buying it and then trailered it home (200+ miles). Gotta be safe and also take care of this baby.

[jerry Quinlisk]

you're going to love that gtv

[papajam]

Quote:

Originally Posted by aurion7 1. The VIN is AR3023997. How can I check to make sure this is a '74 and not a '73?

[Grandeblek]

Congrats on your GTV Aurion 7,Gee I wonder how many mice were sacrificed to give up their pelts,so as to cover the dash abd the door cards of your car ? Your shifter knob is also incorrect,should be black plastic,and the steering wheel,should be a deep dished Hellebore,with real wood on the rim. Good luck,and hope you enjoy the driving pleasure of these great cars. Cheers. Joe P.S. This is a pic ,of a similar car to yours with the correct steering wheel .except its auto. just like mine.