A jr that will be very special! - Page 3

GoldCloverLeaf · #31 (**permalink**) 12-19-2006, 04:30 PM

We should all be glad that we don't drive Datsun 510's (1600's). There is hardly an original one left in Australia.

**akitaman** · #32 (**permalink**) 12-20-2006, 05:42 PM

It's always funny seeing Jay squeeze into one of these to work!

juultje · #33 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 02:46 AM

@akitaman, what kind of carlift(s) do you use ? I've never seen them in Holland.

**akitaman** · #34 (**permalink**) 12-21-2006, 04:46 PM

We are in the process of making our own rotisseries (for most of the cars). The lift that will be shipped to us (soon) is a body repair unit, that has hydraulic pulling tower on it for collision repair.

cucinando · #35 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 06:47 AM

I just stumbled on this thread while gathering thoughts on a way forward with my resto.

Yes, it is/was a great dialogue! A great example of what the BB is about!

I've been thinking about a "hybrid" approach, I'm ready to expose it to public comment/ridicule/whatever: I am making my car a "story" along the lines of:

It is 1972, I've owned my GT Junior for a couple of years. I (like many others apparently) took the option of fitting a 1600 motor* to my car at delivery, but I won't fork out for one of these new-fangled 2000 things (remember this is 1972). I have tweaked suspension, motor, brakes etc. to iron out the kinks and maximise my driving experience without creating a racer. The only problem I have is whether to fit a mono tape/cartridge deck to listen to Iggy & The Stooges.

So, I'm not building a concourse car: it will have some patina, it will have some tweaks, but it won't be too far out of original spec. As others observed, AR (AD) themselves were big culprits for fiddling with their cars.

I agree it is up to the owner to do what they will with their car and experimentation is welcome. However I am personally attached to the notion that as these cars age we become custodians of little pieces of history and hence the "story" approach.

* This is the bit that's really vexing me. While the 1300 was running well it was awesome fun, I don't know...

So, am I crazy?

**akitaman** · #36 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 07:35 PM

You can really open up the opinions lines on this one. But in my business there is a rule. It's simple. As long as you don't do anything that isn't irreversible, then do what you want. Enjoy your car and let it be a representation of your personality. People tend to express to much about "the way thing should be". The motor that this car is going to get is a 200 H.P. twin spark. Far from what it came with. The owner wants what he wants. This car will reflect what is great about Alfa Romeo, the cars owner, and that is all that should count.

**blu58spider** · #37 (**permalink**) 03-20-2007, 11:23 PM

Hi Gavin,

You own three alfas and have to ask if you're crazy??? But then, all of us here are a little touched. :-)

Enjoy your project, and keep us posted!

- john

**akitaman** · #38 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 06:21 PM

So I was thinking I should add some small updates on this thread. As seen on the other thread that this car is in, the rockers, blasting and other metal work is complete. The trunk lip had lots of damage that was hidden by body filler. When we got the car back from the blasters the damage was clear to see. So, it's time to make a new lip.

We start with a piece of metal that was placed on the sheet metal break.

Next we put it in the shrinker/ stretcher to gain the right curvature.

Then we confirm that the curve is exact to the original.

Also, this car is going to get a very cool motor. We're putting in a 2.0L twin spark. And the parts for that are now showing up.

The new conversion cams.

The twin spark mapped ignition.

The light weight flywheel.

And the super hot pistons!

I will post the engine build once we get the engine back from the machine shop.

Insoc · #39 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 07:52 PM

Can you tell us more about the Cams and Pistons or are these all from Alfaholics?

And if the compression ratio of the pistons have been raised, what point do you worry about Octane and pinging? The stock 10:1 is already high...

I only ask out of curiousity, as I have a TS engine on the backburner, and these two items are ones I have little info on...

**akitaman** · #40 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 07:58 PM

Stay tuned my friend. I will explain everything I can over the next week or two. Parts, compression, sources.

Insoc · #41 (**permalink**) 03-27-2007, 08:10 PM

Awesome! A TS engine in Layman's terms, I can handle that!

cucinando · #42 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 04:23 AM

Droooolll....

**akitaman** · #43 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 06:45 AM

BTW, we are shooting for 200 H.P. I will get that dyno'd

**akitaman** · #44 (**permalink**) 03-28-2007, 06:43 PM

BTW, the car is back from the paint booth. Fresh with primer.

**hagen111** · #45 (**permalink**) 04-23-2007, 12:10 PM

This is a stunning project...I just love reading these GTA replica makeover projects and the state-of-art technology which is put into it! Any updates/news to be expected soon? In the mean time have a look at some very nice photo's which will inspire finishing this project

Castle Comb Trackday