Need some pointers.

[shehatezme]

Hi all,

I am new on the board and would like some pointers in purchasing a 1750 GTV. (what to look out for and which yr to buy, etc.?) This car, if I can find one, will be a gift to my father for his birthday early next year. Trying to do some research now to see what I am actually going to get myself into. I am looking for a driver and not a show queen. I have been looking around and found cars that are from $6000 to over $20k. Ideally, I want to get an ok to decent condition car that I can put a little TLC in to make it a nice driver. Is it possible to find a car like that in the $6-10k range? The thing I worry most is the rust that would cost a lot to fix. In which case, I might just buy a semi restored car. However, I want to get one that I could work on the motor and interior a bit to "personalize" it to the way my father would enjoy it. Lastly, how much does it usually cost to tune a motor where it would smog in CA? Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

[Pat Braden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shehatezme Hi all, I am new on the board and would like some pointers in purchasing a 1750 GTV. (what to look out for and which yr to buy, etc.?) This car, if I can find one, will be a gift to my father for his birthday early next year. Trying to do some research now to see what I am actually going to get myself into. I am looking for a driver and not a show queen. I have been looking around and found cars that are from $6000 to over $20k. Ideally, I want to get an ok to decent condition car that I can put a little TLC in to make it a nice driver. Is it possible to find a car like that in the $6-10k range? The thing I worry most is the rust that would cost a lot to fix. In which case, I might just buy a semi restored car. However, I want to get one that I could work on the motor and interior a bit to "personalize" it to the way my father would enjoy it. Lastly, how much does it usually cost to tune a motor where it would smog in CA? Thanks in advance. Cheers.

[101/105guy]

All 1750 Alfas are smog exempt in Ca. and any new rules are not in force.
I brought 2 Giulias from Europe recently and there was NO inspections other than verifying the VIN #. Both cars still have their euro lights and were registered with no problems.
Randy

[Pat Braden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101/105guy All 1750 Alfas are smog exempt in Ca. and any new rules are not in force.

[101/105guy]

Maybe some things have changed since the 80's.

[Pat Braden]

Quote:

Originally Posted by 101/105guy Maybe some things have changed since the 80's.

[jimcra]

Shehatezme, Don't rush, TAKE YOUR TIME, find one you like, personally inspect it, then buy it. Although I took a lot of heat for basically saying don't trust anyone, I still say.. NO keys, NO cash! It works. I've enclosed pics of a '74 GTV driver I bought in September for $6K. It also had AR Ricambi springs and Koni reds (now sports in front). Runs like a top! The pics speak for themselves. My system works in buying collector cars. There are faster, cleaner, and straighter out there. But this works for me for $6K. Moral of the story, "Good things come to those that wait, but only the things picked over by the ones that don't". They are out there if you keep your ears and eyes open and pounce! These pics were taken today....

[shehatezme]

Hi all, thanks for the comments! So will it be easier to register or transfer title for a car that is already registered in California? Also, I would like to know where would be a good place to start looking for a car? Are there any other websites or places I can look? Thanks.

[shehatezme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcra Shehatezme, Don't rush, TAKE YOUR TIME, find one you like, personally inspect it, then buy it. Although I took a lot of heat for basically saying don't trust anyone, I still say.. NO keys, NO cash! It works. I've enclosed pics of a '74 GTV driver I bought in September for $6K. It also had AR Ricambi springs and Koni reds (now sports in front). Runs like a top! The pics speak for themselves. My system works in buying collector cars. There are faster, cleaner, and straighter out there. But this works for me for $6K. Moral of the story, "Good things come to those that wait, but only the things picked over by the ones that don't". They are out there if you keep your ears and eyes open and pounce! These pics were taken today....

[jimcra]

Shehatezme, They are out there, be patient and keep your powder dry. TAKE YOUR TIME looking, know what you want and be the quickest buyer when you find it! Unfortunately, sometimes people get in a short term bind and need to sell toys. They may have found their dream car and need cash today. I found a nice '81 Spider for $1K in San Diego. It was serviced regularly and had a rebuilt engine by Foreign Auto Menders in Poway? Ten years of receipts, articles, manuals and old AR Ricambi and BobCor performance catalogs! Only one surface rust spot and needs a T/A. Still don't know why I bought it, but I'm a sucker for a good deal. It came with Panasports! Remember, NO KEYS, NO PINK, NO CASH!!! Keep the faith, you'll find the right GTV at the price you are willing to pay.

[dan farmer]

Shehatezme- Do you still post on Audiworld? I thought I recognized the screen name. It might take months to find the right car. I think you're in NorCal, yes? If so, join the Alfa Romeo Association, so that you get their monthly magazine. I found a good deal on a 2000 GTV through it. There are two 2000 GTVs in your price range right now, but no 1750s. Also, surf through the AROC national club website to find the chapter websites and check out their classifieds. Portland has an active club: AROO. SoCal is filled with Alfas, but there's more car-sharking down there. Like folks have said: be patient. If you've got something interesting to drive, you might show up at the ARA One Lap of Marin drive and ask around there. The club is quite welcoming of other makes of car at their events. Look in the ARA Regional Forum here on AlfaBB. Get a copy of "Alfa Romeo all alloy twin cam companion" by Pat Braden. It will give you an excellent background on the cars. Be careful, you might get sucked in. Then you'll know what the acronym ALFA means.

IIRC, 1750s were only imported in 1969 and 1971. The '69s have floor-mount pedals with a dual-circuit master cylinder (mounted under the car) that is unique to that year. '71s have hanging pedals with a firewall-mounted dual circuit master. Maybe the '69s have the small rear lights and the '71 has the larger. BTW, any car 1975 or earlier is smog exempt in California. It's a shame that the UrQuattro will never get smog-exempt.

If you are near Silicon Valley and want to chat, send me a PM.

-df

[shehatezme]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan farmer Shehatezme- Do you still post on Audiworld? I thought I recognized the screen name. It might take months to find the right car. I think you're in NorCal, yes? If so, join the Alfa Romeo Association, so that you get their monthly magazine. I found a good deal on a 2000 GTV through it. There are two 2000 GTVs in your price range right now, but no 1750s. Also, surf through the AROC national club website to find the chapter websites and check out their classifieds. Portland has an active club: AROO. SoCal is filled with Alfas, but there's more car-sharking down there. Like folks have said: be patient. If you've got something interesting to drive, you might show up at the ARA One Lap of Marin drive and ask around there. The club is quite welcoming of other makes of car at their events. Look in the ARA Regional Forum here on AlfaBB. Get a copy of "Alfa Romeo all alloy twin cam companion" by Pat Braden. It will give you an excellent background on the cars. Be careful, you might get sucked in. Then you'll know what the acronym ALFA means. IIRC, 1750s were only imported in 1969 and 1971. The '69s have floor-mount pedals with a dual-circuit master cylinder (mounted under the car) that is unique to that year. '71s have hanging pedals with a firewall-mounted dual circuit master. Maybe the '69s have the small rear lights and the '71 has the larger. BTW, any car 1975 or earlier is smog exempt in California. It's a shame that the UrQuattro will never get smog-exempt. If you are near Silicon Valley and want to chat, send me a PM. -df

[dan farmer]

Heh. I know of several double-addicted folks: both Audi geeks and Alfa nut jobs. Zold-man, who makes the O2 sensor replacements, for one. He's knee-deep in a 1750 resto right now.

You're right that the body shell is the same for the 1750 and the 2000. The grill and taillights and bumpers are different. The 1750 is a bit more free rev-ing, but the 2000 can be improved a lot with a cheap set of cams. I like the original SPICA fual injection, but others lub da Weber dual sidedraft. You really should read one of Pat Braden's books. I watched eBay, Craigslist and this place to learn prices and (maybe) value. Buying through a club member is usually better. www.alfaromeoassociation.org

-df

[Insoc]

I would say that buying a car on the west coast seems like a great idea, assuming they are original to the area.

1. They seem to have fewer rust problems.
2. The market seems cheaper on the west coast vs the east coast.

Italcarguy just sold what looked like a nice 2000 for $12k-$13k in Cali.

If the body is good, it will cost more, and if a deal DOES come up, you must act fast, the market for these cars is finally blooming.

Does it have to be a 1750? If you open your options to more cars, you might find what you want faster. I can respect knowing what you want, but they are all quite enjoyable and the differences are negligable once you own one. This way you will have more time to do the work and modifications you want to the car to meet the deadline you have set for yourself.

Honestly, any Alfa that sells for 6-10k these days will have issues, or you are lucky. You are better off looking in the 10k-15k range if bodywork is important to you.

Good luck!

[lowmileage]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimcra I still say.. NO keys, NO cash!