1961 Giulietta SS project (parts wanted!)

[alfa soon]

I finally did it, I bought an SS. I’ve wanted an SS for 8 years, since I first saw one on the California Melee in about 2000. Since then I have owned a string of Alfas, always with the idea that, if an SS project came up that I could handle I’d sell whatever my current project was and jump on the SS.

Well, here it is, my 1961 Giulietta SS. It looks horrible in the pictures but just about everyone that has seen it has said: “It’s not THAT bad.”

I will try and keep this thread alive as work gets done, parts are bought and knuckles are bloodied. I will look at this as a trade, I'll bore/entertain you with the details of my tribulations and you can help me with questions and parts as need arises. The road will be long.

[alfa soon]

The plan:

To undertake the complete restoration of a car from this starting point is frankly beyond my patience, checkbook and probably ability. So I will take a practical approach, the goal being a rally type car without any mods that would prevent it from one day being restored.

Step one: Strip the car to a shell then repair all the rust/fix all the dents. There isn't as much rust as the pictures would lead you to believe. The rockers are pretty solid inside and out, the worst is in the rear corners of the trunk and around the lower door hinges. I hear this is common, even on nice cars. I'll look on it as a challenge to become a better fabricator and welder. The only really troubling body work to my eyes is the drivers side headlight which is all stretched. Maybe I'll cut it out and send it to Akitaman for some magic.

Step two: Suspension and brakes. I have most of the suspension pieces still attached to the car, I just need to clean it all up and replace the consumables. I have most of the correct big brake parts (drums, backing plates shoes) but am looking for all the small parts like rear shoe adjusters, rear wheel cylinders etc. Oh, and I need a pedal box... i can't wait to get to this point because I have a set of SZ replica wheels to put on the car!

Step three: 1750 with lightened gear set transmission etc.

Haven't planned much beyond step two to be honest... See pics appropriated from the web for inspiration.

[rafael]

Matt
great project.

Do you have the parts that are unique to the SS? I mean parts like bumpers, lights, interior?

I assume that the technical parts can be sourced from other cars, and that panels can be made by a good panel beater.

[alfa soon]

Quote:

Originally Posted by rafael Matt great project. Do you have the parts that are unique to the SS? I mean parts like bumpers, lights, interior? I assume that the technical parts can be sourced from other cars, and that panels can be made by a good panel beater.

[Subtle]

Worthwhile project.

[alfazagato]

Did I miss something or do you not have the correct engine. If you do, forget step 3 and use the original engine. If you don't... then buy one! These cars are worth proper consideration and putting a 1750 engine and running gear will ruin it. Please reconsider!!!!!!!
As an aside I have just driven over 2000 miles in two weeks SF, LA, Palm Springs, Scottsdale, Grand Canyon, Las Vegas and SF. On one occasion over 540 miles in one day with a 1300 engine and no problems either with reliability or keeping up with traffic. Less is often more.

[Seattle Dan]

C'mon Stuart...ruin the car by putting in a 1750? I thought the unique aspect of these cars was their coachwork? Given the condition of this car, I'd encourage Matt to do everything he can to make it roadworthy so that other people can enjoy the visual aspects of the car.

Besides, the 1300 or 1600 in these cars weren't really all that different from the base engines - not like, for instance the M series cars from BMW where the engines are a completely different beast (or even for that matter the engine on some of your cars w/all of their magnesium parts). Yeah, they carry some souped up parts (and a lower deck height), but that's it.

I've got the original block for my Giulia SS out of the car with a regular Spyder 1600 in it. I've never had anyone that's stopped me, say "what's under the hood". They're too intrigued with the car to care.

Matt - go for it! Whatever you can do to get it on the road, I wish you the best and applaud you for taking on this challenge. The SS is a very, very pleasureable car to drive, no matter what's under the hood.

Cheers...Dan
65 Giulia SS
60 Euro 2000 Spyder

[velocedoc]

You can drive the car with out the bumpers, but there is someone out there with a SS parts car that can be a donor for yours. I would install the 1750 to get the car on the road and keep your eyes open for a 10121 series engine. Keep us posted on the restoration, the effort is well worth the results.

[alfa soon]

In no particular order...

I think the condition of this car is pretty low on the SS totem and would be considered a parts car in all fairness. That said, if anyone has a parts car for me -give me a shout out!

I don't have the original 00120 engine. I have a 59 101 interim Sprint normale engine and a 1750 engine to choose from. The Sprint engine is the original for my Sprint so I don't plan on doing anything with it except wait on the day it goes back in the Sprint. That leaves the 1750. I don't think any permanent modifications are required to put it in the SS. If someone comes up with an 00120 block I can afford I'll build that for the car. Anyone? I personally think an SS with a 1750 will be fun!

Thanks for the encouragement all, as I said earlier, the road will be long. I'll try and get this thread up to speed on the work I've already done. Daron has agreed to undertake repairing the drivers side headlight area that is all wonky. I just have to cut it out and get it to him.

[velocedoc]

I would look in Hemmings Motor News as a potential source. You might wind up putting a listing for parts wanted and see what shakes loose. I would also put a listing on the BB for SS parts wanted and The Alfa Owner reaches some others that might not frequent this website.

[italcarguy]

Matt,
Congrats on the project. I think I remember this car from the past. Was it ever in Washington?

I think I sold off all my SS parts, but when if I come across any, you'll be the first to know.

I really like the look of the light grey car you posted. What color will yours be?

[alfa soon]

Yes, the POS out of Washington. Four years ago it was way too expensive when a running project was $15,000, now... not a bad deal now at the current asking prices. I'm thinking gray... a little darker than the car in the photos. Kind of an SS GTA in medium gray. All I really want parts wise is the correct engine, the rest is gravy after that.

[TASOS CHATZ]

Today I was searching at ebay uk,fr,it and de (I am European based). Anyway I am sure I saw somewhere a listing for SS front bumper parts. Mayby you want to take a look.

[AR58SprintV]

Dear Matt,
It's not all that bad! Go for it. Put a runner in it 'till you get the right engine, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying it. Ready by the next Melee?
Cheers, Laurence
PS.
I just can't stop using my Giulietta either.

[alfa soon]

missing parts, dents and rust -OH MY!

I spent several hours on this rear corner dent. I rigged up a 4 foot level so it was perpendicular to the centerline of the car then measured to the mounting face for the tail lights, the dented side was pushed 1.5 inches in. I had to cut the little body support in the trunk corner out so I could get a good tap on the weld seam around the perimeter of the tail light and it quickly moved back into place. Next I tap tap tapped the dent in the corner until it was similar to the otherside by eyeballing it. Finally I made a cardboard template of the good sides inside and outside body curves and massaged it all to about 90% of correct. I blew the metal out in a few places, but that is what the welder is for, and my bodywork experience is all voyeuristic so this is my first time putting hammer and dolly to metal with any conviction.

Oh, and yes, I plan on getting the car blasted but I am still removing all the undercoating and have to wait until that is done.