buying a berlina

[Aussiegtv6]

Hi I am looking at puchasing a 1970 berlina. I was just wanting some ideas of any problem areas in which i should keep an eye out for and also wanted to know how much one would be worth (in australia) that is good mechanically but has a bit of rust.

I currently have a GTV6 and now am hooked on the look of the berlina.

Thanks

[py105]

Hey aussiegtv6, whereabouts are you??

What should a lina be worth is an odd question, because average cars can be VERY cheap - and "good mechanically" can mean anything from rebuilt mechanicals to low mileage and operating original.

If you're in melbourne and this is the one I'm thinking of then you're talking the lower end of the spectrum and probably shouldnt pay too much more than 2-3K.

To look for is rust everywhere basically - and badly repaired crash damage as many body panels for Berlina are unavailable. Also check that chromework and all the trim bits and pieces are on the car or in a box or somewhere, because these things are both hard to find and expensive.

There arent really any problems specific to Berlina, but for a better guide go to www.berlinaregister.com and view the buyers guide there.

If you're in Melbourne I'd be happy to check the car out with/for you as well, I'm always enthused by putting another lovely 4dr on the roads again.

Ciao

Pete

[101/105guy]

And it will make a great thread about the resto!!!

[italiansedanman]

Here in Australia, I think its a good time to buy Berlinas. Py105 will agree, the Berlina is now where the Giulia Super was in value terms a few years and more ago. They were the poor cousin to any 105 GT, and then they became appreciated. Same now for the Berlina I think. Good cars are south of five grand and offer good value. Far fewer Berlinas have been modified or bastardised than Giulia Supers and so I think there are a few out there wit original wheels and caps, all the trim, respectable interiors yad, yada, yada. I think Melbourne, as always have several to offer at the moment. I'm sure many people on the BB will agree that a decent Berlina wouldn't be too bad a place to spend a bit of money in the next couple of years as I think here in Australia the model has seen rock bottom for value and now we'll see them climb, especially when there is group appreciation through AROC and Alfa BB.

Alfa Romeo Berlina; nice car, good value, good fun.

[italiansedanman]

As an example of what good value Berlinas are;

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/1975-Alfa-Ber...QQcmdZViewItem

Okay, its an Automatic - but its in lovely, lovely nick.

[py105]

That car has previously had a 5 figure price on it as well... Still, having just returned from a scintillating drive in the 5M 1750, I just dont think an auto would cut it

[Aussiegtv6]

Thanks everyone for your help. I am hopefully going to look at one this weekend. And PY105, yes i am in melbourne and i will let everyone know how i go.

[italiansedanman]

Yeah Py, know what you mean. When we bought our BMW 2002 it was an Auto - same ZF box as the Berlina Auto. A real Dog. Needless to say, as soon as it expired, it was replaced by a 5-speed Manual. An Alfa 105 with an auto bix just doesn't stand to reason.

[py105]

Well, with engines that love to rev it (and make all their power up there) I just cant imagine how it would ever have been possible to really get the best out of it. Especially as autoboxes in the 70s had none of todays computer mapping, holding gears, throttle blipping downshifts etc etc...

[italiansedanman]

No, you definately cant make the most out of either an Alfa twin cam or a BMW M10 with an autobox, but I think in the seventies it was a prestige novelty to offer these cars with autoboxes as options. My mechanic in Melbourne refers to them as "boatanchors". I think we have to remember that Alfas and BM's were just as much ladies cars as they are today, back in the seventies, and the more they could sell - the better.

[py105]

What kinda lady drives a 2000 Berlina?!! (that said, I wouldnt mind meeting her )