The Three Italians

2105 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by sjmst, Oct 5, 2007

sjmst

Discussion Starter · Sep 24, 2007

Pininfarina at its best!

My three cars:

1) 1981 Fiat Spider (I am the original owner)
2) 1995 Alfa Romeo 164 LS
3) 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider.

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1 - 11 of 11 Posts

Very nice cars you have there. Your 164's paint job looks suberb.

I'm very fond of the 124 spiders, I had the pleasure of driving a freshly restored one a few years ago. Incidently I also had the "pleasure" of breaking its clutch cable. I know there are ten years difference in your spiders but do you get more of a kick from the fiat or alfa?

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Grant

· #3 · Sep 24, 2007

Comparison please!

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sjmst

Discussion Starter · #4 · Sep 24, 2007

Grant said:
Comparison please!

Despite the similarities (both Italian, 2.0 liter, designed around 1966) they feel quite different.

FIAT:

The Fiat has a more bare bones roadster feel to it. It has a direct feel to everything and you can tell it is a very basic design. Fairly smooth ride, but at speeds over 65, you really know you are in a small car. The gear shifting and power is also more linear and smooth than the Alfa. The Fiat’s materials are not as nice as the Alfa, but not far behind. Mine happens to be Bronze with a creamy beige top and interior. Very attractive, IMHO.

ALFA:

The Alfa has a nice ride, and you feel more secure at 70 mph than the Fiat. On the other hand, it seems to be less stable if you make a sudden move. It gives the impression you could flip it if you gave the wheel a sharp turn at high speed. The synchros are weak (a common problem) and it is easy to grind a gear. Also, you have to keep the revs up when moving off in first gear, or it will move off slow and weak.

The Alfa has A/C, which is a nice luxury when it is muggy out-I don’t care what anyone says about “It’s a convertible, you don’t need air”..Bull!

The interior is an almost orangey tan leather, but still nice. The “suede” inserts look and feel great, but do not hold up well.

Lastly, the thing that some claim they DON’T like is my favorite feature: The POWER steering. What a pleasure having that is.

As to my particular Fiat, I am the original owner, so I would never part with it. But if that were not the case and I had to choose one (which would be VERY hard to do) I would choose the Alfa.

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Peter

· #5 · Sep 24, 2007

they all look great, but that paint job on the 164 looks amazingly shiny!

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sjmst

Discussion Starter · #6 · Sep 24, 2007

Peter said:
they all look great, but that paint job on the 164 looks amazingly shiny!

Thanks.
The 164 has had the trunk and hood repainted. Virtually flawless match. The rest of the car was in excellent shape already. It only has 47,000 miles on it.

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crashmctavish

· #7 · Sep 24, 2007

I love the Fiat, personally Im not a pinin lover, yet most of the Bertone stuff I really like. Guess we are all different.

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Dolce86

· #8 · Sep 28, 2007

Beautiful trio you've got there!!! Being a fellow Long Islander (Western Suffolk) Perhaps we'll be able to run into each other one day. Next year I do plan on getting involved in the NYAROC so I can attend some local events and get to know some fellow Alfisti.

Echo others comments about the paint on the 164 - Sweet!
Get the top down this weekend - it is supposed to be gorgeous. My wife and I will be making a run to the wineries this weekend - no children

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sjmst

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 1, 2007

Dolce86 said:
Beautiful trio you've got there!!! Being a fellow Long Islander (Western Suffolk) Perhaps we'll be able to run into each other one day. Next year I do plan on getting involved in the NYAROC so I can attend some local events and get to know some fellow Alfisti.

Echo others comments about the paint on the 164 - Sweet!
Get the top down this weekend - it is supposed to be gorgeous. My wife and I will be making a run to the wineries this weekend - no children

Yes, let me know, that would be great.
Sam