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SPORTS CARS OF THE '70s

134 messages,  Last post on Jul 12, 2010 at 6:18 PM

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What is this discussion about? Classic Cars, Coupe, Convertible, Truck, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 14 of 14

#125 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [Mr_Shiftright] by andys120

Jun 29, 2010 (10:29 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 29, 2010 8:01 am)
....be prepared to pay $15K--$25K for a nice one without swiss-cheese body and mangled mechanicals.
 
That's a bargain for one of the best looking and most useful Gran Turismos ever built.

#126 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 29, 2010 (10:55 am)

Replying to: andys120 (Jun 29, 2010 10:29 am)
Compared to buying a stone-age Chevelle "clone" of similar vintage and price, yes indeed. But compared to a Fiat 124 sport coupe, or MG GT or BMW 2002 for less than half the money, then maybe not.

#127 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [Mr_Shiftright] by andys120

Jun 29, 2010 (11:54 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 29, 2010 10:55 am)
But compared to a Fiat 124 sport coupe, or MG GT or BMW 2002 for less than half the money, then maybe not.
 
I'm surprised you'd say that because every time I've described the Alfa-like qualities of the 124 Sports you're the one who jumps in and says that the Alfas are much better made (something I've kinda doubted since they got their bodies from the same place and their electrics and switchgear are mostly (ugh!) Marelli and they usually all had Weber carbs, I know... some Alfas had SPICA F.I.---I'll take the Webers thank you).
 
I find myself doubting you could find a very nice 2002 for the same dough.
 
I like MGB-GTs but it was only half the car the Alfa GTVs were

#128 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 29, 2010 (12:46 pm)

Replying to: andys120 (Jun 29, 2010 11:54 am)
Oh 2002s are CHEAP right now, especially if you pick the later "square tail light" models. You could probably buy 3 2002s for one nice GTV. Of course, a late 2002 is heavy, slow and not a whole lotta fun to drive, and no 4 cylinder German engine of the day revs like a 1750 Alfa motor. Your only equivalent to a GTV would be the 2002 Tii, and they are still not as pricey (but getting close).
 
Fiats are cheaper than Alfas...perhaps not as vast a difference as between a VW and a Porsche from the 60s, that's true, but the Alfa uses better materials all 'round and fit and finish are better. Fiats in the 60s really were quite cheesy.
 
I personally wouldn't be quick to diss the MG GT---this is a very pleasant well-made car---somewhat stone-age compared to a GTV or a 2002---but fun to drive, with a torquey engine, and great utility as a little hatchback. Also much easier to fix than the German or Italian equivalents, (you could repair one shopping for parts at Home Depot) and much cheaper and easier parts accessibility. You could mail order an entire MGB in pieces to your house if you wanted to. You can even buy new bodies for them. Neither BMW nor Alfa has this level of aftermarket support--although both are good relative to most 70s cars.
 
Another nice MGB-GT feature is the overdrive transmission.
 

#129 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [Mr_Shiftright] by martian

Jun 30, 2010 (5:22 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 27, 2010 6:33 am)
Shifty, thanks for your opinion. Would a 4 cylinder GTV be a better option? Kinda slow, but the Alfa 4 is fun to wind up.
I have a problem-my local Alfa mechanic has closed up shop and retired!

#130 of 134 Re: How Much for a Good 1975-80 Alfa-Romeo GTV? [martian] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 30, 2010 (7:47 am)

Replying to: martian (Jun 30, 2010 5:22 am)
You mean the Alfetta GT, 1975-79? No, I don't recommend buying one of those. If you mean the earlier GTV---you can make those go pretty fast actually, with some imagination.

#131 of 134 Shifty: by jrosasmc

Jul 12, 2010 (4:36 pm)

Have you ever owned or driven a Fiat 850 Spider, the little cars that were designed by Bertone and made in the early 70s? I just saw one this morning and I thought, boy is that thing tiny!
 
I also read somewhere that it was extremely vulnerable to rust.

#132 of 134 Re: Shifty: [jrosasmc] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 12, 2010 (5:56 pm)

Replying to: jrosasmc (Jul 12, 2010 4:36 pm)
Yeah a while back I drove one. Pretty gutless, cheaply built. Not very exciting but pleasant enough on a summer's day--if you aren't in a hurry.

#133 of 134 Re: Shifty by jrosasmc

Jul 12, 2010 (6:13 pm)

IIRC, the 850 Spiders used a 904cc 4-cylinder engine (or something like that). Less than a liter!? I wouldn't want to be in a collision with, say, a Suburban or Explorer if I owned one.

#134 of 134 Re: Shifty [jrosasmc] by texases

Jul 12, 2010 (6:18 pm)

Replying to: jrosasmc (Jul 12, 2010 6:13 pm)
"I wouldn't want to be in a collision with, say, a Suburban or Explorer if I owned one. "
 
Or a Civic, or a smart...or a Labrador retriever...

Messages Page 14 of 14

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