Alfa Pages

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

Well, I got my 1.7 Twin Carb Alfa 33 in June 2004. Originally I'd wanted a Nissan Pulsar/ Holden Astra but was talked into a 33 buy my Alfa Mechanic boyfriend. I was a little aprehensive at first but slowly got into the idea of an Alfa. All the Pulsars we were looking at were rusted out s***- boxes anyway. So an Alfa was a step up. Plus, I have Italian heritage so it seemed like a good idea.

We started shopping around, and came across the worst.... a very cheap series 1, with structural rust... an owner who wouldn't budge on the price when it wasn't worth anything near what he was asking.... and a few other crazy people.... Until we came across this one. We strolled into the garage to see two 33 sitting in front of us (a red series 2, and a charcoal IE). I wanted a charcoal one as I wanted to put in pink seats and stuff. Unfortunately he was selling the red one, but after and inspection and drive, my boyfriend thought it was a great choice and we decided to buy the car.

I was set on repainting it charcoal, but was saving up the money. A few months after buying the car I'd lent it to my bf for the day, but got a call from him during the day to tell me he'd had an accident. It was only scratches down the side of the car, and no major damage ($2500 worth though!!). After getting the money off the insurance company finally I could get it fixed. Seeing as it was going to be cheaper I decided to repaint the whole thing while they were at it. So after prepping most of the car, and pulling it all apart (minus the engine) it went the painters.

A few weeks later I saw my car (in bits) but finally charcoal. A few weeks after that and we'd finally got it pretty much back together. All with ‘new’ black carpet (originally red), and ‘new’ black roof lining (originally white), and ‘new’ seats coz mine were gone. And due to getting less damaged doors from the bf's work's parts they didn't fit so well (gotta love alfa's build quality... lol) So now the doors leak a bit (needs new seals anyway), and the panels aren't EXACTLY aligned. But I'm willing to forgo that coz it looks so cool.

I'm working on getting the skirts painted a bright pink (I know, most people cringe at hearing this.. but give me a break I'm a chic and LOVE pink). Plus I have pink seat covers, and made my own door trims out of grey faux fur. I’ve got a pink 'Think Pink' decal on the back windscreen, as well as a green serpent on the rear left window.

Next is the gear box rebuild (2nd and reverse are GONE), and then a total engine rebuild. We're installing power steering, and possibly changing it over to fuel injection (but not sure if I want to lose my webers.... Sad

), and putting in the sway bars that didn't come on my model. I think my bf has some other plans... like changing the hubs over and putting in stronger brakes, but I'm not quite sure Confused

I’ll try and get up some original and ‘now’ photos ...

Hope you like her... I love her. And don't think I'll ever sell her.. despite wanting to get a 156 in a year or so, and also wanting a 145. Can't wait till she's completely finished (but will that ever happen....lol) Smile

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Quadrifoglio Rosa

gritsop · Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2005 4:21 pm Post subject:

Hi,

Nice to see a young lady infected with the Alfa Virus Very Happy

Keep up the good work.

Regards,
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Thanassis Gritsopoulos
1991 Alfa 33 1.4 IE
2001 Alfa 147 1.6 Distinctive

http://www.alfa-restoration.co.uk
Parts Shop: www.alfa-restoration.co.uk/shop

James Granger · Alfa 33 Joined: 10 Apr 2003 Posts: 302

G'day there!

You have to show some pics because I'm curious about the "chic look!" Being a designer, it's always fascinating to see what people do to personalise their cars. Wink

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

So here she is! Isn't she beautiful Very Happy

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Quadrifoglio Rosa

johnboy · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 8:22 pm Post subject:

Hi

Nice clean car,cool seats i like it Wink

regards john
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

ChrisC · Alfa Sprint Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 152 Location: Frome

That interior is mad! glad youve got it how you like it though.
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Alfa Sprint QV - Gone to a better home and in happier health for it
Silver Lancia Beta HPE Volumex - under restoration

paulhide · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject:

Yep, the car looks cute Cool

But I recommend sticking with the carbs and not going to power steering as you'll lose some feel and that's not a good thing. I just drove a 1.5 series 2 with power steering and was not impressed, especially at higher speed where it felt like it was wandering every now and then. I have a 1.5 series 2, a 1.7 series 2 and a series 3 P4 with standard power steering and I definitely prefer non-power steering. In fact the series 2 non-power steering can be very easy to turn if you pay attention to the tire pressures and strut pan bearings (and make sure the steering rack is in good nick/well greased). Yep, looking again, definitely cute. Very Happy

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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

Ben_nz · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 10:48 am Post subject:

Yeah, don't swap the car to fuel injection. There's no point putting more Italian electrics in your Italian car, especially if that'll make it sound worse and go slower.

The pink fur isn't as bad as I thought. Some would say an Italian car should be classy and stylish and that your seat covers are tacky... but in that grey colour the car could look a bit dull and German otherwise. It needs some colour to make it fun and slightly mad, like a 33 should be. Very Happy

I have red and black seat covers in my black 33.

Where did you get the new black carpet and headlining? How much did it cost?

johnboy · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 11:29 am Post subject:

Hi people

im with ben as to the italian electrics and paul with the steering,keep it stantard.but a 16v in a series 2 would be nice trust me Wink

even tho mines dead at the moment,thanks to the electrics. Twisted Evil

all the best john
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet

kaBOOM · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:43 pm Post subject:

I am the_angels mechanic boyfriend (incase you haven't guessed)

Uh the EFI system is actually lifed from a Holden JE Camira, running the delco 808 EFI system. The system is also used on the Holden VN Commodore, Holden Astra and Nissan N13 pulsar. Here is the whole shooting gallery running on a bench through a Alfa 33 Dizzy: (Pic taken at a recent Alfa club tech night we ran at the shop)

So yeah we are dealing with Australian/American electronics

There is no way in hell I'm running a supercharged motor with a Carb. The last boxer race motor for the sirius ran a 2-1/2inch SU and blew to bits on a backfire event (still 22psi of boost on a 1.4L motor is not the best) The supercharged motor is going to sit in there as a temp, so I can rebuild her 1.7 twincarb which is getting a little lon gin the tooth (or at least clean the thing up)

As for brakes, I have this system ready to go, I just need some time (and I got to sort out a few other issues with her car) *sigh* she got the spare set of brakes from my VL Commodore...

As for the colour see it in the sunlight, its got lots of extra perl and sparkle in the paint. Its a (modded) Ford AU Falcon colour, Starlight charcoal or something like that.......

Guest · Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:45 pm Post subject:

Well I don't wanna lose the carbs but the mechanic/bf wants to use my car as a test bed for converting to and IE. You don't quite understand webers until you've driven with them and then you're in love!! I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm happy for power steering, but there's difficulty with keeping the air cond coz of limited room in the engine bay.
We got the headlining and carpet at a place that wrecks cars (bascially a big junk yard of cars and you can buy the bits you want). All second hand, and quite cheap, just needed a bit of a clean. You can occasionally find bits on ebay too.

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

Ahh dammit I forgot to log in..... GRRRR Evil or Very Mad

To feel better I'll just go for a drive and rev her up to 6 grand.... mwhahahahah..... Twisted Evil

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Quadrifoglio Rosa

paddy granger · Alfa Sprint Joined: 12 Aug 2003 Posts: 248

Eddie W · Posted: Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:49 am Post subject:

All the boys are in love with the Angel. How about a plate "alfachic". My wife also is Italian and loves Alfas. Enjoy.
Regards Eddie
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A LITTLE FURTHER A LITTLE FASTER

kaBOOM · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 1:11 am Post subject: Uh oh.....

And I get abused by her for not being a Alfa freak Rolling Eyes

Damn Commodore drivers she says......lol

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

Yeah well I drove the "damn commodore" last night. Damn makes me love the alfa even more!!! Wouldn't give her up for the world. I was like 'where is the good noise when you rev her up???'
I still have to get the pics of when she was still red up. If I can find them somewhere... well I have a few prints (back before the digital camera.... haha...) I think I scanned them in sometime. Oh well.
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Quadrifoglio Rosa

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

Well, we've done up some dummy skirts to see how they'll look on the car. Post them when I get them on the server (soon! really soon!). Just wanna see what people think. I think it looks good (maybe I'm biased??!!) But others think its not so good...

It's acrylic paint, while the car is two-pack. So want the skirts to be the same sparkle/pearl, so will match the car perfectly!

Merry christmas everyone! Hope santa brings what you want. I'm hoping for a factory pink 147.... hmmm........ Confused

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Quadrifoglio Rosa

the_angel · Alfasud Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Posts: 32 Location: Australia

Well, what do you think???

(in theory the pink will go all the way around the car, but thinking perhaps to leave the front off, and the back the charocal colour)

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Quadrifoglio Rosa

Guest · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:33 am Post subject:

any thoughts at all?

Though I probably will go ahead despite anyhing I hear!

kaBOOM · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:35 am Post subject:

Oops, I forgot to log on. And now I've logged in under the bf's name. Oh well!
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All of the worlds problems can be solved by positive manifold pressure Wink

paulhide · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:37 am Post subject:

Definitely go for it! It is chique whatever that means. Very Happy

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Owner's Club 33 Registrar. Now from P4 & S2 1.7 QV
http://www.alfa-pages.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=5188

johnboy · Posted: Sun Jan 08, 2006 12:53 pm Post subject:

HI Angel

Yeah go for it.thats what alfas are all about.they make you stand out in the crowd Wink

regards john
_________________
WODA WE NEED? MORE POWER!!

Alfa gt jtdm blackline
1990 S2 16v veloce sleeping!
2002 ts gtv the wifes now
1997 seadoo gsx 800
1999 freestyle superjet