Thought I’d introduce my Alfas...

Nayf

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2,734
I started my love affair with a blue 156 Selespeed Sportwagon. In hindsight not the finest car but compared to my first car, an 8v Vectra, it was every bit the miniature Maserati. Blue metallic over blue leather, with pepperpots, I loved it even if in the three months I had it the fuel tank float often conspired to leave me by the side of the road on two thirds full. Eventually it all came to a messy end with a Fiat Punto and then a Rover 25 climbing up the bonnet after the chap four cars ahead slammed the anchors on at the precise second I was checking my mirrors. My fault and I’ve never tailgated ever since.

Of course, three months wasn’t long enough for the Selespeed system to reveal its mishevous self. That came one year and a truly dreadful Renault Laguna later. This 156 Selespeed Sportwagon was black with red leather, and with such a goth colour combo I should have expected demons. Over four years I loved it, even though the Selespeed pump failed twice, requiring costly replacement. The last one was particularly memorable, as it boiled the hydraulic fluid by the side of the road on the A47, so that I could somehow - god knows how - hear it mangling gears as I clasped the key in my hands. Eventually after fixing that it completely lost reverse gear, and I gave in, selling it for £300. It’s probably a selection of office chairs now.

So fast forward five years to 2017, and after two spells in Mercedes-Benz W123s as toy cars, I fancied my dream car - a 156 GTA. Sadly I’m 6ft 7 and the GTA seats are huge, so I was a good six inches too tall. That meant GT or 147 GTA, so I chose 147. It just looks mean, beefy and brutal.
I was doing an investment feature on the GT 3.2 V6 for the mag when the owner, the dealer principal at Chris Variava in Nottingham and AROC stalwart, mentioned he had a 147 GTA for sale. I sold my W123 Coupe (eventually) and bought it nearly outright with the proceeds.
Since buying it I’ve spent a fair bit getting the underside sorted to my taste, although the previous owner had spent big on it already. As standard the steering was a little floaty over transitions and a bit unnerving. So I’ve had an Eibach ProStreet S coilover kit and ARBs fitted. It handles brilliantly now, though ride comfort is, let’s say compromised. Imagine a GranSport in Sport mode!
But I love it - it’s a proper character and luxurious with it. I wouldn’t really call it a hot hatch - its not really a B-road machine. It more like a GT hatch, really.
Here’s a pic.
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There are still jobs to do - the paintwork needs work, plus there’s always temptation - carbon intake, fruity exhaust - but I’m really prepping for big expenditure on a new clutch and cambelt in a year or so’s time (£750 each, thereabouts).

I’ve also bought another Alfa - more on that in post two...
 

Nayf

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2,734
Ever since the 156 Selespeed departed for £300 my dailies have been pure bangernomics. A Focus MkI with a CVT box (handled well, plenty of good memories, none of them about the terrible gearbox), a BMW 318i E46, a Peugeot 406 Estate, another Focus MkI (they really are great cars). The 406 was beyond economical repair so it went late last year.
I’d always fancied a 166, a facelft. I very nearly went for a pre-facelift V6 at auction but I couldn’t match the bids (it sold for £1000 over my budget).
In the end my good friend Ant at AutoSportivo in Bedford sources a 166 Ti Twin Spark. True, 155bhp in a 166 takes some mental readjustment especially as the control surfaces are very similar to my 147, but this is for my 12-mile commute to work. Aside from the fuel economy, the clutch and cambelt are a third of the cost of the V6. 72,000 miles, one family ownership. Deal done - it’s currently getting its cambelt done and there are a few issues - as you would expect for a £700 car - but it’s great for cruising into work. Just wish the heater worked properly...
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The only downside is that I own two silver cars. I’ve never liked silver cars much - I much prefer blue (for fairly obvious Trident-related reasons) but I’d be lying if I didn’t like the way they look together...

The dream car is a Maserati GranSport LE - in blue! - but that’s not looking too likely soon. As long as I’m not tempted by 145 Cloverleafs or Civic Type R EP3s, I’ll maybe get there...
 

allandwf

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10,958
Love Alfas here too. Had two 145s, two 147s all from new. 2 x 3.0 GTVs. Currently have a 3.0 Spider, a phase 3 2.0JTS Spider, and a 3.2 Q4 Qtronic Brera.. Phew, driveway wouldn't look right Alfa less.
 
G

Guest 1678

Guest
Nayf - lovely write up.

Currently have several Alfa’s in the fold - 147 GTA Selespeed, Spider S4, Sud TiX and a Stelvio. Have owned over 20 in the past 30 years. An Alfasud Ti started me on my journey to having owned 4 (so far) Maseratis, all now departed and finally a Ferrari 599.

What can I say - ItLian cars are addictive.

However, the car that still gives me the greatest grin is the Sud. 95 bhp of genius. The most awe inspiring my 599. The one I absolutely connected with - Gransport.

All I need now is one that combines the lot! Long may the hunt continue to Nirvana.
 

Nayf

Member
Messages
2,734
Nayf - lovely write up.

Currently have several Alfa’s in the fold - 147 GTA Selespeed, Spider S4, Sud TiX and a Stelvio. Have owned over 20 in the past 30 years. An Alfasud Ti started me on my journey to having owned 4 (so far) Maseratis, all now departed and finally a Ferrari 599.

What can I say - ItLian cars are addictive.

However, the car that still gives me the greatest grin is the Sud. 95 bhp of genius. The most awe inspiring my 599. The one I absolutely connected with - Gransport.

All I need now is one that combines the lot! Long may the hunt continue to Nirvana.
Alfa Romeo 8C? It manages to be a Maserati and an Alfa at the same time.

Or a 612 Scaglietti... hmmm. Not a huge Ferrari fan but they really appeal...
 

Evo Cymru

Member
Messages
688
Good read - thanks for posting. I really enjoyed my 156 GTA although the standard suspension was disappointing and my knee did not like the heavy clutch.... I have considered trying a selespeed version, perhaps a 147 this time? I see there are a few being imported now. NB this is of course the GTA selespeed I am referring to, not the standard one which is oft referred to as 'selefield' by the specialists...
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
Had way too many Alfas, still have 3. Jamie Porter has a 147GTA for sale which tempts me always fancied one. I am also on the look out for a 3.2 facelift 166Ti but they are rare as rocking horse droppings
 

Andyk

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61,038
Great write up...Same as above lots of Alfas....Fallen in love and out of love with some....My Selespeed 156 Sportwagon was one that I feel out of love with.....pile of poo but maybe if I had gone manual it may have been a different story. V6 GTV's was definitely the highlight of Alfa ownership for me.