Quote:
Originally posted by MARTIN H
About 15 years ago I had a Alfa 164 3.0v6 I loved it but it nearly bankrupted me! I ran it for 2 or 3 years and only about 30k miles and it went through either 5 or 6 clutches, just about everything electrical was replaced and then the cam belt snapped at 5pm on xmas eve and managed to bend everyone of the 12 valves (luckily this was before the 24valve engine) I remember the rebuild cost was astronomical even back then the valves were £60 each! It was a hoot to drive as it put all its power just through the front wheels and the torque steer was ridiculous it would pull the wheel out of your hands and veer from one side of the road to the other. It was so bad a mechanic friend who drove it proclaimed it to be the most dangerous car he had ever driven. What engine though I could not resist revving it to its limiter just to hear that howl.
As bad as it was I still get a little misty eyed when I see one on the road (rare)
Had a few classic italians in the past Lancia Fulvias and Alfa 2600 sprint, something quite special about them. |
I have a 1994 164 24v Cloverleaf (240 BHP through the front wheels) Acceleration from a stand still is a bit like tacking in a sailing boat..as long as you know you are not going to go in the direction you're pointing in, its fine. Once you're motoring, its a sheer joy to drive , and as Martin says, the engine note is stunning, so tempting to take it up to 7,000 rpm in every gear . I budget about £1,000 a year for servicing and would not consider selling it for something newer. I have had 3 164s and a 24V GTV, and none of them have ever let me down. Interior build quality is a bit shonky, but bodywork / chassis / running gear is almost germainic in build quality and the best thing? They don't even make them in yellow !!!