Car appreciation... the aesthetics, the engineering, etc

I do not disagree with this statement. Next best fun I had in a small FWD was a 205 GTi. The alfasud though, something about the flat 4 sound and vibrations mixed with that chassis.... felt like the car was dancing.

Not sure about the sprint though, that felt awkward in comparison. Was not as well sorted.

Try a Fulvia, either early 1.2 coupe or the 1.3 HF.

The alfa shouldn't dance, maybe something else was up. I put a 33 16v engine in a later sprint and that did feel like a little to much power and spoiled the handling.

I've always liked the 145 shape

Saw one of these today, wouldn't say no

Always wanted a twinspark 145 and usually ended up with the early power engines with buggered cambelts as to get at them you hade to take the whole of the front end off. Lights, bumpers, rad and even the front slam panel. If there was work needed to the valves you were really stuck for space. No wonder they were cheap when it came to that service or failure.

Want 2.4jtd needs a clutch and drive shaft.

Peugeots of 20yrs ago had FWD handling down to a tee.
The 306, although a little fat was very lively and fun while still being comfortable.

Yes, 306, much easier to live with. In reality, I'm happy with a bit of "fat" or, structural integrity. My mates always bagged me out for having the 306, the opinion changed when they actually drove the thing though. Still miss my 306s!

Try a Fulvia, either early 1.2 coupe or the 1.3 HF.

The alfa shouldn't dance, maybe something else was up. I put a 33 16v engine in a later sprint and that did feel like a little to much power and spoiled the handling.

I think you misunderstand me, I mean dancing as in good, very good! Nimble, balanced and controllable with little throttle lifts and subtle steering inputs. And the sound, wow, perfect throbby engine note especially with the twin carbs. (wont mention the headache inducing petrol fumes)

I still miss my 306, as soon as the 405 is fixed and sold I'm looking to get a 205 or a 106, probably just base models as they're cheap to drive but still good fun. I probably have plenty of bits here to improve one.

I think you misunderstand me, I mean dancing as in good, very good! Nimble, balanced and controllable with little throttle lifts and subtle steering inputs. And the sound, wow, perfect throbby engine note especially with the twin carbs. (wont mention the headache inducing petrol fumes)

Ah smaller engines such as the 1.2 or 1.3 were all single carbs, did't yours have the cold air coming in from around the steering column?

Remember people sniff petrol to get high.

The Brockley Express is done. Pick up tomorrow. This is exciting.

Well speaking of minis breaking down - I've done over 1000 miles since owning it and it never has broken down so to speak. Never needed a breakdown truck and has always started first time (rain or not)
I made a new circuit board for the gauges so they work and have repaired quite a lot of things myself but as said before, I've spent around 2k now repairing the mistakes of years gone by of clueless owners and a lack of regular maintenance with professionals.
Tomorrow its back in the garage to have both brake servo and master cylinder replaced (found brake fluid inside when I took the servo out)
The brakes had been the last thing annoying me - the pedal would not fully return immediately. This is the last part of the brakes now that hasnt been changed and if the problem remains I will be very very confused indeed!
Gonna be pricey though - £200 in parts alone then a couple hours labour its gonna be around 300 before VAT %$£&!!!
But the drive home from the garage makes it all worth it and the car acts as a motivation for me to work harder and subsequently keep it on the road longer :)
p.s. literally cannot wait for cadwell park!

That Alfa Sprint is gorgeous. Almost half Corrado half Scirocco.
Quite a few mates have or had Sciroccos, probably one of my all time favourites.

Can we ban bodieandoyle for a week? lad's having a shocker

I'd push for a fortnight and negotiate.

Always wanted one of these after driving one 15 years ago... still not gone crazy enough yet...

Lovely.

What a dog.

Can we ban bodieandoyle for a week? lad's having a shocker

Ha!

I'd push for a fortnight and negotiate.

You bollocks - I'm a superb negotiator.

Three weeks.

Here we go - 3hrs...

Oh, if anyone liked that pic btw it is for sells as card/poster/print here...

Bluebird V on Daytona Beach http://t.co/vw89QUEG0E via @redbubble

Spotted in Chelsea

Mini now stops - success!

now to work on the blown v8.

i'll post some pics when i pick it up tonight.

Mini now stops - success!

Merc still doesn't, due to my spectacular lack of ability to organise anything.

I had a couple of really fucking hairy moments on the A1 at the weekend as the brake pedal took 4 goes to stop the car. I was properly shitting myself on the way back, but thankfully the traffic-free journey back kept them cool enough to work.

I will sort this shit out.

Now then, who can still get me cans of R12 and a refil pipe / gauge?
EEI?

I want working aircon, and I want it on the cheap.

Merc still doesn't, due to my spectacular lack of ability to organise anything.

I had a couple of really fucking hairy moments on the A1 at the weekend as the brake pedal took 4 goes to stop the car. I was properly shitting myself on the way back, but thankfully the traffic-free journey back kept them cool enough to work.

I will sort this shit out.

Now then, who can still get me cans of R12 and a refil pipe / gauge?
EEI?

I want working aircon, and I want it on the cheap.

it's about £45 to get the system checked and filled. if the seals are fucked, you will need to sort them, so i think it is a bit of a false economy to buy the gas and fill it yourself

Does anyone have a recco for someone who does Air-con in SE?

I need to get mine drained (if there's anything left in there) in order to get the compressor swapped to one that works, then refilled afterward.

it's about £45 to get the system checked and filled. if the seals are fucked, you will need to sort them, so i think it is a bit of a false economy to buy the gas and fill it yourself

R134 will just leak out anyway. I'm going to need a full conversion if I can't get R12.