jberth1 wrote:I've no desire for any late
model Fiat (except maybe a 20V Turbo Coupe
) and my main experience as a Fiat owner has been with 5, yes 5, 124 coupes.
Ah yes ... bitten!
In terms of 105 coupes, I have the 72 (which is a beautiful daily driver) and a 69 1750 GTV basket case (complete with the flying buttress seats). The 69 1750 is widely regarded as being the best of the 105 series - beautiful styling interior and exterior, well balanced, and, as you correctly point out, all of those new fangled features that the Japanese brought into their production line-ups in the early 90's ... like 4 wheel disc brakes, 5 speed gearboxes, DOHC engines.
But beign an owner of engines with both cam chains and belts, I must say that I am a sucker for the chains, and I note that some of the newer GM engies (IIRC) as well as a couple of other manufacturers, are heading down a cam chain path, because they're virtually maintenance free.
[/quote]I've set some fairly competative times around tracks such as Amaroo, and Oran Park against some nice 105 series Alfas though...[/quote]
My competetive days go back well beyond when I owned Alfas ... back to the days when I drove a Moke or a 180B while in the Mini Club.
But I have spent quite a bit of time at both of those circuits, even to being the chief timekeeper for AROCA's 6-hour at OP during the late 80's.
I have to say though, that Alfa has fallen from a once mighty high, and that the banging, crashing suspension they put on some
models now just doesn't stand up against what the French have been doing - hence my switch to French cars a few years back. Mind you, if a blue 147GTA comes along at the right price I'd be prepared to put up with the dodgy suspension....
Well, what the French do with their suspensions is nothing new; they've always been known for long travel with very effective dampening. But I don't think that there are any Gallic cars at the moment that will match, in terms of performance, what either of the GTAs will do, and it's a matter of the engine output that Alfas have, which the French do not have, that means that as supple as the French cars are, they will still be left standing by the Alfas when it comes to a journey from x to y.
That said, earlier this year we had a very close look at a new Pug 307cc but opted to buy an ultra-low mileage 7 year old 230SLK instead, and I must say that while I knew the handling of the Benz would be impeccable, its off the line performance is simply amazing. It's bloody quick, but so fuss-free, in a manner that only Mercedes can do.
Yes, I know the 2600 coupe you're talking about, but I didn't have time to take shots of everything there on the day - there must have been at least a hundred cars, so unfortunately the 2600 was passed over. It's a beautiful machine, but maybe grey wasn't such a good choice of colour though.
Can't disagree about the colour. IIRC, the 2600s' colour range wasn't as nice as that for the 105s.
I've been in the Fiat club for over 20 years, so these events are a regular thing for me. It's nice to share a common interest.
Speaking as an over 20 years member of AROCA, I can only agree.