Still can't shake the old Alfas, huh?

First generation Spider. The Giulietta Spider.

Before the "Duetto". Before the "Graduate".

^^^ Nice!

Old Alfas are really cool and quite beautiful, but you will be swearing at the Italian engineers on a daily basis after owning a well engineered Japanese car. There are several Alfas that race in Chump and the only ones that do well are the ones owned by the grizzled old guys who have lived and breathed Italian cars for 40 years.

Like Guy hinted at, do it, but not until you can ADD one to the garage next to the Z rather than replacing your pride and joy.

You should drive one first to see if you like how they feel. Don't forget that Jon Morton kicked one's a$$ over a season with a 510. I've gotten to the point where I can admire and appreciate the architecture and art of certain cars without feeling the need to own them.

Edited January 24, 201411 yr by tlorber

I've always loved the E-Type, but don't think I'd get rid of my 240Z to get one. Attached are some pics of my 240Z next to an E-Type at Katie's Cars and Coffee in Great Falls Virginia from last fall. I've only seen one or two other nice 240Z at Katie's. There are usually a half dozen E-Types...

[ATTACH=CONFIG]69352[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]69353[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]69354[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]69355[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]69356[/ATTACH]

From my personal opinion, I don't like the E-type design, the back end is really weird and out of proporsions, but that could be me..

You guys are great.

I mean really great!

Thanks so much. The Z will be staying.

Just put some alfa badges on your z..... most don't know the difference.

and if you want Italian just do a 250 GTZ kit.

OK, I admit it's a very cute little car. It looks quite a bit like a bimmer.

Before you buy into a different car model, just be careful to size up the support, whether it be parts or fellow enthusiasts to advise you. That would be my objection to the E-Type. I mean... come one! It's drop-dead gorgeous! However, parts are more of an issue, as I understand it. Furthermore, it's not the sort of car I could feel comfortable driving to the grocery store. I'd end up looking at it a lot in the garage and finding excuses to make little roadtrips on the parkway. I sold a gorgeous 1966 Mustang that was too perfect to drive. It was not a fun car, because I was too terrified to scratch it. The Jag would be somewhat the same, unless it were in less than pristine condition, in which case it wouldn't make a good DD because of parts issues.

The Pantera? That would be a brief fling. It would be another jewel in the garage (like the Mustang) that I would soon realize is no fun to own. So I'd fix it up and sell it.

The GT2000? I'd do an all-out restoration and sell her for top dollar, and she'd be a fond memory for the rest of my life.

But frankly, after all of this, I'd return to the Z. And if/when the Z becomes too old to be a practical DD, with parts support (and people support) dwindling I think the Miata will be my car of choice. I own one now, and the little car is a real kick! However, the Z is one of those "just right" cars.

But yes, I can understand your love affair with the little Alfa! Do what sings to your heart!

DeTomaso? Egads...

I worked on a Mangusta once, one of the biggest POS ever. If the Pantera shares anything with the Mangusta, I'd assume the same goes for the Pantera. Cool to look at but don't look too closely, and don't even think about working on it...

For the price of that kit I am sure I could buy an alfa!!!

71 Datsun 240z w/ Ferrari GTO kit

My first car inherited. I had to make it run, and fix the rust. I mastered the SPICA injection, and then on a trip to Italy, I pulled DCOE Doubles and an intake in a Milan junkyard for $100,000 lire. About $60. I added some hot Ereminas cams and the car was incredible. The music!

The only thing that you need to get used to is the driving position. The Italian cars are pretty far off from everything else....mainly the pedal to steering wheel position.

Me next to it when it was new in the family.

Now I have a 240 and a 280 but REALLY have the GTV bug myself. I feel your pain.

check the last pic in the vintage racing pic thread