Wednesday 28 November 2007
Today I started this Blog page with the intention of posting my progress on a restoration project of a 1969 1750 Alfa Romeo Spider.
What has prompted me to get started is notice from my homeowners association indicating that I needed to... "Do something with the MG like primer colored vehicle in the driveway." Looks like this project needs to get into gear.
I purchased this Alfa a couple years ago from a gentleman in California whose wife was not happy with his project taking too long to complete. Now that I have had the car for a couple years and have had time to research the parts necessary to bring the car to the level I want, the project must make some headway.
The project is rather ambitious. The car appears to be complete with all the normal rust spots for an Alfa Romeo. Here's what needs to be done. The pictures below show the condition of the car when it arrived.
- Sheet metal and bodywork
- Rocker Panels
- All floor panels
- Nose cone - with appropriate bump aligned with grill
- Rear wheel well arches
- Front wheel well arches
- Jack points
- Straighten and align trunk lid
- Repair trunk hinges
- Fabricate trunk latch - Any photos of working latches would be appreciated
- Find nearby location to acid dip body to strip off all paint and filler
- Suspension, brakes and wheels
- Remove all suspension parts and inspect - replace if necessary
- Have all metal suspension and brake parts powder coated
- Replace worn shocks
- Rebuild brake master cylinder
- Rebuild brake vacuum boosters - re-coat with appropriate finish
- Replace hard brake lines
- Replace flexible brake lines with braided SS
- Replace front rotors with vented discs
- Refinish "TURBINA" wheels - mount new Michelin tires
- Interior
- Remove seats, dash, rubber floor mats, top bows, steering wheel, door panels and all trim
- Powder coat seat parts
- Have seats redone by local shop - black leather
- Install wood steering wheel and wooden shift knob
- Install sound deadening mat on floor and door panels
- install carpet set for front and back
- Powder coat top bows and helper springs
- Replace all rubber seals for doors, windows, trunk and hood
- Engine
- Test compression and perform leak down
- Remove all components from engine compartment - prepare for paint
- Pressure test radiator - re-core if necessary
- Remove Spica injection system
- Install Weber electronic fuel injection
- Replace ignition system with electronic ignition from RML
- Port match European manifold to Weber throttle bodies
- Install remote oil filter and cooler - fabrication required
- Replace all fluid lines with aircraft grade lines and connections
- Replace header with new
- Move battery to trunk
- Climate Control
- Remove heater coil - refurbish if necessary
- Install custom AC from Frigette
- Compressor to reside in place of SPICA fuel injection pump
- Replace vent tubes
- Finish
- Crinkle coat paint on valve cover
- Paint brake calipers with brake paint
- Refinish all bright work
- Grind and polish all aluminum parts
- Paint body in original Ivory color
