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YOUR RESEARCHMy New Project Car...Italian and Not a Fire Victim
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only getting worse
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It's hard to stop even though you know the problem is only getting worse.
My New Project Car...Italian and Not a Fire Victim
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Leading evidence: 'only getting worse' (1 discussions report identifying this cause; no attributable repair resolution). Across 1 matching discussions, the most frequently mentioned possible cause is 'only getting worse' (1 discussions; 1 report identifying it and 0 suggest it). The most frequently discussed action is 'Replace technique of the 996' (1 discussions). For that action, 0 discussions report a resolution and 0 report an unsuccessful attempt. No action has an explicit, attributable resolution report under the current rules. These are forum reports and suggestions, not a confirmed diagnosis.
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I kind of like the diagnose and replace technique of the 996.
My New Project Car...Italian and Not a Fire Victim
Set valve lash...at least, i can kind of understand those
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Suggestion · Original poster
salayc, I did forget about the joys of balancing multiple carbs, gaping points, and setting valve lash...at least, I can kind of understand those.
My New Project Car...Italian and Not a Fire Victim
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Hi Guys. I have been going through project car withdrawls, since I completed my last crispy critter 996. Here is my latest project. Both the Alfa and Maserati have been stored in my brother's garage for the last 25 years. My brother is a serious pack rat. I cringed when I saw the refuse piled up on the aluminum bodied Maserati.
The Alfa is a 1966 GTV and the Maserati is a 1959 3500GT. The Alfa actually started and moved under it's own power. I am cleaning up the Alfa prior to Ebaying it. Hopefully it's sale will fund a large portion of the Maserati restoration.
I found the Maserati advertised in a throw away paper, back when I was in college (about 1980). The owner was asking $3,500 and she had just paid to have the engine completely rebuilt. It needed a new second gear. My brother bought it and told me he would sell it back to me, when I could afford it. He removed the transmission and lost interest in the car.
I can't wait to bring the Maserati back to life. I owned several Alfas while I was in college. I have always loved them. It's fun seeing one in my garage parked next to my Porsche and my wife's SL. Sports cars have certainly evolved over the years.
I enjoyed posting pictures here of my last 996 rebuild. The kind words and great advice really helped keep me motivated. If there is any interest, I will post pictures here of the Maserati project as it progresses.
The alfa seems to be in pretty good shape! Good luck with the restoration...the Maserati will be AMAZING once it's done. Seems like you could turn a tidy profit from the $3500 invested (i.e. 6-digits?) if you decide to sell it after resto.
I'm very jealous.
I would
love
to attempt such a project but I know I wouldn't have the first idea about any of it!!
Please
keep the pics coming. Good luck!
I miss the days of having the garage space to even comtemplate this kind of project. Damn you city dwelling lifestyle! Enjoy every minute of the project and good luck!
So....Tim....you could always tease us with pictures of your Honda.....
Way to go Mark....another project I'll have to stop in and see. What happened to the Aero kit for the 996? Are you still going ahead with that project?
You are amazing Mark.I would find it difficult to undertake such a project, but after seeing the pics posted on your previous Porsche projects, you will undoubtedly perform restoration magic once again. The whita Alfa cleaned up nice!Good luck selling the Alfa. Looking forward to progress pics on the "M"car.
Thanks for all the kind words guys. I loved rebuilding the two 996s, but I'm really excited about not having to deal with computers. I won't miss smelling like burnt plastic either. I am fortunate to get to work on such fun cars. I will keep you guys posted on the progress and thanks for the interest.
Thanks to the moderators for not moving this to "off-topic"....I enjoy getting to share with my 996 friends.
I LOVE 3500 GTs, a Vignale bodied spider is on my top ten list, insane bargain compared to period cavallinos, such wonderful cars. Just need to get me an airplane hangar.
and +1 on the no computers! What are you doing for parts on the Maser?
You say that now, I curse my '69 Olds every time I work on it for having things like points and a carb, and not having codes to read when something goes wrong. I kind of like the diagnose and replace technique of the 996.
htny, there is a Viginale spyder currently on ebay at about $260,000....it sure is pretty. I have already located the couple parts that I need on ebay and the Maserati Information Exchange. JDS, the wing is on a shelf in my garage...I don't think a taco tail would look very good on it...maybe some spinners though. salayc, I did forget about the joys of balancing multiple carbs, gaping points, and setting valve lash...at least, I can kind of understand those.
Great projects Mark! Since I am in these cars way too deep this is right up my alley!! The GT's are great fun and the Maserati will make you a lot of money. The price of the 3500 has gone up a remarkable amout in the last 5 years or so. A cheaper alternative to a Ferrari but still exclusive.
BTW my Alfa project got a little out of hand this Summer
Stupid too.
Steven, I thought of you when I picked up this car. I forgot it was red underneath the crappy white paint job. Red will always be my favorite Alfa color. I love seeing a car done right. Your Alfa will be incredible when it is done. I wish I could keep this one and restore it for (and with) my two sons. You are really going all out on yours. I would sure enjoy seeing pictures as your restoration progresses. Why is the roof off? Good luck on the project and thanks for the response.
Hey Mark,
Yes, this car is way past go and should have been crushed but its like digging a hole with the dirt falling in on you the whole time. It's hard to stop even though you know the problem is only getting worse. I ended up selling a Ferrari I picked up a long the way to pay for this mess. Oh well, whats done is done and I am now the proud owner of a truly rust free Alfa?
The roof came off because the cowl under the wipers was rusted out and it had some roof issues too, soooo it was just easier to do it all at once. Actually the car is about 20 hours away from paint now and if all goes well it may be on the track next Spring....or so I am hoping. Good luck with your projects.
Ah I guess the days are gone when they were $50-75K (I'll admit my hemmings subscription is bit out of date, last I looked was about 4 years ago) but then again the equivalent 250GT spider from Ferrari is trading around $2MM+ now!
Looks like a blast and let the swearing begin... I love the the color of the restored maserati. I did a 1957 jag MK1 and syncing the carbs was a pain but the sound was just music. Enjoy the new journey and post up the pics as she comes along.
Steven, I know I'm not the only one around here that goes nuts, when they have an imperfection in their car. That little door ding is the first thing you see when you walk up to your baby and the last thing you see when you walk away. You won't have that problem with the Alfa. It is definatlely worth putting the effort into (for yourself, probably not resale). I forgot how much I loved the look of the GTVs. It's a good thing the tires are rotten and the brake boost is out. If I drove it, I wouldn't be able to sell it. I would love to see some of the resrotation pictures on yours.
htny, the prices on the Maserati's have skyrocketed over the past few years. They are still a bargain, compared to a similar vintage Ferrari.
blinkwatt, thanks, but I think it's a lack of brain cells.
You are 100% right Mark. It is a problem for me that all my friends laugh about. When I bought the car there was a wager going for how long it would take for me to rip the thing a part to make it perfect. I am not sure who won but nobody took the over.
Here are a few pics from this week. The first is my fiberglass dash to replace the stock heavy vinyl dash just as Auto Delta did it in the day. Gauges laid out and almost ready for paint.
The second is my new gear box with close ratio gears that match the GTA box and all roller bearings. Pretty cool stuff for us ancient Italian guys!
