Alfiata? Malfa Romeo?

uh, this is, er..., interesting?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Replica-Kit-Makes-ALFA-ROMEO-Replica-Kit-2000-MIATA-Makes-Alpha-Romeo-Spider-Sports-Car-/180802329860?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2a18a89d04#ht_500wt_1182

That + Tuckin99 flares + pimp jdm wheels + turbo = proceed directly to stardom.

I can dig it.

i don't feel so well.....

I'll admit of thinking of a similar job. Not exactly like that, but I have enough Giulietta hardware laying around.

A more fun conversion in the back of my head is a Miata "rollerskate" under an Alfa- be it a Spider, GTV, or Berlina. I think you can make them handle AND ride better. The big question is about the engine/trans.... count me as one of the sick on this board.

I feel sorry for that miata

HappyAndy wrote: I feel sorry for that miata

+1. I like the idea. This execution - not so much...

Did they have to include the fugliest part of an Alfa? So many Alfas that I would love if it wasn't for that shnoz.

If you really wanted an Alfa, wouldn't it be easier to just buy one and get it sorted out?

there is a disturbance in the force . . . .and its starting with the SNO[1] folks!

[1] Scuderia Non Originale

Woody wrote: If you really wanted an Alfa, wouldn't it be easier to just buy one and get it sorted out?

Depends on what you want.

If you just want the looks, yea, an Alfa is the way to go.

But if you want to drive a Miata that looks like an Alfa, well, that's a little more tough. Alfas are not close to Miatas, in terms of drive- and I mean that in the most broad of terms. There is a lot more space in an Alfa, but ride quality, handling, engine, etc- all on the Miata. Ok- so you can have the sound of dual Webers or Dellortos that you can't have in a Miata....

I love my Alfas very dearly. But, outside of the rarity, I don't drive them as much as my Miata for good reasons. You wonder why I've thought of putting a Miata "rollerskate" under an Alfa body....

Wow, props to the people who had the vision and follow-through to get that car together and on the road. Can't say that I like it, though.

I rocked Alfas exclusively and for a long time before the longing for better reliability and performance pushed me into the rest of the automotive world.

Heck, if you want the Alfa sound, or something a bit like it, get a Miata and replace the FI with a set of 40 DCOE Weber carbs. Or, get an Alfa - and all that that entails.

Yuck!

bravenrace wrote: Did they have to include the fugliest part of an Alfa? So many Alfas that I would love if it wasn't for that shnoz.

Some of us like that shield grill

I've spent a good deal of time behind the wheel of a real spyder. It's a beautiful car in many ways. This OTOH, feels like an extortion. I think the kit builder must have sent a letter to the Alfa owners club asking for a million dollars, lest he put this monstrosity on the market.

Seriously, I suppose he deserves kudos for trying. Most folks don't even do that. But oh, the horror!

Looking at it again, what really makes it look akward is the swooping lines between the wheel wells- Alfas from that era had straight lines from the headlight to the tail light fin. And the doors were very simple shapes, too. So what you get is a combination of styles that don't fit well together.

Front is good, rear is good, middle is good, but front+middle+ rear is not good at all.

If one was going to do something like this, I would start with an M1. And probably limit the changes to a duetto or normal Spider. Possible with a 750/101 body, but the Spider would be easier, and look more consistent with the M1 middle.

BTW, for some odd creativity, here's one- http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-Alpha-Romero-Giulietta-Veloce-Spider-/160705045325?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item256ac4634d

Although, the mods look like they were done in the 60's. (oh, and it's NOT a Veloce by any means). The bug roof add looks possible to remove, but the nose would require a transplant (and I could have a spare, if someone wanted this as a project, especially IF it is challenged priced).

I'd loved to have bought that one in Sacramento. There's something to be said for a project that can only get better!

Hmmm...

I have to admit that it is DIFFERENT, sort of.

Looked at as the seller points out: as a sports car you can park in any parking lot and not worry about it...I'd say it definitely succeeds. If I was a rich Alfa owner, I'd have to sue or get someone at Fiat to sue the company that markets this kit. Not sure it's a winnable case, tho.

My biggest gripes? The front bumpers look like they are too low, compared to a REAL Alfa. And the "panels" added on at the front and the back to make this car look like an Alfa have WAAAY too big of a panel gap. Please, someone, fill in those seams, before a small child gets their hand stuck in there.

Finally, I had to laugh when the seller described the car as having a few reliability problems. It was almost like his car was still trying to emulate a REAL Alfa with it's tiny, almost irritating "glitches" like the turn signal that barely works and the fuel "issue".

That's disgusting in ways I had yet to imagine....until now

mad_machine wrote:

bravenrace wrote: Did they have to include the fugliest part of an Alfa? So many Alfas that I would love if it wasn't for that shnoz.

Some of us like that shield grill

And some of us don't. What's your point?

bravenrace wrote:

mad_machine wrote:

bravenrace wrote: Did they have to include the fugliest part of an Alfa? So many Alfas that I would love if it wasn't for that shnoz.

Some of us like that shield grill

And some of us don't. What's your point?

The point is that you state your aesthetic opinion as fact. Try this on for size:

1 - My engine won't rev to 12,000

2 - The moon orbits the earth

3 - The president's last name is Obama

4 - The front end of old Alfas are fugly

Now which of those is different from the other? GRMers are mainly here because we love cars. That means that we have emotional connections to said cars. A little bit of courtesy would suggest that we don't piss on the loved one's of others. Thus "Alfa's are fugly" could be "I never liked the front end of those cars". Call me prissy, but this is a pet peeve.

Sorry, it just doesn't look right to me. Front is not too far off but, the side and rear don't look right at all. I would want one that looked like the one I used to have.

The verbiage says 'this was not professionally built' and at least he's honest. Real Alfas are pretty, this isn't. In the front it looks like an Alfa with some Loewy Studebaker influence, the rear is just all out of proportion. Pass, unless it's cheap enough to be a parts car. EDIT: he says it's got Koni suspension. If that's true, well I might go $400.00...

Proportions just ain't right.