Classic Giulia a labour of love
PRISTINE: LITTLE ALFA, DESPITE BEING 33 YEARS OLD, HAS ONLY DONE 108 000KM IN THAT PERIOD
Its contemporary, the Cortina, was way behind in power.
Back in the days when I was a bit younger (20 to 30 years or so), and a bit frisser, my passion was to rebuild old decrepit motorcycles. I also used to refurbish my cars as well, but this was out of necessity. I would rather drive to work than catch a bus. When I worked nightshift, this was a no-brainer.
I liked nothing better than working in my garage, rock ’n roll blaring on my music centre, parts strewn all over the workbench and floor. I always used to say that if a part was on the floor, well it couldn’t fall any further...
I have never been a perfectionist, If the bike ran, or the part worked, I was happy. In the early days, I never had a torque wrench, all the bolts on the bikes were tightened by feel. Occasionally there was an audible snap. And, well, that required a easy out or a Helicoil.
I did 14 or so rebuilds of our XL 200s and XL500s in this fashion (Our bikes of choice on which we had many hours of fun).
I’m glad that the spanner work has rubbed off on my son Doug, although he is much more meticulous than me!
During these early years I made friends with the Evans crew. We went on many breakfast runs with Trevor, the dad who has a “thing” for single overhead-cam Honda 750s and Classic Alfa-Romeos, both from the 1970s. Of course we got to know Trevor’s two sons Gareth and Edward.
I never thought I would find someone more finicky than Trevor, but lo and behold, he is not a patch on Gareth. Eddie is on par with dad. My nickname for Gareth is Gareth “Over-engineer” Evans. He is a mechanical engineer and everything is about perfection to the nth degree!
The car portrayed here is the Alfa Giulia that Trevor bought new in 1974. It has been meticulously maintained and preserved. The paintwork is original and the total mileage is only 108 000 km. The motor was redone at 100 000km because it had a slight oil weep at the head gasket.
Trevor and Gareth installed new wet liners with slightly uprated pistons and rings. Trevor mentions that the condition of all the internals were perfect. New bearings were not needed. Trevor also mentions the reason for buying it was that the Giulia had discs all round and a five-speed gearbox. In a time when 1600 Cortinas were rated at 60Kw, the Giulia had 90Kw from 1600cc. The Giulia cost R4 200.
Other improvements are: Momo Vega wheels, Momo steering wheel, Bucket seats, lowered suspension, free flow exhaust and a K+N air filter. Some years back, Trevor gave the Giulia to Gareth.
I liked nothing better than working in my garage, rock ’n roll blaring on my music centre, parts strewn all over the workbench and floor.