Talk about a rare occurrence: the opportunity to buy a 164 from the notable AlfaBB member and AROC 164 tech expert, Alfisto Steve! Those of us who have been fortunate enough to own a 164 can probably recall Alfisto Steve fielding one of their 164 questions at some point on the AlfaBB. And, we on the AlfaBB appreciate his succinct 164 updates in the What did you do Alfa related? thread.
Based on the information provide in the listing, it appears that Alfisto Steve has been familiar with the car for quite some time now - first when it was owned by a friend in Florida, and since 2004 when a friend in VA brought it up to Alfisto Steve's area. Alfisto Steve even went through the car back in 2004, after it made the trip from FL to VA. Check out the AlfaBB thread for BB4, as the car is known, here: BB4 on AlfaBB
Year: 1993
Model: Alfa Romeo
Engine: 3.0L V6
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 229,00 mi
Price: $2,800
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 1993 Alfa Romeo 164
1993 Alfa Romeo 164L w/5-speed
My rehabbed 1993 164L is currently insured, tagged and with VA state inspection valid until May
2019. I have owned this 164 since March 2016 but I have known of this car and the three previous owners since 1996. I have many of PO’s service records. My old JAX, FL friend David bought it out of a lease sale in 1996, He had transmission replaced during his ownership. He sold to Joel in Orlando and my friend Michael who gave me the car in 2016 bought it in 2004 from Joel. It ended up in my garage in Feb 2004 for the first freshening up after he drove it up from FL to VA. So Michael and family had it 12 years.
I went through the complete car in 2016-2017 and put it back on the road in May 2017. I have a 5 page story board on my Alfisto Steve BB4 rehab process in the 164 section of the alfabb website. The car is now known as my BLACK BEAUTY IV (BB4).
Once I replaced a bad Bosch motronic engine ECU (computer), it returned to life and has been moving forward towards its current daily driver status in my stable along with my other black beauties - 91 BB1 164L automatic and 91 BB2 my 164S.
The complete interior sans re-dyed carpet has been replaced including all window regulators and necessary switches. It now has a later 1995 164 steering wheel an air bag.
The car was repainted all black in 2017. While not a concours paint job, it shows well. Hood was replaced before paint job.
The car has 5 newly painted 164S wheels with 205-65-15 tires.
The engine got new timing belt and tensioner in 2017 along with refaced flywheel and new clutch.
The fuel system has had cleaned and tested fuel injectors installed , fuel tank pump, hoses, check valve and filters replaced.
The A/C system has had condenser, compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and receiver dryer replaced and has been converted to R134a. It blows reasonably cold for a 164 model considering how the black paint soaks up the sun. I keep it in the garage which helps when starting off driving on a hot summer day.
The radiator, cooling fan, heater core, blower motor and cabin air filter have been replaced. It has PEX shut off valve to further isolate heater core heat from a/c in summertime to aid the a/c cooling.
The brake rotors, brake pads and some of the brake lines have been replaced as needed.
The front springs, struts, lower bearings, bump stops and boots have been replaced.
It has low mileage cat convertor new O2 sensor, new 164L mid muffler and Cisam 164S rear muffler.
It has the Euro Facelift Bosch H1 projector headlight upgrade which makes a whale of a difference for night time driving.
The odometer in the speedometer cluster failed shortly after I got car running and it has been replaced with a lower mileage unit with working trip odometer. Chassis mileage approximately 229K odometer currently 126377.
The sun roof still needs some work to be fully operational. It opens up and down fine but does not retract well. I never use it as I like to use air conditioning too much.
I am downsizing my Alfa collection as I am moving to Florida, so only keeping my 164S in FL (new house rules). My daughter is getting back my 164L w/AT to drive here in VA, henceforth the reason for the sale of this spare 93L.
Alfisto Steve sometimes gently points out the fact that he is a retired Navy aircraft mechanic. His experience repairing complex machinery is abundantly clear in the way that he maintains his Italian landcraft. Since taking possession of this black 164, he has managed to address issues with all of the major systems. Notably, he's completed the following:
- Installed Bosch projector headlights
- A/c system converted, replaced condenser, compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and receiver dryer
- Replaced radiator and cooling fan
- Replaced timing belt and tensioner
- Replaced clutch and refaced flywheel
- Replaced front struts
- Replaced cat, center and rear mufflers
- Replaced brake master cylinder and some brake lines
- Replaced fuel pump and rubber parts inside tank, fuel injectors and fuel hoses.
- Repaired window system wiring, three window regulators and broken door handle
- replaced headliner, seats and dyed carpet
- Installed 5 nearly new matching tires on freshly painted 164S wheels
- Repainted exterior all black
While this is not the freshest 164 in terms of mileage, nor is it necessarily the most original, with its painted black lower trim and S style wheels, we have no qualms in recommending this example to anyone looking to buy their first, or second, or possibly tenth Alfa. Condition, mechanical and cosmetic, is far above what most examples present at this price. And, the Bosch projector headlamps, 164 S wheels, and the twin tip S style rear muffler are welcome modifications. Take a look at his custom plate, and then ask yourself, "ALFA 4ME"?
-Graham