Tag Archives: estate

1978 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardiniera

April 2, 2014 Graham 2 Comments

It's interesting how some cars come about. Most are designed by committee, others are the result of a lone group of engineers working in their spare time to create something special for enthusiasts. Others, like this Alfa Romeo Alfasud, came about by government policy. The "sud" suffix is Italian for south, the region of Italy where Alfa Romeo and partner Finmeccanica manufactured the vehicle. With a flat four engine and styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, this was one of Alfa Romeo's most successful models, with over one million examples sold including the later Sprint versions. Rarely seen in the US, this Giardiniera version gives users a bit more space with a square back. Having undergone a complete restoration, this could arguably be the best, if not only, Alfasud Giardiniera on these shores.

Year: 1978
Model: Alfasud Giardiniera
Engine: 1.5 liter flat-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 600 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1978 Alfa Romeo Alfasud Giardiniera

My first new car ever was a 1972 Alfasud 1.2 in grigio (grey) with rosso (red) Skai (Vinyl) interior. I loved it. Unfortunately my then-girlfriend destroyed it on the German Autobahn a couple of years later. Ever since, I wanted another one and moving to the USA in 1985 did not make it any easier. To complicate it even more, this time I wanted a Giardiniera, a Wagon, and it could not be red or white. After searching for many years, I succeeded and found this wagon in 2003 in Northern Italy. My friend in Germany, who owns a well known restoration shop, Klassik Garage in Bad Saulgau picked it up for me and took it to his shop for a careful evaluation.

Being an Alfa Romeo it had to have some rust and even though it was in fantastic shape for an Alfasud it did have some. Thank goodness, the rear hatch was in excellent shape, but the Sud needed fenders, rocker panels and rear quarters. By then we decided to do a COMPLETE restoration. Let me give you the details:

Body:
Stripped down to bare metal, installed OEM front fenders, remanufactured rear quarter panels and welded body panels where necessary. Complete repaint outside, partially inside and underneath in factory color "bruno cilento".

Engine:
There were a few 1.5 liter Boxer engines in the USA and before Alfa Romeo left the US market in 1995 they were converted from solid lifters to hydraulic lifters. I could never find out why these engines were here. I found my engine advertised on the Alfa Romeo BB in Florida. A gentleman wanted to use it in an ultra light plane, but never finished the installation, because unfortunately he passed away.

We shipped it to Germany, changed the timing belts, water pump, spark plugs and installed it. Right now it has about 600 miles. It has two Dellorto carburetors. Since they don't have a choke, it's very temperamental when cold. It has been sitting for a while in my storage and I noticed that the carburetors are not completely synchronized at less than half throttle. Once you open up completely, they are perfect and the car "goes like stink." The sound is perfect too. A new muffler was installed and it has very nice dual tailpipes.

Transmission:
We found a brand new Alfasud TI 5 speed on display at a German traffic school, bought it and installed it. Unfortunately it lasted only 20 kilometers and disintegrated after that. Luckily there was an Alfa specialist close by who had a good used TI 5 speed in stock and this one was installed. It shifts perfectly without any grinding or noises.

Interior:
We located a new, correct Series 2 dashboard and installed it. The seats were in tan Vinyl, which I really disliked. An Italian upholstery shop had some OEM Alfa Romeo cloth in orange and black, which was used in GTVs and Montreals. We had it shipped and the seats were re-upholstered in orange/black which really compliments the color "bruno cilento" perfectly.

The door panels were also covered in black Vinyl and orange cloth, but they were already warped when I got the car. I am enclosing a set of "better" door panels. The roof liner is original and in good shape. The car has the original rubber floor, which shows some wear especially on the passenger side. It also has a set of period correct Italian rubber floor mats.

After a six year restoration the car was shipped from Bremerhaven to Port Hueneme and imported with all the paperwork into the USA. Since it's a 1978 no EPA or DOT conversions were required. We displayed it at the Concorso Italiano in Monterey 2011 and a lot of people complimented the car. It is the only Alfasud Giardiniera in the USA and very few are left in the rest of the world. I am certain that this is one of the best ones in existence.

It has a 1978 Washington YOM (year of manufacture) plate which does not need renewal ever. Since it is over 25 years old, it's also smog exempt.

NOTE TO CALIFORNIA BUYERS:

I will NOT provide a smog certificate and I will NOT sell the car to a CA resident due to the extremely unfriendly CA smog requirements for old cars.

NOTE TO ALL OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA BUYERS:

I will gladly assist with shipping within or outside the USA. Since the car is now 36 years old there is no warranty expressed or implied.

You don't see many Alfasuds around these days, even in Europe. Many examples fell victim to rust, leaving them in a state beyond repair. A quick scan of some classifieds in Europe reveal some clean, low mileage Alfasuds for sale between the $5,000 to $10,000 USD mark. A car like this is a hard one to value stateside, but there are certainly a few rabid Alfa fans out there who may drive up the bids.

-Paul

Lancia

Beta Brothers: 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato and 1977 Lancia Beta HPE

August 7, 2013 Graham 3 Comments

Ah the Lancia Beta. Fodder for the petrolhead who will point out that everything which has four wheels and Italian is crankier than a two year old who missed a meal. This was the car that brought Lancia to their knees and would turn out to be a big factor in their pullout from both the US and UK markets. However, should this car be maligned as much as it is? Maybe it's about time for a second look. Let's check out two rather different Beta models, starting off with this red Zagato for sale in Massachusetts.

Year: 1981
Model: Beta Zagato
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 84,000 mi
Price: Reserve auction

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1981 Lancia Beta Zagato

1981 Lancia Zagato Targa Convertible. Unsually excellent condition exterior, interior and mechanically. I purchased the car from the original owner about 5 years ago and have put on less than 2000 miles. Always garaged either by me or previous owner. Have all receipts, owners manual, repair manual, window sticker.

Exterior: Sporty, original Rosso exterior. No accidents, no dents. Rubber bumpers are clean and don't sag over front turn signals. Paint is original, shiny and presents extremely well. Hairline cracks around gas cap- but not chipped. Chrome is clean and not pitted. Glass is clean and not scratched. Targa top fits tightly and is not cracked or chipped. Vinyl convertible top is original, in excellent condition and fits tight - plastic window is cloudy and I haven't tried to polish it. All latches for both the targa top and rear convertible top work perfectly. The original Lancia sticker is on the plastic rear window. I have the original convertible top boot, too. Wheels are in great condition with virtually no curb rash and original "L" center caps are not cracked. Tires all match and have plenty of tread. Rear taillights are clear and not cracked. Rear emblems are original. No missing parts or trim. No rust other than very small, area on the rocker panel right behind the rear wheels (see photos) otherwise absolutely rust free. Overall, the exterior presents beautifully.

Interior: Black leather. Very, very clean with the only issue being the seams coming apart and some color wear on the driver's seat which is easily repaired. Other than that, the upholstery is clean and not ripped, the door panels are clean and, again, not ripped or torn. Everything works - intermittent wipers, A/C blows cold and ventilation system ie: fan, defrost, heat - works perfectly. AM/FM stereo cassette is original and works great as well as the electric antenna. All gauges work, though fuel gage bounces around when 1/2 full. Power windows work, but occasionally blow fuses (hand crank is visible in photos). Carpet is perfect original and has drivers side carpeted mat. Digital clock works. All interior lights and dash lights work. Rubber gaskets around doors are pliant and no leaks at all. Door jambs are clean and no rust. No missing parts or trim.

Mechanical: Drives great. Timing belt was replaced by previous owner. I had a center muffler custom made when I bought the car. Rear muffler is fine. New battery. Brakes, suspension, work fine. Transmission shifts cleanly (as clean as a FWD car can) and doesn't grind in any gear. Steering has great feedback and no issues there. Engine is well maintained and fuel injection system works fine. Check out the photos to see the clean engine compartment. Clear plastic fuse box cover is cracked, but still there. New radiator fan switch installed within the last two years and that works fine. Trunk is perfect with original spare wheel, jack, tool kit and spotless carpeting. I have a made to order California Car cover as well.

This Lancia Zagato is a unique and extremely fun car to drive especially with the targa roof off and the rear top down. You've got room for kids in the backseat and the trunk has decent space. There were 2400 Zagatos imported to the US between 1979 and 1982. The 81's and 82's had fuel injection and slightly increased horsepower. If you are familiar with this model and Betas in general, most survivors are in poor condition cosmetically and mechanically. I'm selling because I have several cars and my storage situation is in limbo. Please give me a call with any questions or if you would like additional photos. Josh - 617-510-0338.

Listing locally as well. Buyer arranges pickup and shipping. Payment by Cashier's Check.

On Aug-05-13 at 09:44:29 PDT, seller added the following information: Took the Lancia out for a few test drives this weekend and the engine is stumbling at low revs. Since the car had been in storage for awhile could be due to stale gas and/or the fuel injection system. Please call with any questions about the drivability. 617-510-0338.

For spending at least the last five years of its live in New England, it’s amazing the tin worm hasn’t set in more on the bodywork. This is also an original car, which makes it stand out from the crowd of refurbished Betas that still exist. It’s rare that you see a Lancia on US roads, let alone a Beta. Less than 3,000 of these Zagatos were ever brought to these shores and fewer still are on the road. This red targa offers the chance to amaze and astound at your next Italian car meet up or car show. If the mechanical issues are not too involved, $5,000 to $7,000 would be a realistic range for this example.

Next up, we have the Zagato’s long-roofed sibling, the HPE, or High Performance Estate. Few automakers have had a crack at the shooting brake model over the years, but Lancia, ever daring, decided to have a go in the 1970s. Offering a bit more practicality to the Beta formula, there were fewer than 1,000 of these two-door estates brought to the US. This HPE for sale in North Carolina is a little more rough around the edges than the Zagato above, but is complete and a prime candidate for a bit of a refresh if one desires.

Year: 1977
Model: Beta HPE
Engine: 2.0 liter inline-4
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Mileage: 33,800 mi
Price: No reserve auction, starting bid $4,500

CLICK FOR DETAILS:1977 Lancia Beta HPE

Buyer to pay all shipping costs. Can be picked up at my location.

1977 Lancia Beta HPE in very good original condition. One of only a few survivors to be found. I have owned it for over 2 years and have really enjoyed driving it. I have owned a Coupe and a Berlinas and can say the HPE is the more desirable and fun to drive. Even today it appears stylish in design. A real eye catcher. I had the timing belt and bearing replaced as well as a new fuel pump. The engine runs very strong and does not smoke or use oil. AC is cold and transmission and clutch work flawlessly. It has less than 34000 miles and retains the original paint which needs a good buffing but is presentable as is. There are several small dings and some scratches which have been painted over poorly. Also, surface rust was removed from pillar on drivers side and repainted along with left front fender. The car has never been wrecked just some small dings. I have found no rust to speak of other than some surface spots.

Interior is original leather and looks very good. Only one small wear spot on drivers seat. The car was in storage for over 16 years thus the low miles and condition. With new paint and head liner the car would show well. It does leak around the windshield if driven in rain. I purchased it to drive and have enjoyed it. Due to medical problems I can no longer drive it without pain. If you are reading this I do not need to tell you how rare the HPE is. There were only just over 400 imported to the US. Has clean North Carolina title. Email me with any questions. Car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to end auction early.

I looked for an HPE for five years before I found this one. When was the last time you saw an HPE in this quality, original condition for sale? Includes original shop manual. Buyer to pay all shipping costs. I will assist in loading. No international buyers. Will ship to US buyers only. $500.00 deposit required in 24 hours of end of sale. Balance to be paid in three days or less.

While they are rare, at $4,500, we may be close to the maximum value of an HPE in this condition. It seems this one is mechanically sound and while it wears the original paint, a respray wouldn’t hurt the appearance, along with some refreshed trim, if you could source such parts. For someone seeking Italian flair with practicality, there are few choices out there if you are stateside. With a little bit of time, effort and money, this could certainly be made into one sweet looking HPE.

-Paul

Fiat

1971 Fiat 124S Estate

December 26, 2012 Graham

The Fiat 124 is one of the icons in Fiat history, immortalized as a car that put much of the developing world on wheels via licensure to companies such as FSO, Lada and Tofas. Millions of these compact sedans were produced by Fiat from 1966 to 1974, with many more to follow via the companies to whom the design was licensed. While most of the 124s made were four-door sedans, Fiat did produce an estate version for those in need of a bit more utility. These versions are nearly gone from the US landscape, so this 124S estate for sale in California is a pleasant surprise, especially as it is used daily by its owner.

1971 Fiat 124S Estate

Alright Fiat freaks! Here's a super rare, vintage 1971 124 wagon, or if we were in Europe, an estate. Has all the options checked above plus new clutch disc, pressure plate and bearing, good tires, custom LED tail lights (repairable originals included with good lenses), 10 foot paint, mileage is unknown due to speedo not working. All lights are functional and the two speed heater works well too. However, the controls don't seem to deliver warmth, possibly a loose cable. Rust free, accident free, smoke free, pet free, dolphin safe (lol).

I drive this car daily and its a blast. Thumbs up all day long. I have noticed, however, the brake master cylinder getting air, so it will need to be replaced. Has new DMV registration, doesn't need to be smogged, ever (in CA). I was planning to swap to a 2.0 liter twin cam, twin weber and 5-speed into it. But, alas, my financial situation forces the sale. I'm already regretting this but it has to be done.

At almost $10,000, I tend to doubt this Fiat will move quickly, even considering how rare it is. If it was a show quality car, I might be able to see it, but this car has had some modifications and has been repainted at some point down the line, as evidenced from the differing color in the door jambs and under the hood. That being said, this is probably a $4,000 to $6,000 car at the maximum.

-Paul

Fiat

1979 Fiat 131 Brava Estate

August 28, 2012 Graham 13 Comments

The Fiat 131 is a rare sight on these shores nowadays, but the estate variant has reached unobtanium status. When I came across this 131 Brava estate for sale in California, my jaw dropped. Finding one that would be almost ready for the scrapyard would be hard enough, but a near mint example? With a 5-speed manual gearbox, this would make for a decidedly different way of taking on your family hauling needs.

1979 Fiat 131 Brava Estate

A rare find for the Fiat enthusiastic! 1979 Fiat 131 Brava Station Wagon, blue interior, in good running condition. Does not need automotive work. Smog check was done this year - vehicle passed. Super clean in/out. Fairly new tires. Please email me if interested/for further information.

The asking price of $5,000 is rather steep when it comes to any Fiat 131, but you would be extremely hard pressed to find one better preserved, especially a five-door variant. I'd say we're looking at $3,500 to $4,000 as a more realistic value, but it's great to see one of these 131s still hanging around, looking as if it has plenty of life left in it.

-Paul

Lancia, Modern Classic

1984 Lancia Beta HPE

July 14, 2012 Graham 3 Comments

Lancia was never one to follow the crowd when it came to trends. Witness the Beta HPE, which initially stood for High Performance Estate. Two door estate vehicles have never been particularly popular, but Lancia felt the urge to offer a two door Beta with the Berlina’s floorplan to create a long, two door shooting brake. It wasn’t a particularly rare car, with over 71,000 produced, but few worldwide survive to this day. This particular HPE is a very late model example for sale in Germany is a VX, or Volumex variant. This model featured the 2.0 liter twin cam engine with a Rootes type supercharger producing 133 horsepower.

1984 Lancia Beta HPE

The engine is partially revised, superseded the shift linkage. New parts: steering gear, battery, front brake pads, brake hoses, high performance silicone ignition, 40 Weber carburetors, Bilsten shock absorbers, Ansa dual exhaust, lowering kit (30mm) from Hörmann. Aluminum radiator and thermostat and manifold. The HPE is beautiful, fast, hard and loud. Four winter tires on original alloy wheels are available, a further seven hole Lancia alloy wheels are included. It is a non-smoking vehicle. No winters.

With just over 60,000 miles, we’re looking at about $1,000 per 10,000 miles here with this car. Any Beta over $5,000 is a gamble, as they are not terribly favored in the eye of the collector and there is little room for appreciation in the future. The rarity of the HPE/Volumex combination makes this a more desirable Beta than most, but for interested parties in the US, shipping and importation costs come into play. This certainly seems as good as any HPE you’ll find these days and hopefully someone snaps it up that will look after it so future generations of car enthusiasts can have a window into a period of time where Lancia dared to be different.

-Paul