Tag Archives: Giardiniera

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

Fiat

1960 Fiat 500 Giardinera

August 23, 2012 Graham 3 Comments

For years, the Fiat 500 was the car of the people in Italy. While suitable for most Italian lifestyles at the time, Fiat responded to those consumers needing more space. Not only did they come out with a small van, the Multipla, but they offered a two door estate variant, the Giardiniera. With the additional length added behind the doors, this was a popular hauler for families and small businesses. Rarely seen on US shores, this Giardiniera for sale in California is a rare treat for small car enthusiasts.

1960 Fiat 500 Giardiniera

Adorable and in great condition FIAT 500 Giardiniera Trasformabile extremely rare here in the USA or Italy. This FIAT is in great condition cosmetically and mechanically. It was very well taken care of and pampered by its owner who took it here all the way from Southern Italy. I will add more info pictures and video clips before the end of the day. This FIAT 500 runs excellent, shifts beautifully and it is a blast to drive around. Brakes work perfectly and does not leak any oil or any fluids. It is air cooled and after driving it for about 1 hour under 95 degrees here in California didn't give any sign of overheating. Tires are good in the back though could use new ones in the front. I have re charged the battery since it was sitting for some time, battery seems to hold up pretty good although might need a new battery sometime in the future (It uses 12 volt).

Bidding is strong so far on this little estate. We may not see Multipla money here, but given the oddball factor versus the more common 500 it is based on, this Giardiniera will probably bring somewhere in the neighborhood of $10,000 to $15,000.

-Paul

Fiat

1966 Fiat 500 Giardiniera

January 14, 2012 Graham 4 Comments

The Fiat 500, or Cinquecento, was Italy's answer to the people's car and had staying power. With a production run of twenty years, these cars still dominate Italy's roads, although the population has been waning a bit as of late. There were many variants of the 500, from the sporting Abarth, the canopy topped Jolly and the Multipla, which could be considered the progenitor of all small MPVs. There was also a longer, estate version of the 500, called the Giardiniera. This car had the engine laid under a flat boot floor and was the only 500 model to continue on with suicide doors into the 1970s. While not as well sorted as the 500 we featured last month, this example is complete and uncommon on these shores.

1966 Fiat 500 Giardiniera

1966 Fiat Giardiniera, only 327,000 produced! Rare car! 2 doors (suicide doors) 4 seats + rear door. Rear mounted engine 2 cylinder.

Specifications: FIAT/Autobianchi 500 'Giardiniera' Station Wagon.
Engine: Rear mounted, 2 horizontal in-line cylinders with overhead valve layout, air-cooled four-stroke of 499.5cc giving 17.5 bhp at 4,600 rpm.
Engine Lubrication: Pressure
Maximum Speed: 95 kph (59 mph)
Fuel Consumption: 5.2 litres per 100 km (54 mpg)
Gears: 4 speeds forward with 2nd, 3rd and 4th gears in constant mesh, plus reverse.
Final Drive Ratio: 5.125 to 1.
Brakes: Foot operated, manually adjusted hydraulic drum brakes to all four wheels with hand operated mechanical brake to rear wheels.
Note! the brakes of the 'Giardiniera' are larger than those used on the saloons.
Suspension: Front: Independent with transverse lower leaf spring and wishbones.
Rear: Independent with semi-trailing arms and large coil springs.
Note! Although the rear suspension layout is the same as the saloons, the trailing arms and coil springs are stronger to accomodate the weight of the longer body and extra cargo loads.
Telescopic shock absorbers to all four wheels, the rear ones being stronger than those fitted on the rear of the saloons.
12 Volt electrical system.

This car was remodeled approx 8 years ago, it has not been driven for about three years it would be wise to have the car serviced before taking out on the road! People will stop and look as you drive down the street, more then any other cars. Also the extras will go with car, two tires, seat covers, whatever is there I will included with the sale! I also believe that I have a copy of the manual, not the original but good enough.

I'm not sure how "only 327,000 produced" constitutes rare, but there's no telling how many of these little estates exist anymore, especially in the United States. With a bit of tidying up in the interior and a bit of polish, this could be a nice, unique urban runabout.

-Paul