'80 Alfa 6 Test Drive

[bjanesi@juno.com (Bradley J. Anesi)]

A mere 40 minutes from home, I had to go take a look at the Alfa 6 for
sale which was recently mentioned on this list.

For those who don't know, this was the first car (sedan) to be sold with
the Alfa 2.5L V6, the same motor later used in the GTV6.  It was
considered for North American sale, but was never officially brought in. 
This particular car was reportedly one of the two cars brought into
Canada for testing.  As such, it is a "metric" car (kilometer gauges,
still has Ontario plates), although the owner says he has checked with
the local DMV (New York State) who indicates the car can be registered
here without DOT/EPA paperwork.

With 170 Km on a currently non-functional odometer, you can imagine this
car needs "some" work.  It really is in need of a full restoration, which
would involve taking the body down to bare metal (where metal still
exists), and doing some serious work with the welder.  From 20 feet the
car doesn't look bad - it's only when you get closer that you realize
most of the lower body panels have rust - an older (amateur) restoration
patched some of this, but rust bubbles abound.  

But, alas, the 18 year old V6 (fueled by 6 Webers) starts easily with the
manual choke engaged - it actually idles more quietly than my 10-year
younger V6.  A short ride proved the mechanicals need some work as well
however.  The 3-speed automatic doesn't launch the car very well at all,
and slipped a bit when I stepped on it.  Frankly, I'd be less concerned
about this than the body cancer, which will be a big job to do right. 
The suspension and brakes are also in need of thorough attention - this
thing drives like a boat and stops on it's own terms.

If I had a barn I could put this thing in and work on it over the next
five years, I'd probably buy it.  I don't, so I won't.  Somebody really
should go buy it before some kid buys it and kills what little life is
left in this piece of Alfa North American history - just make sure I get
a ride after you've restored it.

Feel free to contact me for further details.

Brad Anesi  (banesi@magicrx.com)
'91 Project 164Q 5-speed
 

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