Re: GTV6 Winter tires and AR022 Bianca Argento Paint

["The Csank Family" <csank@domain.elided>]

Subject: Re: GTV6 Winter Tires & AR022 Bianca Argento

Hi gang,

As a displaced Canadian who used to rally and ice race in very frigid
conditions (in all kinds of RWD, FWD and even AWD cars), I will add my 50
Lire to the discussion.

1.    If most of your driving will be on actual 'snow-covered' or icy roads
(not usually the case in real-world winter conditions), then the best bet
would be to go with a 70 series (or skinnier) tire.  The Nokia Hakkepilata
10 and the Bridgestone Blizzak in a 185/70-14 size would both be my picks
for a best buy in that case.  I am not sure about the 'Graspic', but I have
heard they are equally good.  The reason for this is because the skinny tire
allows more specific weight over a smaller contact patch.  Wider tires just
float on the snow.  The softer rubber compounds and aggressive tread blocks
(they help to 'self-clean' the tire) of either of the above tires are very
good in these applications.

2.    If most of your driving will be in the city or out on a highway (which
are usually salted in heavy snow and ice areas), then besides suggesting
that you save your GTV6 from exposure to the salt, I suggest that you
probably don't need to go to such an aggressive winter tire.  For normal
winter commuting in Canadian winter conditions, I found that the Goodyear HP
all-season did a fine all-around job in a 195/60 sizing on my former VW GTI
and my Jetta (OK, they were front wheel-drive...but I still think they would
do well on a GTV6).

3.    If most of the conditions are 'icy', but there isn't that much actual
snow where you are (and the law allows it), you might consider a studded
tire.  Blizzaks cannot be studded, but Nokia tires can be studded if you
wish.  The problems with using studs are that they significantly increase
noise if driven on non-icy roads, they DO damage road surfaces and they
decrease traction on dry pavement.

Have a look at the guidance provided by 'TIRERACK' on their web-site at
www.tirerack.com, as they are pretty good at describing what you should
think about.  I agree that your GTV6 is far less than ideal to use as a
winter car.  Why not go out and buy a cheap 'beater' VW rabbit/ golf/ Jetta,
or even better - an older Subaru AWD?  They will be great in the snow and
ice and you can pick one up for pocket-change (and not feel bad about
trashing the body in the salt).

Next topic: AR022.  I have this paint on my Milano Gold.  I think it's a
neat color!  It looks sort of gold in the shade, but has a more silver
(platinum) look in bright sun.  Anybody  have a recommendation on a good
quality 'current' paint (brand/ type/ number) that I should order for a
fender/ bumper/ hood/ rust repair match?

Ciao,
Alex Csank
Norfolk, VA
Rally Director,
Alfa Romeo Pan-America Rally
www.alfissimo.com
'69 Spider 1300 junior (with new custom-built exhaust system)
'78 Alfetta Sprint Veloce (gotta get that bell-housing put on)
'87 Milano Gold (with blue hood, driver's fender and front bumper)
'98 VW Jetta TDi (a good winter car)

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