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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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Who owns this little Sweety?
Does anyone know the owner(s) of this little sweetheart of an Alfa Romeo?
I posted the same question on a different thread and, so far, no responses. I like to believe that some of my fellow Nomads are the type of people
who'd own such a machine--or at least know people who do.
According to my reference material, it's an Alfa Romeo Giulia Nouva Super, made between the years 1974 and until around 1978. It came available with
either a 1300cc (which put out a whopping [for its size] 103 horsepower) or 1600 (with 115 horses available) under the hood. Add to that four-wheel
disc brakes and one of those famous Alfa suspentions, and this would be one hell of a ride on the road to Los Cabos via the old mining district--lots
of tight curves in sections with places to really let 'er rip. Aaahh, how I miss hearing that "Alfa growl" under full acceleration.
The car is located about two blocks north of the Santuario, in La Paz. I'd love to hear from the owner.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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That's mine. You can have it free, but I seem to have misplaced the keys so you'll have to hotwire it. 
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1498
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Since we're on the subject....
Who drives around IB in a red SUV with a rear window sticker that reads: "No bad days in Mulege" ? Just curious.
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paranewbi
Senior Nomad
Posts: 913
Registered: 4-15-2011
Location: San diego
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sanquintinsince73...really? am I that unobservant? I can't remember having even seen a red SUV. I hot on it though.
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1498
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by paranewbi
sanquintinsince73...really? am I that unobservant? I can't remember having even seen a red SUV. I hot on it though. |
with a rear window sticker that reads: "No bad days in Mulege" ?
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DENNIS
Platinum Nomad
Posts: 29510
Registered: 9-2-2006
Location: Punta Banda
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Who drives around IB in a red SUV with a rear window sticker that reads: "No bad days in Mulege" ? Just curious. |
Someone who's never been there when the 'canes are blowing. 
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sanquintinsince73
Super Nomad
Posts: 1498
Registered: 6-8-2010
Location: Los Angeles, CA
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| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by sanquintinsince73
Who drives around IB in a red SUV with a rear window sticker that reads: "No bad days in Mulege" ? Just curious. |
Someone who's never been there when the 'canes are blowing.
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mcfez
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8678
Registered: 12-2-2009
Location: aka BN yankeeirishman
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Just fell off my chair laughing.....
Good one DENNIS
| Quote: | Originally posted by DENNIS
That's mine. You can have it free, but I seem to have misplaced the keys so you'll have to hotwire it. |
Old people are like the old cars, made of some tough stuff. May show a little rust, but good as gold on the inside.
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captkw
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3850
Registered: 10-19-2010
Location: el charro b.c.s.
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Mood: new dog/missing the old 1
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car
HOLA,,,BTW I belive,,,the oldest car man.....around the mundo(world)...K&T
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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I had a 1500cc VW bug back then and it wasn't all that fast.
| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
Aaahh, how I miss hearing that "Alfa growl" under full acceleration.
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Sure wish my stomach would stop growling. Followed by an oil leak.
[Edited on 2-3-2012 by Skipjack Joe]
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I had a 1500cc VW bug back then and it wasn't all that fast.
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Surely you aren't comparing a VW Bug with an Alfa Romeo, are you? That bug put out, what...? 36-40 horses? Alfas, on the other hand, were products of
racing machines transferred over to their "civilian" counterparts. They commonly came from the factory with headers, twin Weber carbs, four wheel disc
brakes, five-speed gearboxes (in the '50s and 60s) and--most importantly--throughout most of their history, they tended to be pretty bare in terms of
creature comforts. In that, they did compare pretty well with the Bugs of their day. I've owned a few Bugs, and when it comes to performance, these
are two very different creatures.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Hey, what do I know? To me a vehicle is something to get from point A to point B. I'm sorry for having the audacity to compare the 2.
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zoesterone
Nomad
Posts: 127
Registered: 5-8-2011
Location: Mazatlan, soon to be Baja
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
I had a 1500cc VW bug back then and it wasn't all that fast.
|
Surely you aren't comparing a VW Bug with an Alfa Romeo, are you? That bug put out, what...? 36-40 horses? Alfas, on the other hand, were products of
racing machines transferred over to their "civilian" counterparts. They commonly came from the factory with headers, twin Weber carbs, four wheel disc
brakes, five-speed gearboxes (in the '50s and 60s) and--most importantly--throughout most of their history, they tended to be pretty bare in terms of
creature comforts. In that, they did compare pretty well with the Bugs of their day. I've owned a few Bugs, and when it comes to performance, these
are two very different creatures. |
I was secretary of the Alfa Romeo club in Tucson and my baby was a canary yellow Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce convertible, and did I love her! She could
pass most any car on a hill as though they were standing still. Then one day, she got feisty and threw a rod as I was driving to work and we said
goodbye. Sold her to another Alfa lover and he fixed her right up again...maybe she just needed a man. '-)
Dogs are not our whole life, but make our lives whole.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Skipjack Joe
Hey, what do I know? To me a vehicle is something to get from point A to point B. I'm sorry for having the audacity to compare the 2.
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Sorry, Skipjack, I should have put some to put it in the proper perspective. I
think most people are more like you than me when it comes to cars. It's something that's in the blood, you're born with. Although I never really knew
my father, much less his interests, my mother always said I was just like him. And I see the same in my kids, one has it, one doesn't, and it's too
early to tell on the third.
When I live in the US, where there's what seems like an infinite supply of cheap "older" (so as not to say "junk") cars, my addiction is allowed to
manifest itself to its fullest. At one time I had eight cars (four of them Alfa Romeos) around the house, in various states of disrepair. Luckily,
being in the military, every three years I had to shed what I couldn't take or store. Down here, I have no problems because the cars I can afford
don't interest me. There aren't any 300 dollar Fiat 124 sports coupes.
[Edited on 2-3-2012 by Bajatripper]
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by zoesterone
I was secretary of the Alfa Romeo club in Tucson and my baby was a canary yellow Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce convertible, and did I love her! She could
pass most any car on a hill as though they were standing still. Then one day, she got feisty and threw a rod as I was driving to work and we said
goodbye. Sold her to another Alfa lover and he fixed her right up again...maybe she just needed a man. '-) |
Aaahhh, that Alfa talk...so soothing to my ears. I do miss it so. I presently own one similar to the one you had--suffering from a similar
condition--sitting outside in my yard now. I will tow that baby to hell-and-gone before letting her go. But they are expensive addictions, as I've
been reminded in these days.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Bajatripper
Does anyone know the owner(s) of this little sweetheart of an Alfa Romeo?
I posted the same question on a different thread and, so far, no responses. I like to believe that some of my fellow Nomads are the type of people
who'd own such a machine--or at least know people who do.
According to my reference material, it's an Alfa Romeo Giulia Nouva Super, made between the years 1974 and until around 1978. It came available with
either a 1300cc (which put out a whopping [for its size] 103 horsepower) or 1600 (with 115 horses available) under the hood. Add to that four-wheel
disc brakes and one of those famous Alfa suspentions, and this would be one hell of a ride on the road to Los Cabos via the old mining district--lots
of tight curves in sections with places to really let 'er rip. Aaahh, how I miss hearing that "Alfa growl" under full acceleration.
The car is located about two blocks north of the Santuario, in La Paz. I'd love to hear from the owner. |
Hard to tell which exact variant of the Giulia that is. When I was growing up the Giulia was the police car and for many years afterwards. It also was
used by the Carabinieri and known for one of the best handling sedans available, which is why it was so popular with law enforcement. Most all the
models came in 1300 or 1600 cc, but that color does not look original to me - too bright. Could be the photo or I could be wrong - it's been a long
time.
I drove alfas for a long time, though mostly the Sprint version, which is a 2+2 coupe. I remember clearly the redline at 5700 RPM and 5 speed
transmission. You could take it to about 6000, but there was nothing more to give, and the best performance was obtained by shifting at exactly 5700,
especially since most of the power was in the upper band, and by driving it that way you could remain in the power band.
I also remember having one of the worst accidents in my life in that car, hit the steering wheel so hard with my chest, that it snapped and lodged
itself in my upper chest, snapping my collarbone. It had a custom wooden wheel made by Nardi which actually splintered - ouch.
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Bajatripper
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3152
Registered: 3-20-2010
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Roberto
Hard to tell which exact variant of the Giulia that is. When I was growing up the Giulia was the police car and for many years afterwards. It also was
used by the Carabinieri and known for one of the best handling sedans available, which is why it was so popular with law enforcement. Most all the
models came in 1300 or 1600 cc, but that color does not look original to me - too bright. Could be the photo or I could be wrong - it's been a long
time.
I drove alfas for a long time, though mostly the Sprint version, which is a 2+2 coupe. I remember clearly the redline at 5700 RPM and 5 speed
transmission. You could take it to about 6000, but there was nothing more to give, and the best performance was obtained by shifting at exactly 5700,
especially since most of the power was in the upper band, and by driving it that way you could remain in the power band.
I also remember having one of the worst accidents in my life in that car, hit the steering wheel so hard with my chest, that it snapped and lodged
itself in my upper chest, snapping my collarbone. It had a custom wooden wheel made by Nardi which actually splintered - ouch.
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So you're Italian, Roberto? How cool is that.
Thanks for sharing your memories with us. I've always enjoyed seeing police cars in pretty much any flick filmed in Europe.
However, I do note that we have a totally different opinion on how to drive an Alfa, which interests me. My present Alfa mount, a '67 Duetto (the car
that rocketed to stardom in the Dustin Hoffman movie The Graduate) and it's anything but tame above 5400 RPM. In fact, I didn't even know
that Alfa Romeo made an engine with such a low redline. Mine, for instance, redlines at 6250, still pullling strongly on up to more than I'd care to
admit. But that's what these machines are made for, according to everything I've ever heard or read on the make. In fact, the "wisdom" I've picked up
over the years is that these cars need to be taken out regularly for a good throttling to keep carbon deposits down. That is part of the beauty of
double overhead cams, they're usually high-revving.
A 5400 RPM redline would seem more indicative of a pushrod engine, like the US auto industry is so fond of. Assuming your Alfas had the standard
double overhead cam engines that made the company famous, then I'd guess that perhaps for the home market the company de-tunes their engines, probably
more restrictive carburation and different cams, something like that, in an effort to make them more fuel efficient (and less fun to drive). As you
know, gasoline prices in Europe are a whole nother matter.
My present Alfa ride (when it's running). I had the pleasure of driving it down from Washington with my daughter a couple of summers ago.
There most certainly is but one side to every story: the TRUTH. Variations of it are nothing but lies.
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Skipjack Joe
Elite Nomad
Posts: 8088
Registered: 7-12-2004
Location: Bahia Asuncion
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Well, I sorta figured things out after the single-woman-in-baja thread of yours.
I was going to comment that the normal baja traveler would have shown pictures of the lady's tailpipe and
undercarriage and not the car's. That's when I knew you were different.
But then I changed my mind and didn't (post it).
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Roberto
Banned
Posts: 2162
Registered: 9-5-2003
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5700, not 5400 - and that 300 RPM made all the difference. I can tell you that I've pushed that car every which way from Sunday. Built up power until
that point, then pretty much that was it - shifting would keep you going, but extra RPM did not yield extra power. It had a strong oversteer, and once
you understood how to control it, bring it on! And it was eminently controllable.
I know that many of the cars sold in the U.S. were shipped with a 2000 cc engine and all of them were tuned very differently from the cars sold in
Italy. I can also tell you that engine mods were easy and common, though they made the car a little unruly in that they REALLY had to be revved.
Besides the police, many of "the other side" had these same card, but in the coupe version. Which engine is yours? I remember having a blast because
when you drove one of these at night, especially the way I did, people assumed you were in "la mala", short for malavita. Until they saw me - all of
22 years old Different times, different world.
I didn't mean to imply the car was tame. Mine was a 1300 cc and top speed was 180 kph. Not bad, especially driving in town, which I did many a time.
Driving this car on the Autostrada (Italian version of the Autobahn) was REALLY fun. In those days, there were no speed limits.
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Roberto
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Tripper. From the Italian OmniAuto.it. It's in Italian, but you speak Spanish, right? Close enough.
http://www.omniauto.it/magazine/304/alfa-romeo-giulia-gt
You'll notice that there are several models discussed, all in the RPM ballpark we're talking about.
Remembering those times is fun. A simpler world, and not just because of my age. And besides, I was invulnerable back then.
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