Hello all, following on from my other thread I'm now all good to go for posting my Coupe project in the projects area.
Italian cars are something I've stayed with ever since being able to be in the position to get them. I've had mostly Alfas. I have a Giulietta Cloverleaf as my main car along with some others as fun cars (although they are all fun), all of which I am working on and are at differing stages. I had an Abarth Grande Punto for a short while around 3 years ago and while it was a great and probably one of the best handling cars out there due to the mega lightness of it I just didn't quite fit with it; I think it may have just been a bit too yobbish for my style, even though mine was a pure white with no decals and had white SS wheels which I had added.
I had liked Coupes ever since I saw them when I was younger (although there weren't many around my end even then and we are going back 15-20 years ago) and over the last few years had gone in and off the radar in terms of being tempted to buy one, however always ended up going for an Alfa or just decided to leave off and not do anything at and just focus on what I currently have. That all changed finally earlier this year.
My Italian specialist knows Coupes well and used to have a 16VT which I still see today as one of his customers purchased it around 5 years ago or so I believe. When I was getting more serious he told me the 16VT's are really good and I do like to go a bit different. The 20VT I know are great and maybe I'll try that version one day who knows, however I found myself more drawn to finding a nice 16VT before it is too late. I had my eyes on a metallic blue 16VT that had only done 59k, however looking at the MOT history it seemed a bit questionable due to heavy corrosion on the sills in the past and no real proof of it being repaired professionally. It had also even going back to last year been advertised on eBay, selling for around £5-6k and then getting relisted twice more. While I was quite tempted seeing it up again on Autotrader earlier this year something said to wait, so I did. It also turned out that after reading a recent thread on here about the same car it looks like it was a good move leaving it as I'm sure someone else was interested and asked about it, in which the seller after saying they would get it on the ramp then at the last moment declined to do so and got really closed about it as if to cover something bad up.
Anyway around when lockdown happened a nice very low mileage at just over 35k in red 16VT appeared for sale from a place that was more reputable. Nice spec, 2 previous owners, kept inside for the vast majority of it's life, black leather, red is the colour I like to go for mostly, sunroof which works at the moment and nice condition original 16 inch wheels which while I'll be changing still want to keep due to rarity. It was probably top end price but I figured how many other examples with mileage that low and look solid enough overall are there now? So I asked about it the day it came up in which the next day I had agreed a deal pretty much when on the phone once the lockdown eases. I got shown videos of the underneath which looked nice enough, a driving and engine idling video, the books, a big file of receipts and loads of original tax discs kept, the original Fiat tape, a scrapbook from the first owner of all the petrol station receipts and calculations and the 4 keys one of which is the now seemingly rare silver and blue key as well as the master key. Also had the original keycard.
Quite a few months later I got to go down and give it a test and have a look, while there are some parts I'll want to do just for my own peace of mind it was more than nice enough so payment was made. It did drag a bit after that as the place I got it from due to all this pandemic ended up taking too much on so at the end up to now I ended up dealing with somebody who the person who runs the place drafted in to cope with it all. Thankfully because of that as of just over a week ago I got the car delivered to me, I've got to get the blue owners folder, Fiat tape and the original 16v Turbo badges which they forgot to put in due to the rushed nature of it all, however I have got onto them and will keep on it until they are with me.
The interior looks pretty good, will likely do a bit more cleaning up/enhancing and plan to add some nice carpets too.
The engine bay looks probably about typical for it's age, it mostly needs a clean up however owning a Busso V6 and going all out painting and decorating it, I will be doing the same here in the future. That Delta Integrale derived block deserves to be made to look nice.
I've already noticed a few little flaws that I want to get on top of, the passenger side bonnet strut seems to have had a quick improvised repair in the past which means I have to be careful when having the bonnet fully up and the driver side mirror has stopped working. No doubt there's more bits but I am prepared for stuff like this.
The place I have purchased it from have arranged for the cambelt job as we agreed to be done by Midlands Car Servicing who seem a widely known and well thought of Italian Specialist which is good. They will be collecting the car but given how busy it all is I don't know when, I might message them soon just to confirm and get an idea as that is a job I want doing in the more shorter/immediate term.
In the meantime I am still planning stuff to get on with, once the space I have agreed with my specialist clears the car will be getting stored there with my others when not in use, at the moment it is at my house. Good thing is I purchased a CTEK charger a bit ago so it is plugged in and at least keeping the circulation going. I plan to clean it again soon as just after I got it the weather decided to be rubbish for a few days, typical really, especially given it had a full on valet inside and out!
I have already booked it in for an important preventative maintaince job on the 10th September at my specialist which is a full wax oiling/undersealing and also a health check to see what needs doing. With it being pretty good from the looks of it underneath best keep it that way.
Hopefully will progress with it soon, would be really nice if I had it ready enough for next year.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1643190 05/08/202016:0605/08/202016:06
A few shots of some of the interesting bits and history that comes with the car. The tax discs show an interesting bit of history, turns out that a long time ago the car had a personalised plate put on for a few years before reverting back to it's original number plate in more recent times.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1643414 12/08/202020:0512/08/202020:05
Some more little bits and touching wood making some inroads hopefully on the cambelt being booked and getting underway. Had to predictably do a bit of poking and keeping the pressure on a bit to where I got the car from (I rarely give the hurry up and I'm the sort who probably waits too long and hates having to do it) however my parts should be in the post and hopefully now that the cambelt has now become aware of that should be green lit earliest possible (will breathe easier and get more sleep when that is done).
I received my nice new carpet mats today many thanks to Autostyle who I got custom mats from before, they were quicker than I thought given I only ordered over the weekend. I went with black mats with bright red surround which I felt was just right. Now my original carpet is nicely protected too. They were in a nice state anyway so I cleaned up the the drivers heel pad which was just a little dirty but not ragged like you see on a lot of newer cars, then I just hoovered it all before fitting the new carpets over.
Also due to the weather deciding it was going to turn a bit rubbish right after the car arrived I gave her a much needed clean this morning before it got too hot. Looks much better now, hopefully it lasts a bit longer this time - good thing is along with the cambelt it might not be too long now before I am able to move it into the storage space under cover I have agreed with my other cars.
Looking at it clean and on the second picture especially it made me pleased with my plan of how I am planning to keep it mainly original and just doing refining and cosmetic decorating, I don't even feel it needs the bodykit putting on. The main change is going to be the 17 wheels I plan to add however I will be keeping the originals so it can be reversed without issue. Plus for all I know one day I may change back and find some of the Plus wheels and fit them.
Last edited by JLPicard; 12/08/202020:23.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1644243 10/09/202023:0010/09/202023:00
Things have been a bit silent however I am pleased to say progress is being made. I got the main important document stuff I needed from the place I got the car from (although I'll be submitting for a new reg certificate off myself), however they still didn't fulfil everything so I've decided to leave it as it's just not worth the energy now with a company that ever since lockdown happened has just plummeted in terms of general ability and customer satisfaction. I know it's wrong as they should have done their job but it's a catch 22 and sometimes you just have to move on, there are times I think to myself I'm lucky I actually got the car given the way things were going.
Anyway because of that I have cancelled the cambelt change with where it was originally going to be planned (I would have been stuck and waiting for too long) and now it is booked in with my usual Italian Specialist to be done at the end of this month, so essentially how I would have preferred it in the first place and given the seriousness of the cambelt area it feels great to know one of the main core aspects are going to be ticked off the list. It is safely tucked away in storage now ready for the work, so it made the short but sweet journey and is on track for the cambelt. Will also be getting a full service at the same time, especially since the last service was in 2013!
This week though the undersealing has been going on, luckily while there is some predictable light surface rust, the main sills/panel area I can very happily report are solid and don't need any welding. As you'll see though a good going over is needed to make it look nice.
I took these before the final bit of wax oiling went on, however even with just the spray and cleaning/grinding a big thanks to Gareth at Northern Alfa as it looks loads better now, even went over the exhaust bits so it all looks really smart.
I should be able to get some more shots with the wax oiling finished soon as well. I also purchased a set of new front and rear grooved brake discs with new pads to be fitted when the waxing was being done, however sadly they didn't arrive quite in time so that is being done in just over a week instead now. Would have been nice to get it done at the same time which was the plan however it turns out fate had other ideas. The brakes were an area that I knew right off that bat would need recifying.
After the healthcheck was done predictably due to the age there is a decent list of stuff that needs getting on top of, luckily a lot of it is smaller stuff that can be got on top of without too much issue, main thing really is the cambelt and the need for a full service. The engine oil still looked clear though at least, not really dark and off at least. I was quite happy when my specialist told me it was in nice shape for it's age in which under my ownership I 100% want to keep it that way and make it even better.
There is another bit that is going on, however I'll go into details on that tomorrow.
Last edited by JLPicard; 11/09/202011:09.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1644244 11/09/202011:0911/09/202011:09
Now the other bit of development. I found and purchased a set of 4x98 17 inch six (double) spoke wheels with tyres from Italy just under 2 months ago. They took a while to arrive and I was worried they may have gone missing however it turned out some sort of shipping error may have happened on their end as I got tracking about a week ago which showed it had been returned to the sender. Chances are they must have been idling for a bit until whatever the issue was had been sorted, they arrived yesterday so I went over and dropped them off.
The pictures make the condition look better than what they are actually in, they will need a refurb but I was aware of that before I purchased them. I do like the style and got sent the mock up shots of them on. Even in the current white they look nice however I'm likely going to go with silver.
I also went and purchased a set of nicely refurbished original 16 20vt alloys off eBay which I had been eyeing up for a while just so that I have a nice original set of wheels I have the option of reverting to should I ever decide to change back to some nice looking original Coupe wheels. I much prefer the original 20vt wheels over the ones the came with the 16vt. My specialist also knows and is going to ask someone who might need/or be interested in the 16vt wheels and tyres the car came with. I know they aren't the most popular and don't go for much so I am going to be charitable and let them have it for free if they want them. If they don't want them I would be happy to offer them to someone here who might want them, all you would have to do is come and get them but I wouldn't be after any money for them, again though I've agreed first dibs with my specialist at the moment.
Also got one of those cheap but apparently quite good and effective DAB radio single din units which arrived this morning, my original one sadly seems to have stopped working. Still keeping it for originality/nostalgia sake though. Won't be getting the new one fitted just yet as it's not a major priority compared to the other stuff but it's there ready.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1644586 24/09/202015:0424/09/202015:04
As it turns out I have decided to go with the 20VT alloys, they looked amazing and made me 100% happy with my decision and also 100% optimistic they will go great with the car. It's a pity about the 17's, at the time it was what I was after, although things change over time and this is just one of those things. I don't think I'll be able to sell them even at the very low price I have them up for, upon closer looking when I took them home today there's more bits of damage so it's likely I'll just end up settling for scrap value if nothing happens in a week or so. The Pirelli P Zeros they have on them are probably of more interest ironically. At the end of the day when personalising stuff like this not every decision you make works out as planned. I have learned though after trying it one other time that I just don't quite fit with aftermarket wheels, I always end up going with a nice stock/OE styled one so I think I'll just keep it that way.
The 10mm spacers at least still have use as they are going to be used with the 20VT alloys, big thanks to Gareth at Northern Alfa Performance as usual. He's done a great job at custom maching the spacers so they can work with the original wheel nuts/bolts.
It is starting to come together a bit now at least, as can be seen with the new grooved MTEC brake discs that have been fitted now that area looks a lot better now. I've ordered the tyres today (UniRoyal Rainsports), they tend to arrive fairly fast from the place I get them from so I'll be bring the rest of the wheels and the tyres over next week in which they'll be fitted on fully when the cambelt and full service is done later next week.
After that I should hopefully be receiving the brake caliper paint soon to go with the Fiat decals that have already arrived which will be the next job, along with possibly investigating a slight leak on the power steering pipe.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1644811 04/10/202013:2104/10/202013:21
And after what is likely an eternity from whenever it was last changed, the cambelt and the bits associated with it have been completed late last week. Along with a full service which it needed as well I bought a Pipercross air filter to have fitted. No idea of any difference it might make as I've not driven it and may not for a bit still but it can't hurt, I'd imagine it might make a subtle improvement but not groundbreaking.
My UniRoyal Rainsport 5 arrived ready so the 20VT wheels have now been fully fitted, definitely happy I went with this choice for the wheels in the end.
The brake caliper paint has arrived, along with the decals I will likely bring them over next week to be ready for when the painting can be booked in. It also gives me a chance to ask whether I would be ok to drive it a bit or wait until some more bits get done, although I'd most likely wait until the brake calipers are painted - a change like that can make a big difference visually especially if I decide to go to some small more local Italian meets.
Last edited by JLPicard; 04/10/202013:22.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1646040 10/11/202021:2710/11/202021:27
Brake area is pretty much finished and is much superior both cosmetically and mechanically now. While I haven't driven it I just know it's going to stop and feel better than before when I first got it as it really did look and feel not ideal. The yellow caliper paint went on well so the actual calipers were at least ok and clearly had nothing nasty on them to make painting and layering difficult. Still got the stickers to put on but not really in a mega hurry.
Also found the much wanted badges, the Turbo ones are replicas but will be fine, the 16v ones are genuine. Should be on soon.
Overall the jigsaw is starting to take shape with more to come. Also I received my registration certificate after filling in the V62 since it became clear that the place I got the car from were 100% not going to bother. It's a relief but surprising considering it arrived just shy of a month after sending it off given that due to the pandemic the DVLA mentioned there might be lengthy delays but happily not the case here! It's great having it now all up to date.
All being good since I have a bit of time off I'm going to be getting the Coupe on Thursday to take home for a few days over the weekend and also give it a bit of a drive. I know there's nothing on and nowhere to go to stop and chill out as we would do if things were normal but a bit of a drive around the block is better than nothing.
Last edited by JLPicard; 10/11/202022:10.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1651473 16/06/202111:1316/06/202111:13
It's been a bit of time but now things are going to get going. I'm now in the position where I can without any trouble start getting bits and developing/booking stuff in. It's still going to be a bit by bit thing and it probably won't be until next year when it is properly ready, however before the end of the year as it is it should be fully driveable and still presentable enough.
To get things going last night I ordered that really nice looking custom exhaust manifold from Walkers Garage, great service already got an email this morning to say it is being sent next day delivery today so hopefully should be arriving tomorrow so looking forward to seeing it when I get home from work.
July 19th it is booked in to be fitted and also heat wrapped along with a much needed clutch replacement and the new thermostat I got from the Coupe Club group buy thread. After that all being good the car should be driveable. If all goes to plan then I will be getting a suspension kit to slightly enhance it's stance next.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1652088 20/07/202115:2720/07/202115:27
Nice progress being made again, the clutch has been done finally and it's well pretty much an entire improvement over before in the fact that it feels like a clutch now with a full biting point rather than only having about 1% of it left. When it was changed the conclusion was that it looked likely it was the original clutch too, so at 25 years old it was definitely time!
Manifold and thermostat going on which was planned for the rest of this week, might be a bit more of a faff but fingers crossed it goes as smooth as it can.
Now onto the 9th August where the BC coilovers and the Cybox exhaust get fitted, if it all feels and runs good still without any advisable concern then it will be ready enough for going out to maybe some of my usual meet ups, yes I've got the engine bay to tidy up and decorate and maybe some more larger cosmetic changes in the future but for the time being it will be presentable enough, visually and aurally! It'll be around a year by then since I got the car and started with it, the progress in that time has been steady but I'm happy with the progress that has been made on a car that is as far back as this now. I got quite lucky as it could have been a lot worse, main thing was prioritising the cambelt and associated areas and then wax oiling and undersealing it all despite it being very good anyway just for peace of mind and avoiding any future pitfalls.
Forgot to get actual shots of the coilovers but the stock one will do, the Cybox exhaust looks really nice quality and should make it sound quite nice and free things up. Also some shots today of the little bits that have been on but I've not seen on until today due to it being stored until the work resumed again, not the best pics as my phone's camera isn't great but it shows it enough. Looks a lot better now the 16VT badges are on and the brakes have had the decals applied.
I'm sure I saw there might be another Coupe meet up at the Motorist in August so hopefully I might drop in just in time for that if I can.
Last edited by JLPicard; 20/07/202115:36.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1652445 13/08/202118:0313/08/202118:03
I should all being well be able to get some updated shots next week, as the work in question has been finished earlier today, thanks to Gareth at Northern Alfa Performance. A few more little bits cropped up along the way which were addressed.
The Cybox went on fine, however it turned out the front down pipe that joins onto the catalyst at the front wasn't the original and was a custom job at some point before. Initially you would think that is better but not when it was made not fully accurate to the point where the join was off twisting the catalyst and making everything following it not fully smooth and also vibrating against the surrounding walls in areas. The down pipe has been adjusted to fit everything correctly now, needed a bit of chopping and welding predictably. At some point later on I'll be looking at getting a completely new and better pipe in that area.
I've been told the exhaust sounds better now and has a note to it, so will be keen to see that next week, along with the overall look of the car and the new better stance with the coilovers.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1653245 02/10/202109:4902/10/202109:49
Quite late update on here, but some shots of how it looks now with more of the parts mentioned fitted.
MITCAR was a nice first meet up driving it there, despite the average weather that just got worse after 2pm. Ultimately it was really good to finally meet up with the club driving the Coupe now that maintainance wise it is nice enough now.
I did manage to find a new drivers door seal it needed badly so that will be fitted soon, along with the brake calipers getting repainted again in a much nicer looking and better quality/finish metallic Zoe yellow from a rattle can which is replacing the tinned yellow on this and my other Alfas that have yellow calipers. The tinned yellow sadly just doesn't hold up and no matter what you do isn't a very nice finish. Apart from that there isn't really anything planned for the rest of this year, however around later into December and into the start of next year there is something considerable planned.
Last edited by JLPicard; 02/10/202109:50.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1657118 23/04/202210:2823/04/202210:28
And after a few setbacks and delays the large update is finished. The paint needed a refresh really, it looked nice for it's age and not faded however someone had used a handheld buffing/paint polisher for too long which left parts of the car showing bits of paint stripped off. Plus I am a sucker for metallic colours and this is a car so rare and special to me I wanted to give it some modern fancy treatment.
Things didn't start off great, as the original painter pulled out due to business reasons (big client who basically pushes in and makes all the existing customers work and plans get cancelled, still very annoying, would like to see how they feel if the same happened to them). It happened just as the engine had been took out and the inside had been stripped.
Fortunately Gareth at Northern Alfa knew a very painter called Tony to paint the inside and the engine bits so big thanks to them. That meant the work could continue so the engine bits were painted the main new body colour of Misano Blue metallic, with the cambelt cover painted Zoe Yellow metallic.
And from then on things looking more in place, new refreshed engine back in with the black areas painted gloss black, some by Tony and the rest by Metal Magic. Also got an OMP strut brace that was also painted Misano Blue.
I know the outside hadn't been done yet, but both me and Gareth were very pleased with how it turned out despite the work and cost. We felt the new colour and the colour change in general while quite a big and risky thing has worked very nicely.
Now the new interior was fitted, got a very nice and rare grey interior from a 20VT with the doors thanks to Joe at FCSS which would contrast and compliment the blue very well. Here it is pre colour change, still works well with red too.
And now the car just before it went to the paint shop, Richard and his family team at Re-Finishing Maltby did a great job on it in the end.
The transformation continues on the next post.
Re: Captains 16VT Coupe Project
[Re: JLPicard]
#1657120 23/04/202211:0223/04/202211:02
Now there were quite a few bits and bobs to update on the makeover.
I had got some black 16v badges to keep things looking not out of place (given this is a modern colour there's no 16v badges with Misano Blue stripes through them!) and got a separate set of 20v door pillars which I had painted gloss black, the 20v badge took out with the new 16v ones in and also even better the chrome Turbo came out and back in without being broken so it all matched.
I also had a new set of side Pininfarina badges and a new bonnet Fiat badge to fit. I decided to just have the rear Fiat badge took off and left because I prefer a smoother streamlined looked where possible. The work went really well and it was done in 2 weeks, I was quite surprised last Monday to find out that it going to be done that day. When I saw it this was one of the few times where I was trying to say words but just couldn't it looked that nice and the colour just well, worked perfectly for me. First shots of it ready in the paintshop.
I also got a nice barely used set of original Zender metal pedals last year which really compliment the new interior now. Also got a new hazard switch to replace the old pink one just in time for the change. New Autostyle carpets also fitted to match the new colour combo.
And now some final shots for now of it outside, I had limited time and the weather wasn't fully sunny but Misano Blue still looks strong in any light at least. I'll get some more shots anyway as time goes on.
I've got the bottom rear reflectors to put back, reason they weren't is because the drivers side one looked a bit mucky at the back and given the nice new paint would be better to wait til I have a better looking one. I have found a set so hopefully that should be better. Not sure whether I'll be at Borders Italian Car Day with it, depends on if the personalised plate (I finally caved in and bought one that suits the car) get's all processed in time on the system. The actual plates arrived yesterday at least so Gareth can put them on the car when I drop them off next week. I'm surprised it was available but I found one that suited the car but also generally sounded quite catchy in almost 80s action movie sort of way, F16TBO. Remeinds me of Top Gun so may have to dress in a suit, the Coupe definitely has a fighter jet vibe to it!