new addition

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:16 am

I picked up an 87 Alfa Milano tonight. Drove it home about 50 miles somehow. One of the most harrowing drives I can remember! I plan on parting it out and stuffing the V6 into my 73 coupe. Just because I need another project on my list

fiater · Post by **fiater** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 6:50 am

Mark, How's the old Mopar coming? I have a '52 Plymouth Cranbrook that I parked in '79 because it's pretty rough. One of these days I might just try to salvage it.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:09 am

Those Milano's sure are nice...but you may want to seek professional help for that disease of yours.

When you find someone, let me know. I just bought another X19 yesterday.

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:18 pm

i saw an early x the other day and left a note on it for the owner saying i wanted to buy it. want to stuff a wild 2 liter into it just for kicks.
my buddy just gave me his alfa romeo sprint veloce the other day, wheres that doctor

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:18 pm

I've got the Desoto running. Had to pull the head and fix a stuck valve. Haven't done much since then. I'm getting ready to get back to it though.

The Milano is a cool car, but this one would lots of work to make it a driver again. After looking it over this morning in the light, I'm amazed it made the trip last night! Left front wheel has lots of negative camber from an accident, making it hard to turn. Flex joint completely disintegrated, just the two flanges rattling around against each other. Cat converter broken and rattling like a couple of pipes banging together. Only 1 headlight, and that one points straight down. Dash lights flashing on and off, warning center blinking on and off. Expired tags. And we only had to go 50 miles in rush hour traffic.
Just another adventure

The plan is to part this thing out, and stuff the drivetrain in the coupe. Probably not gonna happen this weekend though!

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 4:19 pm

at what vehicle count does a passion turn to a disease?

you see, i am really worried here, with three rag tops, two rangers and a econoline van in my back yard. my youngest complains that we look like a used car lot, even when we have no company. when her three sisters and the assorted boyfriends show up for a family gathering.......it looks like an extension to the wally-world parking lot.

jprisbe · Post by **jprisbe** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 7:10 pm

There is a 12 step program for your addiction:

Step 1: buy a 124 Spider
Step 2: buy an Alfa Milano
Step 3: buy a 850 Spider
Step 4: buy an Alfa Spider
Step 5: buy an X1/9
Step 6...

I think you get the idea.

Of course if you part any of them out you have to start over at that step.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:29 pm

jprisbe wrote: Of course if you part any of them out you have to start over at that step.

Lol, Jon! That's the exact argument I gave my husband when he told me I couldn't buy any more Fiats. I'm already at step 5.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 10:33 pm

here's the latest inventory;
1 1987 Alfa Milano-parting out
1 1941 Desoto
1 1973 124 coupe-2L
1 1987 Lincoln MKVII-parting out
3 1979 124 Spiders-parting out
1 1989 Chev S10 truck-theft recovery, not assembled yet
1 1976 124 Spider-parting out
2 1977 Spiders-parting out
1 1969 Spider, building a new motor for it, 4bbl conversion
1 1979 Chev Suburban-pulls the trailer
1 1985 Chev Dually truck-needs a crankshaft
1 1976 124 Spider-my driver, this one runs!
1 1985 X 1/9-this one runs too!
1 1988 Toyota truck-daily driver
1 1999 Ford Contour-daughters' car
1 2005 Infiniti G35-wifes' car

I think at this point it's terminal

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:51 am

Forget any professional help, Mark. I suspect you're too far gone. I, on the other hand, may still have time. What do you think?

1 79 Spider parts car
1 78 Spider parts car
1 72 Spider resto
1 70 Spider resto
1 71 Spider running
1 72 Spider running (my baby)
4 77 X19's parts cars
1 82 X19 soon to be race car
1 04 Ford dually
1 78 Chev dually
1 93 Chev Suburban
1 94 Chev S10
1 90 Ford box van
1 99 Grand Prix...

Maybe Ron has a point.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:29 am

Jon,

When did you buy an Alpha Milano?

My wife's only complaint so far is when I farm them out for the winter. You see, I need a pole barn.

The daughter is jealous, and insists that the last one is for her (yeah, right).

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:51 am

oh Denise, we may both have to sign up for group therapy. Maybe a support group? Someone to call to talk us out of more acquisitions. At least I have sold a couple of cars in recent months; the 79 131 and 72 Spider both found new homes

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 10:12 am

selling one or two is not the same as cured.

back in the day.......i quit smoking every night.....still addicted, but quit every night.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:17 am

I admire your resolve; quitting each night takes courage!

fiater · Post by **fiater** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:58 pm

If you guys only have one hobby, you're smarter than I am. In addition to my Fiats, I have a wood boat and a motorcycle.
'76 124 Spider
'74 124 Special TC (1800 transplant)
'80 124 Spider parts car (1800 transplant)
'87 Toyota 2wd pickup
'88 Toyota 4wd pickup
'88 Corolla wagon
'88 Corolla wagon parts car
'92 Corolla LE (collision project)
'00 Corolla
'94 Camry
'52 Plymouth Cranbrook (some-day project)
'79 Honda Goldwing
'63 28' Owens