Highlights

• Right-hand drive Bell & Colvill Ltd UK car
• Almost £10,000 spent on recommissioning with Ian Ellis Classic Alfas following more than a decade SORN in dry storage
• A very usable example that’s not too pristine to drive regularly and enthusiastically 
• Reportedly in very good running order, with many of its mechanicals rebuilt few miles before it entered storage
• Nicely preserved original interior

The Appeal

The History and Paperwork

• MOT valid until July 2024, although exempt
• 98,572 miles indicated on the odometer
• Documented service history dates back to 2001
• Originally supplied in 1976 by Bell & Colvill Ltd - (retains its original sticker)
• Between 2012 and 2023, the car was SORN and dry stored
• Recently recommissioned after leaving the garage in April 2023
• We’re informed that almost £10,000 was spent on recommissioning with renowned specialist Ian Ellis Classic Alfas
• Substantial history file containing a number of invoices and previous MOT certificates 

The Interior

• Well preserved original interior 
• Black vinyl upholstery
• The door cards are both in excellent order, with no obvious damage or notable wear
• Smart seats in good order for their age
• The passenger seat has a small split to the bolsters
• The vendor assures us that all the instruments, warning lights and switches work correctly
• Heater fan, rear window heater, wipers, and after-market hazard lights working correctly
• Retains its original deep-dish wood-rim steering wheel which is till in great shape
• Now fitted with a chromed gear knob
• Minimal wear to the controls
• The dashboard and various trims are all in fine order
• The carpeting and heading remain in good condition, with only a little age related wear
• Some of the boot linings have come away a little but remain in present and in fair condition

The Exterior 

• Resprayed by Ian Ellis Classic Alfas in 2001
• There are now some chips and some bubbling around the wheel arches, rear window, windscreen, fuel flap, doors, bonnet and boot panel
• The underside has been recently treated for any surface rust and then had a Kent rubber guard applied by a 105 Series Alfa Romeo specialist
• The vendor recommends some bodywork restoration in the near future in order to preserve the car and add to its value
• Smart steel wheels with a little surface rust in some places
• The chrome presents really well and the paintwork remains bright in spite of the various blemishes
• The bodywork remains really straight overall and there are no structural issues identified by the last MOT test in July 2023

The Mechanics 

• 1600 cc four-cylinder alloy twin-cam engine 
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• Disc brakes front and rear
• The engine and gearbox were rebuilt in 2003 with new valves, springs, valve seats and new DellOrto carbs
• New clutch fitted at the same time as the engine / gearbox rebuild and all this work totalled £3,200
• Few miles covered since the extensive mechanical work - (98429 miles in the July 2023 MOT vs 96971 in the 2007 MOT)
• Harvey Bailey handling kit fitted in 2005 with Koni Sport shock absorbers (fitted by OSM Alfa)

• Replacement of brake master cylinder 
• New brake servos and brake callipers
• New clutch master cylinder and slave cylinder
• The batter was replaced
• New carburettor mounts
• The ignition timing was adjusted
• Accelerator pump jets cleaned

Summary