Beschreibung
This is Ralph, I've owned him since 2015, we have covered around 10000 glorious miles together. Always garaged in my ownership, I've used him as my daily when it's not raining or salty, (he has been caught out occasionally in the rain.) I've used him for trips to Duxford, Caff and Mac, Bicester and elsewhere over the years. Every trip has been a delight as the steering is (early quicker rack) direct and informative, the 2. 0 engine is super smooth and rev hungry and the grip is prodigious and predictable. There have been no reliability issues at all. The shape was penned by Pininfarina, I still can't help looking back over my shoulder when I've parked it.
I have kept a diary of the work done on the car in my ownership.
16/ 01/ 16 Clutch slave cylinder / oil & filter 86760
27/ 01/ 26 New tyres Toyo 205/ 50-16 86860
Front discs & pads/ rear brake service /
new fluid/ antiroll bar droplinks 86926
Lower wishbones / Autodelta free flow air filter 89151
Oil & fliter 89390
13/ 02/ 17 Stainless mid and rear section of the exhaust mounted
13/ 04/ 17 Monroe shock absorbers on front / new cv gaiters 90007
12/ 10/ 17 New wipers 91715
12/ 11/ 18 Cambelt, tensioners, waterpump, balancer belts, spark plugs, oil, filters, gaskets, coolant,
service and check of the brakes,
major components and corrosion. 93938
17/ 08/ 20 New front tyres 96357
I have just put a new MOT with no advisories on him, expiring on the 18/ 08/ 2021.
So to the bad bits, Ralph is far from perfect but nothing prevents him being driven or appreciated(just look at the photos!) but he is really a ten foot car. The paintwork does not stand up to close scrutiny, in the file is a bill for a £1500 paint job, I personally wouldn't have paid it as there are microblisters and smudges in places. add to this the stonechips on the front and the odd scratch...
That said, Ralph garners a lot of praise for looking great so is it that bad? I am maybe too picky.
Corrosion? Two patches that I am aware of, a small patch on the passenger inside sill, this has been checked and treated. A small patch on the underside edge of the bootlid that cannot be seen unless you sit down on the floor behind the car and look up(??), again this has been treated and is not expanding.
There are minor issues such as the rear demist not working, the lack of an aerial, the boot stays don't hold it open, the battery is not the strongest( I keep it conditioned in the garage), the headlining is held up by a fix that works(quite proud of it), the interior is worn in places but still looks great(see photos), the driver's door check strap is not connected and there is a rubber strip missing on the driver's door aperture.
None of these change the way this car looks or drives in my opinion and I reckon there are fewer ways to buy and enjoy a cheaper Pininfarina designed car that is surely bound to go up in price.
So, buy the car and enjoy what I have been lucky enough to enjoy for five years now and if you want to improve the car, you have a sound basis, brilliant club support (I am an Alfa Romeo Owners Club member), multiple tuning opportunities and excellent spares availability.
I will be sad to see him go but I have to make space for a much older car in the garage and fund a son's driving lessons.
I've lowered the price, you live and learn.
