Several years ago Akkana, Phil and I went up to Sacromento from
Santa Cruz for an autocross. I was driving my Sprite, they were both
driving X1/9s. I think that we averaged about 40 miles between having
to stop to fix something on one of the fiats. The sprite performed
beautifully until we were in Fairfield where one or both of them were
fixing something on one of the Fiats, and being bored I started poking
in my engine compartment. I noticed a miniscule water leak and decided
to fix it. In my attempt to remove the water hose to reseat it I ended
up tearing the hose off. Oops, it was several years old. The kid at
Grand Auto had never even heard of MG or Austin, but I was able to get
hose that just didn't have the third bit that went up to the heater.
The X1/9s are nice cars, but way too heavy for their size. I like either
B's or spridgets better. They handle just as well, go faster and are
more reliable.
I don't have any personal experience with Alfas but have always thought the
Giulliettas and Giullias were very pretty. I live down the street from
Al Leake who has had good success in SCCA GProd with Alfas. The Zagatto Jr.s
are also very intriguing.
Larry
On Thu, Jan 13, 2000 at 05:45:02PM -0500, Mark the Shark wrote:
> At the risk of offending LBC lovers I'd have to agree with you on the
> Bertone X1/9 John. I had a 82 and it was such a fun car. Wish I hadn't got
> rid of mine either.
>
> Mark Ascherl
> Raleigh, NC
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Steczkowski" <stecz@Crossroads.com>
> To: "'Rick Roberts'" <rrobertsmg@hotmail.com>; <mgs@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2000 5:28 PM
> Subject: RE: Alfa Romeo
>
>
> > Before I bought my MG, I was sure that I wanted an Alfa. I drove a bunch
> of
> > them and was always unsatisfied with the way they handled, they had a
> > disconnected feel to the rear suspension, and each one that I drove felt
> the
> > same way. I then drove an MG, basically I was sure I wanted the Alfa, but
> > I'd try out the MG just to see. What a difference. The MG has a much
> better
> > feel to it and I've enjoyed it for that last 2.5 years. The MG is a much
> > more "primitive" car, but I'm glad I test drove one before I bought an
> Alfa.
> >
> > I've had an Italian car before. I had an '85 Bertone X1/9 and I really
> loved
> > it. I ended up selling it when I had to many cars, now I'm sorry I didn't
> > fight harder to keep the darn thing.
> >
> > ----
> > John Steczkowski
> > Director, Server I/O
> > Crossroads Systems, Inc.
> > 512-794-2742
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: Rick Roberts [mailto:rrobertsmg@hotmail.com]
> > > Sent: Thursday, January 13, 2000 7:16 AM
> > > To: mgs@autox.team.net
> > > Subject: Alfa Romeo
> > >
> > >
> > > For fear of being banned from the NG, I was wondering if
> > > someone might shed
> > > some light about these Alfa Romeos?
> > >
> > > I'm about to purchase something and I'm torn between MGs,
> > > Triumphs, and
> > > these mysteriuous Alfas.
> > >
> > > I know from experience parts availability for MGs and
> > > Triumphs is excellent
> > > but I can't seem to find much on the Alfa Romeo. (perhaps an omen)!
> > >
> > > Any insight??
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > Rick
> > >
--
Computer guru: Someone who read the manual.
lrc@red4est.com http://www.red4est.com/lrc
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