Kevin MacBride
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Megaposter
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« on: 24 April, 2014, 11:02:21 PM » |
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Some of you may know that I've worked for Fiat/Lancia/Alfa Romeo related Dealerships for a long time now, over 30 years. In the past few years I've started a new venture, basically breaking cars/vans for parts. One interesting thing cropped up over the past few months. I've begun to get enquiries for 'subframes'...for Alfa Romeo 159's, and the issue is rust !!! I've sold 2 so far this year, and just got an order this week for another one. Now I seem to remember that it was a certain subframe issue that started the rot (excuse the pun), which more or less resulted in the demise of a certain car Italian car brand. Have times and perceptions changed, or is it simply not newsworthy. Personally I always thought that there was something behind the original 'rust scandal' than simply a health and safety issue. Pictured is a 35 year old Beta subframe, which we replaced under warranty way back when. Don't ask me why, but it managed to hide itself in the back of the stores all this time. As you can see...it hasn't rotted away.
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B20 4th series (having a 'facelift')
2000 sedan Fiat Multipla Fiat Cinquecento
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the.cern
Permanent resident
Posts: 1494
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« Reply #1 on: 25 April, 2014, 06:37:17 AM » |
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Some time ago, on this Forum, someone recommended a book entitled 'Turning Back The Clock, The Life and Times of a Motor Trader'. This contains the experience of a second-hand car dealer, working with various makes of car, throughout his working life.
It was recommended because of the way the trader dealt with the Lancia Beta scandal, if you read the book you will see scandal is an appropriate description. Yes, Lancia could have handled it better, but it is apparent that various parts of the media lied, exaggerated and generally played with the whole problem until Lancia was harried out of the country. That was a lot of investment and many jobs lost just to sell a few papers!!!!!!
It is a very readable book and I thoroughly enjoyed it, all of it, not just the Lancia parts.
Andy
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fay66
Permanent resident
Posts: 6191
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« Reply #2 on: 25 April, 2014, 09:43:56 AM » |
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As Andy says, well worth reading, just wish I could remember who borrowed my copy last year as it still hasn't found it's way home Brian 8227
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Own 1966 Fulvia 2C Berlina since 1997, back on road 11-1999.Known as "Fay" 2006 Renault Megane 1 5 Dci Sports Tourer Dedra Technical Adviser
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lancialulu
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« Reply #3 on: 25 April, 2014, 10:59:32 AM » |
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As Andy says, well worth reading, just wish I could remember who borrowed my copy last year as it still hasn't found it's way home Brian 8227 Brian it was me but I gave it back to you I think on the Knights rally. I was going to give it to you at the walled garden but you unfortunately no showed due to a puncture. Hope you find it. Tim
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Its not the winning but taking part! or is it taking apart? Lancias: 1955 Aurelia B12 1967 Fulvia 1.3HFR 1972 Fulvia 1600HF 1972 Fulvia Sport 1600 1983 HPE VX 1988 Delta 1.6GTie 1998 Zeta 21. 12v
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peteracs
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« Reply #4 on: 25 April, 2014, 11:39:21 AM » |
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Hi Andy, Kevin et al
Ok sold on the book, just ordered a copy.......
As a follow on from Kevin's comment about the subframe, I recently stripped a Spyder and scrapped it. One of the interesting point was even though this was an early S2 so around 76/77 manufacture there was tons of rust as you would expect, but the areas where there was no rust was on the body part and the subframe where they meet at the rear and the bolts and pins around the subframe were still perfect. Even taking the bolts out proved not difficult and in good condition. I have no idea of the age of the subframe, but it is still usable.
Looking at my Spyder which I suspect still has its original subframe, again the subframe mounts are in great shape, unlike some of the original bodywork, especially the wings and and sills etc.
Peter
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Beta Spyder S2 pre F/L 1600 Beta HPE S2 pre F/L 1600
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fay66
Permanent resident
Posts: 6191
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« Reply #5 on: 25 April, 2014, 01:37:51 PM » |
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As Andy says, well worth reading, just wish I could remember who borrowed my copy last year as it still hasn't found it's way home Brian 8227 Brian it was me but I gave it back to you I think on the Knights rally. I was going to give it to you at the walled garden but you unfortunately no showed due to a puncture. Hope you find it. Tim Thanks Tim, I think it went out again after you returned it. Not in it's usual place but I'll have a look around. Brian 8227
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Own 1966 Fulvia 2C Berlina since 1997, back on road 11-1999.Known as "Fay" 2006 Renault Megane 1 5 Dci Sports Tourer Dedra Technical Adviser
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Tim Ray
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« Reply #6 on: 25 April, 2014, 03:39:49 PM » |
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Hello Brian The book mystery is solved. I've got it, as you kindly left it with me when you visited after the Knights Rally. I'm not at Puy De Gras at the moment but I'll give you a call when I'm back next week. Regards Tim
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fay66
Permanent resident
Posts: 6191
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« Reply #7 on: 25 April, 2014, 10:27:36 PM » |
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Hello Brian The book mystery is solved. I've got it, as you kindly left it with me when you visited after the Knights Rally. I'm not at Puy De Gras at the moment but I'll give you a call when I'm back next week. Regards Tim
Thanks Tim, no problem as I now remember leaving it with you , I can swop it with you next time we meet for Barbara's 6 Million Frenchmen can't be wrong!! Brian 8227
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Own 1966 Fulvia 2C Berlina since 1997, back on road 11-1999.Known as "Fay" 2006 Renault Megane 1 5 Dci Sports Tourer Dedra Technical Adviser
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Parisien
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« Reply #8 on: 26 April, 2014, 08:23:59 AM » |
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I had also passed on my copy to a member....so it can be passed to some one else if interested
P
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Frank Gallagher
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peteracs
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« Reply #9 on: 26 April, 2014, 11:13:09 AM » |
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As it happens I also just reached the section in The Book last night which references this book.
Peter
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Beta Spyder S2 pre F/L 1600 Beta HPE S2 pre F/L 1600
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Chris Hopkins
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« Reply #10 on: 27 April, 2014, 05:16:00 PM » |
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The Library has a copy too, an entertaining read.
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Chris Hopkins 1971 Fulvia Berlina S2 1973 Fulvia Sport 1600 2011 Delta 3 Limited 2012 Ypsilon 1.2 Limited Edition
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HF_Dave
Megaposter
Posts: 489
Rust , What Rust !! I don't See any rust !!!
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« Reply #11 on: 28 April, 2014, 08:47:34 PM » |
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I have a small paperback book called "How to buy a car" My dad bought it for me in the late seventies around the time I discovered cheap Lancia's . It was written by someone in the trade with years of experience selling Duff motors . I must look for it as it was a good read at the time I can remember a quote in it where it said " try to avoid foreign motors like large Fiat saloons" So I went out and bought a Fiat 130 ! (eventually)
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My Current Cars:
1991 Thema station wagon 1989 Thema 16v 2011 Lancia Delta 3
1977 Beta sedan 2000 1975 Fulvia S3 1.3 1973 Flavia HF 2000 Coupe 1972 Fulvia S2 1.3 1989 Thema 8.32 **Other Makes** 2018 Alfa Giulia 1999 Alfa 156 2009 Fiat Du
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