Alfa Pages

The Wombat

Having recently acquired my red P4, which needs some welding, mechanical work, and paint to get it back on the road, and having realized I will not get to this until June when I complete my teacher training, I decided I needed a 33 to drive in the meantime.

Have been tracking a few on eBay - there was a green phase 3 1.7 8v in Glastonbury that needed some work, the 1.5Ti that has been on eBay twice in the last month (was very tempted by that first time round), and a couple of P4s.

Ultimately I contacted the owner of the white P4 that was for sale up in Stornoway. There was some commentary on AlfaOwners suggesting the car was well looked after, and I have seen a lot of photos showing how nice it is.

I have taken the plunge, and will be heading up north next weekend to pick it up and drive it back.

Had the pleasure of meeting the owner who was visiting close by last weekend, and his son is helping with collection.

Its a long way to travel, but pleased with what I am buying.

Will post more pics etc when I get it home. It will also be handy having a template to work to when I get started on the red one.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

33bits · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:04 pm Post subject:

Well done sir. That's Harry's P4 I believe. I've had the pleasure of meeting him a few times, lovely bloke. It truly is a very good example of a 33 p4, I've sold him quite a few bits in the past & he is always keen to get good bits so suggests the car is well looked after.
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155 sportpack
33 16v Sportwagon
33 Permanent 4
33 16v (for sale)
156 JTS sportwagon
contact me for any 33 parts. Alex, 07896-327708

The Wombat · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2012 9:23 pm Post subject:

Thanks Alex

Yes, its Harrys. It was a pleasure meeting him, and I am looking forward to meeting his son and picking up the car, although I have just seen the weather for next weekend and might be driving it back in snow!!!

By the way, I have a bug come up when I try and PM, so just to say thanks for following up on the skirts. Very appreciated - keep me posted.

Hope all is well with you.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 7:54 am Post subject:

Looks very good.

Are those nice bonnet vents functional though?

Good luck

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

vantastic · Alfa Sprint Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 168

Bargain mate Cool

_________________
P4 33......Fratellino (black)
V6 75 3.0.....Marmite
V6 155....Cristine (24v 3.0 Q2) spazio

The Wombat · Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2012 9:27 pm Post subject:

john 33_16v

The Wombat · Posted: Tue Oct 23, 2012 5:50 pm Post subject:

That'll be the northern light(s) then Very Happy

_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

The Wombat · Posted: Sat Oct 27, 2012 11:51 pm Post subject:

Now in Edinburgh after picking the car up today in Stornoway. Son far its been OK.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

The Wombat · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 8:49 pm Post subject:

Car is now home after a great drive down from Stornoway via Edinburgh.

Very pleased with it. Will post some photos tomorrow, but here are a list of first impressions from the drive and a quick look around the car:

- Engine is great
- Per previous 33s I have had, its like stirring the XMas pud finding a gear. Might mod the gearshift in the future.
- All the gears are good though. Second is fine. Just need to be precise when shifting into second
- Interior is all good and all works. Seats are comfy. Needs a bit of a clean but please with how it looks
- Warped front brake disc on the drivers side I think
- Brake booster not working (might be something else, but will do a complete brake service, pads, discs, make sure all calipers are working etc)
- Slight thrumming noise from drivers side at motorway speeds - could actually be the warped disc just hitting the pads as can just feel it through the steering, but equally, wheel balance, tyre bulge - that kinda thing
- Bearing whine from the 4 wheel drive system. Its not there if the fuse for the system is removed, so something to do with the electric clutch being engaged and passing the 5% or more drive through to the back wheels. I would guess either the output shaft bearing on the back of the box, or one of the viscious coupling bearings, as it sounds like the middle of the car not the back axle

Externally, the OS quarter will need some investigation next summer. Start of a little bit of bubbling near the fuel filler and towards the rear wheel arch. Nothing bad or eye catching now, but definitely there. Everywhere else, the panels have been touched in here and there, and looks like the rear door upper halves have been painted. Its had 2 new front wings in the past which could be re-fitted to give a better shut line with the bonnet - oh and those bonnet scoops. Just stuck on and will have to go

Not investigated the spares yet that came with the car, as there were 3 taped up boxes already in the boot. I loaded in a gearbox, lower front arms, driveshafts, springs and a bunch of other stuff.

All in all, very pleased with it for the price I paid and the cost of collecting it.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

The Wombat · Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2012 10:07 pm Post subject:

Oh, and a question for anyone in the know.

The instrument cluster has decals on it that I have not seen before.

In between the clocks, and above the warning lights, there are two stickers which look like they should be there (i.e. not added afterwards).

The larger is 'Alfa Corse' with a green cloverleaf in a triangle.

The second is like a tiny label which has on it:
- DEKRA 8
- Larini
- Some kind of tiny signature

I did an internet search for this, and it looks like Larini was in the EU touring car series in a 155 around the time this car was sold new, and Larini was sponsored by DEKRA and his car number was 8.

Anyone come across this before and know what it is? My other P4 does not have it, and nor do others I have seen.

Will post a pic of it tomorrow.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

john 33_16v · Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 12:54 pm Post subject:

Great stuff, and obviously quite an adventure- very brave!

The stickers in the clocks were probably added by an owner, but may have been some kinda special or done by the dealer?? It's quite straightforward to get the binnacle out and take the perspex screen off giving access for stickers, chrome bezels, white gauge overlays etc etc.

Larini car=

I've got some brand new boxed brembo max REAR discs for a p4 if you need any of those- bought in error and willing to let go at a loss Evil or Very Mad

More pics please!

Good luck,

John
_________________
If it aint broke, fiddle with it until it is!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
93 33 16v Mirtle Met
08 Fiat Grande Punto Exotica Red
90 Yamaha FZR600 Genesis- Silky white/red/blue

The Wombat · Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2012 7:08 pm Post subject:

A couple of pics from the journey back from Stornoway:

Ferry port on the island:

Boot full of goodies:

Coming out of Ullapool

Got to say I am loving driving this car. Went out in it today, and it drives well. Brakes have come back a bit (think the valve on the booster pipe was staying open - dirt maybe), gearshift has eased up and is less boingy, and the handling is light and precise.

More photos when I have given it a bit of a wash.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

Guest · Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2013 2:55 pm Post subject:

Was wondering who got hold of that one,well done you,spoke to harry before he emigrated but got back to him a day too late,very helpful gent,good luck with car,looking forward to hearing any updates,cheers,lt.h

The Wombat · Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 6:00 pm Post subject:

Woke the P4 up from its winter rest today and took it for a spin.

Bit scruffy round the edges and needs a tidy up, and the gearshift has gone a bit dry, but everything else is spot on, and such a hoot to drive. All raspiness and tight twitchy handling!!

Plans for the rest of the 33 fleet are something like this:
- I have the L reg blue 1.7.i.e. Bodywork is rust free with a few dings and dents to sort. Using it at the start of the winter, the oil light started to flicker on and off at low revs, so not sure of the state of the engine. I have a plan to put the P4 mechanicals and interior from my tired red P4 into the blue one so that I have an immaculate, rust free P4

- I may have an S3 33 SW arriving soon. Its an unfinished project that is almost finished if you see what I mean, and I have enough P4 bits to turn it into a P4 and put a P4 interior into it. Looking at the euro only late 33 Q4s (92-94 in LHD only), I might do something along those lines and add a set of 155 Sportspack speedline wheels to it.

- Then we will see what bits I have left over and what I can build out of them.

That is all summer work. In the meantime 75 Cloverleaf is due its MOT soon and will be coming out for the summer.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v

lee16v · Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 8:11 pm Post subject:

The flickering oil light could be a dodgy oil pressure sensor - was on mine and an easy fix.

The Wombat · Posted: Fri Mar 29, 2013 9:06 pm Post subject:

Thats good to know.

Would like to keep the 8v engine so will investigate this.
_________________
Drivers:
- Green Fiat 20VT Coupe
- Champagne 155 V6
- Winter Freelander
- Mrs Wombats Freelander

Projects:
- Various 33s
- Some 155s

Hibernating for 2015
- 75 3.0 Cloverleaf
- 155 Q4 Winny
- Red 33 16v