OT- Italian Tune-Up
07-07-2003, 03:00 PM
#1
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OT- Italian Tune-Up
Recent poster asked about the term, "Italian Tune-up". Here is a good explanation. I'm sure there must be others that are better:
<a href="http://members.samnet.net/alfaguy/Satch/Satch.html" target="_blank">Italian Tune-up</a>
Cheers,
<a href="http://members.samnet.net/alfaguy/Satch/Satch.html" target="_blank">Italian Tune-up</a>
Cheers,
07-07-2003, 03:08 PM
#2
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Fred R. C4S:
<strong>Recent poster asked about the term, "Italian Tune-up". Here is a good explanation. I'm sure there must be others that are better:
<a href="http://members.samnet.net/alfaguy/Satch/Satch.html" target="_blank">Italian Tune-up</a>
Cheers,</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I love it! My first car was a pre-rubber bumper Euro Spec Alfa 2.0 kamm tailed Spider, and you had to drive it like "you were half a lap down at Le Mans" or it sulked and sputtered like heck....
Anyone else think Marcel could be related to JimBob?
<strong>Recent poster asked about the term, "Italian Tune-up". Here is a good explanation. I'm sure there must be others that are better:
<a href="http://members.samnet.net/alfaguy/Satch/Satch.html" target="_blank">Italian Tune-up</a>
Cheers,</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I love it! My first car was a pre-rubber bumper Euro Spec Alfa 2.0 kamm tailed Spider, and you had to drive it like "you were half a lap down at Le Mans" or it sulked and sputtered like heck....
Anyone else think Marcel could be related to JimBob?
07-07-2003, 03:14 PM
#3
I recall a Road & Track tester many years ago giving a Ferrari an Italian tuneup-driving the living s!!t out of it. The testor specifically called it an Italian tune-up-and it ran better after the flogging it received. Funny, I have an Alfa Romeo Milano and the harder I ride her the better she is.
I'm dying to see Alfa come back to the US market with some nice sedans. As for sportscars, that's why we have our Porsches(although that Alfa Brera showcar is stunning).
I'm sure GM will muck it all up.
I'm dying to see Alfa come back to the US market with some nice sedans. As for sportscars, that's why we have our Porsches(although that Alfa Brera showcar is stunning).
I'm sure GM will muck it all up.
07-07-2003, 03:14 PM
#4
Nordschleife Master
Great short article. Satch Carlson is an artist. Man, I wish I could write like that.
In my early years, I had an Alfa. It was a 1958 Alfa Romeo Guilletta Sprint Veloce. The trunk was so small that I could carry EITHER the tools I needed for any sort of an excursion, or the case of oil required, but not both. As far as I know, the Alfa's Marelli electrics were the match for Lucas, the standard bearer of horrible quality back then. Lucas was better known as "The Prince of Darkness", and Marelli was certainly the "Duke of Darkness". Ahhhh youth....
In my early years, I had an Alfa. It was a 1958 Alfa Romeo Guilletta Sprint Veloce. The trunk was so small that I could carry EITHER the tools I needed for any sort of an excursion, or the case of oil required, but not both. As far as I know, the Alfa's Marelli electrics were the match for Lucas, the standard bearer of horrible quality back then. Lucas was better known as "The Prince of Darkness", and Marelli was certainly the "Duke of Darkness". Ahhhh youth....
07-07-2003, 03:33 PM
#5
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I once purchased a Fix It Again Tony 124 Spider at an estate auction. At the time it needed a new Marelli distributor cap. I went to the local FIAT dealer, located just across the alley from the "Ghetto Garage", and ordered a new cap. I drove that car for too summers, patching rust on the weekends. One year after I sold the car I got a call from the dealer: "Your distributor cap is in. You can come pick it up". Lucky for me I didn't have to pay for the cap at the time I ordered it. I suspect that cap went with the rest of the inventory when the dealership finally collapsed, literally.
Cheers,
Cheers,
07-07-2003, 04:51 PM
#6
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For me it was a 63 Alfa Guila Spyder bought in 72.
It was already clapped out.
The funny thing is now a 9 year old P-car is just getting broken-in.
My dad had a '67 Alfa GTV (a great little car) that started sputtering soon after he bought it. The Service Manager said let me ride with you. During the ride the SM said pull over, let me show you how to drive this thing. My father was a different person after that, and a lot more fun to ride with...
It was already clapped out.
The funny thing is now a 9 year old P-car is just getting broken-in.
My dad had a '67 Alfa GTV (a great little car) that started sputtering soon after he bought it. The Service Manager said let me ride with you. During the ride the SM said pull over, let me show you how to drive this thing. My father was a different person after that, and a lot more fun to ride with...
07-08-2003, 02:45 AM
#7
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Great article!!! (and brings back memories)
Italian Tune Up: 1977 Alfa Spider with Webers, for me. I cut my teeth on the track with that car. It was strong AND reliable, despite the Italian-ness, felt like a race car (never driven a race car but it felt like it), and had real soul! I just recently sold it, (sigh...) but will never forget it!!!
Edward
Italian Tune Up: 1977 Alfa Spider with Webers, for me. I cut my teeth on the track with that car. It was strong AND reliable, despite the Italian-ness, felt like a race car (never driven a race car but it felt like it), and had real soul! I just recently sold it, (sigh...) but will never forget it!!!
Edward
