Paul Gilbert wrote:
>
> I just bought my 16 year old daughter a '67 series V Alpine. When I was
> dating her mother I owned a series I and know first hand you can't make
> love in the back seat of an Alpine. I joke that this is the reason I
> bought this car, but the real reason is that I am reverting to my
> childhood.
>
> The car was in pieces and pretty rusty, but seemed fixable. Then I read
> the "Sunbeam Alpine Buyers's Guide" thin by Daniel Levitin. I should
> have consulted the net first!
>
> Some advice please.
>
> My battle plan is to:
> 1) remove trim, doors, etc. and every thing that is bolted or screwed on
> which doesn't directly effect the suspension so that it can still be
> rolled onto a car carrier.
>
> 2) strip, sand, and prime all outer surfaces.
>
> 3) find a good body shop and have them sandblast everything and replace
> sills and outer skins as required.
>
> 4) while they are rebuilding the body I will overhaul the engine and go
> through the transmission.
>
> 5) buy new trim and put it all back together.
>
> I would greatly appreciate some advice concerning the fount end and rear
> axle, two subjects that I know nothing about. What parts should I
> replace in these areas?
>
> This car is going to be a driver that I want to last my daughter through
> college. I want it to be sound and as maintenance free as possible. I
> intend to install an alternator and negative ground. I am insisting that
> my daughter work along side of me so that she will know how the damn
> thing works and how to fix it. However a college parking lot is no
> where to do serious repairs on a car (I once replaced an engine in my
> '40 Ford in Iowa in the dead of winter in the dorm parking lot).
>
> I fear that I have made a rather expensive trip down memory lane. All
> tips concerning parts vendors and just "watch out for this dummie" will
> be appreciated.
>
> Thanks - Paul Gilbert in New
> Orleans
Better idea I think would be a ten year old Toyota and keep the memories
for yourself. Your plan is OK but thhe time line might be a little
short. How does your daugter feel about having to tune the carbs before
she comes home at Christmas break.
So:
1.) Buy her a Tercel.
2.) Fix up the Alpine and get it running for yourself.
3.) Let her drive it when she comes home and give it to her for a
graduation present. (You might be tired of it by then.)
Good luck
vbob
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Tue Sep 05 2000 - 09:39:57 CDT