Hi folks,
I am new on the list and have been following the 'Should I drive or
restore fully first' discussion. I just got my first Alpine two days
ago. It is a 1966 Series V - body cleaned up and repainted, interior
rotted out, one carb leaking, top gone, a bit of surface rust under what
used to be carpets and pads, but no real structural cancer. Motor has
compression, but I have not yet started it. Looks quite restorable, as
the previous owner started the job, then let it sit for years. Last
licensed in 1985.
Questioning the same concerns as previous poster, my conclusion is:
Continue with what obviously needs to be done from the point where the
project was abandoned, otherwise just get it running and take the rest
step by step while enjoying driving it. Since the interior is trashed,
I ordered a new carpet kit and new top first. While I am waiting for it
to arrive, I am stripping out all the old rot, removing the dashboard
and windscreen to get at and clean up all the controls, etc. Some good
wire brushing and sanding will get all that hidden stuff ready for a
coat of paint and the controls oiled and repaired. I figured it is
actually easier and quicker to remove the whole works than to crawl
around and do a half baked job of it. So far one days work getting
ready to clean up stuff.
Now I have a couple questions that were not obvious.
How does the steering wheel come off? It is the adjustable kind. Easy
to remove turn indicator and overdrive switches, but the horn button
defies my limited analytical ability and the manual I have seems as it
was commissioned by Americans and written in Japan for an English
product.
Next, There is a floor panel mounted in the passenger compartment (at
you feet) a couple inches over the actual body structure. What is
that? I see no real purpose for it, but it looks as if it was
professionally installed. Do all Alpines have this? If so, what
purpose does it serve?
Next, there is a cooling tube below the radiator with tubes that run up
the right hand side of the engine compartment and terminate. What do
they go to?
And finally, (for today anyway) Anybody have an overdrive switch?
Thanks for any info you may offer.
Best wishes,
Steve Van Ronk
Sandpoint, Idaho
glblitnpwr(at)nidlink.com
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