History Of The Car

This car started life as a brand new road car in 1978, as a 2.0 Alfetta GTV. After several years of lap dashing and competition, circuit racing and dirt circuits, there was agradual development both in engine and suspension from "mild-to-wild". Originally the standard engine was modified to approximately 175 to 180 bhp. Later I acquired a ex-Autodelta narrow angle big valve engine that was fitted into the car together with Autodelta Aluminium wishbones and torsion-bar adjuster and an Autodelta close-ratio gearbox with a limited slip-differential. This configuration ran for 6 years. Initially the GTAm engine ran with 50 DCOE webber carburettors, a group 2 Autodelta sump and a Borgo GTAm pistons. When it was rebuilt, new Autodelta cams, valves, exhaust were fitted together with 12:1 forged pistons and special con rods. The carburettors were replaced with electronic fuel injection using a haltech management system. A custom fabricated 4 into 1 exhaust was made by Stuart Randall. The head was flowed at 250 hp but with four throttle bodies, the engine put out approximately 210 bhp.

Later the GTAm engine was removed and retired and a 3.0V6 164 engine was substituted. This particular engine has high compression forged pistons machined from Cosworth blanks and the rods were shotpeened, crack-tested and checked for straightness. This engine was built by Randall Perkins and has run faultlessly for the past 7 years without a rebuild, does not burn oil or has any leaks. Originally at the beginning of serious competition, the front brakes were upgraded with Turbodelta Alfetta brakes produced in Australia. This was later replaced with twin caliper Brembo units ie 4 calipers for the front brakes. Finally the front suspension was converted to coil-over units using Brembo competition calipers and 330mm diameter front discs with centre-lock hubs and custom-made Koni competition shocks. The rear De-dion was converted to outboard rear brakes again using Brembo competition calipers and 300mm diameter discs and centre-lock hubs. A tilton gearbox pump was fitted together with an oil cooler for the transaxle, this has proven to be a worthwhile addition in making the gearbox a reliable unit.

After experiencing radiator cooling problems with the standard cross flow radiator, a modified 1600, 105 series four core copper radiator with top and bottom tanks has solved the cooling problems.

The car was put on a diet by replacing the glass with perspex and the removal of all internal sound deadening, the dash and interior trim. A carbon-fibre race seat was fitted with a 6-point harness and the handbrake and heaterbox was also removed together with surplus wiring.

With the power and torque of the 3.0 litre V6 engine the close-ratio gearbox was replaced with a twin spark unit as the one-to-one fifth gear of the Autodelta close-ratio box would buzz the engine to 9000rpm.

Currently the car has been fitted with a fully welded cage and a ex-alfa corse fully adjustable De-dion with outboard rear brakes and coil over suspension. This De-dion is one of less than 10 made and is adjustable both for camber, castor and roll-centre. A custom fabricated pedal box has also been fitted.