Nayf
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I started my love affair with a blue 156 Selespeed Sportwagon. In hindsight not the finest car but compared to my first car, an 8v Vectra, it was every bit the miniature Maserati. Blue metallic over blue leather, with pepperpots, I loved it even if in the three months I had it the fuel tank float often conspired to leave me by the side of the road on two thirds full. Eventually it all came to a messy end with a Fiat Punto and then a Rover 25 climbing up the bonnet after the chap four cars ahead slammed the anchors on at the precise second I was checking my mirrors. My fault and I’ve never tailgated ever since.
Of course, three months wasn’t long enough for the Selespeed system to reveal its mishevous self. That came one year and a truly dreadful Renault Laguna later. This 156 Selespeed Sportwagon was black with red leather, and with such a goth colour combo I should have expected demons. Over four years I loved it, even though the Selespeed pump failed twice, requiring costly replacement. The last one was particularly memorable, as it boiled the hydraulic fluid by the side of the road on the A47, so that I could somehow - god knows how - hear it mangling gears as I clasped the key in my hands. Eventually after fixing that it completely lost reverse gear, and I gave in, selling it for £300. It’s probably a selection of office chairs now.
So fast forward five years to 2017, and after two spells in Mercedes-Benz W123s as toy cars, I fancied my dream car - a 156 GTA. Sadly I’m 6ft 7 and the GTA seats are huge, so I was a good six inches too tall. That meant GT or 147 GTA, so I chose 147. It just looks mean, beefy and brutal.
I was doing an investment feature on the GT 3.2 V6 for the mag when the owner, the dealer principal at Chris Variava in Nottingham and AROC stalwart, mentioned he had a 147 GTA for sale. I sold my W123 Coupe (eventually) and bought it nearly outright with the proceeds.
Since buying it I’ve spent a fair bit getting the underside sorted to my taste, although the previous owner had spent big on it already. As standard the steering was a little floaty over transitions and a bit unnerving. So I’ve had an Eibach ProStreet S coilover kit and ARBs fitted. It handles brilliantly now, though ride comfort is, let’s say compromised. Imagine a GranSport in Sport mode!
But I love it - it’s a proper character and luxurious with it. I wouldn’t really call it a hot hatch - its not really a B-road machine. It more like a GT hatch, really.
Here’s a pic.
There are still jobs to do - the paintwork needs work, plus there’s always temptation - carbon intake, fruity exhaust - but I’m really prepping for big expenditure on a new clutch and cambelt in a year or so’s time (£750 each, thereabouts).
I’ve also bought another Alfa - more on that in post two...
Of course, three months wasn’t long enough for the Selespeed system to reveal its mishevous self. That came one year and a truly dreadful Renault Laguna later. This 156 Selespeed Sportwagon was black with red leather, and with such a goth colour combo I should have expected demons. Over four years I loved it, even though the Selespeed pump failed twice, requiring costly replacement. The last one was particularly memorable, as it boiled the hydraulic fluid by the side of the road on the A47, so that I could somehow - god knows how - hear it mangling gears as I clasped the key in my hands. Eventually after fixing that it completely lost reverse gear, and I gave in, selling it for £300. It’s probably a selection of office chairs now.
So fast forward five years to 2017, and after two spells in Mercedes-Benz W123s as toy cars, I fancied my dream car - a 156 GTA. Sadly I’m 6ft 7 and the GTA seats are huge, so I was a good six inches too tall. That meant GT or 147 GTA, so I chose 147. It just looks mean, beefy and brutal.
I was doing an investment feature on the GT 3.2 V6 for the mag when the owner, the dealer principal at Chris Variava in Nottingham and AROC stalwart, mentioned he had a 147 GTA for sale. I sold my W123 Coupe (eventually) and bought it nearly outright with the proceeds.
Since buying it I’ve spent a fair bit getting the underside sorted to my taste, although the previous owner had spent big on it already. As standard the steering was a little floaty over transitions and a bit unnerving. So I’ve had an Eibach ProStreet S coilover kit and ARBs fitted. It handles brilliantly now, though ride comfort is, let’s say compromised. Imagine a GranSport in Sport mode!
But I love it - it’s a proper character and luxurious with it. I wouldn’t really call it a hot hatch - its not really a B-road machine. It more like a GT hatch, really.
Here’s a pic.
There are still jobs to do - the paintwork needs work, plus there’s always temptation - carbon intake, fruity exhaust - but I’m really prepping for big expenditure on a new clutch and cambelt in a year or so’s time (£750 each, thereabouts).
I’ve also bought another Alfa - more on that in post two...