Nice work Murray.
Ok, to start the process of drawing up our challenge car, I think we can start with the decision on which model car to use. I will start this discussion by talking about my own potential candidates. I am not saying that any of my cars should be used, but I think they are were top notch purchases thereby making them good baselines to begin discussing how the $2006 budget should be allocated.
I love good "deals" and I have been known to dupe myself into so called bargain Alfas. My first Alfa, which I still have, is an anthracite Verde. It was a fantastic deal-$500
The PO had been asking $3500 for it and he just got fed up with the types of people who wanted to buy it. Mostly people wanted to buy it and make GTV6 verde editions from its parts. He was planning to move and needed the car out so he practically gave the thing to me. It came with $500 worth of new spare parts in the trunk
. The body looks great, while the interior has worn recaro fabric. It would show extremely well in the Concours competition with just a few exterior touches and some new, non-original seat inserts. It came with crunchy gears and no brakes. I have repaired the brake system (wiring, no cost), and the synchros (parts came with the car).
Could my verde be made competitive on the remaining budget of roughly $1500?
A recent purchase was a beat up platinum that I purchased for a mere $200. This car might be more competitive in an auto cross than the Verde as in stock trim due to its better gearing, although I really dont know. Platinum has LSD and nonoriginal 14in wheels with nice Pilot mxh4 touring tires. It does not look cute from any angle, but it would provide an extra $300 in the budget due to its lower cost. Theoretically body work could be done by the likes of myself. I would need help with some of the damage. 2.5l engine seems like a disadvantage, but both engines are limited by their poor injectors to around 200hp.
My platinum would have a remaining budget of $1800 for modifications and repairs.
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