Both wonderful. The Alfa unit is smoother and more tractable; the Lotus head makes more noise and more excitement. Parts availability strongly favours Alfa now.
I have owned both. Curious what the club thinks.
Heavier, softer, and the purists sniff at it. It also has power steering, better brakes, air conditioning that works, and a twelve-cylinder engine that will idle in traffic all day.
If you want to drive rather than polish, I think it is the pick of the range.
Twenty years ago you could not give one away. Now the good 2.0s are asking real money. I have had mine since 1988 and the change in how people react at shows is remarkable.
Still the best-handling thing the factory made in that decade, and I will take the argument.
Retired members and anyone who can escape on a Tuesday. Ebbetts is far better without weekend traffic. Thinking mid-September, before the pass closes.
About 140 miles, lunch in Markleeville. Not suitable for very low cars — there are a couple of rough sections.
If you are coming on the September islands tour you need to book the Anacortes–Friday Harbour crossing yourself, and the Friday sailings do sell out. Book the 8:15.
We hold twelve rooms at the Friday Harbour House until 1 August under the club name.
A very good day. Thirty-one cars left Rio Road at 8:30 and thirty made it to Nepenthe. Peter's Healey lost a half-shaft just short of Bixby and was recovered by Malcolm's trailer within the hour, which is exactly what the tow list is for.
Photographs are in the gallery. Thanks to everyone who marshalled.
Attached the route card in the library. We stage at Newcomb's Ranch lot from 6:45 and leave in groups of six at 7:30.
A note on the top section: the resurfacing above Dawson Saddle is done but there is loose gravel on the outside of two of the left-handers. Take it easy for the first mile after the saddle.
Full tank before you start. Nothing open on the mountain.
The original wheel on my 356 has a crack in the lacquer running most of the way round the top segment. There are two firms in the UK who restore them. Cost with shipping is more than a new reproduction wheel.
Originality argues for restoration. My wallet argues otherwise. Thoughts?
Found a hairline crack in the front manifold at the flange. It is a matching-numbers car so I would prefer to save it. Local welder says cast iron is possible with the right rod and a slow cool.
Has anyone had a successful long-term repair, or did you give in and buy a reproduction?
Fitting a modern radio and a USB socket to a positive-earth car without making a mess of it. I know about isolating the case, but has anyone found a tidy solution for a hidden charging point?
I would rather not convert the whole car to negative earth. It is original and I would like to keep it that way.