Hi all, I would like to add another 20vt to the stable as really do miss my old Scots green and tan R plate from 2001. I luckily have a Gtv v6 and it's a great engine, but does it beat a 5 pot and turbo, it is a close call.

I will just have to save a bit more and see what I can find and then have the best of both worlds.

They are both equally cool and epic

I don't think so, the exhaust was quiet. I think it was just the engine itself sounded better.

The 24v still sounds great by normal standards though.

I always wanted, and never achieved, a Scotty with a tan interior.
To have a Gtv v6 and a 20vt is indeed a dream garage

And now for the inevitable bad news post.
A £500 car. How bad could it be?
I've put 200 miles on it since I've had it. Never fails to make me smile - just like my Coupe did.
Got the 156 over a pit tonight and it's worse than I thought.
O/s rear inner and outer sills need welding. Petrol leak from the tank. Front pipe is blowing at a weld joint - needs removing and welding. Floor pan rusty but sound.
Brakes pipes good. All bushes good. D shaft boots good.
Rack boots totally shot.
But worst of all is rust on the inner o/s wing. Just like a coupe, it needs the susp and brake line moving out before being welded up.
Sure, I'm laying myself open for ridicule 'what did I expect for £500'?
I'm just desperately sad that this car with this fantastic engine will probably scrapped come the Mot.
Hang on in there, Coupe owners. Weather the corrosion storm and enjoy your classic.

Sorry to read the above, for your sake and the cars

My last 156 was as rotten as a carrot. It was a 2001 model and I bought it in 2009, so at 8 years old it was pretty bad.

I had the rusty inner wings, rusty inner sills, rear floor below the footwells, and rusty spare wheel well.

Alfa let the rust proofing slip with the 156.


Are you sure the inner wing rust is structurally affecting the inner wings?

There is a thin layer of metal welded to the inner wing which the brake hoses hang from. On my car this bit was rusty but the metal underneath was solid, but had surface rust.

Might be time to invest in a Mig welder, me and my brother welded mine up over a weekend.

I've just read your reply Symon! Thanks for it.
Well, there's good news. My mate, who's restored a Beta Volumex, Alfa GTV6 and lately a Fulvia 1300, agreed to fix the car up for money and an Indian meal out for us and the woifes!
He welded up all of the rotten bits, the top arms have been replaced, as to the rack gaitors (split at the top and full of water), track rod ends, and drop links. The front pipe's been welded up. The petrol leak turned out to be from the top of the pump, so that been stopped with epoxy resin.
I used his pit to grind off lots of surface rust underneath and treat it.

After this work, the car had a curious, cork screwing motion at speed, so it's gone back to his for four new transverse arms at the rear, and small bushes under the hub.

But the best bit, oh, is the stainless back box. Bought off ebay for £50, it's been home made - has six sections of pipe welded together to make the curve over the suspension. Looks iffy, but sounds amazing. The car also pulls better too - the massive OE back box must be quite restrictive. When you floor the throttle the ass end drops down - I'm almost too excited to type just thinking about it.

I'm refurbing some 16" tele dials for it, then it's MOT time at the end of the month.

Anyone got one of those mahoosive rear wings for a 156 in black (Cosmo blue) kicking around?
I'm so happy, I could buy a round of drinks

I'm so pleased that I got to own this engine in an Alfa 75. Absolutely wonderful. I drove mine without an exhaust for a few miles Enjoy