Market #94: RHD ’63 Giulietta TI project in Scotland

Update 1/13/10: This car is now on UK eBay.  Opening bid is 700 pounds, about $1150.  Some better pictures too!  Would make an interesting run as it is.  I know you can’t do it in most European countries, but you can here in the US.

Something blue beside it -maybe the Spider he mentions in his description.  Greasy engine in front of it.

Wow, that’s some odd rust.  I guess it’s not unlike how Giulia Supers rust.

Originally posted 3/10/09:  1963 Giulietta TI 101.09 RHD.  This car has been listed for sale (750 British Pounds) for a while on the  Giulietta Register website and I didn’t pay it any mind until a friend sent along an email with the below pictures.  Car has been stored in a leaky shed in Scotland and is considered ‘not too bad’ as far as rust goes for that cold, damp and salty part of the world.  Would be a great unrestored pairing with this car.

I am terrified of the rust seen below, but I’m soon to undertake some serious rust repair work of my own and who knows, if I find it as satisfying as my current engine rebuild toils, maybe my terror will turn into a sort of sick fascination and longing for the ‘ultimate rust transformation’.  

03110006The hood ornament is funny.  I like the fog lights and the color is tolerable.  Trim appears straight and complete.  Shame about the rust. 

03110002A better view of the front.  That hood ornament is a lot farther back on the hood than it looked in the first picture.  Headlights some sort of Lucas or Wipac period items with bulbs.  Side markers are typical of this period.  Wheel looks like a 105 item.

03110003Rear end looks good.  Tail lights, bumper and all look servicable.  Note it’s shed mates, a GTV and a TI or Super.  Hopefully the leaky shed has been kinder to them.  Fuel filler door looks really low.

Advertisement text verbatim:  “RHD car complete with some spares but requires full restoration. Reg no. 157 EYF but I only have a green logbook. Car is yellow ochre with red trim, has not been plundered or vandalised but has been stored in a rickety old leaky shed and consequently some of the outer panels are in a terrible state particularly n/s rear, however the car sits upright, is ok underneath and a skilled panelbeater should be able to make the necessary repairs. Whether or not it is economical is another question. It is complete apart from the carburettor for some reason, but all else appears to be intact. I will arrange for photos if required, but please ring in the first instance. Price £750 firm for car and a few spares eg. dashboard, steering wheel/column etc. Car is located in Fife, Scotland.”

031100051This is like a carnival ride in here with the orange paint,  red upholstery and blue (or is that green?) door panel section.  I believe Ruddspeed did the RHD conversions to a lot of the RHD Giuliettas in existance but Fusi lists an RHD variant for 1963 so this probably an official version.  I imagine there was a cottage industry in Britain at this point as so many of the good cars were left hand drive.

03110004This is the left side.  It has a serious oxidation rash that is deep and cancerous.  The seller says its all outside, but I haven’t seen an under shot so I can’t vouch for that.

It’s kind of a mixed blessing that these never officially came to the US in any great number.  If they had, they would probably be right alongside the ubiquitous Volvo 122’s I see (less frequently these days) with peace stickers and surf racks, but then again if they had, I could probably easily get one, but then again, if they had, would I want one? 

I bet some brave Alfa lover living in that RHD part of the world will have a go at this, after all, there can’t be many there either.  If it was on SF Bay Area Craigslist for $1000 I’d be fighting tooth and nail for the first shot at it, rust or no…