My Alfa Life - Part 8

I managed to fit the replacement rear window just before the bad weather hit but the fitting needs a little work to get it pulled tight as you can see from above.

The rear window is on a small panel of its own, apparently to enable easy replacement, complete with four different fastenings. Velcro, press-stud, screws, and a zip. The idea being that the screws along the bottom pull it taut and the rest allows the whole this to flex when being folded away. It also makes it easy to replace. The only problem with this being that the screws at the bottom rust in place. I had to get them drilled out before fitting the replacement window and the holes aren't quite in the right place so the window has a little ripple in it. Something to solve when it stops being so cold.

The first job of the year was to pass the MOT. Something that it did with only an advisory for play on one of the rear wheels. This was a great relief as it means that I can get on with the full list of things that need doing and then onto more cosmetic things.

Next up a quick detail to see what state the paint is in. All in all its pretty good. There are a couple of scratches on the passenger door, but nothing too deep. A little ding on each rear wing just behind the doors, a paint bubble on the bonnet (see below) and what looks to be hailstone damage on the panel behind the clamshell.

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All in all the car came up lovely. Most surprising were the wheels, they have some scuffs but are pretty good. I've got a replacement set of centres to pep them up and will fit them once the paint work is done.

On the mechanical side I've replaced the old bulbs with some newer, brighter, ones. Its quite a relief on the unlit country roads around where I live. The previous bulbs, especially when dimmed, didn't seem to light far enough ahead or allow you to pick out the many potholes.

With things in a good state I headed out on a sunny Sunday drive into the Yorkshire Dales with some other Alfa owners. The sun was out and the roads fantastic on the run up to the Tan Hill Inn. Unfortunately on the way up my exhaust decided that I was pushing a little too hard and shot its insides at the car following...

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This was the second ejection of material and it was obvious that there was still some clogging in there as there was a distinct loss of power. I managed to coax the car up and around the hills to be able to get home in one piece thankfully.

Once home though the second issue of the day presented itself. The clamshell refused to unlatch, even with the tap on the motor trick, and the hood had to remain down for the evening.

Owning older cars, especially it appears Alfa Romeos, is a constant opportunity for personal development. Once I've freed the clamshell my next job is to replace the exhaust. It is something I was planning to do, just not quite yet.

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My alfa life - part 1 | DriveTribe

I've mentioned it somewhere on here that the first vehicle I bought was a 1942 Willys MB. This was great fun for running around locally but