Motoring.guru Blog Page 24
28th April 2020
Gingercators downgrade
What are gingercators? Gingercators refers to amber indicators as fitted to almost all cars up until around 1990, by which time most manufacturers had started fitting clear fronts for a cheap modern look or as part of facelifts on old models. My own research suggests that the always pioneering Alfa Romeo may have started the clear front indicator trend as early as 1982 with their Alfasud Gold Cloverleaf, with Citroen following with the BX in about 1983.
The clear indicators often have an amber inner lens or a tinted bulb to make the flashing light appear the correct and legal colour.
I guess it's a matter of taste, but in my mind some of the 80s cars that ended up having clears fitted at the end of their production run were spoiled. A renowned car designer that said that clear indicators were one of the best things to happen to car design had to concur when I suggested that the Peugeot 205 was better looking prior to their fitment.
After looking at pictures of Alfasuds, Arnas, and 75s with amber indicators I found some photos of 'base' model series 3 Alfa 33s with orange front corners. I realised I like the 'older' look and decided to downgrade my own 16v from clear front winkers.
They are a very quick and easy swap, so I can always change them back if I change my mind...
24th April 2020
Alfetta GTV inspired radio delete/ blanking panel.
I've always found my old Pioneer radio/ cassette player in the 33 a bit of an eyesore when in 'face-off' mode.
Earlier in the year I saw some pictures from an early chrome bumper Alfa Romeo Alfetta 116 GTV brochure, and not only could the buyers of the time opt for a beautiful dash mounted radio, but if they didn't want that, they got a fabulous 'delete' panel complete with an embossed Biscione man-eating snake logo.
Having some more lockdown time to kill, I made my own budget cover panel from a three quid Ebay blanking plate which I cut a few lugs off and a lovely sticker from Isaydingdong.
The remaining side lugs fit two little slots in my radio perfectly, and I think it has a nice neat 1993 look about it.
Early to late April 2020
Lockdown Love for the Alfa 33, including sunroof drains re-route.
As we were all locked down in the UK throughout April, many hours were spent on my beloved Alfa 33.
I cleaned EVERYTHING - the seats, the carpet, boot linings, mats, parcel shelves, bonnet card and even the seat belts with their glorious orange labels. The front and rear lights and grille were removed for deep cleaning and the engine bay was given some love too.
I also re-routed the front sunroof drains to exit out of the bottom of the sills. This was an incredibly fiddly job brought on by curiosity and 'sleepless nights'. I always knew where the two rear sunroof drain tubes exited out of the rear of the car and I knew that the front two ran down the windscreen pillars and into the A-posts, but I'd never understood where they exited. It turns out that they didn't! They actually terminated inside the A-posts so that any water would then run into the sills and 'hopefully' out of the sill's own drain slits (if they were clear).
Anyway I managed to extend the original drain tubing and with pieces of wire and cable ties, route them inside the sills and out of each side at the bottom of the sills through slightly enlarged (by filing) cavity wax bung holes.
While the side skirts were off I pressure Waxoyled the sills, A-posts and bonnet and bootlid cavities while I was at it.
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