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ALFA RESOURCES ON THE WEB

David Wase

Broad-Range Enthusiast, Tech, Restoration, Event & Competition Info>>
Forums and discussions on a wide range of race and auto performance issues>>
News Related to Alfas, Italian Cars, Racing, Events & Automotive Interests>>
Broad-line US Parts & Accessories Sources>>
NON-US Based Parts & Accessories>>
Specialty Suppliers>>
Books, Manuals Periodicals, Models>>

This  Internet “yellow pages” was assembled to assist Chapter members in maintaining their Alfas and enhancing the Alfa ownership experience.  All of the links cited as information sources have free access and in many cases are almost encyclopedic in their depth and breadth. No longer must Alfa owners rely on trying to find out-of print or scarce manuals and books or agonize over not knowing where to turn for advice.

The Web expands on the concept of the Alfa owners club, by providing an avenue to tap the knowledge and expertise of the international Alfa community via discussion forums and email.  My experience has been eye-opening, benefiting tremendously from the advice of Alfa owners in the UK, South Africa, Australia and throughout Europe.

Whether you delve deeply into wrenching, focus on track and competition or enjoy the “wine and cheese” social aspects of Alfa ownership, the Internet has something to offer.  There are sites that provide in-depth historical information about sports cars, auto racing and the people and companies that created great automobiles. Others provide excellent opportunities to stay current with the contemporary race, rally and production aspects of cars. Still others provide “how-to,” repair and technical help on maintaining or restoring your Alfa.  The Internet’s most prevalent image, E-commerce is definitely a plus for the Alfa owner, since hard-to-find parts can be sourced world-wide.

This may be the best time ever for owning an Alfa!

You are reading an updated version of the original publication of December 2006.    If you would like to recommend a link for inclusion in a subsequent update, please contact the author at dw@metrogallery.net

Broad-Range Enthusiast, Tech, Restoration, Event & Competition Info

Alfa Bulletin Board  www.alfabb.com
An incredible wealth of information with a search engine for specific interests. Discussion forums include: repair info, specific models, parts and cars for sale, competition, history, photos, and more.

AROC Oregon Chapter:        www.alfaclub.org/tech_library.htm
The Oregon Chapter of AROC has an excellent Tech section on its website.

AROC National:        www.aroc-usa.org/tech/index.asp
National AROC maintains a tech resource and bank of volunteers who will take questions via email.

Yahoo Groups   www.yahoo.com
Over 60 forums and discussion groups on Alfa Romeo with many model-specific groups for almost every post-war Alfa.  Start by typing “Alfa Romeo” in the “Groups” search box.

Grassroots Motorsports     www.grmotorsports.com

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Forums and discussions on a wide range
of race and auto performance issues.

Repair & Maintenance & Tech Information

Automotive Lighting

www.danielsternlighting.com/tech/lights/lights.html
Free, detailed technical information on headlights, wiring, auxiliary lighting and auto bulbs.

Bodywork

Alfa Bulletin Board     www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=19357
Is Bondo bad?  The answers to this and other puzzles about repairing sheet metal on Alfas are discussed.

Brakes

Alfa Bulletin Board         www.alfabb.com/bb/tech/Alfa-Romeo-MC-1969.htm
An excellent article on rebuilding irreplaceable brake master cylinders.

Car Care: Interior/Exterior/Maintenance/Repair/Ownership

Advance Auto Parts   www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/categories.asp
An encyclopedic assemblage of DIY articles, over 80 categories in all.  No advertising or product endorsements.

Paint

Alfa Bulletin Board       www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=19760  
In need of new paint on your Alfa? There are choices so what’s best? This article tells all.

Classic Alfa Colors (OEM)     www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/showthread.php?t=3895  
Includes links to examples of most exterior and interior interior colors. Taken from 1972 charts, but applicable to many years. 

Paint codes for Alfas   Search by year: www.Autocolorlibrary.com

Photos of actual color chips: www.glasurit.com 
A bit complex to use: Move cursor to “Color” and then click on “Search for a Formula". Best to use * as wild card  where it calls for color name, and some years only contain new colors for that year, so search prior year(s).  Useful because it provides images of historic paint cards.

Paint problems?   http://www.standox.com 
Paint diagnosis tool:  click “Paint Defects Catalog”

Spark Plugs

 www.strappe.com/plugs.html
An informative article on what sparkplugs can tell you about your engine.

www.motocross.com/motoprof/moto/mcycle/plug2/plug2.htm
Another sparkplug analysis, written for the 2 wheelers, but pretty much universal.  With photos.

SPICA

Wes Ingram Enterprises    http://www.wesingram.com
Detailed maintenance, repair and tuning information from experts in SPICA.  At the bottom of the home page, there are 3 links to click:  Fuel Supply Diagnostics Guide, Roadside Diagnostics Guide and Replacing and Adjusting the Thermostatic Actuator. All 3 are invaluable to SPICA owners.

Tires

The Tyre Bible (UK)    www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible.html
A very comprehensive attempt to de-mystify tire information.

Tire Rack      www.tirerack.com/about/techcenter.jsp  
Extensive information regarding tires and wheels, some with interesting technical detail.

Longstone Tires  (UK)    www.longstonetires.com/help.php
Excellent article discussing vintage tires: cross section diagrams & tables of modern equivalent sizes.

Weber Carbs www.members.aol.com/_ht_a/Dvandrews/webers.htm  
A detailed tech article on how to select and tune DCOE units.

Wiring Diagrams

Alfa Bulletin Board       www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=42
Many Alfa wiring diagrams are available to download.

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News Related to Alfas, Italian Cars, Racing, Events & Automotive Interests

Italiaspeed     www.italiaspeed.com
Wide ranging news including racing, enthusiast, clubs and product news. 

Newsletters

Sign up for emailed newsletters with news and articles related to the Italian automotive world:

             AutoItalia    www.auto-italia.co.uk

            Newsletter from “The World’s Leading Italian Car Magazine” (per AutoItalia).

            Veloce Today   www.velocetoday.com

            Newsletter plus archived articles, photographs, event information & more.

            Ferrari Maserati & Lamborghini of Washington     www.fwash.com/tce/join-intro.htm

            Monthly newsletters with information on new models and events.

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Broad-line US Parts & Accessories Sources

These suppliers may carry specialty items as well as the most common repair and replacement items. For hard-to-find items, check both (see specialty suppliers, below)

Alfapartscatalog.com     www.alfapartscatalog.com 
Alfa Romeo factory parts for US models. Online parts diagrams for 91-95 spiders and 164.

Alfissimo         www.alfissimo.com
Specializing in parts for 164 and Milano.  Inquire via their email link.

Bruce’s Parts Bin www.fiatparts.com  Has Alfa parts too!

Centerline Alfa         www.centerlinealfa.com

Parts including performance & suspension upgrades, fuel, ignition & exhaust system parts and more. 

Di Fatta Bros    www.difatta.com 
Inquiries and ordering via email. Direct importer.

International Auto      www.international-auto.com
Known for their Alfa and Fiat parts and accessories catalog, a “must-have” for the Alfa owner. 

Italian Car Parts Inc.    www.italiancarparts.com
Replacement and performance parts, hard to find items: windshields, authentic Italian wool carpeting, original equipment interior vinyl and seat material for Alfas.

Re-Originals    www.reoriginals.com
Extensive catalog of restoration parts: body, interior and mechanical. Many are newly manufactured.

Rock Auto Parts      www.rockauto.com
A diverse automotive parts supplier. Online search by Alfa model and year back to1962.

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NON-US Based Parts & Accessories

The Internet has made international purchases easy due to email and online ordering. Parts that are hard to find in the US are often available through European sources.  Compare pricing and shipping costs. 

A currency converter is available at:  http://www.xe.com/ucc/

AFRA   (Italy)         www.afra.it
Major Alfa supplier for Europe for more than 55 years.  Often has parts unobtainable elsewhere.

Alfaholics  (UK)       www.alfaholics.com  
GTA replica wheels, GTA replica parts including aluminum body panels, oil coolers radiators and other performance and replacement parts. 

Alfastop (UK)        www.alfastop.co.uk 
Brake, clutch, engine, steering, suspension & transmission parts, exhausts, books and manuals

Classic Alfa (UK)         www.classicalfa.com
Large variety including rare and specialized parts like replacement dash knob sets for early 750 and 101 series, brand new fuel tanks, conversion kits to replace US bumpers with Euro ones.

EB Spares (UK)      www.ebspares.co.uk/spares.htm
Parts for Sprint through 164.

Hackner  (Germany)        www.haeckner-shop.com
Many hard-to-obtain items; Series 1900 through 164 with diagrams or drawings for most parts

Highwood Alfa (UK)        www.highwoodalfa.com 
Many parts including performance parts/ accessories, paint stickers, and other ID plates and decals

LineaVeloce (Canada)       www.lineaveloce.com
Canadian source (Quebec).  No direct ordering from website, but email your needs

Mt Carmel Spares  (Israel)       www.mtcarmelspares.com
This vendor often can be found on EBAY.   OEM replica shift knobs, decals and Roma-blok hose

OKP Gmbh  (Germany       www.okparts.net/english/index.html
Source with a search engine and good photographs of parts; some hard-to-find items.

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Specialty Suppliers

Badges

Black Bart’s Emporium       www.blackbartsemporium.com   
Missing a badge for your Alfa?  OEM badges (so you know they’re correct).

Brake Master cylinders

Whitepost Restorations       www.whitepost.com  
Best known for whole automobile restorations; they have a specialty service rebuilding master cylinders.

Body Panels     

Wolf Steel Panels  www.alfaparts.net/   
Replacement floor & body panels for Sprints through GTV6.

Convertible Tops

Duetto Motors     www.duettomotors.com                  

Convertible Tops.com     www.convertibletops.com

Topsonline          www.topsonline.com              

Cabrioworld              www.cabrioworld.com

World Upholstery     www.worlduph.com      

Robbins Auto Tops     www.robbinsautotopco.com

Conv Tops Online     www.convertibletopsonline.com

Dashboard Replacement/Caps

ARRICAMBI      www.arricambi.com                           

Vick Auto (Hard Plastic Repros)    www.vickauto.com

Centerline (Padded Repros) www.centerlinealfa.com        

Dashtops      www.dashtops.com

International Auto Parts  www.international-auto.com              

Just Dashes www.justdashes.com

Heat/Sound Insulation:Underhood, Firewall & Carpet 

Nitron Industries  www.nitronindustries.com
Synthetic lightweight padding, ½” foil faced for underhood padding, ¼”  for floor & firewall.

Ignition & Fuel Systems

RML Automotive       www.rmlautomotive.com 
Manufactures systems to replace Motronic and Bosch systems; also fuel pumps and fuel-injection lines.

Lighting & Bulbs

Service Lighting.      www.servicelighting.com   
Plain and amber fog lights for  GTV & others using 5 ¾” ( PAR46); also aircraft landing lights in the same size if you need something stronger.

Replacementbulbs.com      www.replacementlightbulbs.com  similar to above

Susquehanna Motor Sports      www.rallylights.com 
Auxiliary lamps (fog & driving lights) and replacement Hella headlamps and bulbs, relays, wiring kits etc.

Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners

Bolt Depot  www.boltdepot.com    

McMasters   www.mcmaster.com  

Maryland Metrics  www.md-metrics.com 
(Baltimore based) Extensive selections of fasteners and other hardware; brass, steel, alloy, stainless.

Panasport Wheels 

Paul Spruell Motorsport      www.paulspruell.com 
Replica Panasports with modern alloy composition. Also performance parts including Carrillo con rods.

Supplies, Chemicals and Specialty Refinishing equipment for restoration

Eastwoods      www.eastwood.com  
Extensive source for specialty tools, chemicals and materials for the restorative process.

SPICA

Wes Ingram Enterprises       www.wesingram.com 
Re-builders of SPICA pumps, including special modifications for fast-road & racing applications.

Upholstery & Carpet

World Upholstery & Trim      www.worlduph.com
Replacement carpet,, seat sets & foam for most Alfas from 1955. DIY or take to a local auto trim service. 

Weber Carbs 

Pierce Manifolds       www.piercemanifolds.com  

Weber Carbs Direct    www.webercarbsdirect.com
Specializing in carbs, parts and conversion kits. (links courtesy of Frank Smith).

Wiring

Classic Wiring      www.classicwiring.com   
A specialist in Alfa wiring harnesses. Website lists Alfa models and prices for harnesses for each model.

Rhode Island Wire     www.riwire.com  
Electrical connectors, wiring harnesses, parts, & wire.  Will duplicate old wiring harnesses.

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Books, Manuals Periodicals, Models

Owners & Parts Manuals on CD      www.cardisc.com  
Available for almost every post-war Alfa, includes PDF file scans of service manuals and parts books. 

Books 4Cars.com:  www.Books4Cars.com  search engine turned up 269 items on Alfa Romeo.

Libreria dell’Automobile:    www.libreriadellautomobile.it
Search engine listed 174 items for Alfa.

EWA1   http://ewa1.com
A website featuring many car models, F1 clothing, Alfa pens and other collectibles.   US representative for many UK specialty auto magazines including Practical Classics  and  Classic & Sports Car.

Magazines

All of these magazines have websites that provide varying amounts of free information and pictures as well as subscription info.

ClassicCar (UK)     www.classiccarsmagazine.co.uk
Some excellent reference material including a “Makes and Model” section that has an extensive collection of photos of cars that includes many touring, rallye and race cars rarely seen in the US.  

Practical Classics    www.practicalclassics.co.uk
Website contains a searchable database that gives specs and pictures and a “Financial Details” tab gives available results for auction sales.  

Classic & Sports Car       www.classicandsportscar.com
Free content  is growing with review and test articles on classic cars, a search engine for cars for sale (Europe and UK) and a set of reader’s forums

Octane   www.octane-magazine.com/
The website for Octane magazine offering articles and news.  A bit thin on content  however, some archived articles for download including one on a restored Alfa 6C 2300B and the Ferrari “bread-van.”  To access the archives you will need to go to he home page and click on  the “Features” tab.

Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car  www.hemmings.com
Has car and parts ads for the most part. Their printed publication Sports & Exotic Car  is impressive featuring articles on unique collectibles and restorations.   

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Please note: no endorsement is conveyed by the inclusion of any source, nor does exclusion of any source imply a negative judgment of same.  Information contained herein is believed to be accurate as of the date of publication, is for reference purposes only and is provided without any liability on the part of the author.  Names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Copyrights are reserved and no part or the entirety of this article may be reprinted or disseminated without the express written permission of the author.

This information is provided as a benefit to National Capital Chapter AROC members through the courtesy of the Chapter and printed and mailed through the generosity of Claren Court Studio, Inc. provider of specialty framing and display services for automotive art, posters, badges and collectibles.  No chapter or AROC funds were used.  Published December, 2006 by the author.

 Alfa Romeo Owners Club  National Capital Chapter
Internet Resources for Alfa Romeo Owners

Published and mailed courtesy of
Claren Court Studio
2420 Wilson Blvd, Arlington 703 358 9449

Specializing in framing and display services
for automobile art, posters, badges and collectibles.