145 Cloverleaf - UK - Alfa Romeo 145

145 Cloverleaf - UK, New to me...

Alan B View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	19th January 2020 20:11 Post #1 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 16 Joined: 29th March 2016 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 12,617 Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo From: Sheffield	Hi all, long time lurker, but have just rejoined the Alfa world after 14 years (147 JTD Turismo 5 Dr in Gabbiano Blue) by buying a 2000 145 Cloverleaf in black with the tan MOMO leather interior. Car has a full history file (and I mean full it's 2 inches thick!), covered 79500 miles and I'm the 9th owner. Seems very solid from mechanical and bodywork perspective with just a few cosmetic things to sort, the odd bumper scuff etc. However, do need to replace bonnet and boot badges (hood and trunk for any Americans in the room) and wondering if I can sort the steering wheel as some of the trim has lifted away. Any recommendations on badges, particularly for the one on the boot lid that covers the lock would be greatly appreciated!

dante giacosa View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	19th January 2020 20:16 Post #2 \| Print
1.6 16v Group: Veteran Posts: 1,262 Joined: 28th March 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,068 Driving: 146 CF2 1.8 T-spark From: Edinburgh	QUOTE(Alan B @ 19th January 2020 20:11) Hi all, long time lurker, but have just rejoined the Alfa world after 14 years (147 JTD Turismo 5 Dr in Gabbiano Blue) by buying a 2000 145 Cloverleaf in black with the tan MOMO leather interior. Car has a full history file (and I mean full it's 2 inches thick!), covered 79500 miles and I'm the 9th owner. Seems very solid from mechanical and bodywork perspective with just a few cosmetic things to sort, the odd bumper scuff etc. However, do need to replace bonnet and boot badges (hood and trunk for any Americans in the room) and wondering if I can sort the steering wheel as some of the trim has lifted away. Any recommendations on badges, particularly for the one on the boot lid that covers the lock would be greatly appreciated! Hey Alan! Welcome back! Gabbiano Blue- I always fancied a 147 in that colour, as it was used in the adverts, I think. Any chance of some pics of your new steed- the tan interior sounds fascinating! Try shop4parts for the badges; they seem to have tonnes of new old stock...

Alan B

19th January 2020 20:32

Post #3 | Print

1.3 8v

Group: New Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 29th March 2016
Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16
Member No.: 12,617
Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo
From: Sheffield

Not too au fait with adding attachments, but here's hoping. Will be taking more pictures over the coming days and may well end up doing a restoration thread for the bits that need it.

Did love my 147, and initial plan was to save for a 147 GTA. However, this came up and was a good price, so pounced. Am pleased. It's hilariously Italian to drive and reminds me of my youth driving the back roads in my Lancia (not a turbo, or integrate of any kind sadly).

This one actually featured on Pistonheads about 3 years back. It still seems to be in as good nick now as it was then

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/spotted-yk...u-want-to/36260

dante giacosa View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	19th January 2020 22:49 Post #4 \| Print
1.6 16v Group: Veteran Posts: 1,262 Joined: 28th March 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,068 Driving: 146 CF2 1.8 T-spark From: Edinburgh	It's the steering and the gearing isn't it, that make it a hoot to drive... Wow- look at the paint on that! And those wheels! Headlight washers! That's ace. A celebrity appearance always helps too, in the value of such a thing. Lucky you- it'll be great to hear more about it.

hazeyblue

20th January 2020 08:32

Post #5 | Print

1.6 16v

Group: Veteran
Posts: 1,687
Joined: 9th July 2005
Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16
Member No.: 1,005
Driving: Y Reg Mini Cooper. 1 Series M Sport - ex 145 x4. 147, 155, 156 166 & 159
From: Merseyside

QUOTE(Alan B @ 19th January 2020 20:32)

Not too au fait with adding attachments, but here's hoping. Will be taking more pictures over the coming days and may well end up doing a restoration thread for the bits that need it.

Did love my 147, and initial plan was to save for a 147 GTA. However, this came up and was a good price, so pounced. Am pleased. It's hilariously Italian to drive and reminds me of my youth driving the back roads in my Lancia (not a turbo, or integrate of any kind sadly).

This one actually featured on Pistonheads about 3 years back. It still seems to be in as good nick now as it was then

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/spotted-yk...u-want-to/36260

Nice - can't beat black with tan leather.

VROOM View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	21st January 2020 11:45 Post #6 \| Print
1.4 16v Group: Regular Posts: 165 Joined: 11th June 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,153 Driving: BRERA, GIULIETTA, 145QV From: FLINTSHIRE UK	It's that advert on PH that convinced me to get back into a 145. I've had 2 Gabbiano blue 147's. Loved that colour. Is the 145 as good as it says underneath? If so that's a brilliant buy.

Alan B View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	22nd January 2020 09:26 Post #7 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 16 Joined: 29th March 2016 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 12,617 Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo From: Sheffield	QUOTE(VROOM @ 21st January 2020 11:45) It's that advert on PH that convinced me to get back into a 145. I've had 2 Gabbiano blue 147's. Loved that colour. Is the 145 as good as it says underneath? If so that's a brilliant buy. I did love that blue! The 145 seems very mechanically sound, and bodywork is in very good condition, with a few odd bits of plastic trim that could benefit from being repainted. Underneath seems clean and solid too, but I'll be taking the skirts off for a clean up and waxoyl or similar anyway. Hilarious to drive, but feels underbraked to me. Is that common? I mean, they work fine, but I guess I'm used to bigger discs and 4 pots on the front of my other fun car.

dante giacosa View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	22nd January 2020 15:05 Post #8 \| Print
1.6 16v Group: Veteran Posts: 1,262 Joined: 28th March 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,068 Driving: 146 CF2 1.8 T-spark From: Edinburgh	QUOTE(Alan B @ 22nd January 2020 09:26) but I guess I'm used to bigger discs and 4 pots on the front of my other fun car. tell us more, Alan...

Muskie View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	22nd January 2020 15:23 Post #9 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: Member Posts: 41 Joined: 20th February 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,025 Driving: 145 1.6 TS From: Cardiff	Great looking 145 I am a gabbiano fan too. Used to have a GT in that colour. Royal steering wheels are great for retrimming, if you want to go down that route. They've done a couple for me: royalsteeringwheels.com

Alan B

22nd January 2020 16:10

Post #10 | Print

1.3 8v

Group: New Member
Posts: 16
Joined: 29th March 2016
Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16
Member No.: 12,617
Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo
From: Sheffield

QUOTE(Muskie @ 22nd January 2020 15:23)

Great looking 145

I am a gabbiano fan too. Used to have a GT in that colour.

Royal steering wheels are great for retrimming, if you want to go down that route. They've done a couple for me: royalsteeringwheels.com

Know of Royal, not used them though. However, it's the back that's started lifting from the metal body of the wheel. Do you know if this can be sorted?

QUOTE(dante giacosa @ 22nd January 2020 15:05)

tell us more, Alan...

Mini Cooper S convertible. Lovely fun car to run around in, though Mrs B uses it for commuting quite a lot. Wonder why?

dante giacosa View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	23rd January 2020 13:32 Post #11 \| Print
1.6 16v Group: Veteran Posts: 1,262 Joined: 28th March 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,068 Driving: 146 CF2 1.8 T-spark From: Edinburgh	sounds exciting, although I've no experience of mini's; it's hard to gauge whether it is over-servo'd, or whether the 145 isn't using it's rear discs as much I've never seen a steering wheel 'go' there- wonder if it's been a sunlight thing? Gabbiano blue has touched a lot of people, eh?!

Reza View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	23rd January 2020 17:41 Post #12 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 22nd December 2019 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,820 Driving: Many From: Essex	I’ve seen that car on eBay and was asking the then owner how much interest he’d had when I’ve had none for my Proteo car! Nice colour combo. Be interested to hear what you paid as the last owner said a trader had offered him money for it!

Alan B View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	23rd January 2020 19:22 Post #13 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 16 Joined: 29th March 2016 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 12,617 Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo From: Sheffield	QUOTE(Reza @ 23rd January 2020 17:41) I’ve seen that car on eBay and was asking the then owner how much interest he’d had when I’ve had none for my Proteo car! Nice colour combo. Be interested to hear what you paid as the last owner said a trader had offered him money for it! Is this yours on at the moment? https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/153788808478

Reza View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	23rd January 2020 22:20 Post #14 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 7 Joined: 22nd December 2019 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,820 Driving: Many From: Essex	QUOTE(Alan B @ 23rd January 2020 19:22) Is this yours on at the moment? https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/153788808478 That’s the baby! I’m just awaiting the advert to expire. Only two days ago I fitted a full IMASAF sport exhaust from Italy which makes an amazing car even better! Not one person viewed the car, literally not one in months! Utter, utter eBay timewasters

aero_mati View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	24th January 2020 03:58 Post #15 \| Print
1.4 16v Group: Regular Posts: 101 Joined: 12th September 2016 Local Time: 26th February 2020 23:16 Member No.: 12,820 Driving: Alfa 145 Cloverleaf From: Buenos Aires, Argentina	Hi Alan, That 145 looks amazing . Black with tan leather is one of the best combinations! Regarding the badges: The front one is pretty straightforward, if memory serves me well it's just held by two pins and glue to the chrome surround. The boot one is made of two different parts, a base or carrying plate made from plastic (the part that moves to reveal the key hole) and a glued badge made from a thin metal sheet. So, as far as I know, you can either replace the whole part (plastic backing + badge). Or you can buy a "glue-on badge" and just replace the thin metal badge by carefully removing the old faded metal sheet from the plastic backing and sticking the new one in. Whole part: Glue-on badge: --------------------

Alan B View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	24th January 2020 12:24 Post #16 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 16 Joined: 29th March 2016 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 12,617 Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo From: Sheffield	QUOTE(Reza @ 23rd January 2020 22:20) That’s the baby! I’m just awaiting the advert to expire. Only two days ago I fitted a full IMASAF sport exhaust from Italy which makes an amazing car even better! Not one person viewed the car, literally not one in months! Utter, utter eBay timewasters I bought this from Car and Classic rather than eBay. PM me if you want to discuss price paid.

VROOM View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	24th January 2020 20:03 Post #17 \| Print
1.4 16v Group: Regular Posts: 165 Joined: 11th June 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,153 Driving: BRERA, GIULIETTA, 145QV From: FLINTSHIRE UK	QUOTE(Alan B @ 22nd January 2020 09:26) Hilarious to drive, but feels underbraked to me. Is that common? I mean, they work fine, but I guess I'm used to bigger discs and 4 pots on the front of my other fun car. Good question. Mine feels similar, but I just put it down to being older tech for the brakes. It's great for wizzing around country lanes, towns and narrow roads. I think it's the size that makes it so "threadable".

Alan B View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	26th January 2020 08:13 Post #18 \| Print
1.3 8v Group: New Member Posts: 16 Joined: 29th March 2016 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 12,617 Driving: Alfa Romeo 145 Cloverleaf, Mini Cooper S (R57), Jaguar XF, Ford Mondeo From: Sheffield	So, first bit of restoration work done. I've replaced a crappy aftermarket window washer with an oem Alfa one. No photos, ha, but will be taking more as I do work/get work done. QUOTE(VROOM @ 24th January 2020 20:03) Good question. Mine feels similar, but I just put it down to being older tech for the brakes. It's great for wizzing around country lanes, towns and narrow roads. I think it's the size that makes it so "threadable". Know what you mean about the size. The 145 is about 30cm longer than my mini, but feels lighter on its feet. I did almost slam my forehead into the windscreen when I got back into the mini the other day. I think you may be right about the level of servo assist! Also, the gear change in the 145 is much lighter and so is the clutch.

VROOM View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	26th January 2020 22:21 Post #19 \| Print
1.4 16v Group: Regular Posts: 165 Joined: 11th June 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,153 Driving: BRERA, GIULIETTA, 145QV From: FLINTSHIRE UK	QUOTE(Reza @ 23rd January 2020 22:20) That’s the baby! I’m just awaiting the advert to expire. Only two days ago I fitted a full IMASAF sport exhaust from Italy which makes an amazing car even better! Not one person viewed the car, literally not one in months! Utter, utter eBay timewasters I remember watching your car on ebay when the bloke from the classic car mag was selling it a couple of years ago. So very nearly put a bid in, but I felt a bit nervous of the Krown stuff he'd had sprayed everywhere. How have you found it? Any good?

dante giacosa View Member Profile Find Member's Posts	27th January 2020 13:54 Post #20 \| Print
1.6 16v Group: Veteran Posts: 1,262 Joined: 28th March 2017 Local Time: 27th February 2020 02:16 Member No.: 13,068 Driving: 146 CF2 1.8 T-spark From: Edinburgh	what Krown stuff..?

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