My favorite Alfa is the Alfetta GTV, but the costs of an acceptable specimen to recover are too much. The second best favorite is the Giulia Berlina, and they are even more pricy. A normal Giulia is an alternative, but as costly as the others. And too old to find a good relative rust free specimen.
My wife wants a VW ... not a diesel, but a Karmann Ghia. These cars are too expensive for my budget, costing around 8 tot 10 thousand euro's. And than the project even has tot start. My early opinion about a VW as a dumb simple box is turning into a sympathetic glance for a brand with ample spare and new parts and interesting models to restore. The scene of Golf mk1, Karman Ghia or even Porsche 356 is intriging and inspiring. Sometimes I find myself drewling at a 1600 Variant, can you believe this?
But I can't sell a VW restoration to my blog followers; no, this wil ruin my reputation. Since my view on German cars is too specific (follow this blog to find out), I wouldn't dare it.
French cars like Citroën are favorite too, I like the GS, which seems to be affordable, or a CX. But the CX is too complicated and Citroën has a built quality even worse than Alfa Romeo (I know because I had four 2CV's in my earlier days).
No, my face turned to the north, Scandinavia, more exact Sweden. My eyes fell on the SAAB 96 for it's sturdy looks, character and sound quality. And guess what, the wife likes it!
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So my days are filled with SAAB stories, ad's and video's to learn more about this little rascal from Sweden. I once had a neighbour who I very much liked because of his adventurous character. Hij once had a 96 and restored it just in front of my adolescent eyes. He was the first to learn me about working on a car, sorry, on my first 2CV. His 96 was a little worn out and he decided to restore it. That was a process that made a deep impression on me. Not only the dismantling of the car, but the working on such a project; he dismantled the whole thing in his very garage. Later this man bought a Giulia Sprint and also resored it, because this was the car he always wanted. I know he restored a Land Rover 111 ambulance and swapped it into a camper to travel the world. What a great guy!
No, this SAAB will be a lasting model for inspiration. It needn't to be very old, as long as the state is reparable. This video made my decision clear:
The newer four cilinder Ford V4 has my preference, since this exemplifies my love for boxers and odd engines (my 4 2CV's had a 2 cilinder boxer, the 33's have 4 clinder boxers and this SAAB has a V4 motor).
Prices are interesting and the state their in is relatively good.
To be continued.
