Adventures in Alfa: 3 Days, 521 Miles, 1 Alfa Romeo

"stuttgartobsessed" (grantharmsen) 05/06/2014 at 01:27 • Filed to: None

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As some of you know, I took the Alfa on an adventure to Eastern Washington this past weekend to do some camping with some friends and I'm quite happy to report that I made it there and back with nary a breakdown.

An Alfa and 2 wagons (it eventually became 3 if you count a 2012 Forrester). Definitely a Jalop/Oppo approved vehicle selection.

I woke up early to the sounds of happy birds at 7am and began playing a game familiar to owners of small cars called "Will it Fit" and began packing everything I could possible need into the Alfa. I wound up with a cooler in the passenger footwell. All of the important stuff made it into the trunk, though. This included: 1 case of Corona Extra, 1 case of Pacifico Clara, 20W/50, spare parts, jumper cables, wrenches, sockets, and the drinks cooler. You can see where my priorities were at.

My route, thanks to the sage advice of !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , was comprised of mostly state routes and US highways, rather than a straight shot on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass.

I loved State Routes 202 and 203 between Snoqualmie and Monroe. They were the perfect two-lane highways through farm country and small towns; The perfect environment for a 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce, especially under a warm sun with the top down. From Monroe I turned pointed the Alfa due East along US 2 over Stevens Pass and through Tumwater Canyon into the odd Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth where I stopped for a german lunch: a 1/2 liter Hofbrau Hefeweisen and a 1/3 lb Brat with relish, German Curry sauce, onions, and relish.

After lunch I headed to Ellensburg via WA 97 over the third pass of the day. It was a beautiful, twisting road through forests to the summit where the view opened up offering stunning views of both the Cascades (Mt. Rainier included) and the aired landscape of the eastern part of the state.

I fueled up and picked up the remaining food I needed in Ellensburg and headed into Vantage via old US 10 and the old Vantage Highway. I proceeded to do a doughnut in a gravel parking lot and continued on to find a number signs letting me know the fun bits were ahead.

After roughly 4 hours of top down pleasure I made it to the campsite. Well, almost. I did have to do a spot of driving on the rough stuff, a.k.a. light off roading. It was quite bumpy but I have a fair amount of ground clearance so it was no problem.

I prepared a Corona and waited for the friends to arrive.

Overall it was a great weekend. Much fun was had even though we almost died multiple times. Yes, you read that right: We almost died. Probably thrice. See the water level was quite low because they were repairing a crack in the dam and had to relieve a lot of water pressure on it. This left 50-200 yards of what looked to be a nice sandy beach next to the river. Then, after a trek down the cliffs via a lengthy route the Sheriff informed us the beach was closed and we were to leave. We wondered why he hated fun until he informed us that there was quicksand and unexploded ordinance under the newly exposed shore. Why this information couldn't have been posted somewhere I don't know.

The drive back was much, much longer even though I took the same route because it was pouring rain half the way. Sometimes so much so that it was almost impossible to see where I was going. Then the top started to leak. Yuck.

In the end I had a great time and it was totally worth it to take a classic car on a road trip, especially if it involves many twisty sections and top-down weather.

stuttgartobsessed > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:29

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TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:29

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The only supplies you need.

Looks like a fun trip! Makes me excited for summer.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:31

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Glad you took my advice! hope you enjoyed the road over steven's pass! really lets you experience the 3rd/4th gear pulling power of a car, doesn't it? :D

stuttgartobsessed > TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma 05/06/2014 at 01:31

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Very True! I was actually surprised how much you can fit in one of these! Behind the seats I had a bag for clothes, a sleeping bag, and camp chair. I also had two tarps and my backpack in the trunk.

stuttgartobsessed > PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power 05/06/2014 at 01:33

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Yes, Yes it does haha. On the way back I stopped at that info center for The Great Norther Railroad. Super interesting. I'm definitely going to go back this summer and hike around a look at old train tunnels.

TillTheWheelsFallOff: Brocoma > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:34

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They don't make trunks like they used to, that's for sure.

I'm impressed it ran strong, I suppose that's the charm of the Alfa.

ly2v8-Brian > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:36

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I imagine it would be difficult (I know nothing of getting ALFA parts) but that car needs the Euro spec bumpers. Our stupid govt. messed up the looks on so many great classics. But what you did sounds fun.

Your boy, BJR > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 01:39

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this makes me warm and fuzzy inside.

Leadbull > Your boy, BJR 05/06/2014 at 01:55

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Probably should've checked the expiration date on that bread.

stuttgartobsessed > ly2v8-Brian 05/06/2014 at 02:17

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I completely agree with you. Most of all the front bumper. The rear isn't the best but it's not the worst either. Plus it makes a nice seat haha.

Monsterajr > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 07:40

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I believe you can with some modification, put the 71-74 chromes on with relative ease. I actually prefer the kamm tail look over almost all but the very last US spec Spiders. Nice write up BTW and now you made me miss my brother's 74' that is long gone.

Brian Silvestro > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 08:14

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life: success

ly2v8-Brian > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 11:39

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True on the rear, you showed it could be a great foot rest. The Euro front is much more elegant and makes a great looking car even better.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 12:40

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nice specimen you got there i've just started the restoration on mine about 3 weeks ago trying to get the rust under control. So far i patched the floor pans and had to patch the driver side seat mount. But this week i have to put it back together and take it to a car show sSaturday haha

GreenMeanie > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 12:56

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Centerline and others sell a conversion kit to the earlier bumpers but not cheap and appears to be on backorder (part #FB160). Some have replaced the rear with a lighter, fiberglass version. My opinion is that Alfa did a better job dealing with 70's bumper requirements than most. They are great road trip cars. Trunk holds a lot and the space behind the seats is perfect for grocery bags, dogs, or an adventurous passenger. Sit sideways and keep an eye out for cops... Great write up and photos. Nice work using the car as intended and shattering a few stereotypes in the process. I'm sure a few heads exploded around here...

Roberto G. > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 15:54

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You didn't have a smaller cutting board and a smaller knife, just for cutting the lime...lol!

WhatsUpDOHC > stuttgartobsessed 05/06/2014 at 18:18

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A '76 Alfa Spider was my first car. I still love seeing them, especially being enjoyed like this. Best of luck with it and thanks for the writeup (but especially the photos!).

stuttgartobsessed > Roberto G. 05/06/2014 at 22:15

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Haha "Go Big or Go Home" Thats the moto. But you already know doe.

Anyway, yah I only brought the big knife and cutting board because we hacked up a HUGE watermelon the next day.

stuttgartobsessed > WhatsUpDOHC 05/06/2014 at 22:16

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Hopefully the fun continues! I will definitely have more photos and write ups of the adventures I take.

stuttgartobsessed > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe 05/06/2014 at 22:17

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Yikes! Good Luck! Lucky mine was lovingly garaged its entire life. Until this winter because I don't have one (I feel terrible about it :( ) Anyway, its doing fine on the rust front, just needs a complete engine rebuilt for it to run 100% perfect and a suspension refresh and a new paint job lol

stuttgartobsessed > GreenMeanie 05/06/2014 at 22:19

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Thanks! I love using it in ways many who own or would own them would. Like taking it off road haha. I certainly don't abuse it as much as some though as I haven't revved it above 4500. Yet.

GreenMeanie > stuttgartobsessed 05/07/2014 at 13:48

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Once that oil warms up, take her right to redline! Your ears will be rewarded and regular Italian tune ups are an essential part of Alfa maintenance. The bottom end is strong and I routinely flirt with 6,000 rpm in my stock '74. As for off roading, we joke but the suspension was designed for 60s Italian roads, which were pretty rough. Enjoy!

stuttgartobsessed > GreenMeanie 05/07/2014 at 14:36

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I'm quite tempted but the top end really needs to be polished so it seals perfectly... I hesitate to take her to reline when she burns a bit of oil. dont want to cause more damage I guess.