VX Coupe Part Source in New Zealand Needed

[wellingtonvx]

Does anyone know a good parts source here ? Seems to me parts are like hens teeth in this country.

Also, what do people do for the white plastic x shaped body trim clips ? Mine are disintegrating and some of my trim has fallen off. They are not available from the local Fiat dealer. I looked in Repco (sells car accessories), but they have nothing like them.

Would it cost much to get them remanufactured ?

Thanks

Colin

[Fingers]

I had trouble with those white clips too, have just had the rust cut out of my VX coupe and the place that did it broke a few of them, I found some at a local wreckers yard, they had got a VX coupe in recently, Eurospares. I'm sure they're common to the betas, have a look around in Wellington or you could call Eurospares.

[Oliver]

How about Italian Auto in Auckland.

Been good with my Alfa stuff in the past

[bobg]

check the prior postings regarding the white plastic trim clips. a couple of months ago there was a thread dealing with this issue.

bob

[Maigret]

In your area I got quite a few parts for my VX from Continental Cars.

Although I some from Maurice Thomson (who is a mine of information as to what fits a VX)

Also Mal of Dino Enterprises who are wrecking a VX. I have got some panels and small bits as well as a full set of fast road discs and pads.

They got a good workout in May at the CHCH track day. :)


Graeme

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Graeme,

I talked to Continental at one stage, they didn't have much, when did you get the parts off them?

I have also talked to Italian Auto, but they didn't come through with anything when I sent them a list of parts I wanted.

I normally try Mal first, but no one had any trim clips when I posted the original message.

I think a VX is too old and rare to use for track days, ok if you have the money and don't write it off :D

Colin

[Maigret]

I did the motor up about three years ago so got the bits about then.

The only part I couldn't get was an oil pump.

Got some parts off Continental and others off Maurice Thomson.

Another to try is Italtune Christchurch.

At the track day (wet) I was waiting to get onto the track behind a one week old Ferarri at $400000 worth, so I didn't feel so guilty. His exhaust just about rattled my fillings out (gave him plenty of room when he wanted past though)

Found the VX oversteers on the limit. Didn't lose it, just a bit sideways on the hairpin :)

You're right about being careful with the VX. On future track days I'll take the Esprit.

Graeme

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Graeme,

I've had my VX for 2 years, I think the parts are harder to get now, you must have cleaned Continental and Thompson's out :D

I don't remember if I've tried Italtune, will give them a call.

That Ferrari sounds like a monster, what model was it?

As for using the VX for track days, it's up to you, it's your car!
The Esprit must be a rare car in NZ also.

I've only lost the back end of my VX once, taking a hairpin at 80, slightly damp road, it was a bit of a 8O moment!

Colin

[BDI_VX]

Hey folks - first post :)

I was browsing VX things on the web last week (looking forward to returning to NZ and getting my VX out of storage for the summer!) and saw some aftermarket (white) body trim clips for sale. Haven't been able to find them on a re-search, but will keep looking. There's something out there though...

For parts in Wellington, is Mike's (ex parts from Continentals) Thorndon operation for parts still running? I think it was called Parts Plus.

PS - in response to a previous thread, if Bruce (ex Continentals Service Manager) who took over Bridge Street Motors in Petone is still there, I'd heartily recommend him as a mechanic who's good enough to be trusted with your baby :wink:

[Fingers]

I always make Italtune my first stop, Brian's the guy to talk to, most of the time he'll call Italian Auto in AKL first, but he does hold a bit of stuff on site. I had my VX stored while I was in the UK too, I was so glad to get it back on the road, and even better roads that aren't anywhere as busy as the roads in the UK. All it needed was a new battery and fuel and about a minute of cranking and away it went, not bad after four years in an old chicken shed.

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Blaine,

So is your VX Coupe in Wellington?
Cool if it is, I only know of three others here.

I would be interested if you find the website for the clips. Lancia Service Cape Town sometimes get a few, but their shipping and handling seems a lot.

Parts Plus is still in the phonebook, I will try them, can't remember if I've contacted them in the past.

Bridge Street Motors is still listed, I will keep them in mind. I have tried Keith Webb (ex Continental) from Webb Auto in Johnsonville, he was better than the others I tried, but was a bit far away.

If you're in Wellington, let me know when you get back.

Colin

[BDI_VX]

Colin - mine's a very dark blue color, been off the road about 2 years. Judging by the look of your car, you may even be a guy I met in Pinehaven some years ago, and have waved to on the way down the motorway a few times in the past!

I heard that continentals has closed down, so that's a shame. Another italian operation is in the works though, from what I understand.

Returning to Wellington in Mid Jan, so looking forward to some serious open-sunroof weather. First major project will be to track down some Recarro's for the VX. Nothing like a bit of ambition.

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Blaine,

That wasn't me in Pinehaven, but I did buy his car.

Continental were taken over and are now a Mercedes dealer. They don't stock Fiat and Lancia parts anymore.

The new Fiat Lancia parts dealer is GT Nissan, their parts phone number is 3813001.
http://www.gtnissan.co.nz/

I just ordered an oil filter and some ZC-90.

I rang Parts Plus, they now only have Alfa parts, not Lancia.

Colin

[Maigret]

The car is so reliable. In the last year, apart from oil etc, the only part from Maurice Thomson was a timing belt (every 2 years for me). The only breakdown, which happened when Mum borrowed the car, was the plastic spiggot on the radiator broke off. Thank God I have Mum trained to watch the Temp gauge. A local shop made me new one out of brass for $20.

The previous year a set of rear brake pads and some front A arm bushes.

Not bad considering I use the car every day and often for towing. This weekend I need to take my brothers Esprit that we are restoring from Chistchurch to Dunedin.

[Maigret]

The Ferarri was a 360 Spyder there was a 355 there also.

If you'd like a copy of the newsletter with write up let me know (PDF file)

The hairpin was interesting. Sideways a few times but never lost it. Had an experienced driver in to give tips. His solution to the hairpin problem was to hit the power sooner. Worked too.

I soon found after buying the VX you need sticky tyres. Especially in the wet. I drive a lot in the mountains down here, skiing etc. The car had 195 section tyres and I dropped to 185 so I could get chains on. (the original size anyway) This size is more than adequate with the right tyre and actually seems to give more grip in the wet & ice.

Graeme

[Fingers]

Hey Maigret where are you from? I've only seen 4 other VX's in CHC, and are you in the local club? First Tuesday of the month we meet at the Pegasus Arms from about 7:30. I never made it to the last track day unfortunatly I was busy, but last time I did I gat terrible brake fade at the end of the straight, and straight off the end, the tires came at me pretty quickly, luckily I missed them, some guy in an old (early 80's) BMW wasn't quite as lucky, he slid sideways off the track just before the dipper and rolled it, no injuries, just his bank balance. Did you have any trouble with your brakes?

[wellingtonvx]

Hi Graeme,

Interesting about the 195's vs the 185's, I always thought a bigger contact patch on the road would give more grip. I'm quite happy with my 195's, I don't do much driving in the wet, it's not much fun. Sounds like you need some spiked rally tyres down there!

As for the hairpin, I meant I lost grip on the back end, I was only sideways. it took me by surprise but I managed to get it straight again without hitting the bank on the left!

Colin

[Maigret]

I am from Oamaru so the only event I have been to is the track day.

I had no problem with the brakes, but I am using a full set of discs and pads I got from Dino Enterpises. They were classified Fast/road.

Actually narrower tyres give better grip in wet and snow. Higher contact pressure on the road and less distance to push the water. I got Pirrellis designed for Alpine use which have small slots to grip onto ice like suction cups, they work well. Probably gave me an advantage on the track day.

On gravel roads narrow tyres are much better. Where I can drive as fast and more confidently in my Austin 8 than the Lotus Esprit. Austin has 125R17 and the Esprit 245R15.

[Fingers]

Are the new discs any different to your old ones? I'm about due new pads and have been looking at alternatives for the discs too.

[Maigret]

At the time it cost about 20% more for fast road pads and discs.

I got them off Dino enterprises. There are various options from standard to race. You would be best to contact him direct for advice and options.
"Dino Enterprises Ltd" <malsim@fiatparts.co.nz>

I think ~$100 per disc and about the same per set of pads.

Actually I am due for a new front set and might consider EBC Greenstuff as I use on Esprit. They have the advantage of no brake dust. Some people have complained about poor performance of these pads when cold but does one drive a car hard when cold?

Graeme
[/img]

[SubGothius]

I'm no Kiwi, myself (yet :) ), but just thought I'd give you blokes the tipoff that City Locksmith in Auckland (http://citylocks.co.nz/map.html) has high-security-type key blanks for Beta doors/trunk/glovebox in stock. Last I checked, they have ten of the long-discontinued GT2BP variant (http://HTDoctor.com/Lancia/GT_2BPkey.shtml) with a moulded plastic head shaped like the Lancia logo, tho' they may also have more of the commonly available variants of these keys with the all-metal or shield-grille-shaped plastic head (http://keys4classics.com/html/Lancia_1.html).

I would imagine they also have the computerized equipment to cut these blanks to code -- IIRC, a number stamped on the back of your glovebox lock may be the key code, but better have them compare your current key to what their 'puter shows for that code before cutting, just to be sure you won't waste a precious blank! If you don't have an original door key and have just been risking an unlockable car, they may also have more of the cheaper and more common all-metal version to test-cut your code into first.

I was going to buy out their whole lot of remaining GT2BP blanks (tell Phil there that Tyson in the States says "Howdy" :) ), keeping a couple for myself and selling the rest to Stateside Lancisti on eBay, but now I just don't feel right about possibly taking all your blanks after seeing the active NZ Lancia following on this here forum (and I thought finding spares in the US was getting dicey! ). Damn my ethics, but I wouldn't refuse a blank sent via post as a token of appreciation for the tipoff! :wink:

[SubGothius]

Last chance, boys. A vendor I'd contacted some time ago about the GT2BP door key blanks (described in my post immediately above) has contacted me to say he's interested in acquiring them for international resale now. Phil says he still has all the blanks he had before and hasn't seen any local interest in them; he also has a number of the more common GT2P style (shield-grille-shaped plastic head) blanks also in stock, so he'll still have Beta door keys in that style to sell you, regardless.

I'll be tipping off the vendor, prolly next week, in exchange for some door and ignition blanks for myself -- I only have one ancient key for my Zagato's doors and ignition each currently, so I'd be SOL if either one broke or got stolen, or if I accidentally locked them in the trunk! Of course, you'll still be able to buy them from this vendor once he gets'em, for as long as he has'em, but you'd have to pay whatever he'll be asking plus postage; Phil will likely also still retain his stock of the Beta-compatible GT2P style for you to obtain from him locally as well.

Just wanted to give you blokes fair notice that this is your last chance to get, for yourself or friends, Beta door keys with the Lancia-logo-shaped plastic head while they're still cheap and local! :wink:

[Fingers]

Yeah thanks for the heads up, wish I'd known that earlier, I got a set of some dude in Oz off ebay. But they weren't expensive.

[Gamma1]

Hi are there any new lock barrels for the doors available for the beta anywhere, or has anyone in NZ got a couple of good S/H ones with a key they would like to sell.
Cheers Gerry

[SubGothius]

Hi are there any new lock barrels for the doors available for the beta anywhere, or has anyone in NZ got a couple of good S/H ones with a key they would like to sell.FWIW, if you've got good locks without a key that turns them, you may be able to either have a key made to fit the locks you've got, or have the locks rekeyed to fit whatever key you might have, or just take everything you've got, "lock, stock and barrel" :D , to a locksmith (ask City Locksmith in Auckland (http://citylocks.co.nz/map.html) :wink: ) and have them rekey the whole lot together.

P.S. Ye've got Gammas down there?! 8O Egad, the Kiwi life is looking ever more appealing... 8)

[Gamma1]

Thanks Tye, will give City Locksmiths a call on monday to see what they can do. Yes 13 Gamma coupes+ a couple of sedans were brought into Nz, and I believe 10 coupes + the 2 sedans still survive, we also got plenty of betas,still a good number of VX's around.
Cheers Gerry

[Fingers]

Yeah my mechanic thinks there's probably only a dozen VX coupes in the country.

The Kiwi life is the best kept secret in the world. Ah skiing and mountain biking(well, anything really) in Middle Earth

[Maigret]

Found a source for engine gaskets for VX

http://www.spesso.com/firsteng2.html

[badboyboogzy]

well boys there is a place here in perth to get those little plastic trim bits they are x clips or something try fiat factory on ebay in australia im sure steve would send to new zealand as for mecahnicals i can get a bit of regular type stuff myself send me a list of what you guys need and ill see what i can do bettabetabitz@yahoo.com
renay
bbb

[badboyboogzy]

we can also get the key blanks here and get them cut
renay
bbb