KEEPING
DELTAS
DRIVING
Lancia Delta Integrale specialists and enthusiasts
Alfa 155, and a trailer
Our Rob bought an Alfa 155 in Italy, the Shiply transport operator backed out, so I volunteered to go instead.
I have confidence in my Hilux, and I rent a good quality Ifor Williams trailer on these collection occasions.
I owned an Ifor Williams car trailer bought from Barlow Trailers in Croston, the sales dept. said if I ever wanted to sell it, they'd give me what I paid for it. After a while, lack of regular trailer use and the danger of its theft led me to take Barlows offer. The generous deal was done, and now for any
transport jobs I hire an Ifor Williams from Barlows.
To collect Bobby's Alfa I rented a CT136 Ifor Williams 4 wheel trailer. This has wide spaced 5 stud wheels and a spare, spring down rear supports and number plate holder, a winch, tool box, jockey wheel and spring handle parking brake. Overun brakes are fitted to the hitch mount which give good braking, the Hilux couldn't stop
2 tons on its own.
The trailers are galvanised, with slide out ramps which lock in stowed position when the rear supports are sprung up. This model has an alloy deck infill, so no open deck space.
For my trip to Italy, Barlows supplied a bulb kit, a 2nd spare wheel, and the trailer's own EU licence plate and paperwork. This was included in the week's rent of £244.00. It's a very professional service at Barlows.
These are a substantial and well made trailer, UW is 560kgs,
payload 2040kgs. Barlows have one for sale (23Dec2024)
fo £4620.00 inc vat.
The Alfa itself is a 1997 twin spark 155, in a nice metallic dark slate grey colour.
It has grey cloth upholstery with wood capping and steering wheel.
Underneath is rust free with a new standard exhaust fitted.
Previous owner Dominico has looked after this Alfa very well, it's still in its original paint, door edges etc. are unmarked. Spare wheel in a rust free boot, with clean carpet covering. The car interior is in v good condition, with all trim and switches in place and clean, the light grey cloth seats, not being Alcantara, are all good,
carpets and roof lining perfect.
The engine started easily from cold and ran well, steering is light, but the
brake pedal is a bit low.
I loaded the Alfa on board and secured the 4 wheel straps, the sky started to brighten and the sun came out, after a very wet outward journey.
I started the careful journey back on to the Autostrada at Verona, then to Milan where a turn is taken to reach the Mt Blanc tunnel. Where the A4 Autostrada passes through towns, especially Milan, it is at full capacity all day. Spirited Italian driving means cars brake hard in front of heavy vehicles, expecting them to stop fast too, this leads to many accidents. It also means loaded up you have to plan well ahead, and not be tempted to join in the competition.
It was snowing at Mt Blanc travelling east the night before, I was a bit worried about the return journey, but with the sun shining all was bright and clear. The dramatic Alpine scenery had a fresh dusting of snow, the wind picked up and blew the snow over the mountain tops.
The unusual slate grey metallic paintwork changes colour in different
light, the low winter sunshine glowing on the original finish.
Bobby was very kind to pay for Flexi plus on Eurotunnel, I could catch the train at any time without delay. This saved a lot of rushing and waiting around, anything could have happened to delay our rig.
The car had its Italian plates returned to the authorities, so no plates were fitted, the vendor had changed the reg papers to Bobby's ownership. Entry to the UK was quite simple, a short interview with paperwork shown, passport, rented trailer, and not being a
business seemed to do the trick.
I'll return the trailer to Barlow's, then I'll give the Alfa a good
look over and report the findings.
The Alfa 155 Quadrafolio was something special,
an Alfa with Integrale underneath bits.
Click on the Alfa pic to visit our report on this car.