47
« on: December 31, 2007, 00:54:45 »
I have just discovered this forum and find it very interesting. I have owned CF6 - manual convertible - for nearly six years and have got my 'to do' list down to a manageable size! Perhaps I can add some info to this thread.
Front badge : I couldn't see Clifford's photobucket picture because my screen said 'illegal operation, shut down......' but then I understand cars more than computers. I think CF6 has a standard front badge setup. The badge is 2 3/16" diameter and looks like the ebay pictures and identical to the AC badges on Ace and Aceca- cast brass and chromium plated.The front panel has a hole surrounded by a chrome bezel on a rubber seating. The bezel is, in mm presumably ex Frua, approx 68.7 OD, 61.5 ID, 13.8 top depth and 25.0 bottom depth. The badge is mounted independently of the bezel and not in the plane of the front panel leaving a gap at the bottom, maybe 1/16", but I see this as an odd way to mount it rather than 'ventilated'. The background of my badge is painted black but I think it should be all chrome and unpainted. Without taking it apart I can't see how it is all assembled but I wonder if the hole in the front panel is necessary.
Fog/Spot lights : A subjective view but I think the beauty of the car is spoilt by the ugly lights and number plate. If I owned CF7 I would certainly transfer the lights to the stores. Italian plates were always small and they usually didn't make provision for standard size UK plates.CF6 has a small, probably illegal, plate just below the bumpers.
Rear lights : CF6 has Altissimo lights which were fitted also to Alfa Romeo Guilia 1600Ti and Super 4 door saloons 1962 to about 1965 - see police cars in the Italian Job film ? I think they were also fitted to some early Fiat 124 Spyders but not certain. Do all 428s have Altissimo? Some of the Guilias were fitted with lights by Carello which are better engineered than Altissimo; they are not identical but would fit the 428. I got Altissimo lenses from Classic Alfa in London - see Classic Alfa website. Run by Richard Norris - a nice chap and very helpful.
Rubber seals : I have given up on finding direct replacements. Do we know a keen 428 owner in Italy who might track them down? I did source in the UK sections for the 1/4 lights (a tricky job but OK) and 1/4 light frame to windscreen pillar (OK but needs a bit of detail development).
Parts sourcing : I agree with Clifford that we ought to pool our knowledge of parts which were not unique to AC and therefore could be available via another application.Some years ago Action published a list of Ace and Aceca crossreferences (eg Aceca door handle = P4 Rover and a Reliant) I have also seen a similar listing for the 3000ME. If we could get a 428 list started this would surely encourage others to add to it. I see a letter in the current Action along the same lines but think it is most likely to be achieved in this forum. Perhaps one of you with the IT skills could co-ordinate it but the contributions would be from many and would be peer reviewed and potentially changed before the listing became final.
Hope this contribution wasn't too long and that it may have been helpful.
Michael
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