The Italian connection 3522r

[dakazman]

 I never get enought of the fantastic shots you take Lou ...Keep posting,but stay safe. i fly free maybe i'll get to Italy.

dakazman

[Lou Drozdowski]

I never get enought of the fantastic shots you take Lou ...Keep posting,but stay safe. i fly free maybe i'll get to Italy.

dakazman

Thanks Kaz...I hope you do find the time to go, here's a taste of my home town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teomOyvcMAI

[Valerio Leone]

The Covid situation is getting better every day here in Italy.
Now we are afraid for US!!

[BDA]

Thanks, Valerio. I truly appreciate your concern! There's a lot I could say (and I started to) but we're here to talk about Europas.

The good virus news from Italy and elsewhere is very welcome!

[BDA]

I never get enought of the fantastic shots you take Lou ...Keep posting,but stay safe. i fly free maybe i'll get to Italy.

dakazman

Thanks Kaz...I hope you do find the time to go, here's a taste of my home town.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=teomOyvcMAI

What a lovely town and countryside! I'm a fan of your travelogues too!

[dakazman]

 
               You summed it up perfectly BDA. 
   Thanks Valerio,
  This is not what I envisioned my retirement years would be like.
I have faith things will settle down and cures will be found.
 Dakazman

[Lou Drozdowski]

There are very few cars in my life that have afforded me the motoring pleasure as I found in the Europa...

However, the early twin cam Alfa's are very close, having owned a few Giulia spiders and a Giulietta sprint. That is where I cut my teeth in those early years of sports car fun.

So, whenever my brother or I come across one, it's time to stop and admire. Vic sent me this picture yesterday. A '65 spider dressed in blue. The sale of the Giulietta afforded me the space in my garage to restore 3307r.

[BDA]

Beautiful cars, Lou! I've always liked Alfas too, and when I was shopping for my first sports car, I considered an Alfa Spider. The dealer didn't have a Spider for me to drive so they let me drive a sedan. I don't know how people are comfortable driving those cars! They seem to be built for gorillas - short legs and long arms. That seems to be the pattern for all Italian cars because I sat in a Countach and it was the same way.

I still appreciate Italian cars but I wish I could fit in them too drive them!

[GavinT]

That's a beautiful Spider, Lou. 

. . . They seem to be built for gorillas - short legs and long arms. That seems to be the pattern for all Italian cars because I sat in a Countach and it was the same way.

Ergonomics can be really tricky, I reckon.
A friend fitted a dished steering wheel to his Europa S2 and I found it much more comfortable to drive.
I'm 6 feet 2 inches and a bit in the old money.

[BDA]

It often depends on where you are tall 

[GavinT]

It often depends on where you are tall 

Ha . . not touching that . . as the actress said to the Bishop.
You're probably right though; in essence, my legs are too long and so is my torso.

[BDA]

I had a buddy who had an Alfa Spider. He was built somewhat like a gorilla so it fit him better than it did me!

I'm 6' 1" (was about 6' 2" but I've been shrinking!) and I fit pretty well in my Europa. I did put a bubble in the roof to give me more head room which helps. I know another Europa owner who is something like 6' 4" and he fits in his well too! He must be all legs and doesn't mind bending them a bit. My legs are straight out.

[GavinT]

My legs are straight out.

I must be weird.
My legs are nearly touching the steering wheel. I've planned on a smaller steering wheel and will likely get a dished one to boot.

Now, if I could just talk myself into thinking the offset steering wheel doesn't matter.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Gavin, I would recommend this Luisi wheel...

https://classicgarage.com/sh315lestwh.html

[GavinT]

Thanks Lou,
That's a nice wheel, and looks very 'period' as well.