[alfa] Tire dilemma

[alfacybersite <acs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I apologize for dragging along the entire email, but difficult to merely
take snippets.

I've told more than one client that after getting their restored car
back, should they prefer to have it crushed into one big square block
and make a coffee table out of it, it's certainly theirs to do with as
they please. In the meantime I will freely give him  my opinion on any 
issues.

I actually do try to make compromises with clients over (generally
fairly minor) differences when they come up.

While I hate to ruin this entire thread, it does appear as if there
might not be the problem I've been anticipating. Jim, the client, keeps
his opinions (read: compliments) close to his vest, but just received
this email: "It was a real pleasure to finally meet you. Thanks for
taking the time to show us around. It was exciting to see the body in
such nice shape. I was thinking about tires. What size do you recommend?
I believe the Klebers are 185/70 -14's aren't they. You were liking a
slightly lower profile -65?"

Still doesn't mean he isn't thumbing through the Tire Rackelectronic 
catalog for
65 series whitewalls though.

If I take payment for something (my invoices are 13 to 14 pages long and
obviously very detailed) I will install what I say and / or what is
agreed to.

Purity and installing a two liter in a '69 1750 Spider: Perhaps I should
say I'm not quite as "pure" as I appear. I should add an entire row of
happy faces after the following statement...but I won't. I feel I have a
pretty good idea where it is acceptable to make variations on -
especially, but not solely, '69 Alfa Spiders - and where they shouldn't
be made.

Part of the reason for the two liter is I had one which was a runner.
However, if I'd also had a 1750, I'd still install the 2 liter. I hate
changing those outdated oil filters and feel that the two liter has a
bit more torque and parts availability for them should continue for
decades - hopefully forever. I happily point out the filter and head
marking differences between the two liter (which is currently sitting on
a carpeted rolling platform in my office /  living room) and a 1750.

When rebuilding the 750 Fiat Abarth Zagato I always said if someone
could stuff a Chey V8 inside the 600 block, it would be great (though
possibly a wee bit tail heavy).

Several months ago a nice guy who is restoring his own '69 Spider
stopped by. He wanted me to detail out his engine like I did the two
liter. When he told me he was going to use a K & N filter I told him I
wouldn't do it. He laughed...but I meant it.

The K & N filters are so inappropriate on a '69 (or any Alfa) Spider it 
amazes me
anyone would even consider installing one. Whitewalls on a '69 Spider
scream tasteless 50's 'merican iron. These cars are anything but that.

Been trying to locate rubber triangular door rubber stops. Was told all
that was available is plastic. When ordering some special rubber edging
(which no one will ever see) from Matt at Re-Originals I asked if he had
the stops in rubber. Yes he did and now I have several pairs. Unless
absolutely forced to use something else, I am fanatical about such
details as this.

Biba
Irwindale, CA USA

Rather than making tons of money today, did what should have been a 
quickVery Preliminary '69 straw Spider page on my web site - but wasn't 
- quick that is.

http://www.alfacybersite.com/BR69iSpd.html

Note the dark metallic gray on the wheels in the final shot. Along with 
no shiny hubcaps, it does look like it needs some relief from the darkness.

*********

>>I personally feel a company / individual who is trying to do high
>>quality work has the right, in this case, what he considers to be
>>appropriate for the car. Perhaps it is arrogant on my part, but feel the
>>companies /  individuals who "give the client what they want" end up
>>regretting it. That was General Motors mantra for years.
>>
>>
>
>Biba,
>
>I admire your attitude, and attempt to keep things *pure*.
>
>However, I'd beg to differ with one thing.  I think you have the right to
>refuse to do something, but if a customer pays you to do some work, 
and you
>accept that money, then you are obligated to do as he wishes.
>
>So, refuse the payment to install new tires if it means so much to 
you, but
>I don't think you should be accepting money for new tires and then putting
>on something other than what he wishes.
>
>Let me ask you a question.  A while back you were talking about 
tucking a 2
>liter in place of a 1750, and some other 'tasteful' updates.  There 
are some
>that would argue that plopping a 2 liter into a Duetto is no different 
than
>installing whitewall tires.
>
>What makes your idea of a tasteful modification any better than that 
of the
>guy who actually owns the car?
>
>I think you should do your best to provide good advice to your customers,
>but in the end, I think they ultimately own the car and pay the bills, and
>you are responsible to them, not the marque.
>
>Sincerely,
>
>bs
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