Forgot to introduce...

[wrinx]

...my toy monster!

Unfortunately the weather has been so bad here I haven't taken any decent pics yet, but this was taken on the ferry, bringing it into the UK


wrinx

[arjunior45]

more pictures please!!!

[Brul(tm)]

Go out and play Wrinx, don't forget your camera to make some nice pictures

Regards,
Marc

[Juan AR155Q4]

Congrats!!!
Nice car to have.

[Xti]

Woooooohaaaaaaah...mamma mia !!!

Barely wait for more pics and details.

Cheers,
Cristian.

[wrinx]

Thanks guys

I've lusted after one of these for about fifteen years now...consider myself very lucky to have one at last

Will post more pics when I have them...

wrinx

[arjunior45]

There is a yellow RZ in my birth town and I hope finally to convince him to sell it to me. But it's more than 2 years now going back and forth.

[Q4-Dave]

Congrats man, lovely car

regards

[Q4Jan]

Congrats!

Be carefull with your windows and headlights.

[AlfaJack]

Looks like it has the protector senses in place

[wrinx]

Yup, it's got some little squares of hard plastic on the lenses....not pretty but easier than trying to find replacements

wrinx

[Evodelta]

I'm sooo jealous! I've always had a thing about these.

I'd really like to hear the story behind it and what you think of it too.

[AlfaJack]

The weather has been nice this weekend so we are expecting better pics

[wrinx]

I might be able to get a couple today, still busy trying to sort the garage to get both the SZ and Q4 in...it's been a long job!

wrinx

[Evodelta]

The weather has been nice this weekend so we are expecting better pics

Nah, I've seen loads of pics and a few in the flesh, I want to know the story and what it is like to own and drive!

[wrinx]

Ok....you asked for it

Realised a while ago that the Matta was becoming less fun to drive as the years passed, then it dawned on me one day that selling the old beasty meant I'd be well on the way to financing an SZ...a car I've lusted after for the last fifteen years, but never once thought I'd ever own!

Once the Matta was sold and the shortfall scraped together, the search began. I contacted the AROC (UK) Registrar who sent an email out to those on his list, asking if anyone was contemplating selling.

I received two responses from people selling and one from a possible, but reluctant future sale. Having made contact with all three it transpired the reluctant one managed to happily keep their SZ. The second was a heavily modified car which sounded great on paper but I was after a standard car, SZ parts are hard enough to find without making them bespoke!

The third car was for sale but had not yet been advertised, it was/is a low mileage example, reported to need minor work but otherwise in excellent condition. Many emails were exchanged over the next few weeks before SWiMBO and I booked a (very expensive!) weekend trip to the Isle of Man.

In typical form for me (did the same with the Matta), to try and reduce costs it was necessary to plan the trip as if buying the car (with ferry ticket), but then have a back up plan if returning without it....which consisted of planning to book trains on our return to the UK

So, straight to the owner's house, viewed the car, took a leisurely test drive on part of the TT route, marvelling at how fast my Host reported the bikes go around some of the bends. After a brief bit of haggling the deed was done...but it was never in question really!

We then parked the car in the underground car park and enjoyed the rest of the weekend on the Island...regularly popping back like a new Father, to check the baby was still ok! Travelling back on the ferry was rather stressful, leaving the car parked on an incline as the ferry rolled around. Thankfully the crossing was very calm, alarms on the cars all around were going off...but not the SZ

The drive back from Liverpool to Derbyshire (c.100 miles) was wonderful learning experience. I promised myself we would have a nice gentle drive back...sadly my right foot won't allow that! The noise is sooooo addictive; and the power is pretty good, particularly at *cough* motorway speeds.

Driving position is a little uncomfortable as I'm nearly 6ft and the cabin isn't, I'll find the right position for me soon enough but it could just be that I'm not used to lying so horizontal in a car.

However a stiff neck is soon forgotten thanks to the the driving experience. So far the three hundred or so miles covered has mainly consisted of high speed cruising and the occasional flick into a sharp corner or two....but it's been enough for me to realise how these things can handle! With the active suspension on, I took a motorway ramp at a *reasonable* speed, expecting to lean in as you do...but nothing, totally flat!

But in the wet, care is needed....second time out the roads were a little damp. Reversed onto the road outside out house and dropped it into first to take off...and the rears lit up

...and that engine!!! I've previously owned a 155 2.5 V6 and did something like 30k wonderful miles in it, but this is in another world! The sound, the torque and the power....it pulls from nothing in fifth and just keeps going. But it's deceptive and doesn't seem that fast, until the higher revs, when it flies. The gruff warble slowly builds (the addictive part!) and the tone increases in pitch to a metallic wail at around 4-5k revs (haven't dared take it al the way yet!).

Overall I am absolutely ecstatic that I've got an SZ, as mentioned earlier, it was a car I never considered owning as it was perceived as being out of reach, so I feel very lucky and privileged to have one, for however long it may be

I've got a lot of learning to do with the car, including it's handling, but so far....10/10 imho!

wrinx

[Q4Jan]

Enjoy it!

Sounds great.

[Xti]

15 years it's a long time but you have confirmed that good things comes to those who wait. I'm glad for you and wish you good luck with your beautiful SZ.

Cheers,
C.

[wrinx]

Thank you

wrinx

[RMB-Racing]

That is so GREAT!

Nice story - I can relate to the part, where you are going home with the baby, still hoping is gonna be in one piece...

You are blessed to be a owner of that car - I?m envy you (the good way)

Now - pics, please!

[Brul(tm)]

Come on then Wrinx....





Regards,
Marc

[wrinx]

Will get some pics up as soon possible, in fact I'm off to Spring Alfa Day on Sunday so should have some from there, looking all shiny

wrinx

[Evodelta]

Be careful where you park it:

http://uk.cars.yahoo.com/13042010/36...lls-car-0.html

[wrinx]

That story has appeared on 155.org too...thankfully I don't live near that part of Derbyshire

wrinx

[wrinx]

Just got back from Spring Alfa Day in the UK, an amazing six SZs turned up....







wrinx