Does your Guzzi taste follow to your four wheels?

[willowstreetguzziguy]

About six months ago I picked up a sweet 2011 VW Jetta SportWagen. After putting 7,00 miles on it I began to realize I appreciate similar qualities in it as I do in my 2008 1200 Sport.

ENGINES- Both have unique engines. You know the Guzzi layout. Well the VW has a unique engine as well.It’s an inline 2.5 FIVE cylinder engine. It has a nice growl like the Guzzi. It has low end torque like the Guzzi and both engine have character and BOTH got CANCELED by emissions. Both are said to last many, many miles. From what VW mechanics have told me that the five cylinder is extremely reliable. Most say it’s the best engine VW ever made. And both are basic, simple engines. Both are workhorses.

LOW TECH - Both are low tech vehicles and that’s what I prefer. Both have analog gauges with only a little bit of digital information available.

FUN - Most important, Both put a smile on my face!    BOTH OLD SCHOOL & FUN!

Anyone else see similarities in your Guzzi and your four wheel vehicle?

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

Once upon a time it did, but then I needed practical cars with four seats so that I could car pool, then vans to haul bikes and stuff. Back in the mid '80s though...





I really wanted an Alfa Romeo Milano as my car pool daily, but ended up with an '85 Audi 5000S instead.

Besides my '02 VW Eurovan, I have the use of my brother's 2010 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI with 6 spd. manual. Can't afford to drive it with diesel prices as high as they are. 

[Bulldog9]

For me it was this. One of my favorite cars of all time. Unique quirky full of character underrated. Would love to have one again.

I gave this to my son as his first car.

[Ncdan]

Picture is enough said.

[SIR REAL ED]

My best friend's father out quirked all of you by driving a Saab two stoke car which required premixing the gas well into the 1980's!

I recall a contemporary quote from a Peter Egan column which noted "No one drives a two stroke car, unless it is an old Saab, which means you are one of those chronic individuals who can't be dealt with rationally!"

That was a good description of my best friend's father.

[SIR REAL ED]

Once upon a time it did, but then I needed practical cars with four seats so that I could car pool, then vans to haul bikes and stuff. Back in the mid '80s though...

I remember seeing these and thinking they looked cool, but I have no idea what it is.

Guess:  Fiat X1/9?

[Tusayan]

I really wanted an Alfa Romeo Milano as my car pool daily

I had a Milano Verde 3.0 as my daily driver for most of the 90s.  I bought it used for $7200 in 1992 (MSRP was $25K in 1987, that’s Guzzi style depreciation) and drove it 120K miles.  It was my favorite car ever, charismatic like an exotic, while being a practical car for daily life.  The 164L that followed it was disappointing by comparison, Fiat designed the car to make money, not to please the driver in the same way at any cost.

Nowadays my cars are mainly just tools, and I buy Japanese not European.  They need to be reliable and economical.  Mazdas are good, some of the character of an Alfa but with Toyota level reliability. 

[Milosh]

I have a black 2019 Fiata Classica, so I would say yes.

[Turin]

20 Years ago I bought Offcamber (Kips) 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6. I've done some upgrades over the hears including a Milano Verde 3.0 motor, full exhaust, and Bilstein shocks. I'd say Alfa's are very Guzzi like.

[MerleLowe]

My Wife's DD from 2012 to 2019 was our 2012 Beetle - 2.5 5-speed, Tornado Red with the retro wheels.  Great car except for cargo capacity.  The Sportwagen is miles ahead there.  She got a JL Wrangler n 2019 and I convinced her to keep the Beetle.  It's now my driver, but since I work from home, not DAILY driver. lol.  It is a bit Guzzi-like in how it pulls nicely through the midrange, accelerating more than the sound and feel would suggest. 

My 2004 Colorado has the 3.5 5-cylinder and I owned 2 5-cylinder Mercedes in the past as well.  I actually enjoyed driving my Geo Metro (aka Suzuki Swift) for the month I had it before an inattentive Windstar driver sideswiped me at about 30 mph, totalling the Geo and only failing to take me out by a foot or so.  Luckily he hit the left side fender and wheel, not my door.

As the years have gone by, I've been getting notions of Volvo 240 ownership.  Not sure what Guzzi would be analogous.

I like just about everything so what I get isn't necessarily an indication of any particular leaning.

[blu guzz]

I drive an Alfa, I am ready to be certified.

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I remember seeing these and thinking they looked cool, but I have no idea what it is.

Guess:  Fiat X1/9?

'85 Bertone (Fiat) X1/9.

[Clifton]

At present, no. My two vehicles are pretty ordinary, a 23 Ridgeline is my utility and winter vehicle and a 26 Civic SI is my fun to drive, yet practical, car. I had Jeep Wranglers but gave them up and now have a couple SXSs for playing off road.

[Alfetta]

In my case the inverse is true, I have almost always owned an Italian car, but my bike were off road only Jap stuff..
I have had a few road bikes sprinkled in there over the years, but most were jap or German.
About 5 years ago i hung up my dirt bike boots, i picked up my first "I" bike,  (Guzzi V7-3) and I like it alot, but perhaps i should have spent more time searching because i later discovered one that they call a "Griso" and that one just gets me going...

Current I cars:

[cliffrod]

Well, I have no Italian cars.  I consider my Guzzi to be a practical, easily serviced machine and architecturally similar to an old V8 car or truck, so….   

I have my old trusty rusty 1973 Cheyenne (that’s now apparently a popular collectible as is…) a Honda Odyssey van that wife drives as a DD (least fix-friendly of all of our vehicles) and my two red/red 1967 Galaxies.  Still trying to wrap up the 427 swap in one Galaxie.  engine is ready but transmission isn’t done yet.  Our 1962 Triumph TR3B that has been in the family longer than I have needs rebuild/resto work, but not sure that I’ll ever get it done.

[Turin]

Mmmm....427 side oiler

[Matteo]

Always wanted an Alfa next to my Lemans

[Hormel Chavez]

Only one piece of Italian engineering at a time for me, thank you. My others are Hondas and Toyotas. My Tacoma TRD is an uncomfortable-as-hell old-school truck, but it will probably run longer than I do. My Sequoia has 260k on it and runs like a top, burns no oil, and probably has another 250k left in it. Wouldn't mind getting a Supra one day, but I get my jollies from not having any car payments.

[cliffrod]

Mmmm....427 side oiler

Nope, just a regular 1964 center or top oiler block this time.  It’s the only part of the engine that isn’t MY 1967-correct, which would have originally used a side oiler block in 1967.  Since pic was taken, the correct C7-C 427 Sidewinder intake is now here to be installed in place of the 1967 C7-F 428PI intake that was used for break-in as shown in pic.  Then this 428PI intake will be used on the original 428 in my other red 67 Galaxie.

No matter..   this fantastic condition block with caps and new forged pistons only cost $250.00, not $3k-$4k++ in 2024.  That is legit Guzzi content.

[Ncdan]

Nope, just a regular 1964 center or top oiler block this time.  It’s the only part of the engine that isn’t MY 1967-correct, which would have originally used a side oiler block in 1967.  Since pic was taken, the correct C7-C 427 Sidewinder intake is now here to be installed in place of the 1967 C7-F 428PI intake that was used for break-in as shown in pic.  Then this 428PI intake will be used on the original 428 in my other red 67 Galaxie.

No matter..   this fantastic condition block with caps and new forged pistons only cost $250.00, not $3k-$4k++ in 2024.  That is legit Guzzi content.

Those ole pre 70 big blocks like the 427 ford and Chevy and the 440, 426 hemi MOPAR were fantastic motors. And the strange, in a way, thing is these modern small block motors will run off and leave then, both drag and top end and that’s not even forced air induction motors. I guess the science of motor mechanical science has actually involved and improved. That being said, there’s no motor today that can match the sound and soul of the American big blocks of years gone by.

[Turin]

Any FE bigger that a 390 is pretty bad ass as far as I'm concerned.  (a 390 is no slouch either) The only thing I didn't like about FE blocks is the need to pull the rockers and pushrods to do an intake swap.

[cliffrod]

Ford FE engines (including 390-406-427-428) have been my favorite for decades.  The wide aspect of the intake is less desirable, but it is what it is.  While I understand how much more efficient and powerful modern engines are,  I like these older ones.  I can make the same arguments for preferring my old Guzzis, which now pale in terms of performance when compared to modern bikes.  I simply prefer my old bikes.

Something I didn’t expect while doing this project in the “modern” world-  Years ago, a 428 (under square, low rpm street- oriented bore x stroke) was a big deal.  A 427 was the king of the hill, because it was the legit oversquare high rpm race engine.  Now, unless you’re going to stroke either one for at least another 30-40 ci, you’re almost treated like what you’re building is irrelevant.  I’ve got a lot of experience driving a 428 Galaxie.  I’m looking forward to having a “plain” 427 in my Galaxie in order to know what the differences really are.

[Bulldog9]

20 Years ago I bought Offcamber (Kips) 1982 Alfa Romeo GTV6. I've done some upgrades over the hears including a Milano Verde 3.0 motor, full exhaust, and Bilstein shocks. I'd say Alfa's are very Guzzi like.

That car is on my bucket list. There was a guy in college who had one. I always found the styling and driving experience to be unique and a little addicting.

I really wanted the new Gulia Coupe, but Alpha never brought it to market. I'm just not a sedan (4 door) guy.

[Tkelly]

Mercury Grand Marquis 2005,minimal gadgetry ,original owner was a retired union guy,ordered it with basic everything,controls I can understand ,20 mpg or better on regular,police suspension handling package,over the road comfort ,3000$ with only 75000 miles on it when I got it  several years and 50000 miles ago,all in all a Workhorse Guzzi t3 with 4 wheels.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

I'm all over the place on cars, but much like the Guzzi, I want something a little more esoteric and off the radar...  I love some muscle cars and classic trucks, but that is probably hereditary from my upbringing. As for daily drivers, I have always been a wagon guy and have owned several (honda accord, subaru outback & the wrx/'saab', volvo 850/V70/V60, audi allroad, VW jetta).

I am a huge Volvo guy and thats been my last 3 cars in a row- two V60 cross country wagons and now a Polestar 2 Performance Pack EV which is not quite a wagon but more of a very roomy fastback.

Of course I always have an old junker truck that I keep tinkering with on the side.

I have been loving the EV as a daily, 490hp and 500 ft/lb with AWD, Brembos and Ohlins in a super smooth, planted, and predictable driver that is a super comfy and refined package that REALLY hauls when you put your foot in it and is SURPRISINGLY nimble for a 3,700lb vehicle.

I'm looking for a project/tinker ICE car passively right now and the 3-4 cars I have been regularly watching Bring a Trailer auctions of and comparing are:

1. Volvo P1800's
2. '66 Buick Skylarks
3. Volvo Polestar V60 with the inline 6 from about '17/'18
4. Various Volvo 850's and V70's


I will say I would not buy or own any VW ever ever ever ever again if you held me at gunpoint 

[AJ Huff]

Only in that whatever I've had it was the only one like it in town, just like my Moto Guzzis.

High school I had a diesel Chevette, automatic. Pretty sure it was the only one in the state LOL.
That was followed my a diesel VW dasher, pretty sure it was the only one in town.
Then a 1980 Toyota Celica Sunchaser, 1 of 250 made. Sadly it was totalled. My favorite car I ever had. Miss it so much.
1968 Toyota FJ40 I lost to a dishonest shop.
A 1994 Dodge Dakota. Nothing special about that but I never saw another one with the same blue paint as mine.
2010 VW Jetta TDI. Not a rare car but extremely rare where I lived at the time. Lost that one to Dieselgate.
2001 Dodge Durango. Again nothing special but never saw another one in Patriot Blue in town,
Now a 2021 Ram Power Wagon in Hydro Blue. It is for sure the only one in town that color.

-AJ

[guzzista]

 The question for me  is like :
What came first: The chicken or the egg" My 4 wheel life started with a Peugeot 504, (designed by Pininfarina )which I still miss . Then a number of MGB'S, both roadsters and GT ( MGBGT is another Pininfarina design). A Fiat 124 Sports Coupe followed
As a transplanted Italian, Alfas have been in my DNA, from a 1966 Duetto to a later Spider, and a GTV 1750 , both swapped with Twin Spark engines that I brought back  from Italy .  My American classics were all  Chevys, 1964 Nova ,  1969 Camaro and a C4 Corvette LT1.  On the German side , the  Mercedes W210 E Class may be my all time  favorite daily driver. Sports cars are still my passion, and a Porsche Carrera 996 and current Cayman 987 have provided a more modern ride from the old Alfas. As for Japanese, Toyota and Nissan pickups as well as Hondas and Acuras, as daily drivers  as well the many I have worked on while employed in auto repair .

[Gliderjohn]

My four wheel vehicles have all been chosen for practical reliable transportation since 1980.

80 Dodge Colt
85 Dodge Turbo Colt.  Outside of the Japanese motos and drivetrains those very basically POSs.
1988 Honda Accord with 5 speed. One of my all time favorites. Sold it as it had been my wife's car when she died and I had the 1991 Accord.
1991, 2001, and 2013 Honda Accords 4cyls with auto. All were bought slightly used. All three went 250-300 thousand with minimal problems especially the 2001.
2015 Altima V-6. Great motor, sucky CV transmission that was replaced under warranty. Handled nice (had the sport suspension and tires. But it was regularly having other issues that kept costing.
Currently a 2020 Subaru Outback XT. So far liking the car really well.
PUs were...
A late 70s something Isusu base truck that was doing well at 113K miles when the drunk soccer mom took it out with her conversion van. Good thing was it was parked in front our house and I wasn't in it.
Then 3 more Nissan PUs including my 2013. All good solid trucks.

Weird that the Nissan PUs seem to be of much better quality than their cars.
GliderJohn

[Bulldog9]

Only in that whatever I've had it was the only one like it in town, just like my Moto Guzzis.

High school I had a diesel Chevette, automatic. Pretty sure it was the only one in the state LOL.
That was followed my a diesel VW dasher, pretty sure it was the only one in town.
Then a 1980 Toyota Celica Sunchaser, 1 of 250 made. Sadly it was totalled. My favorite car I ever had. Miss it so much.
1968 Toyota FJ40 I lost to a dishonest shop.
A 1994 Dodge Dakota. Nothing special about that but I never saw another one with the same blue paint as mine.
2010 VW Jetta TDI. Not a rare car but extremely rare where I lived at the time. Lost that one to Dieselgate.
2001 Dodge Durango. Again nothing special but never saw another one in Patriot Blue in town,
Now a 2021 Ram Power Wagon in Hydro Blue. It is for sure the only one in town that color.

-AJ

This is a joke between my wife and I.

I've always been drawn to unique brands and models. So much so that my wife and I have a running bet that I will give her $100 if she ever sees a version of my truck or my mustang.

I have a 2017 Toyota tundra TRD pro double cab. The TRD pro was a limited production model, but very few were done with the double cab and 6.5-ft bed. In 9 years we've only come across one.

Then there's my 20/20 Ford Mustang Bullitt in Black. The Bullitt is limited to begin with, but blacks are impossible to find. Have never seen another.

The same goes with my Saab 900s, 912E.

[blackcat]

1970 el Camino with a 396, headers, cam and the stock A/C system which is worthless with those headers.