Restorations

AIS CollageAuto Italia Sportiva, llc. is a boutique studio specializing in restoration products and services for vintage italian cars.  While we can assist on most restoration projects requiring extensive metal fabrication work, our specialization is with Alfa Romeo Giulietta series, 105 series and GTV models. We can also perform work on Porsche models and Pre-war Packards.

Our offerings are outside the scope of what many restoration shops may offer in terms of ability and quality.  We take great pride in our metal fabrication methods – an art form that is in decline with increasing difficulty to source. Our goal is to provide a superior quality craftsmanship finish product by preserving the vehicle original features while paying attention to important details.

 

Green Giulia SS Sunbathing. (3/20/2018) - For the past year, I have been making some progress on all of the five cars under assembly, but for some reason, the Green SS work is starting to pick up some steam as of late. I wonder if since … Continue reading
2016 It really came and went at lightning speed (1/7/2017) - I don’t know where to start, but before I knew it, 2016 has come and gone with lightning speed. However, in summary, I have to say that it was an excellent year on all fronts. From wiring harnesses, toolkits and some of … Continue reading
To Do, or Not to do?…..That is the question! (3/19/2016) - The quest to complete five cars simultaneously continues at a snail pace. Actually, it is not that I am moving slow – but it is rather that there are millions and millions of parts to clean, restore, inspect, and install … Continue reading
Update: AR381173 – One bun fresh out of the oven (8/30/2014) - August 28th was for me the longest day since College where I burned the midnight oil studying for a final exams; that was what it felt like last night. Rigo my painter and I had a respectively  long day of … Continue reading
Giulietta Spider 08578: Saved from the crusher? (8/2/2014) - Last Summer I purchased this Giulietta Spider that was destined to find its way to the crusher. The purchase price was a nominal fee of $100 and for me, it makes perfect sense given that I have all the needed … Continue reading
A day for celebration (6/8/2014) - Trying to get caught up has become an insurmountable task since returning home from  a well deserved “vacation” in Spain. Note that I included quotations to the word vacation because I did manage to do some work on a couple … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 (Hand planishing) (1/30/2014) - We are now going through the hand planishing process of the entire car in order to ensure that all the panels are straight before we move to the final lead work and bodywork stage at which point the car is … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 (Oxy-acetylene vs Mig welding) (1/21/2014) - For me, one of the biggest conundrums involving the welding process is understanding the differences between Oxy-acetylene vs Mig welding. First and foremost, I have to admit that Mig welding is very easy to learn and just as easy to … Continue reading
Update: AR381173 – The fabrication details (1/20/2014) - While mapping the work to be completed on any project we tend to overlook the specific details and the SS we just completed was no exception. Some of the important details were either missing or consumed with corrosion. I was … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 New sills (1/5/2014) - With the new year in full swing, we continue to make speedy progress on our 1961 Giulietta Spider.  Last week, both the outer sills (rockers) as well as the front cross members were completed. Although, the cross members had been … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 – Just a little bit closer. (12/29/2013) - Holidays festivities are almost passed and new wire harness orders including Giulietta, Ferrari 250 GT, 330 GTC, as well as a couple of Porsche 356 are starting to roll out the door to their new homes across the country and … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 – Nearing Final Metal Repair (12/12/2013) - The 1961 Giulietta Spider 171268 is moving with amazing rhythm and speed.  As of today, the cabin floors, trunk floor and all structural components are nearly completed. Of course, not including some of the outer sheetmetal work already done.  With luck, … Continue reading
Update: AR*171268 – Extensive Metal Repair & Replacement (11/25/2013) - Here are a few photos of the extensive cosmetic surgery required once all paint and filler was removed. Upon removal of the old paint and fiber glass we discovered that the damage was a lot more extensive than anticipated and … Continue reading
Restoration: 1961 Giulietta Spider – AR*171268 (11/20/2013) - Now that we got four cars out of the way and awaiting paint work we are beginning to work on a 1961 Giulietta Spider. After close inspection, we concluded that there will be a lot more work than anticipated. My … Continue reading
Update: AR*381173 – Body Work Completed (3/18/2013) - Many, and I mean many, hours of work and Giulia Sprint Speciale 381173 is, I am happy to say is… on its way to redemption.  All the rust has been replaced, all the floors are done, and we are finishing our way around the outside metal. … Continue reading
Update: AR*381173 – Final Stages of Body Work (3/14/2013) - Work on the SS continues at an incredible pace and now that the undercarriage is completely cleaned of rust, tart, fiber glass as well as paint.  All the rusted body parts have been removed and new parts have been fabricated. … Continue reading
Update: AR*381173 – Restoration & Bodywork Progress (2/10/2013) - Restoration on Sprint Speciale 381173 started on December 28th, 2012 and as of today we have logged 280 hrs. So, what has been done in 280 hrs? Removing everything from the car except suspension.  Paint stripping, bondo, fiber glass, undercoating, and sand blasting.  … Continue reading
Update: AR*381173 – Fabricating door frame replacments (2/8/2013) - The SS doors where in a complete state of disrepair and new frames had to be made along with 3 quarters of the door skin on one door and about 1 quarter of the other door.
Update: AR*381173 – Floor Pans & inner sill replacement (2/6/2013) - Below are photos of the most recent progress on the front and rear floor pan. We opted to preserve as much as the original seat rail support as possible. When we replaced the inner sills support section we punched and … Continue reading
Update: AR*381173 – Metal Repairs (2/1/2013) - The extensive metal repair process has begun.    
1963 Alfa Romeo Sprint Speciale Restoration: 1963 Giulia Sprint Speciale – AR*31173 (1/2/2013) - First of all Happy New year to all.  Now the good stuff!!!! I purchased this Giulia SS in Austin TX last year and decided to do a complete restoration. I knew the car needed lots of work but NEVER imagined … Continue reading
Update: AR1493*20107 – Door Work (6/1/2012) - After sandblasting the car interior and some of the rusty structural sections, I have decided to remove and replace the door bottom due to the swiss cheese like conditions. I made the new pieces and they are ready to go. … Continue reading
Update: AR1493*20107 – Floor Pans (5/30/2012) - These photos depict the floor work.  We made all the floor pans and other structural pieces and then welded them to the floor using a mig welder. I recently purchased a tig to use instead of mig but yet need … Continue reading
Update: AR1493*20107 – Trunk Floor (5/25/2012) - Now that the fender flares are almost done. We are about to finish the trunk floor followed the rear valance and complete metal piece along the trunk line which was damaged due to rust. .
Update: AR1495*F04695 – Sheet Metal Repairs (5/24/2012) - Additional progress on F04695 sheet metal repairs. I was fortunate enough that this particular car was very good with the exception of some badly done body work as it was revealed as the car was stripped to metal. Lots of … Continue reading
Update: AR1493*20107 – Sheet Metal Repairs (5/23/2012) - So far most of the sheet metal fabrication and metal work is virtually completed for 20107 (’59 Sprint 2+2).  Here is some of the latest work on the fender flare replacement for 20107. The series of five photos depicts the … Continue reading
Update: AR1493*20107 – Fenders (1/31/2012) - Fenders were damaged and repaired with electrical conduit and braised with bronze and then smoothed with Bondo. All fender flairs have been correctly replaces as original. All welding was completed with Oxi-Acetylene and then hand planished to match original metal. … Continue reading
Update: AR1495*F04695 – Sheet Metal Repairs (7/21/2011) - As stated on the 06611 post, I am starting to move on into the spider veloce and work continuity is seamless.  As suspected, the few small pinholes on the rockers were a clear indication of some rust treatment required inside … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Metal Work is Done (7/21/2011) - Work on 06611 continues, all metal work is done (Thank God)!!!! and the final cleaning is happening.  Now ready for the Metal prep and epoxy primer. Once epoxy primer is applied I will be moving on to the 58 Spider … Continue reading
Restoration: Giulietta Spider Veloce – AR1495*F04695 (7/7/2011) - The Texas 103 plus degree heat and insurmountable work load is keeping me in hiding.  Only the usual suspects know how to find me.  Restoration on 06611 is coming along very well and I hope to have the shell epoxy … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Trunk Floor (2/13/2011) - All of the wiring harness work, the unusual Texas cold winter and other family and business affairs  have been keeping me from maintaining steady progress on Sprint 06611 sheet metal work. Removing, making a trunk floor from a flat sheet of metal, and … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Trunk Lid Lower Frame Support (1/20/2011) - Here are some photos for the trunk lid lower frame support as we repair the old one and make a template for the ones in the future. Next will be the trunk  floor to be made.
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Rear Metal Work (1/19/2011) - We continue to make headway on E06611 and as of last weekend most of all the vehicle’s rear metal work has been completed.  We had to cut the lower section of the trunk lid and replace it with a new … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Final Hand Planishing & Welding for Driver Side Rear Quarter Panel (1/4/2011) - All the welding as well as the final hand planishing with dolly and hammer has been completed on the driver side rear quarter panel. The final results shows the oxyacetylene welding stitches blended into the panel like the original factory … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Outer Skin & Fender Metal Work (1/2/2011) - We have made significant progress on Giulietta Sprint Veloce E06611 since last posted.  We are now moving along to the outside skin and inner fenders. As of December 30th, we have logged a total of 130 hours on the car since … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Floor Pans (12/19/2010) - Happy to report that progress on my Giulietta Sprint Veloce E0611 is coming full throttle. As of this Saturday, all the floors are done.  I was lucky enough to stumble into the correct size bead roller needed to make the … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Front End Work, No Replacement Necessary (12/1/2010) - 06611 has just undergone extensive hand planishing to restore the front end.  
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Metal Restoration Processs (11/22/2010) - It has been a while since I posted on the now famous E06611, the last first series 750 Sprint Veloce. Finally, after taking the plunge into the unknown territory of metal fabrication with the attitude that I should fear nothing … Continue reading
Update: AR1493E*06611 – Moving to the warehouse (7/12/2008) - Who said that a Giulietta Sprint would not fit in a small Uhaul? 06611 is moving to the warehouse, where it will begin it’s restoration.
Restoration: 1958 Giulietta Sprint Veloce last 1st series – AR 1493E*06611 (12/28/2006) - After having my Giulietta Sprint Veloce 1st series sitting around for many years I am ready to embark into my long awaiting restoration project.  I purchased the car as a rolling shell and after years of collecting the correct parts … Continue reading

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