Customer Reviews

Alfa Romeo Owner's Bible

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For those who have a decent understanding of how cars mechanicals are laid out, but who know nothing about Alfa in particular, this book is an EXCELLENT resource. Pat covers all the unique features of the Alfa engines in an interesting and engaging style of writing. The focus is slanted much more toward the 4 cylinder cars, but if you own a V6 you will find information here which is also very useful. Pat says right in the beginning of the book that you should also have a shop manual handy and that he will not repeat that information here. If you didn't read the introduction, as some people here appear not to have done, you would not know this. This is why you should read the introduction: it tells you what to expect from the book. If you are new to Alfa and you want to get your hands dirty, this is an excellent reference. Pat even gives good strategies for the hobbyist to work on things without the special Alfa tools required in some places. The hobbyist is also warned about which parts are dangerous, difficult to work on properly, or should be taken to a skilled shop for repair. He will not steer you wrong. All-in-all this is a fine work on the subject!

Pat Braden comes across as an affable, mellow Californian with a true affection for the cars. For anyone wanting to solve a particular problem, however, he comes up short. To call this book the "Bible" implies a sense of completeness that is just not here. "One Alfa Romeo Owner's Collection of Anectodes" is more like it. He spends more time on the cars he happens to like (i.e. Giulias) than the bigger selles, and ones most likely to be owned by readers (i.e. 2000 spyders). The most egregious example of incompleteness? No circuit diagrams! Oh, sure, the description of the book advertises them. What are they? The most over simplified block diagrams of a starter circuit that anyone with the most basic knowledge of cars could draw from memory. And some are not even labled (sloppy). But Pat seems like a nice guy. He definitely loves the cars, and has clearly spent many many hours in his garage going over them. So if you want to commune with a fellow Alfista in print, and sigh and smile, go ahead and buy this book. If you have an actual problem to solve, better go elsewhere.

The title ought to be "Alfa Romeo Non-Spider-Owner's Bible." I don't know much about Pat Braden other than his peers' respect for him as an Alfa enthusiast and his love of the brand which leaps from the pages; it's an entertaining read. If I had to guess from his almost complete omission of them, I'd say he hated Spiders, at least all of them that came after 1970, so if you're a Spider owner, don't expect this to be your only book. I can't speak for other models, but I know that there's maybe 3 photos of a Spider in the entire book, and not a single technical issue I've needed help with used the super-common 2 liter Spider engine for the example. Other model owners may feel the same way, but knowing Alfa Romeos sold Spiders probably 10 to 1 versus other models in the states, that renders this book not too handy (as a bible) for 10 to 1 of Alfa owners out there. It's an enjoyable read, the author seems genuiunely knowlegeable (I say seems because I can't verify most of what he writes about the other models) and his love of the marque is inspiring. For a first time Alfa/Spider owner, it's borderline useless for practical examples, even vilified late-model Alfas like the Milano and the 164 get more attention. Clearly not worthless, but hardly a bible if you own the Alfa that most people are likely to get their hands on. Maybe I miss the point, but to me, a "bible" ought to tell you how many quarts of oil your car needs, at least verbally describe where your car's 2 fuel filters are, maybe show at least a single photo of your brake booster (I've worked on my own cars for 20 years and had never seen one before), maybe show you what's involved with changing the convertible top or swapping the dashboard, that sort of thing. There are 3 brief paragraphs on changing the convertible top, no photos whatsoever, and a couple words about how it's possible to cover or change the dashboard; barely worth the space. I'm not nearly a real mechanic, but I'm not new to automobiles, this just wasn't the book I wanted or needed.

An excellent work by a well-known authority Pat Braden whose previous efforts include books on Abarth, Ferrari (Daytonas), and Weber. He is currently a regular columnist for the Alfa Owner, publication of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club, and the Sports Car Market Magazine.

No single work could possibly cover all the mechanical aspects of post war four cylinder Alfa Romeos (contrary to the previous posting's allusion) and neither does this. For that one can purchase one of the many shop manual reprints available from several independent Alfa parts suppliers. On the otherhand, Pat's work is an excellent (and interesting) overview of the subject written in the friendly conversational tone he is known. So buy a copy, sit in your favorite chair or under your favorite car, and be entertained.....

Once you start working on an alfa, you will see that there are numerous differences in engine types, carburetors, and general setup. Especially as an owner of an 100% original Alfetta GTV (the one the book is mostly about) I was hapered by the fact that it doesn't cover dellorto carburators, which are the most common in europe, and it also fails to tell you how you get the engine out of the car, which is hell if you don't know how to do it with this specific car. thirdly there is no mention of cylinderhead differences, which makes you assume they are all thesame, which they are not. Too bad, but completely useless once you start revising the engine, or any part of the car, because only part of the information is available. You'd be better off buying a maintenance manual from Alfa themselves.

I enjoyed this book. It provided a broad perspective of the marquee and it's history. Although the book does not give great detail for diagnosis and repair, it provides enough information for anyone with common sense and mechanical inclinations. The best I've seen on the subject.

A nice read with lots of history and tidbits, however, not very useful if you are looking to make repairs or get information on post 1980 Alfa Romeos. If you have a Spica injection system this book is probably a must. I did appreciate the history and commentary. I don't think it quite rates the title "Alfa Romeo Owners Bible" as there are a few psalms missing.

Pat Braden was clearly an enthusiast of the Alfa marque and one held in high regard by many longtime peers. That said, the title of this book is misleading. The author's emphasis on a relative few models and the omission of others of significance make this book much less than the authoritative compendium of Alfa Romeo knowledge the name implies. It is not without merit: there is a good deal of useful general information for owners of some of the most commercially successful models. But, for many true enthusiasts who live and breathe the Alfa Romeo experience, it falls well short of being a standard reference tome.

The book is a very interesting read (great cover) but potential buyers should be aware that there is no information regarding the boxer engine.

This book is a great "bible" for anyone with an Alfa Romeo. We love 'em, but there's always something a little wrong. This has everything you need to stay on top of it, with pictures and diagrams galore.