Jump to content

Pocher Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 Monza 1931


Bushpig

Recommended Posts

Greetings fellow modellers! I have posted recently a Pocher Rolls Royce which I restored for a friend of mine. Well it turns out his brother also was given a car by the same uncle and he asked me if I wouldn't mind restoring his as well. How bad can it be I thought so agreed and what arrived was a couple of boxes full of parts! Oh boy! So the story goes, it was in pretty bad shape, he gave it to a friend in 1998 to restore, said friend stripped it down completely and then lost interest and it's been on the shelf of doom ever since. What this does give me though is the opportuntiy to pretty much build it up from scratch.

This is an example what arrived

image_2.jpeg

image.jpeg

So I decided to take stock and see what I was dealing with, body panels laid out. All accounted for but clearly showing signs of age, some fading from being in sunlight, very brittle and the odd warping and breakage here and there. Should be OK overall though

image_1.jpeg

Everything laid out in semi assorted fashion

image_3.jpeg

So far I am definitely missing one of these for a wheel

image_4.jpeg

And the exhaust manifold

image_5.jpeg

If by any chance any of you have these items lurking in the spares box please let me know so I can arrange to buy them off of you.

So the journey begins, I look forward to updating as I progress and getting help and inspiration from all of you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome and great to have another Pocher classic aboard. Since you have experience with these monsters, this should go well. Great you're saving another from oblivion.

For all your parts needs, I highly recommend [email protected]. Peter has everything and is great to work with. Tell him you heard it here on Brit.

Plenty of great builds going on now both Pocher classics and modern models. Just shout should you need any help or advice!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you guys. I have sent a mail to Peter. Richard I actually have the oiginal manual but thanks for the offer. I started with step 1 last night, inital painting of the engine parts.

Edited by Bushpig
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Starting with step one in any Pocher manual can be a recipe for frustration. Especially painting first. The MAJOR flaw with any Pocher is poor fit of parts and fasteners. Test-fitting EVERYTHING before finishes is highly recommended.

Rather than the manual, the Paul Koo DVD is far more helpful and well illustrated to avoid problems. There are major fit issues, like engine placement in the chassis that are never known about when using the Pocher manual.

Choice is yours...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Codger thank you fo the wise words. I am making a big assumption that seeing this car was once completely assembled that it should go back together again, lets see how far into this thread we go before I eat my words! The Paul Koo dvd is a definite option, I think I will go ahead and order one, if anything to help keep me sane over the next few months!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Codger thank you fo the wise words. I am making a big assumption that seeing this car was once completely assembled that it should go back together again, lets see how far into this thread we go before I eat my words!

For my two-pennorth' - bad assumption... Get ready to feast, let alone eat.

The majority of the built kits from years gone by seem to have been built by people assuming the bits would fit as per the instructions.

Fequently, they didn't fit - not even closely.

So, the kits were assembled with big gaps, crooked panels, broken parts, twisted chassis etc etc... but at least the kit was 'built'.

The Pocher instructions will give you a vague idea of where parts go and a lot of the time you are left guessing.

The Koo DVD is light years ahead but you will still find the odd bit that leaves you wondering what is wrong, and there are still better ways to do certain things.

Almost all of the Pocher classics have been built by various people on this forum.

If in doubt - ASK...

Roy.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello chaps,

I've bought the same Pocher Alfa some time ago.

I'm building the Ducati Panigale now, but when I'm finished, I'll turn my attention to the Alfa.

Everything in the box looks in pretty good shape and all the bits are in the original pouches, etc… .

However, I've never built a classic, so I am sure I am going to need all the help from you guys that I can get.

Best,

David

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hello chaps,

I've bought the same Pocher Alfa some time ago.

I'm building the Ducati Panigale now, but when I'm finished, I'll turn my attention to the Alfa.

Everything in the box looks in pretty good shape and all the bits are in the original pouches, etc… .

However, I've never built a classic, so I am sure I am going to need all the help from you guys that I can get.

Best,

David

Just post a WIP ---we're like bees to honey... :Tasty:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made some progress this weekend, sprayed some parts following the Pocher recommendation as a guide and then started to assemble the 2 halves of the engine block. It feels good to actually get going. Roy I have been referencing your Spider build, so far the engine seems exactly the same

image_6.jpeg

Moving on to page 2 of the instructions, woohoo!

image_7.jpeg

image_8.jpeg

Closed up the 2 halves

image_9.jpeg

image_10.jpeg

And finally installed what I assume is a tappet cover? Encountered my first Italian / Pocher engineering issue here! The screws don't really line up with the brackets and once in place I don't know how they expect you to access the screws to to tighten them as they are neatly tucked away behind the pipes and other bits - oh well.

image_11.jpeg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you guys. I have sent a mail to Peter. Richard I actually have the oiginal manual but thanks for the offer. I started with step 1 last night, inital painting of the engine parts.

I am happy to say that my Alfa (same as yours) came from the Pocher Car Museum in Switzerland some years ago and the guy there is/was an expert builder of Pocher models - I've posted pix in Photobucket - all I have to do is copy them to these pages, coming, hopefully tomorrow (our time).

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have one of these that I started a few months ago and set it aside while I worked on the Mercedes but, the cylinder heads on these are usually warped and some badly. That is one of the really bummer parts of the Alfas; I just had to sand it down on some 320 grit sandpaper until it was flat. This is, also one of the only cars that, has to have the engine done and in place early on because the engine is part of the frame member. This truly a basket case! Good luck with the build and you have plenty of help here on the forum amongst the "biggie" builders so, don't be afraid to ask questions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

When you get to mounting the engine, pay attention to what I did in my Alfa build - you need to move the whole engine BACK in the frame by 10mm if I remember correctly.

It's detailed in the Koo DVD if you have it. If not, I can give all the info.

It's a fairly simple alteration, but essential to get the front rad shell sitting correctly, and the bonnet panels to actually fit.

Roy.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Roy. I think I will be getting to that point soon, should the alterations be done before painting the chassis parts? I don't have the DVD so any pointers would be great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well chaps it's been a while since I posted but work has continued. I have been treating each instruction page almost as a sub-build and seem to be doing a hell of a lot and not getting far fast! I suppose that's half the fun and eventually it all comes together. Just to show a few things here's a few pics, crappy I know but at least this isn't a photography forum.

I did my best to copy Roys great idea with the sparkplug leads and connectors, came out OK I guess. Cylinder head was indeed a little warped but nothing a bit of sanding didn't solve.

image_13.jpeg

I covered the instrument panel with real wood veneer

image_12.jpeg

Completed the rear axle

image_14.jpeg

And just a mock up of the drive train

image_15.jpeg

As I have been going along I have added some weathering with Tamiya weather sets and Vallejo washes, subtle but enough to give an aged / used effect. I have also started painting the chassis parts and body panels, the Humbrol crimson I am using is taking forever to dry between coats so is starting to cause a delay but not the end of the world.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have rebuilt the wheels, a job I was dreading but once you get the rhythm going it does progress OK. The middle set of spokes posed thie biggest challenge but eventually I worked out a method. All I am waiting for now is the replacement outer ring I ordered, it's stuck in our postal system somewhere!

image_16.jpeg

I am progressing with painting but the Humbrol paint is really fighting me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Did you reposition the second set of spokes and the ring?

If you build the wheels the 'Pocher' way, you get an uneven spoke pattern at the end.

The Koo DVD shows you how to move the ring so the spoke pattern is correct.

The lower left wheel looks fine but it's difficult to see from the angle, the others.

Coming along nicely though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Gents thank you for your interest and taking the time to comment.

Roy I am very much going out of the box on this build so have been following the Pocher instructions all along. This will include the engine re-placing as I am just not into extending linkages and so on. To my eye the wheels look fine, your comment though may explain why I struggled with the spoke insertion? The guy I am building it for is exstatic that he is finally going to have the car in one piece and I know will not be critical of any errors that might detract from the overall first impressions of a huge beast in the display cabinet! I'm also making sure I stay well within my capabilities.

Good news is the outer ring and manifold arrived from Peter @ pocherparts so I have completed the wheel build now.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

Some progress is being made.

Wheels sprayed and the tyres installed

image_20.jpeg

Chassis sprayed and assembled, this is when you realise how big these models are!

image_17.jpeg

And bits and pieces being added

image_19.jpeg

image_18.jpeg

Feels like I am over the most tedious parts and it should be plain sailing from here. Yeah right I hear all you Pocher fundis sigh ☺️

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...