So you've decided that an Italian car is for you. This is fantastic! But as with any major outlay of cash, you should be armed with as much knowledge as possible beforehand. This will make your purchase a much happier experience. Below are tips and caveats that I have learned. If you need any further assistance, please feel free to e.mail me.

• What Model?

    There are, as you have probably noticed, a large number of automobiles to choose from. All have their advantages and disadvantages. Some are pure race cars and some are road cars. Others are thinly disguised race cars (these are the fun ones!) Before looking into an Italian car, decide how much to spend. It makes little sense to look at Ferraris if all you have is a thousand dollars. Some models, the Alfa Spyder for example, were made in great numbers and changed little over time (why mess with perfection?) others, such as the Alfa GTZ exist only as a handful and are quite rare. The local trading post or auto trader is a good place to get started and to see what is available. If there is a local Italian car club this is also a good place to start. The best place of all is the local Italian car mechanic or specialist. They will have a current list of what is in the area and what shape it is in. Their knowledge can be invaluable. It pays to visit them and become aquatinted.

• What year?

    This can be a matter of personal taste. I prefer 70's model Alfas as they still have clean lines and parts can still be had (see below for more on that subject.) Late model cars have highly reliable fuel injection, better rust protection and higher build quality, but price factors in as well. Typically, anything older than 1970 should be left to a serious restorer, as parts can be difficult, if not impossible, to locate.

• What to look for?

    Here's where the fun begins. It pays to lead with your head and not your heart. Though it is all too easy to wear blinders when viewing an Italian car, experience will tell you it can be hideously expensive to purchase and restore a basket case (trust me on this one.) Availability will also factor here. If you are interested in a car that was made in large numbers (a Fiat Spyder for example) find the best one for your money and go with that. Rare models will narrow your choices down, unless you are willing to travel.

    With a few exceptions, you will not get your money out of a car that you have totally restored (this holds true for other car makes as well) so do not be misled by profit. Restoring a basket case can be enjoyable, especially if you have the talent to do so, but it is usually better to buy one that has already been restored and enjoy the fruits of someone else's labour.

    Rust is a big factor here. Many Italian cars were made with unibody construction or hand formed panels. Finding replacements can be difficult. A simple rule of thumb: If rust has eaten it's way through a panel entirely, walk away. There are no 'simple' panels on an Italian car, they all contribute to rigidity. This holds doubly true for the frame. Bring along a magnet to check for bondo and fibreglass. Common areas to watch out for are around the windshields, rocker panels and wheel wells.

    Electricals are also a sore point. If taken care of, and corrected by someone who knows (your local Italian car mechanic) Italian electrical systems are no worse than American ones. If kludged or jury-rigged by an amateur you can spend quite a bit of money setting it right. Shorts can often be traced back to poor grounding and intermittent problems to crossed wires. Case in point: My 1977 Alfa Romeo GT has all the electrical systems in perfect working order. Lights, horns, A/C, heat, radio, defroster, everything, because the only ones mucking about with the wires are those that know what they are doing. My 1976 Lancia Beta had nothing working because of an amateur. Check these things carefully.

    Italian car engines are basically indestructible. Checking these will be no different that checking the engines on other cars with the following exceptions:

• Timing Belts/Chains -    Most Italian car engines are interference, meaning if the timing belt/chain breaks, the pistons collide with the valves and result in a destroyed engine. Check the vehicle's records very carefully and find out when the last time the belt/chain was changed. If there is no record, change it immediately.

• Driving -    When test driving the car, make sure the engine is up to proper temperature before heading out. A little smoke when cold is ok, but not when warm.

• Carburetors -    Proper Italian cars use Weber carbs. Simple, reliable and easy to mal-adjust. If the engine has a carb, or more than one, make sure it does not hesitate or stall throughout the entire rev range. A poorly performing engine may suggest out of tune carbs. Sorting the carbs out can be expensive and time consuming.

    The suspension and steering on Italian cars is razor sharp and precise. Sloppy handling is most likely caused by a damaged suspension. Shocks and springs are similarly tight. Bouncy rides indicate a need for new shocks/springs. Brakes are superb all around and are usually much bigger than needed to get the job done.

    A word about the transmission. Most, if not all Italian cars suffer from a weak second gear synchromesh. This means that if you hurry the shift you will grind the gears. Do not be alarmed if you have to shift into second before you can shift into first. Transmissions are also balky until properly warmed up.

    This list is by no means complete, nor all inclusive. Your best source of information on the health of the car will be your local Italian car mechanic. Basically speaking, cars with records and a well documented history will be a better deal than those without.

• What to pay?

    This is where the fun begins. There are no Blue books on Italian cars. Model year is no indicator. There is no rhyme or reason on the pricing of an Italian car. Selling price is often dependent on the love the seller had for the car. If the model is common, check around and see what others are going for. If it is rare, check Hemmings Motor News at the local bookstand. It might be of help to you. Your local Italian car mechanics can also be of assistance. If the car is sound and the records are (mostly) there, then the selling price is probably firm. Avoid cars with unknown histories or those on used car lots (unless the dealer sells Italian cars as part of his normal business.)

• Where do I get parts?

    Parts are the lifeblood of any Italian thoroughbred. If the car was mass produced, parts should not be a problem, but some things can no longer be had (usually interior trim.) If the car is rare, check with your local mechanic about parts and contact the local car club as well. Many parts are interchangeable with other models or makes. Since the Fiat corporation began buying the other makers in Italy sharing parts became widespread. This is a good thing as it can insure a good level of availability. If the parts are scare, consider buying several sets, just in case. Important parts (headers, intakes, etc.) can be restored or coated to improve life expectancy and should be done.

• A note on driving

   Unlike other cars from around the world, Italian cars, and Alfas in particular need to be driven hard. It's called the Italian Tune Up. It works like this: Get in and start your car. Warm it up and then press your right foot firmly to the floor. Drive like this until your speedometer and tachometer are burying themselves off the scale. Continue for another hour. Find the twistiest, curviest road out there, tackle it with mad abandon. Drive home at full speed. Park and let car cool down. Try to wipe grin off your face. Car will never run better.