I HAD TO REFUSED TO REPAIR THIS CAR!

[@mrstanhope1516]

It's a death trap. You don't need to justify why you don't want to touch it.

[@piotrmalewski8178]

It's absolutely repairable from technical standpoint. Even if the stringers are gone, all that needs to be done is to buy spare body parts and weld them at the same points as factory weldings. It would be slightly more prone to corrosion than factory one, but it can be dealt with zinc sprayw and some vaseline-wax anti corrosion mixture like Mike Sander's. Yeah, he said it's too far gone to be financially feasible. But then again, hardly any repair in the UK financially feasible.

[@garybrown5500]

I thought he said spare body parts were not available to buy.

[@piotrmalewski8178]

​@@garybrown5500 That's because UK has no market for new spares for Italian cars and no market of spares from disassembled cars. So you probably need to either use Google translator to navigate on Italian websites, or use it to navigate around East European auction websites. Even if you don't find something you need to send a message. Those used parts sellers are manual dissassembly station rather than scrapyards, they have years of supplies on shelves that's just too many items to put on adverts.

[@hamzah3138]

No need for any justification, 100% correct to refuse to work on it.

[@giuseppepastore2435]

Go to the south off Italy avellino scap yard where are lot of alfa 156 down there you can change to right drive when you get the shell

[@hugobloemers4425]

I was thinking along the same lines. It could even be a business model. And if you want to do it, hurry up before they get "Classic status" and Palermo cars starts buying them up.

[@ds1868]

​@@hugobloemers4425there are also a few 156s breaking in Spain. Either Italy or Spain would be a great source for a body shell.

[@nicodenhaak3961]

Yes you are right about refusing this job. Love the V6 156, but it's a great parts car for the engine.

[@miguelfreitas1991]

does it have to be a v6 shell????? theres a 1.6 silver 156 thats been parke up in an industrial estate near me for as long as i can remember

[@matthewdunn6307]

Go to Italy and buy a rust free one to change the shell! Perfect solution.

[@wadegarrett7376]

Thank god you take a stand. Never want to meet this wreck on the road!

[@markreynolds8449]

That is criminal work. I’m all for preserving cars where possible, but that is buy another car now and scrap that. Kudos to you for being honest with the owner, sad thing is that someone would have cut and shut that car and said “it’s all good” and off you go to a track day…..

[@michaelbacon561]

I know these cars are 20+ years old but I thought that the body shells were galvanised so I wouldn't have expected it to rust this badly, even with salted roads. But then, a lot of the damage seems to have resulted from the appallingly irresponsible repairs done previously. This is a lesson however to all those tempted by an older car of any make; due to the way they are constructed with composite bumpers and sill panels etc, a car can look good on the outside and be a flaking wreck underneath. I've seen this on KZbin with Jaguar S and X types and even BMWs and Mercs. Buyer beware!!!

[@Brisbane2024]

I’ve the feeling that car stands longer time in water or any other wet conditions

[@Brisbane2024]

@koyaanisqatsi316 No, it was not, if you have checked it regularly for defect coating and did regular cleaning in winter from salt. My ones has now rust after 24 years now!

[@Matteo_Licata]

For how much I hate to see a 156 V6 be sent to scrap, it's the best that could be done in this case. This car is a death trap and should not be anywhere near the road. No need to justify yourself, Neil; your decision is the only one possible.

[@Random-nf7qb]

Didn't expect to see you here. Why have you stopped uploading?

[@proooooost]

Yes Neil, another shell is the best option by far, yes it could be done, entering project binky territory. As a car body repair specialist can't agree more. Too bad a shell from abroad comes with left hand steering, as the UK cars can be quitte crusty.

[@JorgZiggy]

OMG......Imagine this would have gotten back on the road!!!

[@paultaylor9652]

It must have had water inside for thr floor to rot so badly, i guess this is what happens when someone doesn't have a clue in what there doing Neil.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

They all rust like hell they are alfas....

[@i80486dx]

And guess what: it has a sunroof. Isnt that the must stupid option to have on a car?

[@Schlipperschlopper]

@@i80486dx Alfas were made from Soviet steel until 2001

[@neilswheels6783]

I have a late low miles V6 saloon shell in silver, won’t be rolling tho as I need all suspension, and I’m on Essex/Suffolk border.

[@rogerbarrett9920]

​@@i80486dx - agree, I have always disliked sunroofs, especially with modern cars having air con. They spoil the integrity of a car plus when older often leak.

[@jasperdemann5936]

Looks like you'd need a boot lid, too. That one's got more waves in it than Brighton Beach! 😄

[@ItaliaAutos]

It's a fibreglass bootlid

[@laurencehastings7473]

It was bad before the 'repairs' were attempted. Unfortunately it's now even worse. First of all you would have to undo everything that has been attempted without any reference points. Your call for help is the best call on this one. I hope you get some positive feedback so we can watch some updates.

[@projector7141]

I was looking for a good home to send my 156, and it seems the owner of this car would use mine really well if they want it.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Hi thanks but cust has managed to find one. It's being delivered to me tomorrow

[@keithjackson8076]

My heart loves Italian cars, my head less so. I had Fiat 127s, 128SL/3p. Mk 1 Pandas and a Cinq Sporting. My first new car a 1975 127 was Ziebart protected, a good move. My 3p was scrapped within 7 years and my 1988 Panda had rust on the weld seams at 6 months old. The Cinq Sporting was fun especially after being chipped although curiously it went through radiators regularly. I understood this later era of Fiats/Alfas were galvanised. Disappointing they still rot through. Just sold my 2001 Polo, never been welded and no rust on it whatsoever. A bit better than Fiat's 1970s 2 year anti corrosion warranty, all the dealers said "They're much improved now" but the later Stradas, Unos etc still rusted to pieces in record time. Never again.

[@miro6138]

Considering that Alfa 156 uses Fiat "Type Two rev. 3" chassis based on the 80s Fiat platform with only some minor changes and extended wheelbase, it was a death trap even when new (as shown by NCAP tests of Alfa 147). I can't even imagine crashing this rust bucket, it would just fold in half. At this point, just buy a seized twinspark 156 with good body and swap the V6 in there.

[@projector7141]

But they set the handling up perfectly for a road car. I have pulled about 1.05 lateral g without lifting a tyre at 100+ in the rain. Not saying where. Also passed the deer test at the same speed.

[@ryanthomas895]

I had a range rover rear end my stationery 147 and it took 2.5 tonnes at 40mph t like a champ. NCAP is a load of bollocks

[@miro6138]

Interesting, because my friend got rear ended by a truck in his 156 at maybe 20mph, not really a big crash. The car almost broke in half, you could not open or close any doors, it was totalled. If that was a BMW it would only require new rear bumper and trunk lid. I do like design and handling of 156, but let's not lie about it's lack of structural integrity. Hell, if you park an 156 with one wheel on a curb, sometimes the door does not want to close! And that is confirmed with other 156 drivers I know.

[@psircos]

I think you've done the right thing, and very decent of you to put out the call for a donor vehicle. I hope you find one for him. I took the gta to knockhill last week....it was actually a very capable car round the track! I was a little surprised but pleasantly so. I hope this one continues to give someone a bit of fun, going forward.

[@Veloce87]

This is insane! 😱

[@richfixescars]

Sometimes people need to realise it should be scrapped, it's over 20 years old so it's done well. Just buy a better one.

[@Bumper3D]

I once had a 156 and had to sell it for parts for this very same reason. The floors just completely rotted out, the chassis legs had extensive corrosion and even the bulkhead started to develop holes in it. It was such a common thing to happen that there was a running joke on the local Alfa forums about 156's needing new floors welded in at every big service. To this day I don't understand how they rust so bad, as mine didn't even have a sunroof and it was never damp inside. And it wasn't even an old car back then, this happened over 12 years ago. I guess they just can't stand road salt at all? Such a shame as I loved my 156 in every other way. Great handling, lovely V6, beautiful inside and out. I'm sad to see yet another go but at the same time I'm not surprised at all.

[@uranusneptun5239]

Just crashed my beloved 147 the other day. I'm thinking about getting the same car with a good body an swap everything possible over. The front has been smashed too bad but the airbags didnt come out so basically from the firewall one the car is completely fine (except for one door). But if you're not rich or a body shop yourself you have to do what you can. And I think swapping parts can often be easier than trying to recreate a completely damaged chassis.

[@projector7141]

Hope you're ok

[@simonhodgetts6530]

I’ve been toying with buying another 156 as a daily driver…….but this has just put me right off!

[@onsomebits7486]

They’re ALL like this yeah 🙄😂

[@Art_Vandelay_Industries]

@@onsomebits7486 I love my 156s but one is sleeping in a barn because it needed way to much so i put it off for a while and the v6 has been in and out of a mechanics workshop for half of the last 2 years. They are awesome cars, but if you have a bad one, you'll be paying out of your nose for repairs.

[@cancracker]

When the chassis is so far gone as this one looks, it's not repairable anymore. Basically it's either buy another chassis or built one yourself.

[@vassallo49]

Non ne vale la pena. Forse qui in Italia potresti trovare una 156 da comprare e casomai usare le parti della 156 ancora in buone condizioni. It's not worth it. Maybe here in Italy you could find a 156 to buy and if anything use the parts of the 156 that are still in good condition.

[@Art_Vandelay_Industries]

Always such a shame to see one of these cars being scrapped. I hope you'll find a shell.

[@clivehoare1255]

That is the best way forward for this customer to retain this car with a replacement boy shell. Still a very expensive job for a complete swap of all the running gear.

[@muckle8]

A good parts car - that’s it .

[@graemecooke6512]

Hi, l have a decent 2.0 veloce shell,has minimal rust,never been welded but does need some small repairs and needs paint!

[@Negativvv]

lol the home brew welding is impressively bad. RIP...

[@Treeburnify]

DIY deathtrap bodge

[@rimmersbryggeri]

Does it really need to be a v6 when you allready have all the v6 stuff to put in it? Is there any difference between the shell of a v6 and a 1.6 that is just cosmetic?

[@keithstapleton7805]

Aircon drain pipe putting water in to the floor, known reason for floor pan rot. Most were dead by their tenth birthday for this reason.

[@BrianPaterson-f3i]

Really hope you can help him get a shell !

[@projector7141]

It's really a pleasure bringing these cars back to life. I rebuilt my 156 engine 3000 miles ago, and it sings. The tuned custom intake is marvellous. Its a complex engine to work on, but once you get used to it, they're really solid. The factory balanced crank was done really well compared to other cars I've had. Mine needs a new home - but it can only go to someone who loves it, like this owner obviously does.

[@MS940]

I think you have great service if this is only 2nd refused👍I do most things myself for cars but have met many shops who don't take certain jobs, which are not even difficult. Sometimes it feels like they only want to change oil and filters. Get money fast without doing much.

[@ItaliaAutos]

2nd one refused for safety grounds. 😁

[@kennethhansebraten5507]

This seems like a project for Yorkshire Car restoration

[@Art_Vandelay_Industries]

Totally. They sorted Autoalex right out.

[@adamlittle4267]

Wow didint know these rotted that bad .. needs scrapping seens its day unfortunately

[@c42cly]

I have a v reg 70k 2.5 V6 sitting at my house. Not sure of it's condition under the carpets etc..... I stopped using it in 2013 because of it's high mpg

[@psycho3344]

I know this sounds a bit extreme but, if it's a track car could the customer not have the car spaced framed? I know that's still alot of work and not cheap but it would be ALOT cheaper than 10grand and make the car stronger than it was when it left the factory?

[@ItaliaAutos]

would still need to be road legal to get to the track.

[@kevgermany]

Lots of nice parts there. Hope noone bodges it more to put it back on the road.

[@dusankocisevic6823]

Good call Neil. Honest review🍀🤍💔

[@garyzimmer4149]

Any reason for the rust? Is it from somewhere where they use salt on the roads?

[@ItaliaAutos]

Bad repairs and a badly sealed windscreen

[@steviemac8075]

Push that outside and tell him to come and get it. A lost cause it’s a breaker for a re shell but not many good ones about 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@projector7141]

Mine had a nice thick undercoat from the factory that has kept it good, and far inland. Cars around here never seem to rust much.

[@jeffb9010]

Hi Neil, This has spurred me on to get wax oiling mine again and quickly!

[@henningdammann-emden]

The first 156 build were rust buckets, really bad. The later ones after 2002 were much better. My first 156 was from 1998, it was just as bad as the one in the video. It was so far gone, it was impossible to fix for reasonable money. I kept the drivetrain and scrapped the rest. You should do the same with this one.

[@chrispenn715]

I'm amazed that a 'modern' car can rust so badly - even given the age of the car. Looks like it lived in the sea for a couple of years.....

[@oliverdewen1632]

I have a 156 2.5 v6 auto that has just run out of mot. It has a bit of rust at the top of the windscreen corners were the commonly rust and the last mot had advisories on surface rust on floor pans .I'd want £1000 for it and I'm in Devon between junctions 26 and 27. Oh and it runs and drives. On 111000 miles

[@jamesdecross1035]

I've welded and repaired a car like this, but I've done a much better job than this. You really can't weld from above and from the inside out. I didn't cut the structure away. I rebuilt those junctions on my car, first. You're quite right - it now needs a heavy jig to rebuild the structure.

[@X774M]

I thought I've seen rotted but this takes the biscuits as throws it far away

[@paologhinetti5612]

I hope nobody will use it on the road in this shape...

[@myname7284]

That shell if for the scales thats it.

[@6petrolhead6]

Classic case of a little knowledge is a dangerous thing

[@SMGJohn]

People who neglect cleaning their cars after driving on salted roads, this is the result, what a disaster. Salting roads should be criminal anyway, its a disgusting practise. We only use gravel in North of Norway and its never failed us, sure there is more dust, but our cars never rust unless you park it next to the sea.

[@Zeghetank]

Keep the engine, wheels and buy another car. It's that simple...

[@paula200]

Thats pretty much what he said in the video.

[@MrTritolo99]

Buy a shell and swap VIN codes, if the job is done correctly it won't be noticeable. I've seen it done on many wrecked chassis, no problem

[@skyll4141]

woe that is a death trap.

[@t1agosantos]

It should be in the scrap along time ago. How did it escape from it until now?

[@simonmaguire3866]

The right decision

[@simonh870]

It's a shame that Alfa did a poor job of rust protecting 156's as they were great cars otherwise. My last one had big holes in the floor and inner front wings at 9 years old. Even Fords are not that bad.

[@truevip100]

A few questions… How has this even passed an MOT previously? Why would you waste your time, money and effort trying to repair something so bad? Is it some sort of special edition?

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

I'm guessing the car has been parked in a drive with no MOT for years, it's a V6 so pretty scarce, and as Neil mentioned sentimental value to the owner..

[@truevip100]

@@Markycarandbikestuff full acid dip and a start from scratch it is then

[@Markycarandbikestuff]

@@truevip100 Anything is possible but is it worth it, a job like that could easily cost 15 -20K

[@truevip100]

@@Markycarandbikestuff if it’s of sentimental value, cost is not a barrier.

[@piotrmalewski8178]

@@Markycarandbikestuff Put it on a truck, send to Hungary, they will do it for 2.

[@orfeas92]

Does this kind of damage happen due to salty roads and lack of care (underside cleaning etc)? Why people who live in this climates don' t clean the underside of the car? Mostly everyone knows what will happen.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Mainly from bad sill repairs yes it was rusty before but the repair didn't stop the rust

[@1978JonBullock]

Scrap yard is the only place for that shell bud sad to say.

[@therushden]

reminds me of the white gt that was doing the rounds a few years back. botched to hell and back.

[@aslandama]

A real bodge if ever I saw one.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Very much so

[@Jack-tx2ve]

What was the other car you refused to work on?

[@ItaliaAutos]

white gt cut and shut video is in the end screen of the video

[@gaspode505]

Leave it as Flintston- mobil 😂

[@joydivider42]

I was told Alfa have a rep as rust buckets but things have changed.....doesn't seem so with that body.....should have been in the scrapper long ago

[@keithhooper6123]

Why do all that previous work?It's too far gone and never going to pass an MOT.

[@exgtt2061]

Imagine taking that to a garage to “fix”. It’s re shel time 😂

[@samuesoeilyoriy6581]

car repair like is miserable dirty shit very unhealthy and guys that do this work end up with lung cancer

[@dukwdriver2909]

Track car? No structural integrity left. Fold up like a paper bag in a crash. You may just have saved the owner's life.

[@DrRock2009]

Track car! Jeez…😳

[@155stw]

Good call. Cheaper to just find a cheap "rust free" car. Part it out to give new life to other cars.

[@imapadlock]

What was the 1st car you refused to work on?

[@ItaliaAutos]

Check the end screen videos

[@grotesmurf1]

One word comes to mind..... " Flinstone car" your absolutely right Neil about this car....

[@itswais77]

This car has seen it last days

[@petertrotman2366]

I have a 156 2.0 twinspark that has been sitting on the driveway for a few years if that's any good to you? RL51AON is the reg.

[@petertrotman2366]

In Truro, Cornwall...

[@ItaliaAutos]

cust has not got a replacement thanks

[@petertrotman2366]

@@ItaliaAutos it is available if you hear of anyone wanting it 👍

[@SW-qr8qe]

Plenty of historic cars have had this much damage repaired. The difference is the money / time and skills. Maybe this guy can fix it, I dunno. I know guys who fix this kinda thing but you need 10 of thousands due to the time involved

[@Jeffrey_M]

Is another shell not basically another car? Just swap the engine and any suspension upgrades over? That car is a shocking sight all the same.

[@fatwalletboy2]

Yeah that B post just looks like its floating....i bet that car has been in a flood and never dried out properly.......that floor is terrible. Removing that outer sill is likely to be the final straw as I suspect it would start to bend in the middle.......

[@GARAGESXERO]

if it's a track car could easy weld a tube frame and roll bar setup

[@scaleartsg]

now its a huge paper weight

[@danjackson2014]

Why on earth would they even try to repair this car... It must be worth about £500 max

[@ericvillari8100]

Run away, run away…it’s not even fair to ask you to have a go at fixing it. Worst case of shoddiness I have ever seen.

[@stuwhite2337]

That's rough!

[@Luton-Mick]

Reputable auto repair companies such as yourselves should be accredited at governmental level the authority to have death traps like this immediately destroyed when presented to them for repair. That is just utter contempt for human life trying to have something like that to potentially end up being sold on as a family car.

[@jaxgeorge3088]

Just sell it in Birmingham. That’s the norm.

[@tjshill82]

HOLY CRAP. Yes Neil literally no point entertaining that one. I dread to think what other sub standard repairs have been carried out by who ever has done that absolute bodge job. To the owner I hope you get another shell for it. Get on all the Alfa Facebook pages asking. There’s bound to be something out there

[@goxy287]

Not worth it. Easier to just get another whole chasis and put that engine in

[@Schlipperschlopper]

These cars have no value even when like new so scrap this basket case, here in Germany the welders and body experts take 375 Euros per hour wage so making this vehicle up to safe standards would be more than 150.000 Euro plus all the paintwork = you could buy one or several like new 156 GTA for less!

[@stevenbrown8857]

That car is just plain scary

[@DannyColdhill]

Maybe better to fully cage the car and just patch it up, then he can have it as a only track car, not mot possible though…

[@ItaliaAutos]

Still got to drive it to track so needs mot

[@TheAussieRod]

It doesn't have to be from a V6, does it? I can get you a running car, rust-free for 2000£ from Portugal

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

What happened to the really nice looking Fiat Marea you assessed a couple of years ago…. it had a lot less rust than this Alfa (and the Punto GT) had but you just condemned it and said “forget it”….. seemed a real shame…..

[@ItaliaAutos]

that got put back on the road by somebody.

[@flavioc5389]

How a car can arrive at this point?! 🤯

[@davidcooks5265]

The engine must be worth something 🤔

[@MJNGaming]

You’d have to really love that car, wtf.

[@trevatkin4869]

DEATH TRAP ALERT.

[@kiwiinaustria]

why would anyone think about repairing that?