Finally! Here it is:
the list of professionals for the electricity / carburetors / brakes / grit blasting of my Lancia's.
I am keeping very few secrets.
These people have several things in common
- they are top level professionals
- they don't want to become millionaires in two weeks
- it is a pleasure to talk with them
I am sure that among Lancisti there is no one who goes sue another Lancista if something does not go as expected, but here it is:
The disclaimer
I am sharing the information below with others just to help them find solutions. If anyone uses this information, he or she does so at his own risk and responsibility.
Electricity
The one and only Leo Scheltema of H & B. As it happens, Leo learned all there is to know about the components used by Lancia from Lancia engineers from Torino. The company H & B was founded by Leo's great grandfather over a 100 years ago. Originally H & B used to be in the Hague close to the Lancia importer. Thus from the time that Lancia started to export to the Netherlands, H & B did all the repair, service and modifications on starter motors, dynamo's and other electrical components for the Lancia importer. Late 60's Leo moved south to Roosendaal to set up a branch for the south of the Netherlands. When his father retired, Leo decided not to go back to the Hague and the the Hague branch was sold. It is good to know, that Leo's son is also working in the company ensuring the best possible service at friendly prices for the next 40 years.
Leo does not only know his way with Marelli and Bosch systems, but with most other dynamo's, start motors, alternators, voltage regulators and you name it as well. He can even supply NEW Bosch voltage regulators for the S1 Fulvia's and S1 Flavia's at a modest price. Perhaps others too, I haven't asked.
When you visit his workshop you will see more alternators, dynamo's and start motors than you thought that existed. Some must be a century old. He has the equipment, materials and experience to repair, rebuild and / or calibrate these and other electricity parts.
If you use your historic Lancia just occasionally or as a daily driver, a visit to Leo's workshop is recommended. If you use your Lancia for historic rallies, a visit to Leo is a MUST. Already in the sixties and seventies the winners of famous night rallies such as the "Night of Achtmaal" and the "24 hours of Ieperen" had one thing in common: their electrical system was looked after by Leo. The runners up with the head lights turning into candles long before dawn just had not been smart enough to go see Leo.
Enjoy talking to Leo Scheltema at:
H & B
Burgerhoutsestraat 127
4702 BD Roosendaal
The Netherlands
Phone: +31.165.534171
Fax: +31.165.562357
Email:
Carburetors
Who else is there but Fons Wouters of Fourfooz BVBA in Antwerp, Belgium?
The brothers Fourfooz started the business as a general garage for cars and trucks in the 30's. After the war they specialised in carburetors and soon became the Solex agent for Belgium. Agencies for Weber and most other manufacturers of carburetors for automobiles followed.
In 1957 Fons Wouters went to work for the brothers Fourfooz straight out of school. Fons took over the business in 1978.
If you have problems tuning your carbs or want them overhauled professionally go see Fons. Don't forget to visit the centre of Antwerp. It is very nice and pleasant with plenty of good restaurants in all price ranges.
I have given up on overhauling carbs myself. Instead I take them to Fons. At his modest prices one can really not afford not to do so. If I buy a car which is not running or running badly, first thing I do is take the carb(s) to Fons. Too many times it happened to me in the past, that carbs were tampered with by previous owners and had the wrong jets or emulsion tubes or springs or whatever (even in one case the emulsion tubes were missing altogether). Fons has all the necessary documentation and parts to make sure the carb comes back to you working as it was intended to work whether this was in 1911 or 1971.
It is quite interesting to hear Fons tell the truth about the air leakage through the spindle bushes of the Solexes of a Fulvia.
Here is the address :
Fourfooz BVBA
owner: Alfons Wouters
Lange Elzenstraat 69
B-2018 Antwerp, Belgium
Phone: +32.3.2379090
and, if you need the name of a restaurant in Antwerp, let me know and I will ask my wife.
Blasting
Have you also heard all the horror stories about good Lancia steel turning into a washboard by so-called professional blasters?
Worry no longer. Ad the Blaster is a professional in my book. He will do the job right. Your car comes back as blank as a newly born baby without a wrinkle on it. He also has the expertise and equipment to bring on zinc or epoxy primers with extremely high force, which he does intelligently. This means that area's where you have to weld are left free of primer. Unless of course you want them to be primered too.
There are several strategies you can follow, depending on the time and resources available to you and personal preferences. Discuss them.
Prices are very modest. Normally under 500 Euro for a car. Perhaps just a bit more if he also does a lot of the other parts such as subframes, axles, wishbones, air filter house etc. etc. I usually ask him to put a very special black coating on subframes etc.
Here is the address:
Ad Remeijsen
Geroldstein Baan 2
5121 DN Rijen, the Netherlands
The industrial park is called Haansberg. Rijen is between Breda and Tilburg.
Phone +31.161.220215
It is Ad's own company. He is there usually on thursday, friday and saturday. Often in the evenings as well. From monday through wednesday he works elsewhere. He can also be phoned at home between 18:00 and 19:00 CET: +31.13.5079252.
Others to follow soon.
Any questions? Mail huib@viva-lancia.com
Huib Geurink
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