My topless Italian!!

[MadDad]

After 8 weeks of scouring the UK I found a new toy for the summer (and paid less than 3k for it) - but where's the sun gone!!!

See you at Goodwood FOS...............

[Forthright MC]

thats a very underrated little car the Barchetta IMO. if only Fiat had engineered a RHD version for the LHD naysayers who automatically bought MX-5's, i think they could have been on to a winner with it!
the MK1 looks great in that colour too IMO! enjoy it!

Edited by Forthright MC on Thursday 14th June 22:06

[MrMoonyMan]

Yep, really lovely to drive with a very willing (1.8?) engine.

But, why, oh why, did Fiat not bother making some RHD ones?

Favourite detail on them has to be the door handles - I was selling one a few years ago and everytime I went past I had to fiddle with 'em!

[K321]

great car for the money!

[Pistuphead]

Lovely car, lovely colour

[jamieboy]

These are great looking cars - enjoy it!

[Waiter]

Great cars. I've had mine for four years and can't think of anything affordable I'd trade it for. Yours looks really smart.

Check out here and here for plenty of good advice.

Oh, and here's mine:

[MadDad]

Waiter said:

Great cars. I've had mine for four years and can't think of anything affordable I'd trade it for. Yours looks really smart.

Check out here and here for plenty of good advice.

Oh, and here's mine:

Fantastic cars for the money and quite a rare sight on the UK roads - the Jap alternative may have rear wheel drive but cannot compete with the sleek Italian looks of the 'B' and the tinny exhaust note………………hold breath and wait for a flaming from the MX-5 boys and girls

Thanks for the links, will have a surf through them with a beer tonight…………

Yours looks great with the front spoiler, gives the car a much lower stance from the front – where did you source it?

[Waiter]

I ordered from Novitec direct. It costs less in Euros than the sterling price from any UK suppliers, postage is cheaper and the service is quicker. I've also got the side panels, boot spoiler and roll hoops which personally I think give it a more aggressive look but they are not to everyone's taste, barchetta purists hate them.

I'd recommend a strut brace, a CDA induction kit and a DTR exhaust if you don't have them.

[Fer]

DTR exhaust is a must, lighter and cheaper than Fiat. Do they still do the choice of single or double pipes?

Mine was a Broom Yellow b, which I think suited the car well. I must admit I do miss the beast.

[MadDad]

Waiter said:

I ordered from Novitec direct. It costs less in Euros than the sterling price from any UK suppliers, postage is cheaper and the service is quicker. I've also got the side panels, boot spoiler and roll hoops which personally I think give it a more aggressive look but they are not to everyone's taste, barchetta purists hate them.

I'd recommend a strut brace, a CDA induction kit and a DTR exhaust if you don't have them.

I am looking at the CDA induction kit, how hard is it to fit? Does it require lots of modifications etc and where do you route the oil vapour pipe, airflow meter etc? Any advice gratefully received...........

[RenaultAlpineGTA]

I have always had soft spot for those lovely little barcheters.

[flattotheboards]

cracking cars those barchettas for the money its a shame they never did a rhd version.

[MadDad]

flattotheboards said:

cracking cars those barchettas for the money its a shame they never did a rhd version.

No idea why LHD is such an issue, took me about 20 mins to get used to the wheel being on the 'other side'...........apart from car parks I have no issues (yet)...........great value for money, great drive and lesser seen

[SillyMan]

MadDad said:

No idea why LHD is such an issue, apart from car parks I have no issues (yet)

Does it not make overtaking slightly difficult? I'm not bashing, i'm just curious

[MadDad]

SillyMan said:

MadDad said:

No idea why LHD is such an issue, apart from car parks I have no issues (yet)

Does it not make overtaking slightly difficult? I'm not bashing, i'm just curious

Erm, to be honest taking the ticket from the ticket machine at car parks is more of a pain...........overtaking a parked bus/truck can be tricky but not a good enough reason to not buy one!!

Edited by MadDad on Monday 18th June 13:43

[Fer]

I did once get told off for reversing through the McD's drive through. I pointed out I wouldn't have been able to reach the window otherwise, and they seems OK about it.

[Waiter]

MadDad said:

I am looking at the CDA induction kit, how hard is it to fit? Does it require lots of modifications etc and where do you route the oil vapour pipe, airflow meter etc? Any advice gratefully received...........

I'm sorry but I've never got round to fitting mine as I want to get the ECU remapped at the same time, it's on the cards for the next few weeks though so I'll be able to report soon if you can wait that long.

I bought it on the strength of some very good reports though, and no mention of it being difficult to fit. Maybe a search on one of the sites I linked to will shed some light. It certainly looks easy enough and tidies up the engine bay nicely.

Edited by Waiter on Tuesday 19th June 08:47

[anonymous-user]

When you gonna fit the Fiat 2.0 20v Turbo or 2.4 20v Abarth Engine!
(thats what I'm gonna do when I get mine)

[MadDad]

MonkeyMatt said:

When you gonna fit the Fiat 2.0 20v Turbo or 2.4 20v Abarth Engine!
(thats what I'm gonna do when I get mine)

when the kids have grown up and I have disposable income again!!!!! Don't underestimate the spritley little 1.8 though................