It's always preferable to source Sheds from PHers. You sense (alright, hope) that they are similarly-minded enthusiasts who care for their cars how we would all want them looked after, with regular maintenance and decent parts. See last week's 9-5 for example. And having bought my Civic from a dealer who specialised in sub-£1K tat (not even Shed-worthy), they're not always the nicest people to do business with. That's only from personal experience mind, not a blanket judgement!
Small car, too big for the pic though
the Cinquecento
. Being sold by a Scotsman called Allan (or Allandwf round these parts), the advert implies exactly the kind of maintenance we all like to see. It's a totally standard car, which is always a good start. The boxy, basic shape, enhanced only by the factory Sporting extras, now almost has a bit of retro chic to it. And doesn't it just look tiny? Makes a new 500 seem humongous.
Positive news from the ad continues. Unused Sheds are often bad news as they could well require the purchase price invested in refreshing components. This Cinquecento has been laid up for the past six years, hence its very low 52,000 miles. But, and it's a significant but, Allan has replenished the entire braking system, fitted winter tyres and put it through a recent MOT (not a single advisory, apparently).
Normally mention of a service history would be a prerequisite but, given how long the car was off the road for, the recent work would surely be the most vital check.
Allan's done this so you don't have to
The observant amongst you will have noticed a Maserati 3200GT tucked away behind the Sporting. It and the ML55 behind comprise Allan's current fleet, but his 'previously owned' reads like only the most discerning PHer's could. The Maserati replaced a TVR Tuscan, plus he's also had an Alfa GTV 3.0, a Lamborghini Espada, a Corvette Stingray and a Maserati Merak. He likes his cars then, particularly Italian ones, giving further confidence that this Cinquecento had been cherished along with the other Latin metal.
Our esteemed editor Mr D Trent has direct experience of a Sporting, having reputedly 'borrowed' his mum's on occasion. He fondly recalled it being huge fun even without having much power, and slightly frail too. We think he was talking about the Cinquecento; could have been the Eunos though...
Interior shot not of the Shed. Can you tell?
The top speed of the 1.1-litre Sporting is 93mph. I've driven some cars recently that will achieve that speed in third gear, and suspect that wringing out the little Fiat to up keep with traffic would prove hugely entertaining and rather liberating. For a while at least, until yet another overtake has to be abandoned.
There were once 11,000 Sportings on the road according to howmanyleft.co.uk. Today those numbers have plummeted to only 1,000. So if you are looking for an original Cinquecento in excellent condition, this may be the one. Those are Allan's words, not ours. This Shed lark basically writes itself...
Totally original and unmolested Fiat Cinquecento Sporting. I had this SORND and garaged for last 6 years, just recommissioned with all new braking system, master cylinder, discs,rear cylinders, pads,and pipes. Sailed through MOT with no advisorys, 6 months tax just put on. 50k genuine miles. Comes with two spare alloys, fitted with winter tyres. These are fitted to the front at present, other two fitted to spare alloys. All documentation handbooks etc. 3 keys, two blue and the red key. Spare tyre unused. If you are looking for an original Cinquecento in excellent condition, this may be the one. £900