SOTW: Fiat Coupe
An Italian temptress has Shed's trigger finger itching
Before his time at BMW, controversial auto stylist Chris Bangle worked at Fiat's Centro Stile. The Coupe was one of his efforts. Love him or hate him, you can never ignore Chris Bangle. Some of his BMW stuff seemed to be designed with appeal rooted more in the future than the present-day. He was - still is, in fact - a visionary, of sorts.
'Mini supercar' looks are a joy to behold
By any objective measure, the Coupe's individual styling elements like its squared-off wheelarches, long overhangs and bingo-wing hindquarters are, frankly, minging. From certain angles, the Coupé is less tempting beauty, more tenpin bowling shoe.
Somehow though, and against all the odds, it seems to come together. Those scallops and creases were well 'out there' at the time of the launch in 1993 and had hardly diminished in visual shock value by the time the car's life came to an end in 2000. They give the Coupe some of that pouncing stance that Bangle perfected in the BMW Z4, another car that prompted some head-scratching at the time but which is looking fresher with each passing day.
13 years after its demise, the Coupé's 'carved-clay' look has become standard fare on just about every cooking hatchback. Eeh, it just goes to show... er... something.
You could argue about the best exterior view - Shed personally likes the high chopped back end with the Ferrari-style lenses and 'racing' tank filler - but there's no arguing about the smooth style of the Pininfarina interior. That painted dash has a clean delicacy of line that you just don't see nowadays. Red with black leather is a classic combo too: a day spent with some polishing compound and a jar of leather food will produce something to be proud of.
Flash of painted metal livens interior
Shed reckons the 16V is a sounder used purchase than the five-pot too. Both cars are surprisingly well built, both are pleasingly reliable, but cam and aux belt replacement on the 20V is a knuckle-skinner (Fiat dealers will want to take the engine out to do it). Ignore the belts at your peril: unlike the Punto they're interference type and will wreak valvular havoc when they snap.
General problems? Not many. Front wishbones crumble, as do rear springs. Usual stuff like water pumps need monitoring, and of course lubrication is important in a turbo unit (Garrett T3 in this case). Normally-aspirated 16V camshafts are reputed to be a bit soft. Other than that you're looking at a solid, sporting and attractively different four-seat coupé which will deliver 35mpg when the blower's not spinning, with 240hp easily and (thanks to the forged Integrale crank) reliably attained via chip.
Still not sure? Ask someone who started out thinking they were going to get an Alfa GTV but changed their mind after having a go in a Coupe. There are some very good Coupe specialists out there too, like PowerItalia and L&M. Shed heartily endorses this choice.
Up for sale is my 1996 Fiat Coupé 16V Turbo
Its currently on 106k miles and will be staying there as i have a new car.
It has full electric pack (windows sunroof mirrors etc)
Full leather interior
6 Month MOT
1 Month Tax
Kenwood Headunit
As a mechanic, i have taken care of the car regardless of cost, it has wanted for nothing. it has had a recent service, two new tyres, battery, washer pump replaced, brake sliders and auxiliary belt
I know I shouldn't love these, but I do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-g0sOi4Pgg
Remember falling for a red one of these at a dealership about the time Autocar had one on the cover with a Ferarri 550 and the title 'Same heart, different beat'. Can't buy publicity like that can you?
Very tempted.
However I really wouldn't bother taking the 20V Turbo to have the Cambelt done; aside form the liklehood they have no idea about these cars (experience tells me so) the cambelt can be done with the engine in-situ by a specialist (I used Motormech at Birmingham) for about a quarter of the price of a main dealer....
Epic cars though. Biggest mistake ever selling mine (mind you I have a dull Focus mk1 now, so perhaps thats why i miss it so much...! )
I saw one of these in pearl white recently and thought it looked really good. Mild barry mods but otherwise really smart.
One thing I remember was that these have to come with the original 'red' key, or you can end up with a heavy bill?
And does anyone else remember this on Gran Turismo 3? It was in one of the first apex license tests
. his OH would not stand for the first cambelt service prefering to go on holiday for the money and it was sold. I thought at the time he had sold a future classic, but it turns out they have not got the recognition they deserve. Now if a nice leather trim 20V is on classifieds....Remember falling for a red one of these at a dealership about the time Autocar had one on the cover with a Ferarri 550 and the title 'Same heart, different beat'. Can't buy publicity like that can you?
Very tempted.
Perhaps you can buy publicity like that. They gave one away as a competition prize and I think it was won by a woman that was a professional competition enterer, using Competitors Companion I think.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-g0sOi4Pgg
I had mine for 5 years and went through some ups and downs. Mainly remember the up's though. Great Shed.
Managed to destroy a tensioner and throw it's cambelt while on track. He spent the best part of £3k on the rebuild at L&M (new valves, pistons, camshafts and getting a few other non-engine bits done) only to sell it about 6 months later for £2200.
Nice cars though, and it's getting very rare to see one now. Cheap future classic in my book.
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