My funny Fiat Barchetta
Discussion
What this like to own? I walked past one in a garage a few months ago and it caught my eye, then spent a long time looking at them before convincing myself it was a bad idea.
But as an owner, what do you think? Whats the drive like? One thing that has put me off is its FWD, is that a kicker for you?
Be really interested to know as every-time I look at these I really want one.
But as an owner, what do you think? Whats the drive like? One thing that has put me off is its FWD, is that a kicker for you?
Be really interested to know as every-time I look at these I really want one.
I had one for two years and it was great, very on its toes and responsive, the engine is smooth and free revving and it was a lot of fun to drive.
I never found the FWD to be an issue, the lift off overseer can be quite dramatic which can be fun but did give me a coupe of interesting moments.
I test drove a MK2 MX5 shortly after I sold it and the Mazda was bland in comparison.
I never found the FWD to be an issue, the lift off overseer can be quite dramatic which can be fun but did give me a coupe of interesting moments.
I test drove a MK2 MX5 shortly after I sold it and the Mazda was bland in comparison.
My wife has had her Barchetta Riviera for 7 years and she absolutely adores it. When we bought it the starter motor needed replacing along with the exhaust manifold heat shield and something else I've forgotten, the previous owner had just replaced the rear springs for corrosion, and all the discs. Since then, apart from refusing to start one day with the injection light showing, it has been faultless. The soft top is superb, very easy to work, she pops it up and down with no trouble, roomy boot, very comfy seats and surprisingly good dynamically. I was prepared for some corrosion but touch wood it is still rust free, perhaps because the body was built by a small coachbuilder now defunct, were they called Marcanto, rather than Fiat. I would say go for it, they are great little cars with loads of Italian style!
Bodywork by Maggiora.....^^^^^
My rear arches are blistered with rust which spoils the otherwise good bodywork and I had to have the floor welded in 3 places last MOT. in November but I probably use mine more than most.
Mike,is your wife's Riviera black with burgundy roof and alloys ?
Such a good looking car if so.
My rear arches are blistered with rust which spoils the otherwise good bodywork and I had to have the floor welded in 3 places last MOT. in November but I probably use mine more than most.
Mike,is your wife's Riviera black with burgundy roof and alloys ?
Such a good looking car if so.
Silver with red cross stitch leather inside, burgundy roof and sunray alloys, very pretty. It was originally registered in Germany, then went to live in England, then was bought by a Frenchman living in Antibes from whom we bought it. It still had an MPH speedo so I got a KPH face from the chaps in Coulsdon and swapped that over. It shares a garage with my VX220 and draws just as much attention from visitors who want to look at 'the cars', such a civilised little motor and popping with character!
No, we live near Carcassonne, sold up in the UK and moved down here in 2001 having had a house here before. Beautiful countryside, lovely people and now the best wine growing area in France. Sad to hear about your corrosion problems, touch wood ours seems pretty sound although there is some surface rust around the bottom of the radiator, doesn't seem to be deteriorating much but, with FIAT's reputation in mind I have everything crossed!!
Whereabouts are you, looks like the UK but your profile says Italy?
Whereabouts are you, looks like the UK but your profile says Italy?
Edited by Mike-tf3n0 on Thursday 29th March 08:36
Pericoloso said:
Sorry I never answered your question from March.
I live in Surrey ,Italy is my dream home.
I think I saw you driving through Guildford a few weeks back with the roof down. I was in a smart forfour though rather than the B :/ I live in Surrey ,Italy is my dream home.
Some fantastic roads south of Godalming that really hit the feels on a sunny day I have to say.
SloppyClock said:
I think I saw you driving through Guildford a few weeks back with the roof down. I was in a smart forfour though rather than the B :/
Some fantastic roads south of Godalming that really hit the feels on a sunny day I have to say.
You can't really mistake me for another Barchetta with the distinctive look ,I was driving to Poole that day ,if it was me.Some fantastic roads south of Godalming that really hit the feels on a sunny day I have to say.
April 19th it was.
6 years ago today I bought this car.
That pic is from 2013 ,it's appearance has altered a fair bit since.
This was also it's first trip back to Italy ,with me.
2018 ,6th trip back ,of 7....so far !
Anyhoo.....I've covered more miles this year than any other ,nearly 14000.
I've been on more Euro trips this year than ever before ,7 ,previous record 4.
Went to Italy more than ever before ,3 times.
Road trip year started with a 2 day trip to Germany..
Retro Classics show in Stuttgart.
On the same weekend as the equally good and massive show ,Techno Classica in Essen.
Total 1168 miles.
That pic is from 2013 ,it's appearance has altered a fair bit since.
This was also it's first trip back to Italy ,with me.
2018 ,6th trip back ,of 7....so far !
Anyhoo.....I've covered more miles this year than any other ,nearly 14000.
I've been on more Euro trips this year than ever before ,7 ,previous record 4.
Went to Italy more than ever before ,3 times.
Road trip year started with a 2 day trip to Germany..
Retro Classics show in Stuttgart.
On the same weekend as the equally good and massive show ,Techno Classica in Essen.
Total 1168 miles.
April and my first trip to Tour Auto de France.
Before going to that I went to the Cite de l'Automobile ,previously known as the Schlumpf collection .
A lot of Bugattis but some other good stuff too.
Next day ,before going to the Tour ,I went to a chateau for an Abarth collection.
About 30 cars ,stuffed into a small area ,on the first floor ,don't know how they got tem up there ,dirty windows and bright
sunlight making pics a problem.
They also have collections of.....
Motorbikes
A shed of Fire fighting vehicles.
A field full of planes.
and
A shed of really weird old tractors.
That's Chateau de Savigny les Beaune.
Before going to that I went to the Cite de l'Automobile ,previously known as the Schlumpf collection .
A lot of Bugattis but some other good stuff too.
Next day ,before going to the Tour ,I went to a chateau for an Abarth collection.
About 30 cars ,stuffed into a small area ,on the first floor ,don't know how they got tem up there ,dirty windows and bright
sunlight making pics a problem.
They also have collections of.....
Motorbikes
A shed of Fire fighting vehicles.
A field full of planes.
and
A shed of really weird old tractors.
That's Chateau de Savigny les Beaune.
May and my favourite trip going to the Mille Miglia.
It is THE best old car event......period !
On the way down ,a few stops on the way.
World RX at Mettet , Belgium.
The Traktor museum at Uhldingen Muhlhofen ,Germany.
And a fairly new opened museum in Wolfegg.
Then onto Austria.
Porsche museum in Gmund.
And onto Italy.
Drove down the entire length of the west side of Lake Garda.
Into Brescia the next day.
After looking at the cars gathered in the centre ,go find a spot on the route.
2 days later, the cars have been down to Rome and now returning north.
A modern Ferrari on the Tour that tags along with the MM.
Lots of interesting classics follow it too.
The scenery isn't too shabby either,
It is THE best old car event......period !
On the way down ,a few stops on the way.
World RX at Mettet , Belgium.
The Traktor museum at Uhldingen Muhlhofen ,Germany.
And a fairly new opened museum in Wolfegg.
Then onto Austria.
Porsche museum in Gmund.
And onto Italy.
Drove down the entire length of the west side of Lake Garda.
Into Brescia the next day.
After looking at the cars gathered in the centre ,go find a spot on the route.
2 days later, the cars have been down to Rome and now returning north.
A modern Ferrari on the Tour that tags along with the MM.
Lots of interesting classics follow it too.
The scenery isn't too shabby either,
Always do research before a trip to see if there's anything else going on.
Found a circuit I'd only heard of associated with World RX but there's a race meeting on same weekend as the MM.
Franciacorta circuit is up near Brescia too.
A round of the Italian Lotus championship.
The main event ,Euro Nascar ,also visited the UK later ,at Brands Hatch in July.
Some lunchtime entertainment.
A trip out to Marina de Pisa and the city itself.
We all know what the leaning tower looks like.
Found a circuit I'd only heard of associated with World RX but there's a race meeting on same weekend as the MM.
Franciacorta circuit is up near Brescia too.
A round of the Italian Lotus championship.
The main event ,Euro Nascar ,also visited the UK later ,at Brands Hatch in July.
Some lunchtime entertainment.
A trip out to Marina de Pisa and the city itself.
We all know what the leaning tower looks like.
I visited my favourite scruffy garage / graveyard for classics too.
It was chucking it down that day ,so I didn't spend as long as I'd have liked here ,the owner speaks no English but doesn't
mind me wandering about his yard.
On the way home ,take the slow and winding road, the SS12 to.....
Galleria Ferrari ,Maranello
Other sights of the city.
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