Fiat Barchetta Riviera

philw696

philw696

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26,286
As per the title anyone had one or experienced one ?
Seen a few nice looking ones advertised here and fancy taking a look at them for Ms French.
Watched a few YouTube reviews from well known channels and they are quite pleasing.
Anyone got an opinion ?
Cheers in advance.FB_IMG_1717961568846.jpgFB_IMG_1717961573868.jpg
 
Erlingtheyounger

Erlingtheyounger

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Messages
126
philw696 said:
As per the title anyone had one or experienced one ?
Seen a few nice looking ones advertised here and fancy taking a look at them for Ms French.
Watched a few YouTube reviews from well known channels and they are quite pleasing.
Anyone got an opinion ?
Cheers in advance.View attachment 127880View attachment 127881
Click to expand...
My folks ran one from new from ‘96 for 4 or 5 years. Generally it was reliable for them and drive very nicely for a front wheel drive car as didn’t weigh much. I used it a bit and having not long passed my test, loved it. I always felt it was a really underrated car as it was genuinely pretty and compared to the fiat cinquecento sporting I had, felt most luxurious with its dark red leather interior.

It was my first experience of a LHD car which very much confirmed my initial ‘what’s the problem’ view. Not that LHD would be an issue for you anyway!

From memory it did have some corrosion issues but that car is still taxed and MOT’d today!
 
philw696

philw696

Member
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26,286
First thing I will be going is going right underneath it to check for the tin worms.
Apparently they suffer with variation issues too but not a expensive repair.
The Fun is the chase in finding one for me and already looking around Europe.
 
highlander

highlander

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5,305
always fancied one of these, one of the prettiest wafting cars inside and out you can find IMO. will be following your search closely.......with envy ;)
 
philw696

philw696

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26,286
highlander said:
always fancied one of these, one of the prettiest wafting cars inside and out you can find IMO. will be following your search closely.......with envy ;)
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They really are a pretty car indeed and along with the diamond leather trim a lovely place to be and you just don't see many around along with simple straight forward mechanicals just perfect.
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,775
Lived these Phil. Pretty little thing. From what I can gather rust is the biggest thing to look out for as most have rotted away.
 
philw696

philw696

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26,286
Andyk said:
Lived these Phil. Pretty little thing. From what I can gather rust is the biggest thing to look out for as most have rotted away.
Click to expand...
Thankfully no salt on the roads around here which helps lots.
I've already seen how bad they can go Andy here's one in the UK.FB_IMG_1717995680617.jpg
 
zagatoes30

zagatoes30

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21,487
Never buy a UK car, I have never seen one that hasn't rusted and even in the EU you need to be wary. Friend here bought what was supposed to by a mint one which had just had a rear end bump and based on photos unseen. Despite being an Italian car when it arrived it was full of rust underneath and when he removed the paint on the front to see why there were some blemishes in the paint the rust and damage was even worse.

Lovely cars but really poorly protected from new and hence very few nice ones out there.
 
Vampyrebat

Vampyrebat

Member
Messages
3,150
philw696 said:
As per the title anyone had one or experienced one ?
Seen a few nice looking ones advertised here and fancy taking a look at them for Ms French.
Watched a few YouTube reviews from well known channels and they are quite pleasing.
Anyone got an opinion ?
Cheers in advance.View attachment 127880View attachment 127881
Click to expand...
Hi Phil
I'm on my second one now. As Andy says finding a good one is becoming more of a task! I travelled the country kissing frogs until I found the right one! They are a very reliable car and I have used it as a daily in the spring/summer. Correct about the variator, I have just had mine changed along with belt and pump. Corrosion wise is the seam at the front of the rear arches and floor pan as water can get trapped under the plastic floor. They all leak even with the rare hardtop!! I am very lucky to have one of the great ones. It is a 'time warp' car now as I have given it a lot of love. Just turned 30k at 27 years old. Zero rust and dings. They do have to be looked after. Some pics of mine...If you want to ask any more questions, you know where I am!
 

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philw696

philw696

Member
Messages
26,286
@Vampyrebat
Thanks and yours looks lovely.
Got a silver one on the list along with a black one with hard top.
Most here now have mohair roofs rather than plastic.
Trying to find one with air conditioning as well.
Ms French knows what she wants so I'm trying to get myself armed with as much knowledge on them.
I prefer the earlier model without the extra brake light too.
Will be buying on condition so whatever is the best available.
 
RodTungsten

RodTungsten

Member
Messages
618
The Architect is on his second which is a keeper; first one went to a garage owner here (who also has two!). Hood leaks can be an issue. Fun to drive - I borrowed them. Colleague’s racing driver friend loved his. Fiat variators. For deeper info speak to DTR in London who know them inside out.
 
MarkMas

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
9,281
Wouldn't you (she) prefer a Lotus Elan (M100)? Assuming you want a dodgy turn-of the-century open two-seater.

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philw696

philw696

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Messages
26,286
RodTungsten said:
The Architect is on his second which is a keeper; first one went to a garage owner here (who also has two!). Hood leaks can be an issue. Fun to drive - I borrowed them. Colleague’s racing driver friend loved his. Fiat variators. For deeper info speak to DTR in London who know them inside out.
Click to expand...
Just had a look on their website and very impressive.
 
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