Highlights
- Rare and well-regarded Barchetta in blue metallic
- New diamond quilted leather seat trim from Italy and replacement hood
- Recent stainless steel exhaust, new Blten shocks and Apex springs
- Regularly serviced with few miles since last work
- Attractive Momo alloys with recent new tyres
- MOT valid to March 2027 with no advisories
The Appeal
For a nation seemingly obsessed, despite inclement weather, with convertibles, it seems an odd choice for Fiat not to give us one of its best open top cars of the last 30 years, the Barchetta. These attractive cars were specially coachbuilt by Maggiore for Fiat and feature a peppy 1.7L 16V engine. Thankfully, LHD cars have trickled through to the UK, giving enthusiasts a great update to Turin’s long tradition of two-seat cars with definite ‘dolce vita.’
This 1996 Barchetta arrived in the UK in 1998 and with the current keeper in 2022. It is a really tidy car that has clearly been cherished judging by the long list of recent work. It is largely standard apart from a set of attractive Momo alloys, fitted with new tyres, stainless exhaust, Bilstein shocks and Apex springs. The exhaust and suspension parts are recent additions. Elsewhere there is a set of new diamond quilted leather seats, sourced from Italy, and a new black fabric roof.
The vendor tells us that the car has been regularly serviced. It also carries lengthy MOT to March 2027 with no advisories.
The vendor says:
“Lovely little convertible stands out from the crowd, really nice blue paint, handles really well and is nippy. Hand built in Milan.”
History and Paperwork
- First registered in 1996
- First registered in UK in 1998
- Seven registered UK keepers
- Current keeper since April 2022
- Imported and currently registered on UK plates
- Showing 133,800 kilometres (84,382 miles) at the time of cataloguing
- Serviced by independent garages with paperwork to support the history we are told
- MOT valid to 4th March 2027 with no advisories
- Factory sales brochure
- Autocar magazine
- Various invoices for parts as shown
- V5C
- We are told that the car has been garaged over the last 27 years
Recent maintenance highlights:
- 11/23 - 132,865 km - Southport Motorist Centre - service and other work
- 05/23 - £508 - Pipe Werx - new exhaust
- 02/22 - £271 - Franks Auto Services - bulbs and CV gaiters
The Condition
- Attractive and generally well kept car in blue metallic
- Some light age and marks to paintwork but not unsightly for a car of this age
- Bodywork in good order with arches, sills and panel edges presenting well
- Underside as shown with no structural advisories on MOT
- Vendor reports a very solid underside, having been garaged since new
- Period 90s Momo alloys fitted
- Vendor notes alloys could benefit from a refurbishment
- Reently fitted with new tyres
- New blackl fabric roof fitted
- New black diamond-pattern seat covers fitted, ordered from Italy
- New stereo fitted, compatible with mobile phones and includes a microphone
- Vendor says all switchgear and instruments function correctly
- We are told that there are no electrical issues
- Space saver spare wheel with tools as showon
- Wind break included
The Mechanics
- Fiat 16V 1,747cc inline four-cylinder engine
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Recently serviced we are told
- Stainless steel exhaust
- New Bilstein shock absorbers
- Recent Apex springs
- The vendor reports it drives and handles very well with no known faults
- No advisories on MOT
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