Retro Daily?

[MikeyRules]

As the topic states...Is there even such a thing??

 

I know this isn't strictly Delta related, but hey we ain't even Chrysler related and yet we're still here!!

Now gather round my Italian friends!

 

So I've had this little dream for a while, and it goes a little something like this:  Basically I'd like something preferably cheapish say under 5 grand, that's cool, retro and fun to drive as a daily. Needs to be relatively easy to maintain, ideally seat 4 passengers, (but if say half the budget I may get away with a two seater) ideally needs to hold it's value so that If I have to get shut I get my return back.

 

Can be anything Italian so Fiat, Alfa, Lancia, although the latter is highly unlikely to be in budget. Any ideas/thoughts/considerations?

 

I do also like anything leftfield too... No poo I hear you say, you own a Delta!!   So potentially something leftfield if not Italian...

[Nello]

What I had until recently mate - 

 

 

That and mine were LE's - Limited Editions with special bits on - may struggle to find a good one of those below £5k but you'll get a decent 20VT. Great looks, noise and performance for not alot of buck. No-way near as bad to maintain as people think and costs OK for a car of the kind. Appreciating in value - fits 4 ....

Edited June 15, 2018 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

Argh I would have loved a Coupe as nice as yours. I've always had a soft spot for them and an LE would have been the icing on the cake.

 

I've always been a bit worried that sub 5k on a Coupe I would be buying someone else's problems...and presumed even if it was ok it would be expensive to maintain as most of them are a bit leggy mileage and condition wise now.

 

So have I got that wrong then? Would it be less of a headache than I think?

 

I've considered similar age GTV's, and they have quite a few well known issues like chocolate suspension, dangerous heated rear windows, rotten spring pans etc, not to mention oil hungry twin spark engines, or thirsty busso's with expensive belt changes. Still love them though and are on my list of possibles.

[Andrewgrale]

There's a UK registered 20v NA coupe for sale here in Cork for around a grand, don't know condition etc, but I can have a look at it, if you're interested???? Will see if I can post a link, it's on irish donedeal Edited June 16, 2018 by Andrewgrale

[Rossocorsa]

You might get a really early 500 abarth in that bracket if you go through your trade connections? Only a 4 seater though and tbh I wouldn't want to put any adult in the back it's more like a parcel shelf! Other than that I reckon most interesting options will be too tired, some Japanese coupes seen underrated though Toyota Celica and so on....

[MikeyRules]

There's a UK registered 20v NA coupe for sale here in Cork for around a grand, don't know condition etc, but I can have a look at it, if you're interested???? Will see if I can post a link, it's on irish donedeal

Yeah not sure it's worth the hassle to be honest Andrew. I'm pretty picky and given the criteria it needs to be straight and had most if not all of the achilleas' heels fixed already... At a 'bag of sand' It gonna be pooe!    

[MikeyRules]

You might get a really early 500 abarth in that bracket if you go through your trade connections? Only a 4 seater though and tbh I wouldn't want to put any adult in the back it's more like a parcel shelf! Other than that I reckon most interesting options will be too tired, some Japanese coupes seen underrated though Toyota Celica and so on....

Do you mean a 60/70's 500 Alan? If so there's no trade options as it all goes to specialist auction or buyers. Plus just too small for what I want really.

 

Yeah I do like some early Jap stuff. The Celica not as much as the Supra or Honda's Integra (DC2), but not sure that's the right direction? I've had Italian cars for so long now they're part of my DNA.

[MikeyRules]

This looks nice at first glance?

Anything obvious from the Ad, and is it worth a look?
 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Fiat-Coupe-2-0-20v-Turbo-only-79-000-miles/163078090222?hash=item25f8362dee:g:zrsAAOSwkLJa~y31

 

Quite like this too!

 

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C966759

Edited June 16, 2018 by MikeyRules

[Andrewgrale]

https://www.donedeal.ie/vintagecars-for-sale/fiat-coupe-20v-ok-price-drop/18720149

 

Coupe in Cork

[MikeyRules]

Erm... Not sure what to say lol. Maybe they give us the grand to take it away ?

[Nello]

As long as they are maintained correctly a Coupe is fine. The engines are superb - My mate has two LE's and one is on the way to 300K - he's only just had a rebuild done. 

The problem with them is they got to a point where they were so cheap all the 'Yoofs' bought them but could not afford to maintain them. A belt is around £500 with the pump. 

Alot of people skimp on doing the Aux belt which needs doing every other year to be safe - About £200-£250 - if they go they take the cambelt with them which is why so many engines have been wrecked. Rust is starting to be an issue on them as well in hidden spots. They need to be used though so I would not worry about mileage as long as its enthusiast mantained. Yearly oil-changes regardless of mileage. I can check on the Coupe forum for you mate if you like. 

 

That said - that GTV looks well. Someone I worked with had one and took me out - Silver with Red leather - v.nice. The later facelift ones in that shape looked good as well.

 

What about a Barchetta? Always fancied one of those........................... The 1.8 is out of the Stilo (we had a 'Abarth'ised' 3 door one of those as well) with the Punto HGT gearbox. If LHD does not bother you (doesn't me) they are great fun and super unusual / rare.

 

Edited June 16, 2018 by Nello

[Rossocorsa]

Do you mean a 60/70's 500 Alan? If so there's no trade options as it all goes to specialist auction or buyers. Plus just too small for what I want really.

 

Yeah I do like some early Jap stuff. The Celica not as much as the Supra or Honda's Integra (DC2), but not sure that's the right direction? I've had Italian cars for so long now they're part of my DNA.

No I was thinking early modern a 135 bhp one

[Rossocorsa]

This looks nice at first glance?

Anything obvious from the Ad, and is it worth a look?

 

 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1997-Fiat-Coupe-2-0-20v-Turbo-only-79-000-miles/163078090222?hash=item25f8362dee:g:zrsAAOSwkLJa~y31

 

Quite like this too!

 

https://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C966759

Alfa gtv looks enticing but have you considered the boot space? It's literally like a glovebox totally impractical, fiat coupé is the way forward if that's the kind of thing you are after Edited June 16, 2018 by Rossocorsa

[Nello]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1979-LANCIA-BETA-BERLINA-2-0-AUTO-29K-MOT-5-3-19-VERY-RARE-CLASSIC-FIND-ANOTHER/153046480971?hash=item23a247f84b:g:xg0AAOSwX8da7X9l

 

[Rossocorsa]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1979-LANCIA-BETA-BERLINA-2-0-AUTO-29K-MOT-5-3-19-VERY-RARE-CLASSIC-FIND-ANOTHER/153046480971?hash=item23a247f84b:g:xg0AAOSwX8da7X9l

 

Auto box on those is a tragedy though

[MikeyRules]

As long as they are maintained correctly a Coupe is fine. The engines are superb - My mate has two LE's and one is on the way to 300K - he's only just had a rebuild done. 

The problem with them is they got to a point where they were so cheap all the 'Yoofs' bought them but could not afford to maintain them. A belt is around £500 with the pump. 

Alot of people skimp on doing the Aux belt which needs doing every other year to be safe - About £200-£250 - if they go they take the cambelt with them which is why so many engines have been wrecked. Rust is starting to be an issue on them as well in hidden spots. They need to be used though so I would not worry about mileage as long as its enthusiast mantained. Yearly oil-changes regardless of mileage. I can check on the Coupe forum for you mate if you like. 

 

That said - that GTV looks well. Someone I worked with had one and took me out - Silver with Red leather - v.nice. The later facelift ones in that shape looked good as well.

 

What about a Barchetta? Always fancied one of those........................... The 1.8 is out of the Stilo (we had a 'Abarth'ised' 3 door one of those as well) with the Punto HGT gearbox. If LHD does not bother you (doesn't me) they are great fun and super unusual / rare.

 

Yep I would say so far a decent standard non modified Coupe is in the running if I can get one that's been loved, the GTV also, although would be happy with a rev happy 2.0 twinnie too, so not just the busso.

 

I've always admired the Barchetta since my mate had one in the early 2000's. I love the lines and the small attention to detail like the door handles and rear lights... Not sure I want lhd though in this country, and a two seater is probably further down the pecking list too.

[MikeyRules]

Auto box on those is a tragedy though

Yes my thoughts exactly   The words Retro and Auto should not be in the same sentence lol...

Alfa gtv looks enticing but have you considered the boot space? It's literally like a glovebox totally impractical, fiat coupé is the way forward if that's the kind of thing you are after

I don't think the boots that bad. Yes it's very narrow, but you can get a couple of squashy hand luggage type bags in there, and there's always the back seat for anything else. I know Alfa's, so feel a little more comfortable buying one, not that they're ANY less trouble!!!

 

I think I'd be happy with a sorted one of either (Coupe or GTV) if not both as they'd be great keepers!

I was tempted by an Alfa 33 yesterday. It sold for just £650! Not the prettiest Alfa admitted, but it was pretty solid with a decent MOT and had the little 1.5 boxer engine that I had in my first ever Alfasud. Just love that boxer sound!  

 

Edited June 17, 2018 by MikeyRules

[MikeyRules]

Oh my... Shame it's not in budget!

 

https://www.oldmotorco.co.uk/copy-of-lotus-esprit-turbo-pearl-wh-1

[Rossocorsa]

Hmm 33 tbh I think they are a bit shabby compared to a 'Sud.

Regarding the auto Beta it's not so much that it's an auto it that it's THAT auto chronically unreliable when new

Edited June 17, 2018 by Rossocorsa

[MikeyRules]

Hmm 33 tbh I think they are a bit shabby compared to a 'Sud.

Regarding the auto Beta it's not so much that it's an auto it that it's THAT auto chronically unreliable when new

Yeah I totally agree, and even more so compared to a Sud Sprint!!   (Man I'd LOVE one of those!!!!!!!) and it was just a moment of madness before I came to my senses!

 

I hate auto anything to be honest, even though cars like the new Giulia seemed to have nailed it, they're just not for me. Older autos were mainly shockingly slow with terrible fuel consumption so deffo a no-no for thread purposes please.

[Rossocorsa]

Saw a stunning sprint at a local meet not for sale but it was a real knock out red early twin carb one absolutely mint! I was gobsmacked

[MikeyRules]

Saw a stunning sprint at a local meet not for sale but it was a real knock out red early twin carb one absolutely mint! I was gobsmacked

It's a funny thing when you think how cheap some of these cars have been in the past, yet now most of them are starting to become out of reach. Wish I'd had some spare cash and built a toy collection... Lancia Beta Monte, Alfasud Sprint, S2 or S4 Spider, Integrale Martini... the list is endless. 

[MikeyRules]

Neil one for you... What's the difference between the 20v VT and the VIS version on the Coupe?

[Nello]

VIS = Variable Intake System - basically it was just an uprated NA unit. The VT cars are the Turbocharged ones. Early cars were 16V with the 4-cylinder Lampredi Delta engine. The 20V/VT cars were the bespoke 5 cylinder cars - more performance and they sound ace! The LE /Limited Edition cars are steadily rising in value now (shame you could have had mine!) - I'd look out for a 20VT Plus - these are basically the same 20V Turbo cars but with a toned down version of the LE interior (not everyone liked the lipstick red leather!) - a few other cosmetic changes (they have far nicer Recaro seats - same as the LE but just black with red stitching) etc. I'll check out if there's anything around with the Coupe boys............... 

Edited June 22, 2018 by Nello

[MikeyRules]

Cheers for the info fella, much appreciated. I'd found out what VIS stood for, just wasn't sure what the spec was like compared to the 20v. Yeah keep your eyes peeled, as they're deffo on my wish list, although finding a well looked after car without it having been thrashed, modified and abused might be a tall order!

[Nello]

NP mate - its a real shame as my old LE would have been perfect. I looked after it so well - the LE's are the real 'ones to have' in my book with lots of special bits on them and it looked ace in Steel with all the red bits. I've a horrible feeling I sold it to a chap who was not planning on looking after it as well as I did too but at the time I needed the sale.......................