Classic cars of the 90s

bowlhead99

weejangus wrote: »

Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo - Again, I've owned two (so far). Only sold the 2nd one 2 years ago as I needed a diesel. I would buy it back in a second if it ever comes up for sale...

Guy down the street has a black one, still looks good. Someone else has the other Fiat classic from the same era, the Barchetta, which is rarely seen out in winter!

I have a soft spot for both with memories of some summer European road trips 10+ years ago. Back in the day when my friends and I weren't so bothered about practicalities like luggage space or the stereo being drowned out by the road noise.

The Coupe had lots of power for its size and price, while the B was a nice looking alternative to an MX5 without the RWD, the reliability, or the steering wheel in the right place. Got more admiring glances than a Mazda though. Fiat electronics were still notoriously temperamental in the 80s and 90s (Fix It Again Tomorrow!) and I seem to remember there was some simple job on the Coupe that was engine-out (cambelt change?)

Coupe:
Barchetta:

AdrianC

bowlhead99 wrote: »

and I seem to remember there was some simple job on the Coupe that was engine-out (cambelt change?)

Fiat suggested that with the 20v, yes, as with that engine in the Marea. It's what happens when you put a long straight-five engine sideways across a not-hugely-wide bay.

It can be done in situ. Just.

JP08

Dear old Fiat - sure it should be Fix It Again Toni though? And Alfa. And Lancia. Somehow the days when they were on song just drown out the painful memories of when they, errrr, weren't ...

As to the transverse straight 5, could be worse, could be a transverse mounted fwd straight 6.

http://www.pioneer-automobiles.co.uk/Resources/library/Austin%20Princess%20HLS.html (last pic). Head hung admission ... many years ago went to looked at buying one of these (Hey ! I did say earlier I like left field cars !).