Mechanicals and body panels are done. Off to the paint shop on Monday. Should have it back next weekend. Fastest spares delivery I've come across. Fiat reckoned 2 weeks minimum for spares delivery..the Volkswagen dealer got them in 5 days and not from Fiat, they won't say where from..but they are adamant they are new bits, not from a breakers.

Then we come to the hard bit..herself last night was wistfully burbling about motoring along in the winter sun with the lid down...how do I break it gently to her?

Just say "Step away from the vehicle"

Rustbucket said:

Mechanicals and body panels are done. Off to the paint shop on Monday. Should have it back next weekend. Fastest spares delivery I've come across. Fiat reckoned 2 weeks minimum for spares delivery..the Volkswagen dealer got them in 5 days and not from Fiat, they won't say where from..but they are adamant they are new bits, not from a breakers.

Then we come to the hard bit..herself last night was wistfully burbling about motoring along in the winter sun with the lid down...how do I break it gently to her?

Click to expand...

I would go along the lines of.........

'dearest, you know how much I love and care for you? Well, with your welfare in mind I don't think its a good idea for you to drive the Barchetta again, I mean - look what a close escape you had when the car 'went wrong' last time.............why don't we look for a nice little Ford Ka convertible for you eh honey?'

Or that heheheh

There is a tidy Ka ragtop for sale in the local Ford dealers...also a warranted blue '95 B going from a Fiat dealer in Wicklow. Its on carzone.ie. Probably a good buy, the same guys 'specialise' in Fiat Coupes as both father and son run them. Did an excellent job on both my coupes but they aren't cheap.

Personally, as soon as she had opened her mouth, I would have been out of my seat, across the room and given her the best uppercut I had ever swung..............but that's just me

**** her with the broken remains of your front bumper I say

superspotter said:

Personally, as soon as she had opened her mouth, I would have been out of my seat, across the room and given her the best uppercut I had ever swung..............but that's just me

Click to expand...

I expected such a reaction from a tough Northerner ................

docorangepeel said:

**** her with the broken remains of your front bumper I say

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............but Doc - we are seeing another side of you!!!

Im a big softie really

Its back. Fixed and blue and shiny and valeted and gorgeous...

Herself has decided not to drive it again. Apparently I was unsubtle:

'Darling, of course you can drive it..just be careful, as the insurers will have a canary if I make another claim...' (looking at the latest bumper scuff on her Polo...)

'Huh...you don't trust me to drive it. I used to have a Celica you know. It wasn't my fault it ended on its roof! I'll stick with my beautiful green '99 100k Polo thank you very much'. And she stamps her foot and flounces off...

Didn't know about the Celica...