What 5 questions to ask before buying a Barchetta?

Hello


Going off to see a Barchetta sometime this weekend, what are the 10 most important questions to ask the seller?... humour ok too


Thanks

Can I check for rust under the passenger side wheelarch and does the handbrake work.

Thanks blackydog, would that be the front or rear wheelarch?

Offside inner rear upper arch put your hand up and press it may well crumble like when you press on shredded wheat! not the hardest of jobs but takes time ive welded up a number for customers and its time consuming.

Rust in the floors outer edge. Rust in the fwd edge of rear wings. Noise from camshaft variator. Time since cam belt change. Exhaust leak from flexible tube.
Rust is more important than mechanical issues since many components are shared with puntos, Alfa 156, etc etc.
good luck.

friend of stouby said:

Thanks blackydog, would that be the front or rear wheelarch?

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Rear. And check history for cambelt and variator replacement.

fiats n alfas said:

Offside inner rear upper arch put your hand up and press it may well crumble like when you press on shredded wheat! not the hardest of jobs but takes time ive welded up a number for customers and its time consuming.

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Time consuming!! that's putting it mildly. I did my own and it's one of the worst car jobs I've ever done, there are so many complex shapes, but I did cut a lot out and made my own compound curved panel from welded sections that i then fitted in and welded. Took absolutely ages continually offering up and then removing and adjusting to get a nice snug fit.

Re: What 5 questions to ask before buying a Barchetta?

Any scrapes/damage underneath? The support for the radiator is a bit flimsy & vulnerable to knocks as well as possible rust - I have had mine powder-coated. If anyone recalls the 2010 Top Gear Special, their star car suffered - I don't think that was just for dramatic effect!