Hello All,
I have just acquired a silver 99 LE Barchetta and driven it over to SW France (In the Lot) where my wife Sue and I now live. We previously had from new a 98 black Barchetta but had to sell it in 2001 because of work commitments and space. We enjoyed and missed that car so we decided to get another hence the silver LE.
I am aware of the special needs demanded of Italian cars so thought it a good idea to join this forum to benefit from the collective wisdom. I have scanned the various threads and it is clear I am in the right place. I hope to manitain the car (not named yet) as best I can and keep her on the road. She goes into the bodyshop on monday to have the jack lifting points at the front welded, I can't weld otherwise I would have a go at that. Once I get her back I hope to get her througt the French MOT.
I contacted Fiat UK for a Certificate of Conformity CoC but was told that they no longer provided these for France but provided an 'Attestation' which is better than a CoC for Euro165. So I hope this will work with the French as the previous cars I have registered in the past have had to have a CoC, we will see!
I understand that there isn't a Haynes maual but can anyone tell me if there is aHaynes Punto HGT and is it worth getting?
Also are there any other archetta owners in theSW France who would like to meet for ride outs and or help with servicing repairs etc?
Anyway, great site thanks to allwo have contributed the good wok.
StevePD

Welcome to the forum where you will find loads of useful information. There are quite a few members based in SW France and I am sure that they will make themselves known to you, probably best it is done that way rather then me pass on details to you. I am in the Gers about 40 minutes south of Agen so perhaps not far from you. We have two freinds within 5 km from us who also own Barchettas and we are hoping to arrange a picnic soon so maybe you could come along.
Fiat UK suppled a CoC for my '97 B three years ago without charge but did say it was likely not provide them in the future. Good luck with the CT.
Rich

Hi Rich,
Good to know and i will keep an eye out for the picnic. We are near Figeac
Regards
Steve

Welcome Steve - post some photos when you can. Steve

Hi, Will do, its peeeing down at the moment but will soon.
Steve

Here are a couple of photos:

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum (and sw france). We are a little south and east of Richpea roughly midway between Auch and Tarbes and would welcome a potter out somewhere... (about time we did another lunch Richard), the car looks good, pity it's not blue though, but at least it's not red :devil:. Come CT time we usually get told that there is no rear fog light (haven't changed the rear lights from UK sides to EU sides and that the headlight adjustment is poor, tant pis.
Enjoy the car and the weather, Steve.

Hi Crachat, Thanks for the welcome, I delivered the car to the bodyshop this morning for the rust repair at the jacking points, hope to get her back Friday. I will keep everyone informed as to the CT outcome (scary) The lights have beed swapped over at the back so that should be okay. The right side headlight needs a bit of polishing but should pass, not too sure how well adjusted they are but they do dip to the right.
Cheers
Steve

Crachat said:

Hi Steve and welcome to the forum (and sw france). We are a little south and east of Richpea roughly midway between Auch and Tarbes and would welcome a potter out somewhere... (about time we did another lunch Richard), the car looks good, pity it's not blue though, but at least it's not red :devil:. Come CT time we usually get told that there is no rear fog light (haven't changed the rear lights from UK sides to EU sides and that the headlight adjustment is poor, tant pis.
Enjoy the car and the weather, Steve.

Click to expand...

Hi Steve, have sent you a pm

Hi Richpea, checked my PM nothing arrived yet! My car is stillin the bodyshop as they havn't got around to starting it yet so have given them a deadline of thursday next.
Steve

Hi Steve, welcome aboard! You made a great choice there - an LE in silver, with the red interior - but then I would say that, wouldn't I? What number is yours?

Really like the turbine alloys - I'd be tempted to go for those if/when I replace mine.

Hope you get the welding and CoC sorted out OK

Hi and welcome.

Hi Gar074 and HP, Thanks for the welcome. My chassis No is 38604.
Hope to get the car out of the bodyshop by Friday fingers crossed.
Steve

Welcome from another silver car owner,albeit not the fancy LE....

Thanks, My car is still in the garage, Bastile Day (holiday in France) has delayed its completion. If its not one thing its another, still it has been rubbish weather here until yesterday. Glorious now.