General Tell us about you Barchetta

Currently reading:
General Tell us about you Barchetta

Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
1,163
Points
194
Location
Scottish Borders
Ok friends. I am pushing my head above the parapet with this but; in the interests of keeping the Barchetta section 'alive and revving' can I suggest that members consider creating a thread specifically about their car? I know this may not be everyones 'cup of tea' but, personally, the threads with thousands of hits do it for me. I read every thread and everyone who has experienced a difficulty is of interest to me, however the day to day Barchetta stories, particularly those with pictures, hold the most interest for me. Living with a Barchetta is an adventure and we should share these adventures. The 'spotty folk' with the Puntos and big bore exhausts do this so why shouldn't we? I am really interested in your car, your garage, your hanging baskets whatever so please lets get some stuff on here! I promise I wont comment about yellow cars! S
 
Last edited:
Hi,
Excellent idea. After two and half years ownership of my 98 silver Barchetta limited edition I am finally content with its foibles. I have a reconditioned engine, new clutch fettled by the German Barchetta club (thank you Dietmar) and she had some rust sorted under the passenger footwell and usual drivers floor pan area. When the engine was replaced with the recon, Dietmer was surprised to find that the vacumn speed regulator was missing from the engine (don,t know what this is called correctly ) and the movement arm that moves back and forth to regulate the revs was tied back with a cable tie. I had never noticed any problem with the engine running. Anyway Dietmer found that an Audi unit could be used and fettled the vacumn pipework to the Audi unit, working well now.

The electrical problem of abs and handbrake warning lights caused me a lot of grief but masses of relief when the lights were sorted by a simple deconnetion of the wiring to the alternator and refitting the wires after a clean, phew. (FIAT wanted to replace the altenator )

Oh yes and the airconditioning radiator needs replacing along with some pipework but I do without that, maybe in the future I will refurbish the aircon.

I have enjoyed reading the attention to detail that other members have written about their Barchettas and hope this continues to be added to in the future.

In summary I enjoy the car immencely, I am aware that she needs constant attention but with the top down, dry weather and no particular rush to go anywhere its a pleasure. Come on members I also want to hear your experiencesand stories.
SteveD
 
Mine is 1997, have had it for 3years and cost me just under 1000eur to buy.
Haven't really spent anything much on it other than new tyres and, however If I wanted to make it mint I would need to spend like 3k on it because well.. it's a FIAT - Fix It Again Tomorrow :D Needs constant attention ,everything rattles/squeks a lot of things barely work but hey.. Unlike the masses of UK folks I have great weather half of the year where I can enjoy it every day! So that's a great plus

It has great sound when you rev it in 2nd gear, It's even better when the exhaust has got a few holes in it :D Goes fast and is fun little car which is cheap to run. However driving with it over 120km/h.. Yeah just not for me, not that I don't like the speed, I have to fear for my life when driving it over that speed.
It was my dream car when I was little and When the right one came up I had to have it.

What kind of electrical problems are you talking guys? I remember having some abs/airbag lights on it and few other lights on it as well, the dash was really beautiful - like an xmas tree I must say, but I got bored out of the xmas tree look after some time and took out the bulbs out so they don't show up and to keep the MOT guys happy..

The car still puts a smile on my face everytime I drive it
aw.png
 
Had my barchetta since 2003 only use it in the summer months it's had new brakes ,timing variator 2x cambelt changes , always change the oil every 6 months but I do these jobs because I think it will make the car run better it doesn't really. changed both rear wheel bearings last year because the back axle was really noisy , turned out that the 19 year old pirelli tyres were out of shape. I don't think there is any rust on the car I always enjoy driving the B even took it from my home in Yorkshire to Roscoff France last year. A bit scary in a 1997 Fiat but we made it no problem
 
Well mine is a 2004 car. Have gradually been giving it some much needed care and attention. No real problems other than it occasionally stalls. However, suspension and brakes and body all sound. Will be taking it to the south of France soon and will post pictures. In the meantime ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1467867607.575365.jpg here is my Barchetta [emoji1]
 
Hi Bumble, I think it's a great idea. I too love reading stories as well as problem-solving items. I've just done a trip to the south of France and have stories, suggestions and photos. As soon as I organise it I'll start a thread about the life of my car. :)
 
Something I found in France, all the petrol stations sold partly ethanol based fuel, 20% I think. This should not be used in a Barchetta as it apparently rots the fuel lines and seals.
 
I bought some not knowing what it was... but it was just half a tank and going up Mt. Ventoux I burned it within half an hour. I'm not sure it got the chance to touch the side of the pipes! It ran really well though... :)
 
98 octane is still fairly widely available down here in the Midi-Pyrenees and only a couple of cents more expensive. I use 98 when available but if not 95 and then 98 a.s.a.p.
Unfortunately the car has been off the road for the past 12 months, hopefully back using it in the next 3 or 4 weeks.
 
Mr Barchetta is off to Marseilles tomorrow via Alencon and Bourges [emoji1] Can't wait 33 degrees in the Sud de France
 
Sbd119, expect hot and humid with some cloud cover so ideal for top down. Enjoy...
StevePD, a fault with the rear suspension causing the tyre to rub on the inner wheel arch which I haven't got round to getting fixed and fuel line leaks. Plus my own laziness! Plus a very busy year.
 
It's great to hear of members future driving adventures and some immaculate cars featured in the photos. School finishes in a couple of weeks and I have little excuse not to get my car out on the road. It's raining here today so my wash and polish has ben postponed Interior of car has a whiff of petrol and one day I must get round to having a look at the fuel tank, lines etc. Keep the posts coming guys - they're great! Drive safely! Steve
 
Thanks everyone, I'm really looking forward to France. Just saw Bumble that you are from Scottish Borders - my Barchetta wears les plaques d'immatriculation écossais - it is a Scottish Italian car [emoji1] This will be me and my better half tomorrow ImageUploadedByFIAT Forum1468069241.020918.jpg
 
Well mine is a 2004 car. Have gradually been giving it some much needed care and attention. No real problems other than it occasionally stalls. However, suspension and brakes and body all sound. Will be taking it to the south of France soon and will post pictures. In the meantime View attachment 169394 here is my Barchetta [emoji1]
damn your roof looks like brand new!
is it because it's brand new?
 
Thanks itaa5x, it isn't new, but it is very well looked-after and has always lived in a garage. I think it is about 5 years old. It is an original Fiat item.
 
Having covered less than 1800km in the past ten years, I'm now using my newly acquired Barchetta on an (almost) daily basis. A solid car, just sailed through its MOT) but needs a new hood really. Replaced the mismatched tyres with Vredesteins straightaway and that was a vast improvement. Have also solved the idle problem, so now running nicely.

 
Dan it looks lovely. How did you solve the idle problem in the end?
 
Dan it looks lovely. How did you solve the idle problem in the end?

I changed the IAC valve, didn't seem to make a huge difference. Garage changed the engine temp sensor, checked the throttle position sensor, and then did a reboot (disconnect the battery for at least 30 mins). Has worked ok since.
 
Back
Top