General Broom Yellow HLX

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General Broom Yellow HLX

Liquid Knight

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If any of you noticed this poll thread...

https://www.fiatforum.com/polling-station/433423-quick-vote-bravo-vs-stilo.html?p=4141954

...I ignored the result and got the Bravo. :)

As you do. I really can not stand the smell of diesel. Maybe I'll get over that some day but when I had my Fiorino van I had to restrain myself from vomiting every time I needed to fill the tank and even then I wore two pairs of gloves to keep the crap off my hands.

Back on topic. I've owned the Bravo about a month now and as well as bing quite charming and quirky I would say the car was spritely. As quick as my old N/A 16V Coupe, sharp as my old 205GTi and pretty economical.

Following tips from Adrian Bravo's thread (a masterclass in car ownership if you haven't seen it) I gave V-Power a try and didn't notice any difference apart from a reduction in MPG and slightly higher running temperature.

Any way here she is in all her mucky and dented glory...

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As usual I have made a couple of purchases...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/H-DUTY-BASEBALL-BAT-STYLE-CAR-VAN-STEERING-WHEEL-LOCK-/161240585463?hash=item258ab014f7:g:5VAAAOxygJNRsKsx

...and...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-REVERSE-REVERSING-BLEEPER-BULB-RENAULT-MASTER-/130689948661?hash=item1e6dba5bf5:g:8BUAAOSwUuFWzJcS

...coming up to the 111,000 mile mark and the car shows signs of that life.

Just the way I like cars to be.

The Concourse lot and patina rat guys have their place but instead of these extremes my Bravo sits nicely in the middle. :)

The original plan was to get a Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo and do a Bravo 16V turbo conversion but to be honest the car is perfectly good as she is and the donor Coupe could be worth restoring instead (I'll find that out tomorrow). So new plan. Keep the Bravo on the road and enjoy it. :D
 
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Really nice in that "Giallo" and with those wheels. I think the 115 1.8 was a great compromise engine... supposedly an Alfa design?

Of course you could upgrade to the HGT / Barchetta engine spec with the VVT etc but the car seems a really nice package as it is. :)
 
Really nice in that "Giallo" and with those wheels. I think the 115 1.8 was a great compromise engine... supposedly an Alfa design?

Of course you could upgrade to the HGT / Barchetta engine spec with the VVT etc but the car seems a really nice package as it is. :)

It's the same engine as the Punto HGT and Barchetta. As the others have electric power steering instead of a pump laboring the engine the 130hp is whittled down to 115

You can upgrade the inlet side with a Fiat Coupe 16V N/A inlet cam' and some adjustable pulleys but that's a faff for few extra horses.

Drove to Buxton and back today via Matlock and via some of pretty nice roads and enjoyed every mile. :)
 
It's the same engine as the Punto HGT and Barchetta. As the others have electric power steering instead of a pump laboring the engine the 130hp is whittled down to 115

I don't follow. The Brava / Bravo / Marea / 115 engine was simpler than the 130, it had less power.

From Wikipedia..
The Barchetta was based on the chassis of the Mark 1 Fiat Punto. The Barchetta has 1,747 cc DOHC petrol engine fitted with variable camshaft timing, used for the first time in a Fiat production car, after being patented in 1970. The engine has 132 PS (97 kW; 130 hp) and 164 N·m (121 lb·ft) of torque.

Are you saying that yours has hydraulic PAS and the others had electric? Or the other way round? Which system is supposed to rob 15 HP? I'd guess all except the MK2 Punto HGT were conventional (i.e. 90s style).

The second generation Punto has also adopted the Dualdrive electric power steering and came with two operation modes, using an electric motor, rather than a hydraulic pump driven by the engine. This resulted in reduced fuel consumption and less environmental impact.
 
Sounds fun... personally I'd just run the car as it is and shred the tyres that are on it. If the car survives you'll have a good idea of what needs improving and that's the time to spend your money.

Or shop around for some decent part-worns...
 
Sounds fun... personally I'd just run the car as it is and shred the tyres that are on it. If the car survives you'll have a good idea of what needs improving and that's the time to spend your money.

Or shop around for some decent part-worns...

That's the plan-ish. There are three track days this year (places available for the other two wink wink) so this one will be a baseline and I'll see if I can improve later in the year. :)
 
Momo 17's on a late 90's Fiat?

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(y)

Actually, "meh" if anyone want them they're from a Coupe turbo but will fit all the modular platform cars of the period. They'll be in the classified for £75. Two good Pirelli's and two nearly new other ones (I'll check the make tomorrow).
 
For some reason the 1.8s were known for giving good economy.... better than the 1.6s even.

What tyre width are you planning for your 15" wheels? Standard 185/55 or a slight upgrade to 195/50 ? 185 width was enough for the standard HGT models.

The 17s are OK I guess but probably better on a Stilo or Brava. If they don't sell will you trackday them?
 
ooooh, if i was in the UK, i would have them alloys!

You're only in France. Paris is six hours drive from my place in Norfolk.

They're on eBay for £50 at the moment (have a look in the auction thread section) I'm having a Spring clear out.

The track day is the 18th and I get paid on the 15th so I'm hoping my local rubber bandits have some Toyo's in stock. ;)
 
i know it's not far really, but it's not cheap either.
I'm 3 hours south of paris, so according to google, it's 9 hours drive each way, 1600km 90 litres of fuel, £50 in toll roads, £50 for a hotel, and £90 for the ferry, just to pick up some wheels at £50? i could just buy some here and save myself the bother. They would look bloody lovely on my wagon though.....
 
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I've noticed something today. I've done 526 miles on £50 of petrol.

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Crossed a threshold on the way to Buxton as well. :)

526 miles for £50? Blimey, I should have got a Bravo! My Tipo 1.4 gets nowhere near that...and I've been trying not to over rev!
 
No, and it's not going anywhere near it. :)

To be fair, fuel economy seems OK ish. Nowhere near as good as yours, but I'm still trying to work out the vagaries of the digital dash - the first four bars of the fuel display disappear in 50 miles, but then it really slows down. Weird, but I'm good with weird.

I've probably spent more than £70 on my first 500 miles. People seem to think it'll level out - hasn't been driven much recently.

Well impressed with yours LQ! :)
 
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