150k.jpg

Punto (Mk1) About time really

Introduction

Well, having been a member since 2008, I should probably put a few bits up about my Punto.

Bought with a laundry list of problems, and feeling sorry for the old beast, I've spent a lot of hours and probably too much cash:

  • Fitting a new clutch and slave cylinder (the reason I got the car to start with).
  • Changing the rusty bonnet, damaged front bumper, O/S/F wing and drivers' door.
  • Replacing the ECU (somehow lost the code).
  • Visiting Brighton, to pick up a set of 15 inch Bravo Abarth Speedlines.
  • Replacing the Ansa backbox and snapped exhaust centre section with a Sportex cat-back system.
  • Swapping the standard steering wheel for a Sparco one when the airbag light came on.
  • Fitting replacement dashboard bulbs and Lockwood white dials.
  • 2 cheapo head units (current one from Aldi, featuring CD, MP3, USB, Bluetooth and a remote!)
  • Exhaust downpipe/flexi and lambda section.
  • A couple of O/S headlamps
  • A bargain genuine radiator.
Plus a whole load of odds and ends I can't remember.
Enough chatter, pics:

punto222.jpg

punto318.jpg

punto411.jpg

From Brooklands 2012:
punto91.JPG

And a day I felt rather proud:
150k.jpg


Hopefully, there'll be more to come.
Check the radiator cap, maybe its passing pressure (sorry if this may sound confusing). It happened to me, my fan wasn't working because the cap was letting the radiator pressure pass. I had to spend just 11€ to fix it.
 
Easter Weekend I did this:


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Downside of this is I found this:


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More rust, plus the running problem... I'm having 2nd thoughts about continuing.


A mate of mine has a white Mk2 he's willing to sell, but this is a Mk1 Punto with A/C, and how many of those can there be?


Think the best way to describe how I'm feeling is conflicted.
 
I still regret selling out of my MK1, I actually miss it more than it's replacement which I had for 3 times as long and did twice as many miles in.

In the end the reason I sold up was I didn't have the time or mechanical knowledge to put it right and I needed a "car" not a rolling project.

I wouldn't swap a mk1 for a mk2 in a month of Sundays, they aren't as good looking, the rust proofing is just as bad if not worse, the majority of mechanical parts are very similar with the exception of the dreaded electric steering. That and I kinda think mk1s are getting close to classic status or at least rare and vaguely interesting while mk2s are still deep in shedville.
 
I still regret selling out of my MK1, I actually miss it more than it's replacement which I had for 3 times as long and did twice as many miles in.

In the end the reason I sold up was I didn't have the time or mechanical knowledge to put it right and I needed a "car" not a rolling project.

I wouldn't swap a mk1 for a mk2 in a month of Sundays, they aren't as good looking, the rust proofing is just as bad if not worse, the majority of mechanical parts are very similar with the exception of the dreaded electric steering. That and I kinda think mk1s are getting close to classic status or at least rare and vaguely interesting while mk2s are still deep in shedville.

which car replaced your mk1?
 
Apologies for the MASSIVE thread bump, but I need to find somewhere to keep my mk1 Punto.

I can no longer keep it on my sister's driveway, as her husbands' daily(my Dad's old mk1) isn't going to get through another MOT.

I've spent the best part of 2 years trying to get a space at a friends place, but time is nearly over.

Please, if anyone can help with a space near Reading... I have until Monday.
 
Apologies for the MASSIVE thread bump, but I need to find somewhere to keep my mk1 Punto.

I can no longer keep it on my sister's driveway, as her husbands' daily(my Dad's old mk1) isn't going to get through another MOT.

I've spent the best part of 2 years trying to get a space at a friends place, but time is nearly over.

Please, if anyone can help with a space near Reading... I have until Monday.

Where in Reading are you?

How long term is this going to be...?

Charlie
 
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