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Punto (Mk1) My 1996 Punto GT2 'Rose'

Introduction

I picked Rose up in March, she is a replacement for my old GT in the same colour called Lilly - who had 13 previous owners and many gremlins as a result. After breaking Lilly I wasn't really on the lookout for another GT but after browsing Autotrader one day saw the car and had to have her.

I was after an original GT in the same Rosso Bright as Lilly. The first owner was an elderly gentleman who owned it for 13 years to pop down the shops, full Fiat SH every 5K and little expense spared mechanically. Then another mature guy picked it up, covered approx 2K and then left it sat in a garage for three years while the tax/MOT etc...had all well expired. Mileage was 65K so suitable for some good use in my ownership.

Plan from day 1 was to keep this original and relatively standard.....49/50 are now modified so although this is not a ground breaking project it is a guide into owning a 16 year old car whilst improving / updating things.

Took a quick pic on getting her home. First job was the MOT.

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Almost to my disbelief she went straight through the MOT with no advisories.

My first purchase was a dull but necessary one, some nice OE floor mats as the car was not supplied with any.

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Next job was a full service and cambelt change, fortunately I had a spanking new Aux / PAS belt in packaging left over from Lilly so that went on too.

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Everything went smoothly and I spent a few smooth weeks enjoying the car.

I have kept the original Cassette player supplied with the car for potential show use or for when the car goes on to its next owner. I tried to persevere but damn cassettes are annoying so in went a CD player for now.

Very little wear to the seats, wheel or leather gear knob all looks and feels like new to be honest. With that in mind the plastic door sills were changed both sides to new items I had from Lilly and the interior door handles renewed so even the plastics looked and felt new again. As far as the interior goes I am happy with it now, it looks and feels new (apart from the slightly dated design). I am meant to be picking up a full OE leather interior soon so that really would finish it off.

Did a long trip to Wales one weekend helping the other halves sister out with a house move and lost electricity on a very wet day on the M4. Replaced regulator pack x 2 but car kept leaving me stranded after a few more days use. Got an new exchange Lucas alternator, fitted and things have been faultless again since.

The Rad looked very sad!!! understatement of the year; so this was changed for a new genuine Fiat item. This cost me £30 instead of £260 as part of a new old stock deal!

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Started to get a bad knock from the front D/S suspension over pot holes so disassembled for inspection. Found bushes in good shape but shock absorber on front D/S had bust open spewing fluid everywhere. Replaced both front dampers with Sachs OE + SuperTouring dampers, did both track rod ends and steering arms too. Also replaced one of the ARB bushes as looked suspect.

Front now feels really tight, with new front tyres and tracking done handles pretty sweetly for its age. Really happy. Mechanically she is up there and the interior is in a good place. Next update will be to start sorting the bodywork / wheels out and getting them looking new again.

Gave her a wash and wax over the weekend.

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Am trying to retain all the supplying dealer stickers / number plates / tax disc holder but the front numberplate looks pretty shocking so need to get a new one sadly.

Updates Soon.

Jrr
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Did the brake change and managed to get some good value genuine parts thanks to yet another new old stock buyout!! Brakes now more than up to the task.

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Exhaust was rusting at tailpipe. So got another 2nd hand exhaust with minimal use, got the sanding disk out and made it shiney. Coated with anti rust primer, then a few coats of high temp silver. Came out quite well.

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Changed front tyres - didn't have the Kuhmo's on for too long and changed over to some beefier Yokohamas which feel much more positive and are the correct V rated speed, the Kuhmo's only came in the slower H rating.

Put car in for MOT last Friday.

Failed on offside rear radius arm which is being changed over for a new item tomorrow, other than that a clean sheet. Also getting the new exhaust fitted on as I don't have the inclination to get it on ramps and do it myself in this weather!

Once MOT'd it is going in to have the dents done and some other cosmetic work, so will definately have some good pics next time!

Hopefully of a finished project if such a thing exists!!
 
Looking nice mate!!

I've got my drums and pads over the week as well!

The exhaust looks real good! :D

Thank you, very easy to do should you fancy it. Just need a good sanding disk on a drill and some appropriate high temp paint (I think the stuff I used was designed for stoves!)

you found a stock exhaust :eek: how on earth did you manage that exactly!!

Contacts my man, contacts!!

Failing that they are still available from ebay on the continent.

http://www.ebay.de/itm/ASSO-Auspuff...843057564?pt=DE_Autoteile&hash=item4d07c86d9c

Paid £25 quid for mine a while ago from a guy who had this replaced by Fiat a couple of years back to then decide he wanted a Mongoose! So at least it is a genuine part and still relatively new.
 
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well i have a mongoose centre section as my spare for the middle bit.. And if/when my rear box goes i will probably knock one up (read get my mate who can weld will knock one up), I don't really want a none-standard one but so long as its a hidden one like stock i don't mind. Will keep my eye on the european ebays though (i already do but never thought of searching for a oem gt exhaust :doh:)
 
well i only got the centre pipe, which has a pretty heft silencer section so i figured it wouldn't make the car really loud but yeah totally agree, mk1's look weird with an exhaust hanging under the bumper, i really don't like it. I only really bought it as it still looks brand new and was sooooo cheap it would have been rude not too.
 
I would bu I'm thinking of getting this :p
http://www.sportex-exhausts.com/Performance-Exhaust-System-FF2/cat/3/sub/26/subsub/0/product/45

I want to get a proper exhaust, seeing as my current is already started to slowly rust... ALREADY! :bang: never trust cheap universal pieces of poo.

Having to replace my Cat Converter as my one is so clogged up I can hardly get above 60mph (n) so a little addition should make it a bit better, don't want a massive end; I'm going for the 2.5inch, or maybe even 3inch! :p

Started to look at 15" alloys as well but everyting around where I live is only stoopid Corsas! :( will keep my eyes peeled though (y)
 
I would bu I'm thinking of getting this :p
http://www.sportex-exhausts.com/Performance-Exhaust-System-FF2/cat/3/sub/26/subsub/0/product/45

I want to get a proper exhaust, seeing as my current is already started to slowly rust... ALREADY! :bang: never trust cheap universal pieces of poo.

Having to replace my Cat Converter as my one is so clogged up I can hardly get above 60mph (n) so a little addition should make it a bit better, don't want a massive end; I'm going for the 2.5inch, or maybe even 3inch! :p

Started to look at 15" alloys as well but everyting around where I live is only stoopid Corsas! :( will keep my eyes peeled though (y)

Not that I am Mr Punto Parts, but I do have a set of 15" wheels floating around off my old GT if you are interested?

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Obviously you have my email if you want to get in touch!

If you need a new exhaust can't recommend the Cybox exhausts enough off of ebay. This and a clear CAT should give you a decent performance enhancement.
 
Not that I am Mr Punto Parts, but I do have a set of 15" wheels floating around off my old GT if you are interested?

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Obviously you have my email if you want to get in touch!

If you need a new exhaust can't recommend the Cybox exhausts enough off of ebay. This and a clear CAT should give you a decent performance enhancement.
NOT that you are Mr Punto Spares? ;) Then again, for your GT, may I suggest punto_spares on eBay, they're handy, man!

The wheels look nice but I'm looking if I can get a straight fit non-standards, so I can have my 14"s as Winter Wheels and the Non-Standards as summer ones! :yum: Do you reckon I should bother? :confused:

I have your email indeed (y) By the way are you coming to Trax 2013? :D

I looked at Cybox exhausts... they don't really strike me as anything amazing to be honest :/ then again, I haven't heard them! :p Had a look at major brands (skunk2 etc), then looked in my pocket, and realised I can't afford them! Well expensive!
As for decat, doubt it will pas on MOT! Plus, I already got a cat converterm, for £60 may I add! (y)
 
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NOT that you are Mr Punto Spares? ;) Then again, for your GT, may I suggest punto_spares on eBay, they're handy, man!

The wheels look nice but I'm looking if I can get a straight fit non-standards, so I can have my 14"s as Winter Wheels and the Non-Standards as summer ones! :yum: Do you reckon I should bother? :confused:

I have your email indeed (y) By the way are you coming to Trax 2013? :D

I looked at Cybox exhausts... they don't really strike me as anything amazing to be honest :/ then again, I haven't heard them! :p Had a look at major brands (skunk2 etc), then looked in my pocket, and realised I can't afford them! Well expensive!
As for decat, doubt it will pas on MOT! Plus, I already got a cat converterm, for £60 may I add! (y)

I am not sure whether I will be at Trax, it really depends on dates. I am hoping to be at Brooklands though fingers crossed.

Cybox are ex Peco systems. Ran a Peco on my Seicento for years and it sounded fab, good quality too for the price. I didn't rate Sportex as high on the quality side of things! When Peco closed, Cybox purchased all Pecos stocks and tooling.

Sorry I didn't mean Decat, I meant an unblocked standard CAT, I think you are looking for trouble decating any car at the moment with all the VOSA inspections and MOT's! Bit of a faff either way!

You can get 15" non Fiat wheels but depends how much you are prepared to pay! Guess it is all down to a style you like ultimately.
 
I am not sure whether I will be at Trax, it really depends on dates. I am hoping to be at Brooklands though fingers crossed.

Cybox are ex Peco systems. Ran a Peco on my Seicento for years and it sounded fab, good quality too for the price. I didn't rate Sportex as high on the quality side of things! When Peco closed, Cybox purchased all Pecos stocks and tooling.

Sorry I didn't mean Decat, I meant an unblocked standard CAT, I think you are looking for trouble decating any car at the moment with all the VOSA inspections and MOT's! Bit of a faff either way!

You can get 15" non Fiat wheels but depends how much you are prepared to pay! Guess it is all down to a style you like ultimately.
Oh man! :( You have to come! :D Brooklands? :confused: haven't heard anything! Will keep an hear out though! :)

Fair enough, now I'm starting to sway towards a Cybox system (y)

I was gonna say, a decat will not pass an MOT! :p Meh, depends on how I feel, might get it unblocked, might not :yum:

I'm not prepared to spend too much!! PM me the price for those lovely wheels of yours ;) Aha! :D

we're straying a bit off topic here but i can vouch for the quality of cybox exhausts, i also have one on my seicento..

and here is what one sounds like on a punto (courtesy of MadMan0)

Fiat Punto Cybox Exhaust Sound - GoPro Hero2 - Ext Mic - YouTube

Can't listen to yet, I'm at work :p but will do when I get back home! (y)

Now I have two people MAKING me buy a Cybox! ;) Stuff it. I'm gonna buy when I can afford it! After insurance n' shizz! :(

Sorry about all the chit-chat Mr Blu73 ;) Ma bad!
 
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