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General Ritmo Abarth Convertible Renovation

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General Ritmo Abarth Convertible Renovation

Update to follow!

today is the 1 st of April!

Going to start fiiting the interior today.

I've also managed to get some of the badges I've been looking for.

The front grill "Abarth" the tailgate "FIATABARTH" and some smaller abarthbadges for the targabar.

more pics will follow!
 

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Forgot do more updates.

But since it's slowly coming to an end.

I sent the carpet for a good clean.. it was steamcleaned about 4-5 times and vacuumed over and over again.

it's hard getting rid of stuff deep in a carpet which is 26 years old.

but the result is very good! :D
 

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So another day in the garage!

But so far the car is starting to look even better and better.

The interior is slowly coming into place! It's taking it's time.

The carpet and the seatbelt was fitted back, aswell as the backseat.
The problem was actually to get the carpet back into place.
underneath the carpet there are 2 lots of protection rubber seals.
 

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Next was to fit the backseat back again!

I had to remove part of it to get into the sidepanel and the back window.
The mecanism for the window had faded away by rust!

but now it's on it's way to be fixed.


 

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The last thing of today was to fit the headlights & the "Abarth" badge

I had to take the other headlights for this to put on my Delta when I bought that from the UK, in orer to get it thru the MOT & general inspection.

I tried to get another set, it was far more difficult than I expected.
I ended utp buying a set from the German Ritmoclub. Thx Andreas!

As my Ritmo is an Abarth, I wanted it to look like one.
To get the badges for it was also very difficult, but managed to get some sets from a UK based company called Middle Barton Garage.

I order to get it fitted perfect I had to use a piece of metal and bend it behind to get the screws in..

The result I'm very happy with.. looks little bit strange but somewhat aggressive. :D
The Bertone badge is not the same as the 5 strips in the grill by the Fiat, but Bertone made the cabrios.. so it do me! :D
 

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Yet Another day in the garage to work on the car.

I've had a set of Recaros in the attic for a long time.
When I bought this it was fitted with a pair, but one of the seats were torn.
So I decieded to use the ones I had. I fitted them today! looks really good I think, black carpet together with black seats.
The seats have been done before I bought them.


 

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My plan was also to fit the doorsides.
However, it turned out to be harder than I thought.
The left side is not an original, so it was hard to fit it because of that.
The left side is the door we cut the doorframe from and it's a later model so the doorhandle on the inside wouldn't fit.. so I gave up.

but looks well :D

btw.. if there's anyone who's got these doorsides laying around - give me a shout!! I need a new set! but these will do until then!
 

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Been working hard on the interior the last few days to get it ready for the Italiancar meet on the 1 st of May.

The backseat has now been fitted, the rear window aswell.

We've had major problem with one of the windows, first the mecanism for the window were broken, then it wouldn't fit.
It's all done now..
 

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This is the car now, not cleaned but more or less everthing is fitted.

I'm so happy with the result, much better than I thought when we started this over a year ago.

 

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So it has finally happend.

I've replaced the fuelpump, buildt a new exhaustpipe and fitted the plastictrim on the side.

And finally took it out for a spin, only a short one.. but still.. it has been a dream.. something I've been waiting for.. and it was amazing.

Now there's some small things to do.. but in general.. it's out on the streets within a few days! :D

will keep you updated with more pics and what's going on!
 

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The End is near! :D

the car has been out for a spinn.. managed to fit the last pieces missing!

Thanks for the chrome! :D

Also did a good clean.. the only thing missing now is a really good wax & polishing!

Can't believe this is finally happening.. think I will suffer from some kind of withdrawn sympthoms.. (my friend warned me about it) :D LOL
 

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Some more pics..

the weather was perfect for a Cabrio! :D
 

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Last ones with the windows down! :D
 

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As much as I don't particularly like Abarth replicas and conversions, I have to take my hat off to you! This job is so subtile and natural and not just a "badge job", I'm quite impressed.

I/we have a Strada 130TC and a Barchetta, and a rich history of other Fiats both natural performance (e.g. 127 GT, Punto HGT and my track modifie Uno SX) and others like the old Tempra 1.8 twin cam, to mention but a few. Each has a special and natural place that is not easily filled.

Your Abarth Cabrio (even though there was never such a beast in reality) is a real delight to see.

My blessings.......

Nick /////
 
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I never thought I would see another Fiat that would make me jealous after I got my Tipo 16v but you just changed that - I have had two Stradas over the years and would certainly get another one - I have always wanted one of these Cabrios, but just never had the opportunity, and yours is making me salivate like a dog right now! Great job mate - chuffed to bits for you!
 
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