Barchetta Bonjour

[Alex 2]

Bonjour from the sunny south of France, Barchetta weather !
I'm a very old, new owner of a 1995 yellow car which had not been running since 2015.
Many, many small problems but nothing major at this time, I hope !
New tyres, new alternateur, engine oil, filters, water, cataliser, lamda,spark plugs, soft top, wiper blades, plus a general checkup.
All water hoses will be changed later when I find a source ?
WD40 everywhere, boot and bonnet cables, door hinges, etc etc etc.
MOT test passed OK. Zero faults, zero comments, worth a beer or two I think .
A fantastique car which has just about everything a modern car, 2024, could have, plus road holding as good as a Lotus 7 .
Been there, done that in 1970.
I,m doing all this myself as there is no-one in my area who knows anything about this car.
The very few who worked on a Barchetta are now retired or gone for ever.
I think that we should all pay respect to the coach builders and mechanics that made these outstanding cars way back in the 90's.
I'll be back !

 

[steveras57]

Bonjour from the sunny south of France, Barchetta weather !
I'm a very old, new owner of a 1995 yellow car which had not been running since 2015.
Many, many small problems but nothing major at this time, I hope !
New tyres, new alternateur, engine oil, filters, water, cataliser, lamda,spark plugs, soft top, wiper blades, plus a general checkup.
All water hoses will be changed later when I find a source ?
WD40 everywhere, boot and bonnet cables, door hinges, etc etc etc.
MOT test passed OK. Zero faults, zero comments, worth a beer or two I think .
A fantastique car which has just about everything a modern car, 2024, could have, plus road holding as good as a Lotus 7 .
Been there, done that in 1970.
I,m doing all this myself as there is no-one in my area who knows anything about this car.
The very few who worked on a Barchetta are now retired or gone for ever.
I think that we should all pay respect to the coach builders and mechanics that made these outstanding cars way back in the 90's.
I'll be back !

Smart! and the best colour too -hope it serves you well on those spectacular roads you have there!

 

[Alex 2]

Merci 1000

Smart! and the best colour too -hope it serves you well on those spectacular roads you have there!

 

[Foldsmobile]

Bonjour from the sunny south of France, Barchetta weather !
I'm a very old, new owner of a 1995 yellow car which had not been running since 2015.
Many, many small problems but nothing major at this time, I hope !
New tyres, new alternateur, engine oil, filters, water, cataliser, lamda,spark plugs, soft top, wiper blades, plus a general checkup.
All water hoses will be changed later when I find a source ?
WD40 everywhere, boot and bonnet cables, door hinges, etc etc etc.
MOT test passed OK. Zero faults, zero comments, worth a beer or two I think .
A fantastique car which has just about everything a modern car, 2024, could have, plus road holding as good as a Lotus 7 .
Been there, done that in 1970.
I,m doing all this myself as there is no-one in my area who knows anything about this car.
The very few who worked on a Barchetta are now retired or gone for ever.
I think that we should all pay respect to the coach builders and mechanics that made these outstanding cars way back in the 90's.
I'll be back !

Great car, but see how the luggage rack looks the other way around, please!

 

[kate66]

Bonjour from the sunny south of France, Barchetta weather !
I'm a very old, new owner of a 1995 yellow car which had not been running since 2015.
Many, many small problems but nothing major at this time, I hope !
New tyres, new alternateur, engine oil, filters, water, cataliser, lamda,spark plugs, soft top, wiper blades, plus a general checkup.
All water hoses will be changed later when I find a source ?
WD40 everywhere, boot and bonnet cables, door hinges, etc etc etc.
MOT test passed OK. Zero faults, zero comments, worth a beer or two I think .
A fantastique car which has just about everything a modern car, 2024, could have, plus road holding as good as a Lotus 7 .
Been there, done that in 1970.
I,m doing all this myself as there is no-one in my area who knows anything about this car.
The very few who worked on a Barchetta are now retired or gone for ever.
I think that we should all pay respect to the coach builders and mechanics that made these outstanding cars way back in the 90's.
I'll be back !

Hello, quite agree with you. Here in Rome there are quite a number of car mechanics but the Barchetta always has special needs! As you said for Barchetta repairs older mechanics are good and trustworthy but very difficult to find. Situation is of course better in the north of Italy and.. Germany/Belgium (!!).
Yes, I do pay respect,
My B is a 1995 model, classic blue, 46000 km and in running condition. I've been using it every day for the past month, had nearly forgotten how really wonderful it is to drive but terrible to park since the new giant car models tend to cause a lot of damage, mainly cracked bumpers
Cheers,

 

[Alex 2]

Great car, but see how the luggage rack looks the other way around, please!

Good point. I did a "google image" search for car boot rack and 75% are like mine. Right or wrong ? I don't know, but I always felt that I would fit it so that if/when I roar off into the sunset, the suitcase would not fall off the back of the car.

 

[Alex 2]

Hello, quite agree with you. Here in Rome there are quite a number of car mechanics but the Barchetta always has special needs! As you said for Barchetta repairs older mechanics are good and trustworthy but very difficult to find. Situation is of course better in the north of Italy and.. Germany/Belgium (!!).
Yes, I do pay respect,
My B is a 1995 model, classic blue, 46000 km and in running condition. I've been using it every day for the past month, had nearly forgotten how really wonderful it is to drive but terrible to park since the new giant car models tend to cause a lot of damage, mainly cracked bumpers
Cheers,

Merci 1000.
I have learned that if I do go past other cars on a right turn lane at the lights, I do slowly, headlights on, because the other drivers cannot see me !
A 1995 Barchetta with only 46000 km, hold onto that car 'cause it's worth much more than you would think.

 

[Davefridge]

Good point. I did a "google image" search for car boot rack and 75% are like mine. Right or wrong ? I don't know, but I always felt that I would fit it so that if/when I roar off into the sunset, the suitcase would not fall off the back of the car.

Mine is same way. Looks better in my opinion. The other way round is for skis.

 

[Foldsmobile]

Good point. I did a "google image" search for car boot rack and 75% are like mine. Right or wrong ? I don't know, but I always felt that I would fit it so that if/when I roar off into the sunset, the suitcase would not fall off the back of the car.

It's raised at the front for safety (according to original docs) - you don't want to be decapitated by a loose case!

It's actually very practical for touring (as we have for more than ten years, I've just realised... ) with two leather straps and a bike lock keeping it secure.

As to good looks, here's our B with & without the suitcase -

 

[Alex 2]

Point take. You might be right as I do not wish to be decapitated at any time, suitcase or other. I'm nearly sure that the headrests, wind deflecter might stop whatever, but better safe than sorry or headless.
Just look at that perfect silver grey Barchetta, worth a fortune

 

[steveras57]

Point take. You might be right as I do not wish to be decapitated at any time, suitcase or other. I'm nearly sure that the headrests, wind deflecter might stop whatever, but better safe than sorry or headless.
Just look at that perfect silver grey Barchetta, worth a fortune

yellow ones better!

 

[Patspiercing]

Hi Alex, Congratulations on buying a Barchetta. I am also in South of France, close to Pezenas, and have just brought a 1999 Barchetta in red with 25,000Km on it.
Like you I am finding small jobs that need doing.
We could maybe meet and compare problems and hopefully find solutions to them between us.
We are on holiday until March and so it would need to be after then, but let me know what you think.
Mick

 

[Alex 2]

Bonsoir and a very happy new year from LGM.
We are off to Scottyland at the end of this month and back here from Febuary onwards if I live through the trip !
Getting a Barchetta up to scratch takes time, patence et cash, but it's worth it ! The more I do, the more I learn. I have lots of admiration for the builders of such a clever car. See you in the spring perhaps.

Bonsoir et très bonne année de la LGM. Nous partons pour l'Ecosse à la fin de ce mois et revenons ici à partir de février si je survis au voyage !
Réparer une Barchetta demande du temps, de la patience et de l'argent, mais ça vaut le coup ! Plus je fais, plus j'apprends.
J'ai beaucoup d'admiration pour les constructeurs d'une voiture aussi intelligente. On se retrouve peut-être au printemps. Alex