In my six years of Barchetta ownership I have had all my servicing and repairs carried out by DTR and have never been anything less than satisfied. I've never put it to the test but I have always got the impression that they know more about maintaining Barchettas than any Fiat main dealer or local 'bloke in a shed'.
Unfortunately us Barchetta owners are reaching the point where our cheap, fun run-arounds are becoming old, worn out, money pits (see recent MOT failure thread). One by one we will have to decide whether to scrap, learn how to weld or join the Classic & Thoroughbred Car reading fraternity who lavish ridiculous amounts of money on gorgeous cars just because they love them so much. Spending thousands on an N reg. is a risk and - I hope this isn't news - you won't get it back, but buying a newer Barchetta can also be risky (next time you're in DTR ask to see the W reg Riviera awaiting welding). Who would I trust to help me find a good one? A Barchetta specialist, of course (even one that's a 124/Alfa specialist to boot).
All those lovely old classics you see at shows have been preserved by people with the foresight to recognise a future classic and who have been prepared to spend 'more than the car is worth' on keeping them running.
Ultimately, you pays your money and takes your choice...
PS. Anyone going to Brooklands Auto Italia day?
