Frenchbob has arrived.....

[Frenchbob]

On this forum, anyway, if never in any other sense.

Hello people. I'm not new to FIATs [ a 132 1800, 2 Unos, 2 Tipos, a Tempra SW, a Coupé and two Marea weekends, the last of which - the fabulous Flying FART, a JTD 110 - I still own]. However, I'm only recently aware of this forum. I have already had reason to be thankful for in the form of abundant and accurate info on changing OHC Panda timing belts [my neighbour's car] from, I think it was, LightweightMick. Thanks, chum. Its Clearly A Good Thing, this.

 

[PandaMark]

Hello A decent list of Fiats there! Glad we could be of assistance (to your neighbour, at least) Do you fancy posting a couple of pics of the Panda (in the Classic Panda section?) In the meantime, hope you continue to enjoy your current Fiat

 

[PuntoSS]

Very collective and intriguing list you have. Glad your neighbour recommended this site to you; you will not go away disappointed, that's for sure! welcome aboard, enjoy your stay!

 

[Frenchbob]

Hello A decent list of Fiats there! Glad we could be of assistance (to your neighbour, at least) Do you fancy posting a couple of pics of the Panda (in the Classic Panda section?) In the meantime, hope you continue to enjoy your current Fiat

Thanks. The Panda is a 750L, well thrashed by my lovely neighbour, Sandrine, and I'm working on it again tomorrow [brakes this time]; I'll take a photo!

 

[Frenchbob]

Very collective and intriguing list you have. Glad your neighbour recommended this site to you; you will not go away disappointed, that's for sure! welcome aboard, enjoy your stay!

Thank'ee kindly!

Actually, I'm an old Italian bike freak, too [the bikes are old and so am I]: two Moto Guzzis are my current passion. However, I'm on the lookout for a modern-ish Lancia or another Marea break with a 2.4 JTD motor to do the between the countries stuff.

Disappointed not, for sure: I recently found out from the tech forum how to unfasten my locked-up tailgate on the Marea [years of abuse come home to roost]: I fixed the latch - dodgy solenoid - with an Opel Corsa oil filter rubber O ring!

 

[scunnyfiat]

Welcome.Mareas are great aint they had a 1.6 sx a few years ago wanted a 2.0 though.Enjoy the forum

 

[Frenchbob]

Welcome.Mareas are great aint they had a 1.6 sx a few years ago wanted a 2.0 though.Enjoy the forum

They are indeed. If I ever have another car half as good as my current JTD, I'll be well pleased: bought new in 2001, thrashed for eight years and 130,000 miles in all weathers from a steady, loaded-up 90 for eight hours on the autoroutes to carting concrete blocks on the bump-stops; a set of rear springs [yes, I regularly overload it and whatever it's towing] two gearbox bearings, a turbo air valve, a cambelt, one windscreen and umpteen tyres later and still doing it! Original exhaust system!!!! I'm obsessive about maintenance but hardly ever wash it, let alone break out the wax polish! Gravel rash? That's why they galvanised them before the painting, isn 't it? It still uses no oil, it's never failed an MOT or a Controle Technique [French MOT] and I've never had an advisory. Quite pleased, really!:worship: