richit
New member
It was Mike Brewer! He did a program called ‘Deals on Wheels’ and one week did a bit on buying the Barchetta in another European country with higher taxes and then bringing it to the UK where taxes were lower. I wanted one! I went to my bank manager and he told me to get lost.. A short time after, in 1995, I went to the NEC Motorshow with my wife and brother and saw one ‘in the flesh’ for the first time. Wow! I loved it. It’s flowing lines that extended even into the interior. Brilliant!
It took me another 19 years or more before I finally got one. My son and wife thought they were a bit crap so never really supported me but now my wife loves it.
My car was first registered in Portugal, which is one of the countries Mike Brewer had mentioned as they have very high car taxes, and then was brought straight to Italy. An Italian obviously had the same idea!
It was obvious it had been well maintained, despite the fact it had had 4 owners before me. I paid a lot. Cars aren’t cheap here in Italy and it’s really hard to find any good secondhand cars as Italians only spend money on their cars when the car is broken, and not before. Enthusiast’s cars like this can be an exception though and I managed to find one. It wasn’t the colour I wanted (I wanted red, yellow or orange) but I’m very happy with the blue. It looks great with the silver spoilers and mirrors.
I got the car and found a few small problems, but nothing serious - new thermostat, tyres (the fronts were Chinese!), new radio and some other bits and pieces.
We just did our biggest trip in it as it doesn’t get used much and normally does short trips for work, etc. It was our 24th wedding anniversary. We drove from here (south of Turin) over the Alps through Sestriere, Briancon, which is the highest town in Europe, and down into Provence around Gordes. We did 1,300 km and the car was perfect. OK, it wasn’t far but it is 14 years old and is a FIAT! We were so glad we’d changed the seats to Fiat Coupe seats as it’s now so comfortable, even if it upset the purists. I like a car to be original but I think it should first be practical and usable.
On the Sunday we blasted up and down Mont Ventoux, which was amazing. We bought wine and made friends with the producers in the vineyard where the movie ‘A Good Year’ was made, Avignon and Arles, the lavender fields around Valensole, then along the coast to San Tropez but the traffic was terrible so we headed for a blast over ‘Col de Braus’ to Tende and then Cuneo, the D2004 road, which is amazing.. then home. Tired, a little sunburned and with a very dirty car but it was great fun and we can’t wait for the next trip.
France was great but far too much attitude in the south (we stayed in La Cadiere-d'Azur - the hotel was a joke and the town had nothing..), so much so I would never go again but the Luberon area was great and the people were friendly (can highly recommend this place - Mas Dansavan Chambres d'Hôtes). But we prefer Italy! Next trip - The Dolomites.
So, the best holiday you can have is in a Barchetta. If you’re thinking about France… well, have a think about this area - the Langhe and Monferrato of Piedmont, Italy - same distance from the UK! The landscape - MUCH better, the wine - no comparison and the food.. it’s far superior, and much cheaper ;-)
Now it’s not so hot today so I’m going to give her a clean. She did great and really made the holiday very special. We have a beautiful, comfortable BMW 5 and the trip would have been very nice in it, but not like going in the Barchetta..
(My internet is playing up at the moment so I'll add some photos once it's fixed..)
It took me another 19 years or more before I finally got one. My son and wife thought they were a bit crap so never really supported me but now my wife loves it.
My car was first registered in Portugal, which is one of the countries Mike Brewer had mentioned as they have very high car taxes, and then was brought straight to Italy. An Italian obviously had the same idea!
It was obvious it had been well maintained, despite the fact it had had 4 owners before me. I paid a lot. Cars aren’t cheap here in Italy and it’s really hard to find any good secondhand cars as Italians only spend money on their cars when the car is broken, and not before. Enthusiast’s cars like this can be an exception though and I managed to find one. It wasn’t the colour I wanted (I wanted red, yellow or orange) but I’m very happy with the blue. It looks great with the silver spoilers and mirrors.
I got the car and found a few small problems, but nothing serious - new thermostat, tyres (the fronts were Chinese!), new radio and some other bits and pieces.
We just did our biggest trip in it as it doesn’t get used much and normally does short trips for work, etc. It was our 24th wedding anniversary. We drove from here (south of Turin) over the Alps through Sestriere, Briancon, which is the highest town in Europe, and down into Provence around Gordes. We did 1,300 km and the car was perfect. OK, it wasn’t far but it is 14 years old and is a FIAT! We were so glad we’d changed the seats to Fiat Coupe seats as it’s now so comfortable, even if it upset the purists. I like a car to be original but I think it should first be practical and usable.
On the Sunday we blasted up and down Mont Ventoux, which was amazing. We bought wine and made friends with the producers in the vineyard where the movie ‘A Good Year’ was made, Avignon and Arles, the lavender fields around Valensole, then along the coast to San Tropez but the traffic was terrible so we headed for a blast over ‘Col de Braus’ to Tende and then Cuneo, the D2004 road, which is amazing.. then home. Tired, a little sunburned and with a very dirty car but it was great fun and we can’t wait for the next trip.
France was great but far too much attitude in the south (we stayed in La Cadiere-d'Azur - the hotel was a joke and the town had nothing..), so much so I would never go again but the Luberon area was great and the people were friendly (can highly recommend this place - Mas Dansavan Chambres d'Hôtes). But we prefer Italy! Next trip - The Dolomites.
So, the best holiday you can have is in a Barchetta. If you’re thinking about France… well, have a think about this area - the Langhe and Monferrato of Piedmont, Italy - same distance from the UK! The landscape - MUCH better, the wine - no comparison and the food.. it’s far superior, and much cheaper ;-)
Now it’s not so hot today so I’m going to give her a clean. She did great and really made the holiday very special. We have a beautiful, comfortable BMW 5 and the trip would have been very nice in it, but not like going in the Barchetta..
(My internet is playing up at the moment so I'll add some photos once it's fixed..)
