General Madness returns in the form of the 11th Uno...

[alexGS]

Rear lights special treat for my Turbo

This was an accidental repost of my other thread, so I wanted to delete it, but couldn't. I thought I may as well use it to brag about my new rear lights instead
<<Moderator Jai, feel free to edit title and move to the Styling section >>

These cost a stunning $180 all-in (the shipping from the UK was about the same as my bid on eBay) but they turned up promptly, in perfect condition, and even with the original homologation document (dated '87) in Italian. (For a more exciting way to spend a similar amount of money, see my other thread.)

I splashed out another $20 on some mirror-finish bulbs, which jammed into the holders OK and mean I can run without those orange caps that come with the lenses.

So there you go - clear & red lenses CAN still be bought... assuming I didn't buy the last ones Thanks to Louie Bee for the heads-up that they were for sale. eBay seller was 'paulpts' - seem to be a parts dealer.

-Alex

 

[Jai]

deeply jealous......i covet

 

[alexGS]

deeply jealous......i covet

Hang on - where's my other thread gone?
That was the important one!

It was this one that was supposed to get moved, please

Cheers,
-Alex

 

[Louie Bee]

You got them far too cheep Alex! Well the winning bid was rather low for a brand new set. If only the seller had mentioned the T word in his listing . Glad they got to you in the end.

I'm collecting a set of black top ones in the near future, but I'm not sure if I will stay with the clear top of go black top.

Look good .

 

[alexGS]

You got them far too cheep Alex! Well the winning bid was rather low for a brand new set. If only the seller had mentioned the T word in his listing . Glad they got to you in the end.

Thanks...
And now, ladies and gentlemen, back to the topic of the thread... (my Internet connection messed up and I accidentally created two threads the same)

jjhepburn and I have our 12th Uno!
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Car-parts-accessories/Fiat/auction-153079399.htm

And so, for the price of filling up my 164 with petrol, here is the Uno 45 Petrol Car (as it says)... check out the features...

Red - with flaking clearcoat, glorious bonnet of reptility
Engine - probably the 999cc FIRE
Gearbox - four-speed, maybe
Interior - yes.
Electric Windows, Central Locking, Air Conditioning - all never fitted to this car

We're going to bring it home on a trailer (and this time, a trailer towed by something other than an Uno) to avoid the potential $400 fine and, well, because we're mature and old and don't break the law any more*...



Will the engine start up after sitting for about a year?
Will the gear lever be connected to the gearbox?
Will the doors still have their bottoms?
Will there be a stereo...

Stay tuned for an update in the weekend!

-Alex

*than we have to

 

[Oldschool]

Hang on - where's my other thread gone?
That was the important one!

It was this one that was supposed to get moved, please

Cheers,
-Alex

Jai can't cope with the fact that you have ay white UNO Turbo.

 

[alexGS]

Jai can't cope with the fact that you have ay white UNO Turbo.

Well there's no love lost - I messed up this thread in the first place. There will be a NEW thread when the Red Shed gets here this weekend...!

I've been so excited today, I've hardly got ANY work done since 2PM - ten hours now of anticipation at getting ANOTHER rot-box Uno 45... sad eh!

BTW my Uno Turbo is now a garage queen, like most classic cars, especially as it's almost the winter here and rain = rust.

-Alex

 

[Jai]

why do all red unos have crappy flaky paint

 

[alexGS]

why do all red unos have crappy flaky paint

Because the original red paint fades, and when there is a body repair, paint shops paint over the whole lot with clearcoat to make it nice and shiny and blend in their repair.

These cars never had clearcoat in the first place, so if you're faced with flaky paint, it's always because someone put clear on it to try and make it more durable - at least for a couple of years.

The irony is that the original red paint polishes up so well - Chas knows all about this

Luckily the roof and tailgate appear to be unaffected - the clear will be coming off the other panels and I'll be repainting with plain old 2K paint - the shiny stuff - after I polish up the roof and tailgate to match.

-Alex

 

[Chas Uno]

Alex, congrats on another Uno (mk1 - :woot It looks like the mega base model version - four speed box, non interior adjustable mirrors, one speed wiper (plus intermittent), one speed interior fan, big speedo and little else, no cigarette lighter, non illuminated switch pods etc. etc.

So...

...strip it out and make it a racer

why do all red unos have crappy flaky paint

The irony is that the original red paint polishes up so well - Chas knows all about this

Yup, here's a picture of my 22 year old Uno with original paint. Jai, you're not trying hard enough

 

[alexGS]

Alex, congrats on another Uno (mk1 - :woot It looks like the mega base model version - four speed box, non interior adjustable mirrors, one speed wiper (plus intermittent), one speed interior fan, big speedo and little else, no cigarette lighter, non illuminated switch pods etc. etc.

So...

...strip it out and make it a racer

Cheers!

You're right on all counts but it's not 'only' the base model - I checked an old version of the ePer and I can confirm that this Uno officially has TWO additional items of optional equipment, shown in the screenshot below. And you wondered why I hadn't got any work done today!

Secondly, sorry, wrong again The whole reason for this Uno is because jjhepburn's racer Uno has become too unfriendly as a 'daily driver' - the twin carburettors drink (and evaporate) too much fuel, and the cammed-up engine/clutch/gearbox combo isn't the easiest around town. I don't know how he copes without the sound deadening either... can hear the induction noise from two blocks away...

We're looking forward to the smooth, quiet, reliable simplicity of the 'crap' engine (as Jug called it that time, and you so rightly corrected )

Having said that, we'll be avoiding adding any weight to this Uno - it might get a 70S instrument cluster, it might get central locking (if I'm feeling generous), it will possibly get one of our surplus radio-cassettes, and that will be about it. No extra sound deadening, thick carpet, or luxury Uno 70SL seats!


That paint of yours looks gorgeous and proves my point exactly - but what about the doors, eh? Have you made any friends in a paint shop yet?

-Alex

 

[jjhepburn]

Further to Alex's comments about driving my Uno in traffic

This is a typical description of driving in thick traffic:

• lift revs to approx 3000
• slowly release clutch
• move 3mtrs
• depress clutch
• stop
• lift revs to approx 3000
• slowly release clutch
• move 3mtrs
• depress clutch
• stop
• and repeat x times

Often makes you feel like an old driver who rides the clutch lots, problem is my car has lost (probably too much) power at the low end. So anything under 2500rpm is going to result in bunny hops, or stalling. When the engine is cold its even worse. I'm a school teacher, so having my race car parked in the teacher car park gets some interesting comments, but the bunny hopping or stalling as I leave after school, kinda ruins the picture.

Other problems experienced are:

• getting a bit deaf
• head ache from petrol fumes (only a problem in traffic)
• Amazing full consumption (12 - 14ltrs per 100km, about 20mpg)
• It has a radio, but you cant hear it, or everyone can hear it
• rear beam needs to be re-welded due to too much use on bumpy surfaces like driveways.

I just really liked the idea of a 'run-about' and I really like the 999cc FIRE Uno. My Bravo has blown its head gasket, this is gunna be a HUGE pain to fix. Last time we had an Uno blow a head gasket, we just replaced the engine (it was easier, and cheaper).

My plan is to keep the yellow uno for when I go racing, or just want to have a fun drive, and use the red uno daily. In the short term though, Alex is planning on using the uno while he fixes his Punto, and I need to fix the Bravo and sell the Mini (my Wife doesn't appreciate too many cars).

Of course this all depends on whether the Red Uno is workable (might be totally shot).

 

[SteveNZ]

The carbs arnt right. Fuel economy and driveability should not change that much.