Introduction
Wait, let me just type that out again-
MY Tipo 2.0 i.e Sedicivalvole
I can’t quite believe it, as I have been obsessed with these since I was about 10 years old.
Let’s get the headlines out of the way-
89,500 miles, MOT until April, expensive tax compared to the Punto, fantastic noise- January 1993 so ULEZ complaint up here in Scotland.
This was on eBay watchlist for a wee while and I kept getting emails suggesting the seller was accepting offers, so after a few messages were exchanged it was bought. I got it far cheaper than it was originally listed for, and he was happy it was going to someone who is going to look after it.
It was picked up from derby 8am yesterday and delivered to me in Dundee at 5:45 last night. Poor driver’s water pump expired on his transit recovery truck so he had to change it in euro car parts car park in the snow. He had a bit of a bad day.
So the car- it’s fine. It’s in no way perfect as you would expect from a 32 year old Fiat with 11 owners, and there are quite a few jobs to do, but this is my forever car and I have plenty time to sort everything.
I gave it a very quick wash today as it was covered in salt from the journey up. There are a few little marks, and a bit of rust at the bottom of the quarter light windows on the back doors but all Tipo’s do that. It has been painted before and could benefit from a good deep polish which I will do, and have the bumpers a quick going over with owatrol, but will go over them again to bring them up.
Good bits- it’s been lowered around 30mm and drives very good, sits lovely too. It also has the standard, very valuable alloys which are in good condition for diamond cut wheels, with brand spanking new kumho’s.
Once it’s warm, it drives brilliant, and sounds awesome. It’s surprisingly quick- much faster feeling than my xc40 which is also a 2.0 with 150bhp, but in turbo diesel form.
It has also come with genuine Tipo Abarth accessory mats, and a stoplock.
The headlight wipers work, they are very random but they do work but are missing try the piping for the fluid, and the electric sunroof works too.
Bad bits- it really doesn’t like to idle when cold. It keeps cutting out. The window regulator on the passenger door is broken but the seller kindly provided 2 replacements. The headlining is manky, there is no radio and the wires have been chopped by some chimp, and the custom stainless exhaust is on the wonk so that’ll need straightened out.
The red stripes around the bumpers and skirts have shrunk a bit so need replacing at some point too.
Also someone has in the past put a bit spoiler onto it (which I don’t think does anything for it and ruins the back profile) and have fitted it by screwing into the window rubber.
There are a few electrical issues with things that don’t quite work but will work through fuses and bulbs over the winter. (The rear indicators are very dim I think so bad earth maybe?)
The Fiat badge on the front grille has been changed to black so will be going back chrome, and there are a few stickers/ badges dotted around that look ****.
The biggest problem by far however is that it’s too old to be listed on fiats system for parts numbers. I used to work for Fiat and asked ex colleagues to have a look at the history and nothing comes up for type 160 tipo’s anymore. Replacement parts will be like hens teeth too, so getting this into the same shape as my Punto is, will be a long, stressful and expensive road.
But how many people can say that have bought their dream car (I know it’s just an old tipo but I’m not wired up right obviously)
It’ll basically be going back to standard, except the suspension and exhaust, and if I get it anywhere near the condition of the Punto I’ll be a happy man. At least I own one now.
Talking of the Punto, that’s in storage now and unfortunately it has to go, so that will be up for sale soon
If anyone wants it, message me.
Thanks
Simon
MY Tipo 2.0 i.e Sedicivalvole
I can’t quite believe it, as I have been obsessed with these since I was about 10 years old.
Let’s get the headlines out of the way-
89,500 miles, MOT until April, expensive tax compared to the Punto, fantastic noise- January 1993 so ULEZ complaint up here in Scotland.
This was on eBay watchlist for a wee while and I kept getting emails suggesting the seller was accepting offers, so after a few messages were exchanged it was bought. I got it far cheaper than it was originally listed for, and he was happy it was going to someone who is going to look after it.
It was picked up from derby 8am yesterday and delivered to me in Dundee at 5:45 last night. Poor driver’s water pump expired on his transit recovery truck so he had to change it in euro car parts car park in the snow. He had a bit of a bad day.
So the car- it’s fine. It’s in no way perfect as you would expect from a 32 year old Fiat with 11 owners, and there are quite a few jobs to do, but this is my forever car and I have plenty time to sort everything.
I gave it a very quick wash today as it was covered in salt from the journey up. There are a few little marks, and a bit of rust at the bottom of the quarter light windows on the back doors but all Tipo’s do that. It has been painted before and could benefit from a good deep polish which I will do, and have the bumpers a quick going over with owatrol, but will go over them again to bring them up.
Good bits- it’s been lowered around 30mm and drives very good, sits lovely too. It also has the standard, very valuable alloys which are in good condition for diamond cut wheels, with brand spanking new kumho’s.
Once it’s warm, it drives brilliant, and sounds awesome. It’s surprisingly quick- much faster feeling than my xc40 which is also a 2.0 with 150bhp, but in turbo diesel form.
It has also come with genuine Tipo Abarth accessory mats, and a stoplock.
The headlight wipers work, they are very random but they do work but are missing try the piping for the fluid, and the electric sunroof works too.
Bad bits- it really doesn’t like to idle when cold. It keeps cutting out. The window regulator on the passenger door is broken but the seller kindly provided 2 replacements. The headlining is manky, there is no radio and the wires have been chopped by some chimp, and the custom stainless exhaust is on the wonk so that’ll need straightened out.
The red stripes around the bumpers and skirts have shrunk a bit so need replacing at some point too.
Also someone has in the past put a bit spoiler onto it (which I don’t think does anything for it and ruins the back profile) and have fitted it by screwing into the window rubber.
There are a few electrical issues with things that don’t quite work but will work through fuses and bulbs over the winter. (The rear indicators are very dim I think so bad earth maybe?)
The Fiat badge on the front grille has been changed to black so will be going back chrome, and there are a few stickers/ badges dotted around that look ****.
The biggest problem by far however is that it’s too old to be listed on fiats system for parts numbers. I used to work for Fiat and asked ex colleagues to have a look at the history and nothing comes up for type 160 tipo’s anymore. Replacement parts will be like hens teeth too, so getting this into the same shape as my Punto is, will be a long, stressful and expensive road.
But how many people can say that have bought their dream car (I know it’s just an old tipo but I’m not wired up right obviously)
It’ll basically be going back to standard, except the suspension and exhaust, and if I get it anywhere near the condition of the Punto I’ll be a happy man. At least I own one now.
Talking of the Punto, that’s in storage now and unfortunately it has to go, so that will be up for sale soon
If anyone wants it, message me.
Thanks
Simon
and I’d rather have a standard exhaust on it as I’d like it quiet. For now all I can find is a middle section so the stainless back box will have to stay for now.
