Hi there everyone,
I am a young car enthusiast from New Zealand.
I have joined this forum in that I am interested in two main types of Fiat.. I am interested in purchasing a 1969 Fiat 850. More about the second model soon!
My favourite Italian car outside of the 348 and Gallardo is the Alfa Giula Sprint GT Veloce. It is so beautiful, but (I assume) very rare and thus unobtainable for me at the moment.
Outside of cars, I have interests in music, travel, exercise, and sport.. lots of glorious sport! Rugby, NFL, football, boxing, ufc, to name a few. I am fairly educated in social sciences and take an interest in the likes of history/anthropology/politics. But don't get much time to study that stuff anymore, since most of my time is dedicated to cars or reading business/investment type books.
I have no experience working on vehicles. However, the car I currently own was purchased as something that I can practice working on and learn with. It is a '91 Toyota SW20 MR2 (2000cc naturally aspirated 3S-GE engine, MT). It is a rear wheel drive mid-engined car - I had a small budget and wanted something RWD and that meant my main two options were the mx-5 and mr2. Older BMWs were available but harder to find in manual. It is commonly referred to as a poor man's Ferrari - a moniker I've seen given to my 2nd favourite Fiat, the Fiat Coupe.
Anyway, I am currently torn between building a track car or a beautiful classic. I have done some reading and from what it seems, track cars just seem like a big expense and constant stress and work to get right. I will learn more from others and experience though.
When it comes to a classic, I have no problems learning and rebuilding, even if the body is relatively rusty. I have the time and lack of commitments to do such a thing, the only limiter is money really.
I am currently reading a book on Japanese Classic cars which says "The Datsun 240Z had no competition in the marketplace. Anything in the same price range (MGBs, Opels, Alfa Romeo GTVs, Fiats) had either two fewer cylinders of a live rear axle. And anything with an independent rear or at least six pistons (Jaguars, Corvettes, Mercedes SLs) cost much more".
I'd like to learn more about the 850 Coupe. While writing this I was unable to find out whether or not the Fiat 850 Coupe had a live rear axle or not. I have heard nothing but bad things about the likes of leaf springs and live rear axles. I can live with the 850cc engine, and may explore other options. I have a strong Japanese influenced-taste, and maybe thought of having a rotary in the back of an 850 coupe if I were to own one - however, it'd have to not only look Italian, but also sound like one. It'd have to be free-revving too. And... naturally aspirated (subscribing to the Ferrari philosophy here)
Pic of my car:
I am a young car enthusiast from New Zealand.
I have joined this forum in that I am interested in two main types of Fiat.. I am interested in purchasing a 1969 Fiat 850. More about the second model soon!
My favourite Italian car outside of the 348 and Gallardo is the Alfa Giula Sprint GT Veloce. It is so beautiful, but (I assume) very rare and thus unobtainable for me at the moment.
Outside of cars, I have interests in music, travel, exercise, and sport.. lots of glorious sport! Rugby, NFL, football, boxing, ufc, to name a few. I am fairly educated in social sciences and take an interest in the likes of history/anthropology/politics. But don't get much time to study that stuff anymore, since most of my time is dedicated to cars or reading business/investment type books.
I have no experience working on vehicles. However, the car I currently own was purchased as something that I can practice working on and learn with. It is a '91 Toyota SW20 MR2 (2000cc naturally aspirated 3S-GE engine, MT). It is a rear wheel drive mid-engined car - I had a small budget and wanted something RWD and that meant my main two options were the mx-5 and mr2. Older BMWs were available but harder to find in manual. It is commonly referred to as a poor man's Ferrari - a moniker I've seen given to my 2nd favourite Fiat, the Fiat Coupe.
Anyway, I am currently torn between building a track car or a beautiful classic. I have done some reading and from what it seems, track cars just seem like a big expense and constant stress and work to get right. I will learn more from others and experience though.
When it comes to a classic, I have no problems learning and rebuilding, even if the body is relatively rusty. I have the time and lack of commitments to do such a thing, the only limiter is money really.
I am currently reading a book on Japanese Classic cars which says "The Datsun 240Z had no competition in the marketplace. Anything in the same price range (MGBs, Opels, Alfa Romeo GTVs, Fiats) had either two fewer cylinders of a live rear axle. And anything with an independent rear or at least six pistons (Jaguars, Corvettes, Mercedes SLs) cost much more".
I'd like to learn more about the 850 Coupe. While writing this I was unable to find out whether or not the Fiat 850 Coupe had a live rear axle or not. I have heard nothing but bad things about the likes of leaf springs and live rear axles. I can live with the 850cc engine, and may explore other options. I have a strong Japanese influenced-taste, and maybe thought of having a rotary in the back of an 850 coupe if I were to own one - however, it'd have to not only look Italian, but also sound like one. It'd have to be free-revving too. And... naturally aspirated (subscribing to the Ferrari philosophy here)
Pic of my car:
