Interesting post about anti mods! I have to say when I got mine earlier in the year and it had the 17" wheels on it, I was not convinced - before driving it. I actually find them fine, and are great on the roadholding side. In saying that, where I am the roads are excellent with few potholes, and I only use it occasionally. If it was an everyday driver in a city then the 17"s would most likely be horrid.
As for upping the bhp, I can see why some would want to go that route. The B is pretty slow really. Good at the twistys, not so good in a straight line - but if you treat it as an old fashioned style sports car, then it is fabulous. More power just leads to trouble anyway, and who can now afford to fuel something that does sub 30s?
At the end of the day, each to their own. Turbos are intoxicating - having had Thema 16v turbos, and a Kappa Coupe 20vt and a Fiat Coupe 20vt, it is well addictive. Specially when you can play silly buggers with BMWs and the like.
But the B suits its character as is. If you want a 200bhp drop top, get a Honda S2000 or the like.
Finally, the Docs car is a real showpiece. It should be preserved in Fiat's museum!