General rot

[gus6]

Are the fiat coupes really bad for rot

 

[maddogmorg]

I'd be surprised if rot is a big issue on coupes, Tipo based cars generally have good rustproofing, though often rear arches are a slight weakspot.

 

[gus6]

thanks for that

 

[Rustbucket]

Check the front of the sills on both sides. There's a rubber blanking plug in the plate at the front. If that falls out the water gets straight into the sill box section. My '96 coupe needed new driver side sill 'cos of this and I saw a '00 na which was a write off (same reason).

 

[davea20vt]

i have seen in depth lots of coupes be it repair or breaking them and i would say no they do not suffer with rust/rot but you may see the odd exception

 

[Rustbucket]

i have seen in depth lots of coupes be it repair or breaking them and i would say no they do not suffer with rust/rot but you may see the odd exception

They do now..cars are a consumer item, designed to wear out and all old cars rust in some form or another...The 20v's are better rot resistant because they were galvanised..and 16v's weren't. Also be aware that early 20's got 16v body shells..and they can rot badly.

One of the things to look at it the underseal breaking away which leaves a water/salt layer between the underseal and the metal. You won't see it unless you go looking.

Like anything old made of metal and used outdoors..it will rust unless you look after it.

 

[cinqysporting]

i was going to ask the question of how to illuminate evidence of corrosion on my passenger sills.They are still solid and there is no way you could push you finger nail through...i`m thinking rotary wire brush back through the underseal and treat accordingly. i`m not sure what to refinish with though...open to suggestions

 

[Steve 75]

They do now..cars are a consumer item, designed to wear out and all old cars rust in some form or another...The 20v's are better rot resistant because they were galvanised..and 16v's weren't. Also be aware that early 20's got 16v body shells..and they can rot badly.

Eh?

All Tipo based cars were galvanised. In fact, pretty much all Fiat Group cars from the Alfa 164 onwards were. Even my Alfa 75 is galvanised - they only rot where the bodykit is attached with rivets.

 

[Rustbucket]

Eh?

All Tipo based cars were galvanised. In fact, pretty much all Fiat Group cars from the Alfa 164 onwards were. Even my Alfa 75 is galvanised - they only rot where the bodykit is attached with rivets.

I'll qualify what I wrote. Agreed all Fiats after Tipo were galvanised but some of the early ones are a **** poor job: very thin zinc..The 16v coupe has suffered badly compared to the 20v on this ( I guarantee Nigel the Coupe Oriface from FCCUK will disagree..rough).

Also any steel car run for over 10 years on the road will summer from holes in the galvanising underneath..stones etc. Untreated rust patches.

 

[maddogmorg]

Tipos were heavier than pretty much all the competing hatchbacks, mostly due to the galvanising, they're not exactly massive in terms of size either. hence why 130bhp cars such as the renault 19 16v were slightly quicker than the 148bhp sedicivalvole. though they still left some weak spots! but most of my car is immaculate without the slightest sign of bubbles in the paint!

Though weren't they built by pininfarina, so possibly differ slightly from fiats such extensive galvanising programme of the time but being built better?

Also Didn't realise that 75s were ever galvanised! so late model Metallic black 75s should stay around mmmmmmmm, i dislike black cars but 75 in metallic black is

 

[Steve 75]

Yes - the 'phase II' cars were galvanised. Pretty sure the switchover came in 1990, usually identified by a grille with colour coded surround, rather than the silver / grey plastic.

It's by no means perfect as a means of protection - but my car is now 18 years old and was only showing rust where the bodykit had been attached - the sills were intact when the kit was stripped off! - I've had one small patch applied on an inner-wing, but other than that it's remarkably solid for an 18 year old car from any manufacturer.

I didn't think you could get one in metallic black - was sure all the black ones were solid black....

 

[NigelO]

I guarantee Nigel the Coupe Oriface from FCCUK will disagree...

thanks for that (I think...)

Not going to disagree though - I've seen some very rusty Coupes, but I'd have to say they are the exception, rather than the rule

My own Coupe has a couple of rust issues - bottom of the rear quarter (not the car's fault, a previous respray left the badges un-sealed, which let water in)

Also, all four of my arches are bubbling, but that's because of the huge mileage.

Finally, the front edge of my bonnet has bubbled, due to the constant stone-chipping

In answer to the OP, no, they don't have a reputation for rust, but they ARE 10+ years old now, so look carefully at anything you're considering as a purchase and take someone with you who knows about Coupes