[cue2]

I'm tempted by a Barchetta for a change. Am I barching to think about getting one ?

 

[Gaz]

A Fiat? Not at all, i have thought about one for a while. Pity they are LHD only and insurance is higher than anticipated

Nice little cars

 

[cue2]

Yes, I should check the insurance , but would it qualify as a classic if its 1996 ?

 

[biggreenzebra]

I'd have a Barcha

 

[crazycarb]

I dallied with getting one, but they're left hookers, so I left em alone.

 

[cue2]

I lived with lhd for years after Lancia stopped doing right hand drivers , but not soft tops with the restricted visibility.

 

[Gaz]

Yes, I should check the insurance , but would it qualify as a classic if its 1996 ?

Think it would depend on the ins. co. My Gtv is a 2000 and is on a classic policy

1996 is in with a good shout though

 

[symon]

I have always liked the look of them and have been tempted myself.

Only the LHD put me off really.

The FWD isn't ideal either for a sporty car, but I could have lived with it due to the way it looks.

 

[Keithy]

Am I barching to think about getting one ?

How did you a-riva at that conclusion?

They are lovely, but I couldn't hack switching from lhd to rhd on a regular basis, I'd always be looking for the gearstick in the door pocket

 

[cue2]

We had an RHD Dedra and an lhd Delta HPE at the same time and no problems except the time my wife mistakenly got into one of them on the wrong side and had to pretend she had meant to check out the glovebox contents.

 

[biggreenzebra]

Would defo qualify as a Classic. My Cup which is 2002 is on a Classic car policy.

 

[rixf666]

i've always fancied one of these, they share a lot of components with the fiat punto, so i always wanted to put my gt turbo engine in one.

There are a fair few RHD conversions knocking about.

 

[symon]

I have a buyers guide somewhere in an Auto Italia magazine, and it said that the RHD conversion is pretty difficult to do.

There is a cast beam behing the dash that needs to be extensively modified to get the steering column and pedals to fit.

They also suffer from rust in the floorpan like on a punto, only worse as the roof often leaks and allows water under the carpet.

The good news is that many of them will be summer only toys and therefore shouldn't have this problem...

 

[michaelb]

I have a buyers guide somewhere in an Auto Italia magazine, and it said that the RHD conversion is pretty difficult to do.

I wouldn't bother. I'm right-handed, so prefer changing gear with my right hand anyway. I much prefer LHD motors. Especially ones originally conceived for the LHD market: the mechanical connection to the brake cylinder is usually more direct and the clutch-rest provision is always better.

Go LHD

 

[symon]

I wouldn't bother. I'm right-handed, so prefer changing gear with my right hand anyway. I much prefer LHD motors. Especially ones originally conceived for the LHD market: the mechanical connection to the brake cylinder is usually more direct and the clutch-rest provision is always better.

Go LHD

I can see the benefits because I an right handed also, but a LHD is a PITA when it comes to overtaking.

 

[Grahameo]

A Barchetta in gun metal pearl with ox blood diamond style padded leather interior...mmmmm loverly
One of my favourite 2 seaters.
They always look great on the road.
A hard top for the three not -so -good seasons is a handy investment if you can store it in a garage the summer though.
I honestly don't understand why some people have difficulty with left hookers, the transition between rhd and lhd has never been an issue for me. Neither has been overtaking...

If done correctly and staying well back for maximum forward vision, selecting the right gear and building speed so by the time you are passing you spend less time on the opposite side of the road, then there isn't really an issue.
But so many drivers do tend to like to drive up each other's chuff these days and automatically impede their forward vision then wonder why it takes so long to pass and it's always risky. So I can sort of understand why some people don't like lhd's... It takes a change in driving habits to get the best out of them
Get yourself on an advanced defensive driving course, buy the Barchetta and enjoy its peppy little 1.8
Bring back Tapatalk !!!

 

[mudhut]

They make me happy when I see them and not many cars do that for me. Reason enough to buy one if they do the same to you.

 

[Squadrone Rosso]

Love them

 

[Mitch916]

Next door has a lovely yellow one. I think he's planning on selling it in Europe as he can get a better price. Good looking car.

 

[m.barn]

A Fiat? Not at all, i have thought about one for a while. Pity they are LHD only and insurance is higher than anticipated

Nice little cars

Ive got one, just been using it as daily driver while i waited for new car for 5-6 weeks and LHD is no problem at all, neither is swapping from left to right and auto to manual, just another machine that you get used to operating very quickly.

Surprisingly cheap to insure too, its with flux and around £150 a year on a classic policy limited mileage (quoted £300 every renewal until you go on go compare though:tut

Just check for rust if you go looking at any. Mine is about finished now and will be an ebay project for someone at the end of this summer Been a great car though, 5 years ownership and not a penny spent on it except petrol. A lot i look at are suffering now, mainly floorpans around the mid door point and up inside the wheel arches which is fairly terminal as it means the car will be wet behind the seats area.

If you want a winter project...................