Hi, I am new to the forum and wanted to introduce myself.

I am looking to buy a Coupe but looking to rescue something as a project rather than buying something fully sorted.

I know there are a couple of cars in the for sale section but I am looking for something much cheaper and much more in need of some TLC. Obviously on these cars rust is an issue and I am prepared to take on a little light welding/restoration work and paint work but don't want to be chasing rot around something that is only fit for the scrap yard.

I recently went to look at one car presented as having no rust, but the rear jacking points had sizable holes in them. The rest of the sills seemed pretty solid and no rust in the boot. I couldn't see the underside very well because of the trim panels but got my hand in to the rear Eifel towers and one of them crumbled in my hands.
How typical is this for these cars now. What little signs can I look out for to pick a good car from a bad one, without having to take all the trim off the bottom and getting it on a ramp.

Hopefully some of you knowledgeable people can give me some advice.

Hi Andy and welcome to the forum

It's unlikely you will find a project that doesn't involve some welding but you have correctly identified the crucial areas. If you seen an example where the boot seals and sills look good and pass your informed inspection I would say you're doing quite well

You can expect rear and front eiffels to have rusted away but these can be sorted as replacements can be found either here in the UK or from abroad, online. Sills (complete) are unavailable now although there have been refabrications in rare cases (my own for example). Floors too will often need attention, but even though they are spot-welded from factory bear in mind an MoT station may prefer any patch to be seam-welded. Other likely points are in the front wheel-arches, rear-side backing onto the front footwells, where the arch-liner fixing has corroded.

If you don't fancy fabricating new jacking points then that might be part of your restoration you would consider farming out.

Good to hear you intend to save another one though

I think cars fall into 2 categories these days; those that have had restoration or have been maintained, but have the price tag. And then there's the ones that haven't. Some might have a MOT, but no guarantee of rust free.

I think you'll do well to find a truly rust free car. Even the newest is 25 years old. But you also have to remember that the cars had potentially costly issues before rust was really a problem. And now there are bits such as fuel injectors that aren't available new.

Keep looking as there's bound to be a suitable car out there. I'd set your budget for the car + a float for repair + a float for running repair. You might find that equals one of the more expensive cars when you add you time, though.

Welcome to the forum!

If I recall correctly (hey, it's been thirty years!) the coupe was Fiat's first car that was 'completely' zinc passivated as a rust control system. Though for some reason, below the waist line that was on both sides but above that only on the outside. Must have saved a dollar or two on the build cost.

Nonetheless: in 1995 no-one would have expected a Fiat to last thirty years without turning into a collander. Many of them have rust, but it tends to be generally in places where mechanical damage exposes the underlying steel though there are a couple of well-known rust spots: inner wings, eiffel towers, under the PininFarina badge forward of the rear wheels. But my Fiat at thirty years old is in a damn site better shape than my Datsun 240Z was at ten years old...

Neil

Thanks for the welcome and the replies.

The one car I have looked at so far was massively over priced at a dealership.

£2500, but had an obviously dodgy MOT given the rust hole I found in a car that was "free of rust" and an airbag light that he had left on because "we don't switch the warning lights off to hide things"

When I arrived the engine was hot. The cambelt was 8 year old but he insisted that it was only done 10,000 miles ago, he wasn't lying but 10,000 miles ago was 2015. The aircon didn't work despite claiming all the buttons worked, I supposed technically the button worked, just what it controlled didn't.
The clutch was clearly near the end of its life.
The whole car had at some point had a full respray but who ever masked it up had issues telling the difference between rubber and metal as much of the rubber window seals, badges and trims had overspray on them.
I could go on talking about the faults but I would be here all day. needless to say I walked away.

I am keeping an eye out for something preferably Rosso Red and preferably a Turbo with Aircon if anyone sees anything. The issue is with them being so spread out over the country now you can invest a lot of time and money just going to look at a car only to find it's a complete shed. I am moving in the next couple of weeks so not actively looking to make a purchase till thats out of the way, but will start the search again as the winter draws in and people maybe start selling their "summer" cars off.

Pop your request in Coupes Wanted in the Marketplace section of the forum - some sellers might only look there...

I’m currently working on a local chaps car that I think he’s willing to sell at the right price

It’s a late registered moon grey 20vt 6 speed

It’s a nice car, currently in pieces as I’m fitting a new turbo, it’s a bit of a funny car, it had a retro fitted air con setup that I’ve removed but as the bracket on the engine is for the ac compressor I’m having to fit the factory compressor but it as it left the factory without air con it doesn’t have the associated wiring so don’t think it would ever having working air con again, to get it working is beyond my skill set

I’m based 12 miles outside of Norwich, you are welcome to come and have a look whenever you like, it’s in bits as I’m waiting on the turbo, alternator and a few other parts so it doesn’t run but you’re welcome to come and have a look and a chat

Or if you’re keen you can come when it’s up and running

Adam

If you're looking for a project drop me an email as I have quite a few in storage.

f_c_s_s@hotmail.com

Email sent thanks !

Thanks


Aircon really is a must for me. its a shame as a 6 speed is always a bonus.