If your favourite colour is Red and you’re looking for an immaculate, piccante, italian spider (but you’re also on a tight budget), well, we’ve got your back! Here’s a stunning Fiat Barchetta, preserved from time in all its 2004 glory. If the devil’s in the details, you still didn’t hear the best part…it only has 25000 km!!
Based around the Fiat Punto underpinning, the Fiat Barchetta is the result of Fiat’s excellent and decorated history with roadsters and small sport cars (you know, the 124 spider, the X1/9 roadster), which came to a halt during the 80s.
The Barchettas came to life during 1995 evoking a boat-based design and were relatively inexpensive little roadsters, cheered by the press and consumers: as very positive reviews never translated into much sales success, barely 58’000 units were left Fiat factories between 1995 and 2005. Though the market showed a small revamp during 2002, 2003 and 2004, the production unfortunately was halted shortly after.
Designed by Andreas Zapatinas and believed to be a Palinuro trim edition, this preserved and second generation Fiat Barchetta comes in (168) Rosso Speed/Corsa paintwork over Pelle Nera Traforata (perforated black leather, code 514). Optionals include single steel exhaust pipe, an increased Carbon Dynamic Airbox by RMC and its original Continental Contisport Outside 195/40R16 for both front and rear.
Being a restyle version, this Barchetta shines great in this prancing version of Red, which matches perfectly with the simple black top that appears to be in fine shape with a crystal-clear plastic rear window. The bodywork appears to be in mint condition, as the light reflects over the rear bumper and the trunk.
All lights, front and rear (including the central one, designed by Peter Fassbender, which distinguishes the Mk I from the Mk II), are reported to be working perfectly, which aligns with the very low mileage the odometer displays. The new 16-inch alloy wheels appear to be also in very good condition, as the tyres that wrap them, which are allegedly in good condition (70%).
Moving in, the interiors include body coloured parts which enrich Fiat’s typical straightforward and easy- going style: the seller reports all gauges and switches work as new, including power windows and CD player. As said, the odometer, as visible through the three-spoke Fiat steering wheel, reads 25,731 km.
Power? It comes from a (also easy-going) DOHC, inline-four, water-cooled Fiat engine, capable of 130 hp and well over 120 lb-ft of torque, which revs up to 7’000 RPM and scratches its legs via a 5-speed transaxle. The underside of this Fiat shows no signs of rust as the owner reports it’s always parked indoors.
Registered in Italy in May 2004, its current and second owner purchased this car in 2021 with a RCA cone-filter and an original single stainless steel exhaust, both installed under previous ownership.
Even if the seller reports the engine needs minor maintenance, the purchase will nevertheless include the car’s stock documentation (user and instruction manuals), a decently-updated service manual, its original pair of keys and the chance to buy a model that keeps on growing in value and popularity over time!
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