RobiNZ Personal Blog

Traffic Light Thought – Extreme precision driving, perhaps not?

Was it a display of extreme precision driving to get so close to a gate post it left a mark on the rear wheel arch, which could be buffed off without damage*, or extreme stupidity to be near it at all?

* It was a fuzzy rough sawn soft pine post with an ample cover of soft timber paint otherwise I fear the result would have been a visit to the beater and sprayer of panels. The brown scrape looked quite bad but came off without leaving a mark on the clear coat!

The FSM Uno on TradeMe!

So I don't have the only Flying Spaghetti Monster touched Fiat in West Auckland!

Learn more about FSM at http://www.venganza.org/ or see my FSM Fiat here

Traffic Light Thought – Robin, it’s not a great name for cars

I knew the Reliant Robin was crap long before Top Gear, Mr Bean & “Only Fools & Horses” mocked it.

I’m no fan of personalised plates* but was depressed to see “R0BIN” on my morning commute yesterday. What sort of exotic vehicle would demand such a fine plate?

A smokey old diesel Isuzu Bighorn.

* But if had $800 to waste there is one still available I would buy. It’s is not related to my name, where I live or the car I drive :)

The Fiat Bravo that speaks Italian thanks to TomTom

The new iOS4 update for TomTom had me delving into the settings to try some new options. I don’t really need navigation around Auckland but usually have the GPS running for speed check (it chimes as you go through the limit + 5%), estimated arrival time and just for fun. That means having the sound on but it gets a bit dull hearing direction instructions to go where I know.

I tried some different voices, the default “Australian” Karen (computer) is quite annoying, and accidentally selected Italian. Since I drive a Fiat it seems both amusing and appropriate that my mundane commute is now directed in Italian. I now take the “Autostrada”, not the Motorway, home and “Alla rotonda prendere la prima uscita” seems more interesting than “At the roundabout take the first exit”.

I wish there was a “computer” text to speech voice for Italian, so it could say street names instead of just turn directions, but TomTom don’t offer that choice in New Zealand (why?).

However, it’s a small price to pay as Chiara’s “Arrivo” sounds so much better than the English “You have reached your destination”…

The other new option I like is a rather "Bravo looking" Grey Hatchback icon for the 3D map view and, not new, a nice green night scheme to match the Bravo dash LCD’s.

Looking Italian, Speaking Italian, Bravo TomTom!

Traffic Light Thought – Follow that Bravo!

Tonight on the way home I had this view of a Bravo. Given I was behind the wheel of mine (below) and they aren’t common in New Zealand it’s a rare pleasure. It was actually GT, without the H which brings an extra cylinder and few more Kw, so no problem keeping up…

Five Minutes on TradeMe could fill a garage (I don't have)

When people ask "What sort of car would you buy if you won Lotto" they are often surprised by my response. A Bambina, a Fiat Coupe, X1/9, a 2CV and more. There are reasons for all of those and just a few minutes on TradeMe NZ presents a wealth of selections. Now I just need the right ticket

Fiat 124 Coupe

Fiat 124 Coupe, originally uploaded by RobiNZ.

Back in the 70's my Aunt had one of these, even this colour, and I vaguely remember going to Tim Bailey's Town & Country cars, which became Continental Cars, with her.

I wonder if that was the start of the "Fiat thing" that still determines what I drive.

(Taken Jan 2010 at the Bruce McLaren Tribute Day, Hampton Downs)

The 1.0 Litre Ferrari - Total Cost of Ownership

It’s often said that running a car is more expensive than public transport. From 1996 – 2008 I travelled 178,000km in the mighty Uno. A few seconds in Quicken revealed how much it cost:

	Sum of Cost	$/Year
Fuel	$12,479.49	$1,039.96
Other Auto (Insurance/WOF etc)	$4,228.31	$352.36
Service (Everything inc tyres)	$13,498.98	$1,124.92
Depreciation	$11,000.00	$916.67
Grand Total	$41,206.78	$3,433.90

It’s about $0.23/km. Almost certainly cheaper than a bus, my work commute was $55/week, plus I could go anywhere – literally to Bluff – when I wanted and it was fun (which buses aren't).

A Fiat Bravo touched by his noodly appendages

Although not exotic I know my Fiat Bravo HGT is relatively rare in New Zealand. Only a few dozen were imported in total, have been told maybe twelve of the Mk2 version I have. However something has happened which I’m almost certain will make it unique.

It has been touched by the noodly appendages of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. It seems fitting to have the Pastafarian emblem on a car made in the land of Pasta: a Fiat Bravo HGT 155 FSM!

The FSM emblems, and other merchandise, are available from Ring Of Fire who now ship outside the US (took less than a week to New Zealand!).

Jalopnik Engine Of The Day: Fiat SOHC

I’ve driven countless kilometres pedalling one of these in a Fiat 128 Bello. The un-bustable 128 engine was one feature that made an old design (‘60s tech that was in production till the late 70s) a pleasure to drive. While there was which was dated by the end of the 128’s long life – with little real development - the engine was still a strength. It outlived the 128 with production in to the current century.

Some might have called it noisy but it was a sound I liked. It was willing to rev and rewarded you doing that with a sporty yowl and reasonable progress. Compare it to the powertrains the likes of Ford, Leyland and GM offered in small cars and you can see why it lasted! While the body of my 128 eventually succumbed to corrosion it’s heart was still strong.

Engine Of The Day: Fiat SOHC - Fiat - Jalopnik

Production of this engine ran from 1969 to 2005.

Bye Bye 1.0 Litre Ferrari

After 13 years  3 months  & 9 days the mighty Uno 45s has gone. It has travelled 247,000km, 192,000 in my hands, but is unlikely to do many more. A recent WOF signalled rust that was un-economic to repair so the time had come to part. However, it has gone to a Fiat fan so bits will survive, to keep other Uno's alive,  or maybe it will be resurrected.

So I'm back to owning just one Fiat, farewell RH!

Tags: uno

Fiat 128 - Celebrating Forty Years of Front Wheel Drive Fiats

Autoblog.it have a tribute to the Fiat 128 celebrating it's launch, forty years ago, in May 1969:

Fiat 128: quarant'anni di trazione anteriore - English Translation

Nel lontano maggio del 1969 debuttò la Fiat 128, la prima vettura a trazione anteriore sviluppata dalla Casa torinese...

This outwardly mundane 3 box saloon was not the first front wheel drive car, by a long way, but was the first to combine all the attributes of a modern FWD car. Before you mention the Mini, I refer you to this L J K  Setright tribute to the Fiat 128. I found it several years ago, while writing an obituary, and he details the innovation and excellence of the 128 as only Setright can;

L J K Setright: Happy birthday to a remarkable, but long-forgotten Fiat

Giacosa saw a need to replace Flat's classic 1100, and decided that it should have front-wheel drive. Under him were three brilliant engineers: Montabone was good at everything, Cordiano likewise, but particularly good at suspension, while Lampredi was the greatest engine-designer of his times. The result promised to be extraordinary....

I owned a '79 128 Special, 1300 four door sedan, and did many happy kilometres in it. When I got mine, secondhand, it was a rather faded orange but I had it re-sprayed to it's original Tangerine glory. It might have been a fairly staid design but in that colour it certainly stood out!

By then the 128 was showing it's age in terms of design and interior styling, both little changed since launch, but the driving experience shamed many more modern cars. The modest tyres and power meant it was not fast in outright terms but wonderful steering, handling and the unbustable engine that revved willingly to the red line (I fitted a rev counter) made it quick. The 128 also donated it's mechanicals to one of my favourite '70's Fiats, the outstanding little X1/9.

There is another 128 connection in my life. A couple of years ago I got in touch with a former Primary School Teacher. A special science project - based on paper aircraft - he let me do as a ten year old was the inspiration for a rather odd, but successful, competition submission. It won me a trip to a conference in Las Vegas. He noticed from my blog that I like Fiats but was surprised, 30 years later, I still remembered his car at the time was, of course, a Fiat 128.

Sadly, like many 70's Fiats, it was ultimately corrosion that ended my 128 ownership. The mechanicals were fine but the tin worm eventually won. It's hard to lay the blame entirely with the Italians as Kiwi Fiats were assembled locally with minimal protection. That was not just a Fiat thing as many locally assembled rusty 70's Toyota, Nissan, Mazda proved. Although the Uno proved to be a worthy successor I was sad to lose the mighty 128.

My Fiats, COTY

OK, so the European Car of the Year has a somewhat dubious history but I found this old feature online and was surprised to have owned nearly all Fiat's winners up to the Bravo. I was only 1 when the 124 was COTY, definitely wasn't driving, and haven't owned a Tipo but other than that...

Continental Car Services say Bye Bye to Fiat & Alfa Romeo

Continental Car Services (CCS) began life back in the 60's as “Town & Country Motors” where mechanic Tim Bailey both fixed & sold cars. They included Fiat and I remember going there as a kid with my Aunt who had 850 and 124 Fiat Coupes in the 70’s, an Uno in the 80's.

CCS became part of the Sime Darby conglomerate who retail a wide variety of brands in NZ. Within a few hundred metres you could see Alfa, Audi, Fiat, Ferrari, Peugeot, Porsche, Maserati and VW vehicles in the CCS stable. It’s like a permanent motor-show with all the cars on sale!

My faithful old Uno 45 came from CCS, my Bravo HGT was originally sold by them although I got it from Precision Motors (part of the same group). For as long as I can remember CCS has been the place to go for Italian, the best, cars.

Therefore, it was very sad to get a letter today announcing from April 1 2009 CCS will no longer be selling Fiat or Alfa Romeo. They will continue to service them but I presume this will close the combined Fiat/Alfa showroom they opened back in 2006. It's a pity to see such a long standing relationship with a quality operation come to an end but they said the small sales volume did not justify the investment required.

I hope Ateco (who represent Fiat, Alfa Romeo & Citroen in NZ) get through this but it's tough times for the whole industry, even tougher for the small brands*. I have heard another, primarily Mitsubishi, dealer will be taking over but as I write there is no news on the Fiat NZ site and I've had no reply to an email sent several days ago. If Ateco read this feel free to respond in the comments.

So long Continental Cars, thanks for the decades of service.

From June 2006 - New Fiat & Alfa Romeo Showroom in Auckland
Continental  Car Services (Auckland) launched a new dedicated Alfa Romeo & Fiat Showroom this weekend...

* For my U.K. and European readers: It may seem strange but in New Zealand Fiat is regarded as a niche, almost prestige, brand rather than the mass market option it is in Europe with sales measured in hundreds according to the latest public registration statistics. The 500 will have bumped that number up this year but even it has been positioned as an expensive small car. Judging by the number I've seen on the road I suspect it hasn't been the boost I'd hoped for Fiat in New Zealand.

Tags: Continental+Car+Services

Traffic Light Thought - It was that Coupe!

When I was looking for a car, I seriously considered getting a metallic green Fiat Coupe, same style as the photo, and it's in front me at the lights right now!

I still like the, penned by Chris Bangle who's now at BMW, style...

The Bravo HGT time warp - from the Web wayback machine

I found this, admittedly PR, description from the Fiat NZ website in 2000 thanks to the Wayback Machine Web Archive.

http://web.archive.org/web/20001204161700/http://www.fiat.co.nz/

FIAT BRAVO HGT GETS LUXURY TOUCH

The hot hatch scene is about to get a luxury shock. While most hot hatches are merely standard hatches with larger engines, the Fiat Bravo HGT features all the bells and whistles you would expect in a luxury car.

Full leather interior, air conditioning, dual and side airbags, power windows, and remote central locking with alarm are all standard on the HGT. But don't make the mistake that the Bravo HGT has gone soft, for between the wider than standard front wheel arches lies the naturally aspirated 2.0 litre 20 valve engine from the Fiat Coupe 20V, introduced in New Zealand in 1997.

Also standard on the Bravo HGT are unique front and rear bumpers, side skirts, 15-inch alloy wheels with 195/55 tyres, up-rated chassis, and sports suspension.

The engine develops a healthy 113kW of power, but it's the five-cylinder layout that gives the Bravo HGT such impressive mid range torque. The run from 0 to 100km/h takes just 8.5 seconds, and - well away from public roads - top speed is 210km/h.

The advantages of the five-cylinder engine include six-cylinder power and response, with 2.0 litre fuel economy. The flexible character of the engine makes the Bravo HGT a comfortable companion trickling through heavy traffic as well as an enthusiastic partner when tacking challenging open road corners.

The engine features variable valve timing on the intake camshaft for a smoother torque curve and counter rotating balancer shaft for extra smooth running.

In line with the extra power available, the uprated brake system includes discs measuring 284mm (ventilated) at the front end, with 240mm (solid) at the rear. Standard ABS is a four-sensor ITT-Teves type, with in-built electronics.

Steering has also received attention, with an increase in servo ratio from 4.2Nm to 5.2Nm, and the Bravo's usual three turns lock to lock has been reduced to 2.9 turns.

In terms of safety, the Bravo HGT is impressively equipped. ABS brakes, dual and side airbags, seatbelt pre-tensioners, side impact beams, anti-submarining seats, controlled deformation cell surrounding a passenger survival cell, and Fiat's fire prevention system (which shuts of fuel supply in the event of an accident) are all standard.

Safety against theft has not been forgotten. In common with all current Fiat models, the HGT is fitted as standard with the Fiat CODE immobiliser, which goes into operation the second the key is removed from the ignition. A code electronically stored in both key and ignition barrel is checked for compatibility. Without the key it is impossible to start the car.

Hotwiring is impossible, unless the thief has the correct electronic combination selected from such a huge number of such combinations that the thief would have better luck winning Lotto and buying a new car instead...

The price of the new Fiat Bravo HGT will be $39,990 plus on road costs. Options will include a CD stacker. The HGT goes on sale towards the end of July.

Note: The photos are mine from 2008!

The HGT vs Ferrari F1...

Fiat Bravo vs. Ferrari 550 Maranello vs. Ferrari F1 (96)

A Queens Birthday present for me

Fiat Bravo HGT 2.0
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

It's a long weekend to celebrate the Queens Birthday but I got myself a present.

In these days of peak oil, downsizing and economy driving I get a car with TWICE the capacity and more than THREE times the HP of it's predecessor....

Mind you since that had only 1.0 litre/45hp it's not so bad. The 1 Litre Ferrari has been replaced by a 2 Litre one... a Fiat Bravo HGT.

There's more photos here

 

 

250,001 km in a Fiat Uno 45S

250,001km in an Uno
Originally uploaded by RobiNZ

I thought I'd blogged this back in January but it seems not.

On January 15, 2008 I stopped in the usual park at work only to notice the odometer had ticked over to 250,001 km.

Maybe I'll make 300,000 km?

 

The Uno lives, another six months...

 It’s the six monthly Warrant Of Fitness, road worthiness inspection, time again. Seems like just last month when I got the last one! Where did the last six months go?

It was quite busy, and a nice day, so I sat outside near where the verdict is delivered. I was actually expecting them to find something and noted other car faults while I waited;

• ABS light on – Well that won’t happen to a non ABS’ed Uno


• Tyre problems – Plenty on the mighty Yokohamas so no worries there


• Jammed or wonky electric window and central locking? – No electric windows, no central locking


• Steering joint – The bushes are a bit creaky but alignment etc seems OK so maybe…


• Rust – H’mmm thats apparent is the bottom of the passenger door but…

Then out it comes, the inspector jumps out checklist in hand… oh dear… then turns and starts scraping off the old WOF sticker!

The Mighty Uno got through with no problems. Barring accidents (or Lotto wins), seems I’ll be pedalling it for another six months…

The Uno lives, will it make 250,000 km? - Progress Report

It’s the six monthly Warrant Of Fitness, road worthiness inspection, time again. Seems like just last month when I got the last one!

Where did the last six months go?

The Mighty Uno, now at 246,508 km, got through with no problems. Barring accidents (or Lotto wins), seems I’ll be pedalling it for another six months…

Is this my next car?

The old battered white Uno is getting near end of days. I kind of feel obliged to get it past 1/4 million Km's but that’s only a few months of city commuting away. Then there is the question of what to replace it with. I have some requirements but finding something that meets them all is a challenge. It must be:

• Fun to drive – Fun to drive is hard quantify. Ever gone the long way home because it’s more fun? Nothing to do with power, even handling, just getting out thinking I wish could do that drive again, now, then doing it.
• Small – I hate big cars and I mean anything bigger than a supermini. Am I the only person to refuse an upgrade to a larger car at the airport rental counter?
• Relatively economical – The Uno has me used to Fifty Dollar fills, every 500km around town.
• A bit more powerful – OK, with only “45 Italian ponies”, probably more like 35 by now, that’s not going to be much of a challenge.
• Safer – State of the art late 70’s safety, again not much challenge to better
• Maybe rattle a bit less – The Mk2 Uno was slightly better than the Mk1 but I know all the interior trim by it’s audio signature…
• Probably Italian – Most would say that’s asking for trouble but my experience has proved they ain't all bad

This car meets the bill, it’s due in New Zealand next year…  Brmm, Brmm

Fiat Grande Punto Abarth Driving Video - Via carscoop.blogspot.com
The 155Hp 1.4-litre turbocharged GTi on a twisty Mediterranean mountain route. Abarth will rollout the Grande Punto in Italy during September 2007 with plans to expand to additional European markets in early 2008.

Fiat Punto Abarth breaks cover - www.fiat.co.nz

After months of eager anticipation, Fiat has released details of the Fiat Punto Abarth, the car that marks the return of one of the industry’s most respected performance badges and is on sale in Italy this month, with New Zealand arrival due in mid-2008.

The Punto Abarth is fitted with a 1.4 turbo petrol engine, delivering 116 kW. Combined with a six-speed manual gearbox, the engine gives the car a top speed of 208 kmh, accelerating from 0-100 km/h in just 8.2 seconds.

The Punto Abarth is not just a high performance small car – it is also safe, and environmentally friendly… (cont)

PS: Is white back in fashion for sporty Fiats?

Tags: Fiat+Grande+Punto+Abarth

Princess Diana and the white Fiat Uno

Yes I do have a white Uno. Yes it does have a few paint chips, dents and dings but they are the result of 245,000 km commuting, stones, errant supermarket trolleys and the like.

This isn’t me!

Owner of white Fiat Uno refuses to give evidence at Diana inquest | the Daily Mail
A key witness to the car crash that claimed the lives of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed has rejected repeated requests from British detectives to give evidence at next month's inquest into their deaths…

Tags: Fiat+Uno, Princess+Diana

The Uno lives, will it make 250,000 km?

When you own a fifteen year old car the six monthly Warrant Of Fitness, road worthiness inspection, means a little apprehension.  Anything major means the sums don’t add as the repairs rapidly exceed the value of the car!

The Mighty Uno, now at 239,950km, got thru it’s 240k service & WOF with nothing more than plugs, oil & filter and a hand-brake adjustment. Barring accidents (or Lotto wins), seems I’ll be pedalling it for another six months at least…

It deserves a present so maybe I’ll fix the recent small windscreen leak properly, taped till now, and maybe even go crazy and fit a seat cover to the rather tired looking drivers seat…

When I got this car it had 1 previous owner and 55,000km on the clock. To date I’ve serviced it as scheduled which has required;

• Scheduled items at recommended intervals;
  • Spark plugs
  • Fluids & Filters
  • Cambelt
  • Brake pads
  • Tyres
• Non-scheduled items;
  • 2 Distributor Cap & Rotor ($45ea)
  • 2 x Vacuum Adv. Unit ($85) (ignition parts seem to kaput about every 80,000 km)
  • Rocker cover gasket ($15)
  • L/H Lower Suspension Arm ($124) – Picked up as “steering play” in WOF inspection but given it was only one side probably my fault…
  • 2 Set front discs ($55/set) & 2 brake hoses ($35)
  • 1 Battery ($90)
  • Alternator belt ($16)
  • Minor Rust Repair to L/H sill ($150)
  • 1 Muffler ($150)
  • 1 Frustrated “Ernst the Bavarian BMW Mechanic” trying to find things to fix (Priceless!)

Everything else is what came out of the factory in Italy. Not bad for close to 250,000km total, 184,950km of my driving. It’s hardly heavy on fuel, about 500km round town on a 31 litre fill ($49) fill, extends to about 600km on the open road …

	L/100 Km	Km/l	Mpg
BEST	5.3	18.9	53.5
AVERAGE	6.5	15.5	43.9
WORST	9.7	10.3	29.2

So much for Fiats being un-reliable & expensive to run…

Tags: Uno