The first Fiat I drove, back in the late 70s, was a 132. A very rare sight now in New Zealand, anywhere, so had to snap this when I saw one (the white saloon in the background) this morning when I stopped at the pharmacy on the way to work. It was a newer model, but there is no way I'd ever see our family 132 on the road again... Read more →
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The Fiat 500e, but not yet the Abarth 500e, is just being launched in NZ. I got an email invite from Andrew Sims who had the 500e press preview car for test drives today (Sat Feb 11) & tomorrow prior to the Autumn public release. Decided not to waste their (limited) time booking one—as I won't be buying—but was curious to see the 500e in the metal. I typically go for a bike ride on Sunday but with Cyclone Gabrielle approaching, forecast arrival Sunday evening through to Tuesday, Saturday was a better bet. The morning was dedicated to my usual... Read more →
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I have a weekly search running on TradeMe (NZ's local on-line trading site) for "Bravo HGT". Because they are rare here, anywhere, it usually returns only parts common to other Fiat models. Recently something different popped up: Fiat Bravo Brochure 1996 40 pages + gatefolds, superbly illustrated. Covers full range including HGT. Mint condition. I bid, won (of one), and it arrived on Friday. It was as good as described, a nice accessory for the car which it was selling. Read more →
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Cool to read the history of the Fiat 132; our family car when I was a kid and the first Fiat I ever drove. Under the Knife – Don’t mention the War | Driventowrite.com During its thirteen-year lifespan, Fiat’s D-segment saloon went under the knife on four different occasions, with varying degrees of success. The Fiat 132 was launched in 1972 to replace the 125 Berlina... [the article uses the acronym 'DLO' which is car design speak for 'Day Light Opening', or windows...) Although not the purest Fiat experience, thanks to soft suspension and slightly 'woolly' steering, the 1973 Fiat... Read more →
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When AHBART was detailed by Final Touch it included ceramic paint protection. That came with very specific hand wash instructions so, although I never use car washes, when I saw this amusing accessory on an Abarth Group had to get one. Seems appropriate for the car and summarises those car care instructions :) I ordered it a couple of months ago and had almost forgotten when, thanks to COVID-19 mail timelines, it arrived last Friday. It is printed on heavy duty vinyl and Velcro attached; take a look at ridelabelz.nl for details. Read more →
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While Frank Stephenson did design the production new generation Fiat 500 it is a pity he did not mention, credit, Roberto Giollito and his Fiat Trepiùno concept car (below) which served as the inspiration. It was named for a unique 1+2 seat configuration where the front passenger seat could be slid forward, under a recessed dashboard, to create two full size passenger spaces beside the driver. Pity that didn't make production! Still getting a concept to production largely intact, past the bean counter cuts and real-world requirements, is no mean feat. Love watching him draw too. I wondered if he'd... Read more →
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Back in mid-January 2020 Ian (HubNut) Seabrook took my 2001 Fiat Bravo 155HGT for a drive. I'm glad to see the verdict was favourable, even though his drive was hampered by an intermittent sensor problem causing it to feel flat on acceleration. Ian must be stronger than me. He pulled the bonnet release lever out of its pivot, never seen do that before, but clipped back in now! Since this was filmed the air conditioning condenser has been repaired so it's even cooler now. The wobbly throttle sensor was being sorted when the COVID-19 virus lock down closed NZ. I... Read more →
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My Bravo 155 HGT ticked up 255,000km on the way home from work. Read more →
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A recent “Hidden Heroes” article on Honest John got my attention. They think my Fiat Bravo HGT is a future classic and there are only 21 left on the road in the U.K. There were never many HGTs in New Zealand; I was told maybe Thirty total and just a dozen of the later 2001 HGT 155 model I have. According to some recent research (by a fellow Fiat enthusiast) there are now probably only three left on the road. Probably why the 155HGT plate, acquired last January, was still available over a decade after I first considered getting it!... Read more →
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I went for a bike ride after work tonight to try out my “Happy Birthday to me” present which arrived the previous day. It’s an upgrade accessory for my CX/Commute bike, a gorgeous Tailfin Rack and Pannier. The ARC-3 doesn't have rack mounts and although I could, did , use my MTB seat post pannier it was a bit clunky and not really what the frame was designed for. The Tailfin is a light carbon ‘arch’ which mounts, with quick release clips, to an extended axle. A stabilising bar loops around the seat post and two waterproof pannier bags quick... Read more →
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