RobiNZ Personal Blog

155, 255 still alive

My Bravo 155 HGT ticked up 255,000km on the way home from work. Read more →

Fiat Bravo HGT heading for classic status?

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 →

A2O Cycle Road Trip 08–Towards Tekapo Cycling

The start of the A2O Cycle Trip proper meant getting rid of AHBART for a week. I’d been offered a free secure park but it was on the opposite side of Christchurch from where I was staying so had an early start. Although Friday, workday for most, there was little traffic between Lincoln and New Brighton at 6:00am! A bonus was watching the dramatic sunrise and, ominous, clouds. It’s a small group, mostly returning clients, former staff/founder and friends using the last advertised A2O trip slot on Adventure South’s calendar. After a couple of rendezvous, at the Adventure South Depot... Read more →

AHBART 156k

What is it about round numbers? Glanced down just as AHBART rolled over 156,000km on the way to work yesterday, but pulled over to take the photo! Read more →

From no Abarth to an AHBART–My Abarth 500 Esseesse

It all started with an email. A running TradeMe search for “Fiat” turned up this listing which got me thinking about a way not to replace the Fiat Bravo HGT which is my daily drive. I should also credit, blame, Sam “Seen Through Glass” whose numerous Abarth YouTubes. many I (re)watched over Christmas/New Year, contributed to the Abarth being on my radar again. Love the Bravo, but time for a change? I’ve owned this 2001 car since 2008 and it has 252,000km on the clock. Although reasonably reliable minor mechanical problems can cost a lot to fix thanks to next... Read more →

Happy Abarthday Tailfin me!

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 →

Agnelli, the man, the documentary

Found this HBO documentary about Gianni Agnelli on Sky NZ while grazing the Soho schedule a couple of weeks ago. Recorded it, just got around to watching it, and so glad I did. While the Agnelli FIAT connection got my attention this was very much about the man, the family, their impact on Italy and its place in the world, rather than a dry profile of a business man or car company history. Beautifully shot, a mixture of modern interviews and archive family footage, in stunning locations (many their homes!) it is a wonderful, and honest, portrayal. They didn't skip... Read more →

Fiat 132: rare then, rarer now

Seeing a green Fiat 132 in this Telegraph article reminded me of the first Fiat I drove. Although a slightly earlier model (and GL not GLS) our ‘family car’ was similarly rare, but not exotic, car in New Zealand. Although cheap to medium priced mass market cars in Europe Fiat in NZ were comparatively rare and even a bit ‘premium’. UK’s rarest cars: 1976 Fiat 132, one of only two left - www.telegraph.co.uk 1973 Fiat 132 1600 GL. It had a both unfortunate demise as it was parked when a ‘stolen’ bus totalled it. I say ‘stolen’ because it was... Read more →

In defence of the 308 GT4, in Car

I just started reading the April Issue of Car Magazine U.K. but had already seen one Letter to the Editor :) From: Robin Capper Sent: Monday, 29 January 2018 13:23 To: car@bauermedia.co.uk Subject: In defence of the 308 GT4 Hi, Awesome ‘Ferrari at 70’ issue except... You call the Bertone 308 GT4 ugly and show the worst (US spec?) colour scheme I have seen on one. The follow-up Pininfarina 308 GTB/S were beautiful but they didn’t have to package 2+2 seats and a mid-mounted V8. Over the page there’s no comment on the crude styling of their attempt, the Mondial.... Read more →

A cheap easy Fiat fix!

The interior ventilation fan on the mighty Bravo started making an annoying noise - tick, tick, tick – then stopped entirely. Given it runs almost all the time, not much airflow without it, I guess 16 years spinning had taken its toll. I imagined you’d need to pull the dashboard out or something horrific to replace but not at all. It is easily accessed from the passenger foot-well, literally one screw and a very affordable new replacement from fiatparts.co.nz installed in minutes. Who said European cars are expensive and difficult to work on… Read more →