Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Right then forth tme lucky with trying to post this! Thought I'd share with you are story about are 2000 X reg Fiat Fiorino Business 1.7 TD Van. If you don't know what a Fiorino Van is then I'll give you a breif history lession. The Fiorino Vans started off as a small van based upon the Fiat 127. Using the front end of the car and grafting a rasied van body to the back basically. It was made from 1977 to 1988 before being replaced by the new Fiorino van based upon the Fiat Uno MK1. They sold this version in the UK upto 2000 before being replaced by the Fiat Doblo. They are still sold today in Brazil where they are made with a restyled front end and newer engines. My dad brought this van in 2000 brand new for £6,500 for work as a builder. He also had fitted a towbar though hardly used it and carpetd out the back. He fitted some roof bars and tinted the rear glass too. He sold the van to his friend also a builder after 4 and half years with 44,000 miles when he needed a pickup instead who then had it for the last 8 years. He took the millage upto 154,000 and haven't seen it properly in that time but have seen it around and asked my dad fromn time to time how the Fiorino was doing. I had noticed it was starting to look a little tatty over the last few years. My dad had said his friend was looking out for a new van then last week he brought one. A 2007 Fiat Doblo van. So I ask my dad what was happing with the Fiorino Van and he said he would ask. We both said it would be shame to see it get sold on and run into the ground after all it's years of loyal service. So yesterday my dad reclamied it for £54 with tax and mot till May. I haven't seen it myself yet but I know it will need some work to get it looking tidy again as it been well used. Me and my dad haven't decided what we are going to do with it but hopefully we can get it sorted and keep as a bit of are family history and also another Fiat on the road. We will be needing some parts but it will be on a budget though. If anyone can help with the following that would be great. A drivers and passanger front door. As are see through. No longer avalible in the UK new and rustfree secondhand one's are rare. Anyone? A passanger headlight. A set of engine mounts as the originals have had it and been bodged up by being welded up solid. Fiat want £400 A set of rear shoes as the originals have had it! My dad found this out when the van rolled away but thankfully not far and no harm was done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
freebird Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 This is going to need pics!Strange really, Fiat had a piss poor reputation,their cars fell to pieces, rotting out before your eyes, not to mention they had a less than glorfied reputation for reliability.To that end, why did people go out and buy Fiat commercials for their business if there was a reasonable chance that it would let them down?Maybe it was a false and uncalled for reputation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 This is going to need pics!Strange really, Fiat had a piss poor reputation,their cars fell to pieces, rotting out before your eyes, not to mention they had a less than glorfied reputation for reliability.To that end, why did people go out and buy Fiat commercials for their business if there was a reasonable chance that it would let them down?Maybe it was a false and uncalled for reputation? Will get some pictures when I go over in the week and post them up of how it's faired! Well to be honest I think these Fiat vans are no worse than there rivals such as the Ford Escort Van for example with regards to the rust and reliabilty. There 70's and early 80's vehicles gave them a bad rep for rust due to the poor russian steel they used unfortantly. But to be honest having owned Fords, Vauxhalls and Renaults from the 80's and 90's. The Fiat's ive owned of a similar age I've found them to be far better than what people said they were and just as good as they were and as reliable too. The used to be a fair few Fiat Fiorinos around same with the Citroen C15 and Renault Extra Van. As I guess they were cheaper alternatives than a Ford / Vauxhall etc so for self employed folk it offered them a new vehicle for price of used Escort Van etc. My dads Friend has had 3 Fiorino vans including my dads van and none of them have ever broke down or had any major work. Are van still has its original exhaust and suspension and the engine and box have only ever needed basic servicing in 154,000. That speaks for itself in my view about reliabilty issues. My family has also had various Fiats over years as well including Uno's, Punto's and a Strada+Tipo. All been good motors too. So I'd say any negative opions on the reliabilty front etc is uncalled for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 The first picture bellow is very simillar to are Van. Here is a picture of the Pick up version that was avalible too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffgeezer Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I can probably lay my hands on a complete one in red, not sure what sort of price it'd come at though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilko220 Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I remember about five years ago seeing one of these early Fiorino's (like in the picture below) abandoned in a car park near me. Wish I'd done something to rescue it now as they must be as rare as hens' teeth in the UK these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 I can probably lay my hands on a complete one in red, not sure what sort of price it'd come at though! That sounds good depending on price/ distance etc if it's got good panels. If you can find out more that would be appricated then I can talk to my dad and see what he says as he the money man on this one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ruffgeezer Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'll try and get in contact with the owner this week, it's near Peterborough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 I remember about five years ago seeing one of these early Fiorino's (like in the picture below) abandoned in a car park near me. Wish I'd done something to rescue it now as they must be as rare as hens' teeth in the UK these days. Funny enough when I passed my driving test back in 2001 there was a early 127 Fiorino in white abandoned on someones drive about 10 miles away from were I used to live . Always ment to go ask about it but then it dissapeared. Can't remenber apart from that one ever seeing another earlier Fiorino. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 We had a silver on on a X plate (IIRC) at a old job of mine around 2004 time, It was the plumbers van and spent most it's life broken down the the yard, also the local motor factors still have one on a W plate in white but it's REALLY rusty!, Must get a photo of it one day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 I remember about five years ago seeing one of these early Fiorino's (like in the picture below) abandoned in a car park near me. Wish I'd done something to rescue it now as they must be as rare as hens' teeth in the UK these days. Funny enough when I passed my driving test back in 2001 there was a early 127 Fiorino in white abandoned on someones drive about 10 miles away from were I used to live. Always ment to go ask about it but then it dissapeared. Can't remenber apart from that one ever seeing another earlier Fiorino. Don't know if any of these early vans have survived in the UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 I'll try and get in contact with the owner this week, it's near Peterborough. Cheers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 We had a silver on on a X plate (IIRC) at a old job of mine around 2004 time, It was the plumbers van and spent most it's life broken down the the yard, also the local motor factors still have one on a W plate in white but it's REALLY rusty!, Must get a photo of it one day. They did sells these late spec Vans in some metalic colours such as the silver and a light metalic blue. And of course the white. Stright red and navy blue too. A photo of that W reg one sounds good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nigel bickle Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Pickup is on my bucket list. Has been for years. Probably going to stay that way, sadly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 10, 2013 Author Share Posted February 10, 2013 Pickup is on my bucket list. Has been for years. Probably going to stay that way, sadly. There were a couple of Fiorino pickups for sale last year on ebay and they went for pretty decent money too. One went for £750 can't remenber about the other one. You could get a truckmen top I think for them too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quicksilver Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 I sometimes see a blue Fiorino pickup heading out of town on my way to uni, M-reg and in fairly good shape - don't know where it lives and I've never seen it at rest so no photos I'm afraid. Don't think I've seen another for years so it's nice to know one has found a good home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hairymel Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Pickup is on my bucket list. Has been for years. Probably going to stay that way, sadly. guy next to my workshop has one like the white van but a pickup obviously. at least i think it is - its always around and i have never really looked at it drop me a pm if you want me to make inquiries Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warren t claim Posted February 10, 2013 Share Posted February 10, 2013 Where I live on the Wirral there was a notorious murder where the unfortunate victim ran out of fuel in her 127 Fiorino van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trigger Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 A photo of that W reg one sounds good. Here you go. 2000 Fiat Fiorino 1.7TD van in Ipswich by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr uk_senator and Merlin cat 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vin Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 When I was a kid, a family friend had a C reg 127 Fiorino for transporting her St Bernard dog about It had side windows so 'Monty' had a good view of everything... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 11, 2013 Author Share Posted February 11, 2013 A photo of that W reg one sounds good. Here you go. 2000 Fiat Fiorino 1.7TD van in Ipswich by Trigger's Retro Road Tests!, on Flickr Nice one trigger for that. Looks like it could badly do with a wash an polish and a nearside headlight like are van too. Where I live on the Wirral there was a notorious murder where the unfortunate victim ran out of fuel in her 127 Fiorino van. Think I've got a spare fuel can for the back of the van so I should be safe if I run out ? When I was a kid, a family friend had a C reg 127 Fiorino for transporting her St Bernard dog about It had side windows so 'Monty' had a good view of everything... Ramdom story Vin only got a cat myself but I reckon it will approve of the Fiorino as my old cats liked sitting in my Uno when I was trying to clean it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AeroNautiCal Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 They proved quite popular for Motability conversions too, with lowered floor, ramp and huge side windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garycox Posted February 11, 2013 Share Posted February 11, 2013 There's one being broken on Ebay... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Fiorino- ... 1001744870 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micrashed Posted February 14, 2013 Share Posted February 14, 2013 Cough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 17, 2013 Author Share Posted February 17, 2013 There's one being broken on Ebay... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-Fiorino- ... 1001744870 Thanks for that garycox. Had found this already. None of the doors are any good but may ask about the headlight. Had found one breaking on Gumtree but the front doors have been damaged because they lifted it up by the doors. They wanted £20 each for the back doors and £15 for the headlight. Just depends if I can afford a trip to Newcastle to get them though. Will get some more details off them once I've seen my dad and the van itself incase there other parts we need that im not aware of.As still haven't had time to go round an see for myself yet unfortantly. Will get some photo's up when I do of course. They proved quite popular for Motability conversions too, with lowered floor, ramp and huge side windows. They used to be a fair few Motabilty versions around still see a dark blue one from time to time and they do appear on ebay now an again with low millages on them. Cough This picture is fantastic! A rare early Uno shape Fiorino which is clearly a Motabilty conversion that AeroNautiCal mentioned above as well. Got one of them Cheapo Corsa lookalike wheel trims on the back too. We did have a Fiorino Van this shape back in 2000 that we got as a 1St motor for me and my brother to learn to drive in. A bright red F reg 1.3 petrol Van that my use to really fly. But sadly we couldn't get insured on it so sold it to my dads friend untill some tw*t in a bus hit it head on. He is the same person we brought are 2000 Fiorino back off as well. They did do a Cityvan version this shape too which was a similar body style to the Vauxhall Astra mk2 van and Ford Escort Combo van. Basically a panelled estate style van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micrashed Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 The Uno boddied van above has had the Allerdale council stickers removed and is now being used as a delivery van near me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lacquer Peel Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 Fiat Fiorino by zenithfivenine, on Flickr Here's a 127 Fiorino for you. Faker, Dick Longbridge and Sloth in a bowl 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Split_Pin Posted February 17, 2013 Share Posted February 17, 2013 I remember my work had a 127 Fiorino van when I started there in 1995, E817PMS It was pretty shagged out by then so a blue donor van E798MSX that had been in a side smash was purchased for its engine and some panels. The engine only lasted 6 more months before dying of top end failure. I still have the front grille. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnside Posted February 21, 2013 Author Share Posted February 21, 2013 Pictures of are old Fiorino Van at last! Bit more rough round the edges than I expected though. Sorry about me not picturing the other side as was busy helping my dad with somthing else an there were too many other vehicles in the way to get a chance to move it. Sat in it for the 1st time today in 7/8 years a bit werid for me after all this time. Also had someone ruin my year by doing a hit and run on the rear drivers side of my Cavalier today while heading over to my dads so feel a bit happier that I least got some pictures up of the Fiorino after a really crap day despite it's condition. Got the rear brake shoes sorted out ready to fit. An will chase the person up on Gumtree before the weekend about the passanger headlight hopefully. As we need it for the next mot as it worse than the photo makes out an not sure about what we are doing about the panels etc at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Junkman Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Mussolini's revenge is manifold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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