Punto power it’s too late now as I’ve bought it.

[Vince70]

I didn’t need it as I’ve lots of old chod knocking about, but I saw this low mileage beauty on Facebook as I was looking for a cheap car for someone as their first car. 

I couldn’t remember the last time I saw a Mk1 Punto and it’s only done 49000.

It’s clean as a whistle and apart from the short MOT and flat paint plus an oil leak from the camcover gasket it looks spot on.

I picked it up for £450 which in this day and age seems good due to high scrap prices and just wondered if there’s anything to look for on an early Punto.

I wouldn’t mind but I’ve since found out that my other half’s son found a car the other night and doesn’t need a motor now lol.

I guess it will do as my station car now and I think 6 cars is enough lol.

It drives well though and even came with a nice Bluetooth pioneer head unit that’s been professionally plumbed in.

 

[PicantoJon]

That is tidy, well bought that man! 

[chadders]

Our 55SX was a great little car. The only major problem we had was when it overheated in a massive traffic jam on the M1, which is when we found out the electric fan had stopped working.

The door seals used to freeze shut but Gummiplfege fixed that problem otherwise no other issues that I can recall.

[Dobloseven]

Day after Boxing day, went to Drive Vauxhall/MG in Leicester and there was a very tidy white 5 door amongst the used cars. Didn't seem to be for sale though. 

[Zelandeth]

Find some proper wheel trims, give it a good service, get some period looking plates on and give it a polish then enjoy.  As with pretty much all Fiats from this era they are really nice driving little cars and are far more cheerful a way to get around than the specs make them look on paper.

Can't remember if this is late enough to have the red master key needed to program other replacements - if so for goodness sake do not lose it.

[loserone]

Two please 

[Jim Bell]

Nice! £450 seems a fantastic buy. 

[RoverFolkUs]

Another car you just don't see any more.

I'm assuming it's probably got the SPI engine rather than MPI which makes it even more special* 

I can't recall if they're actually non-interference engines but I do remember getting away with a new belt only when they snap on those on more than one occasion. 

Having said that, a belt change is about a half hour job on those things anyway 😅

[RoverFolkUs]

I had one back in the day, was a T-reg in that burnt orange colour. 

Was nice enough, but then it got written off when some twat smashed into it on the street. They managed to impale the A-pillar, which Cat B'd it. Even I was impressed how they managed to do that 😂

[BeEP]

Look for rot working its way down from the top of the inner rear arches.  I enjoyed my slightly earlier 55SX for 18 months until um ... see the preceding sentence!

[Barry Cade]

Great wee cars, used to change a lot of rear arms on them, and saw some overheating issues but otherwise pretty bulletproof.

[Matty]

Had a 60s in that bog door green. They just drive so well for what they are. And I don't think there's many better small petrol than the FIRE

[AnnoyingPentium]

My Granda bought an R-reg 1.2 SX 60 in blue, drove it as a daily and gave it to my Granny after buying a Vectra. By the time it was scrapped by my cousin it was on about 140k.

[Lankytim]

Top buy, it’s even a lovely colour! These were truly disposable cars when they were current and must’ve been scrapped in their droves. I don’t think I’ve seen one in the wild for ages. 

[Amelia]

Ooh, I love it ! Perfect spec too. 😍

I don't think I've ever had a Fiat that hasn't seeped oil from somewhere. 🤣

I'm sure I've heard on these it is a common issue from that gasket and when changing it you have to put some sort of sealant on the end. 

My Seicento always smells a bit oily, but never see any on the floor, so I just ignore it and keep an eye on the levels 🤷

[Spiny Norman]

Well bought! The best looking small hatch of its generation (or possibly any generation), I had a boggo 60S 3 door for a few years and apart from an occasional random clutch judder it was faultless. There's a red one that turns up every few days in our work's car park but I've yet to get a snap of it or speak to the owner.

[Broadsword]

Very nice indeed. Let me know if you shift it on. I need a runabout to get in and out of Cambridge for my new job!

[AnnoyingPentium]

Had to go and dig this photo out. Taken sometime around 2003/04.

If you sell it, can I get behind @Broadsword in the queue, please?

[Barry Cade]

We had a 55SX, picked up from Perth auctions for £200.. Had it 3 years and it never put a foot wrong. Much better car than a Mk2.

[SRi05]

Spirito Di Punto. Haven't seen one of these in the metal in a looooong time. 

[Mrcento]

18 minutes ago, Barry Cade said:

We had a 55SX, picked up from Perth auctions for £200.. Had it 3 years and it never put a foot wrong. Much better car than a Mk2.

The Mk2's are good looking, but agree, they are garbage. Riddled with electrical issues. rot floorpans for fun and the low spec models dash is a piece is shit, like the entire centre console was an afterthought and the design inspiration for it was an egg carton.

[Mrcento]

10 hours ago, Fennec said:

I'm sure I've heard on these it is a common issue from that gasket and when changing it you have to put some sort of sealant on the end.

A little spot on the corners where it goes over the cam. Trick is also to not overtorque the bolts so the gasket doesn't crush.

Done well over 20 of them and never had a rocker cover leak afterwards.

[iainrcz]

I'm in the same Arseface group as you then, I've just seen this this morning. Looks tidy.

I remember a female friend of mine had a red one, well actually it was more chalky pink.

[Volksy]

Nice find.

I used to service these when they were new. They had a recall for the rear subframe bushes (on that mileage, they may not have been done) which is a simple job, as they fit over the top rather than being pressed in.

If it clonks from the back end they need doing. 

 

Noisy gearboxes were their downfall, with them failing at a remarkably young age.  But other than that they were pretty trouble free.

My only gripe was the steering on non PAS ones, they feel as if they have a 27 turns lock to lock. 

 

 

[Vince70]

It’s the first time I’ve had a quick look around of the old girl since getting her and if it wasn’t  so cold today,  I would of given the pink paintwork a compound.

I quickly had a nose under the rear seat and boot floor  and it’s as good as new there, also I spent two minutes rubbing a little compound onto the rear wing and it’s going to come up amazing and found the original dealer plates in the boot with lots of bits and bobs including a nice umbrella just in case it leaks lol.

The interior is like new without any wear but I’m looking for the top vents for mine as these are  snapped plus some original hubcaps.

Also has anyone got any idea what this symbol is, as it looks like it’s been stuck on for years.

At least I don’t have to worry about airbag or abs lights come mot time and it also has no central locking or electric windows to worry about either.

Also the heater is like a furnace and so easy to use and I’m glad the owner who bought it new was tight as it’s pure poverty spec apart from the fancy radio.

 

[Tenmil Socket]

5 minutes ago, Vince70 said:

It’s the first time I’ve had a quick look around of the old girl since getting her and if it wasn’t  so cold today,  I would of given the pink paintwork a compound.

I quickly had a nose under the rear seat and boot floor  and it’s as good as new there, also I spent two minutes rubbing a little compound onto the rear wing and it’s going to come up amazing and found the original dealer plates in the boot with lots of bits and bobs including a nice umbrella just in case it leaks lol.

The interior is like new without any wear but I’m looking for the top vents for mine as these are  snapped plus some original hubcaps.

Also has anyone got any idea what this symbol is, as it looks like it’s been stuck on for years.

At least I don’t have to worry about airbag or abs lights come mot time and it also has no central locking or electric windows to worry about either.

 

The symbol looks like a candle holder.

[SRi05]

Clock instead of a rev counter, back of the net. Looks a sweet little thing 

[Broadsword]

Looks absolutely spot on!

[barefoot]

2 hours ago, Tenmil Socket said:

The symbol looks like a candle holder.

Maserati?

[FakeConcern]