I have never owned anything other than Fiats.
My first car was a 1989 Fiat Uno - the only thing I could afford as a newly qualified engineering graduate. It served me well for a couple of years, until I managed to write it off and came all too close to doing the same to myself. Not to be discouraged, I got back behind the wheel in my second car - a 1989 Fiat Uno. That lasted for a few years to be replaced by a 2000 Mk II Punto. Now most people would have said that's enough Fiat for anyone - not me. I'd always loved the Fiat Barchetta, from its sweeping Italian curves down to its beautifully designed pop-out door handles (still can't resist pushing the little button and watching the handle appear). So in 2004, the Punto was joined by a 1998 Fiat Barchetta LE. Surely there can't be any more...
One of the best cars that Fiat ever built in my opinion is the Fiat 500. They forged the way for the small city car with a character and charm all of their own. In 2005, for my 30th birthday, my other half came home and announced that there was a Fiat 500 for sale just up the road from where he worked. Two or three weeks later, the Punto and Barchetta had a smaller older brother in the form of a 1975 Fiat 500R - one of the best birthday presents ever. He was in need of a little care and attention, the usual rust had set in and there were one or two running problems, but nothing that was beyond hope.
For various reasons, it has taken the best part of 6 years to get things together and get the work done, and he now shares his home with the Barchetta and a 2008 500 sport in place of the Punto. He is about to embark on a new life, hopefully an exciting one...
