KEEPERS
Regrets, I’ve had a few... In Richard and Mandy’s case the regret was selling their Fiat, something that took 30 years to remedy
RICHARD AND MANDY NEWLAND, BEDFORDSHIRE
‘I’ve long regretted my decision to sell the lovely Fiat Strada Abarth that my wife Mandy and I had cosseted from when the model was new. So we were astonished that this car, which we spotted at a Mathewsons auction, was almost identical to the one we used to own – although it’s the later series model with fabulous Cromodora wheels. We bid strongly at the sale to make certain that it was ours.
‘The car’s history file revealed that we were the tenth custodian in 35 years, yet it’s been very well cared-for, probably because it’s a rare and special model that always attracted enthusiastic owners. The car has had Ziebart rust protection treatment from new and this was renewed four more times up to 2016 so it had never needed any welding – quite something for an Italian car of this vintage and clearly one reason why it’s survived. ‘Nevertheless, we took it to Abarth specialist Middle Barton Garage for a thorough check-over and service, with the instructions to carry out absolutely anything that they considered it needed to make it one hundred per cent. What they don’t know about Abarths isn’t worth knowing.
‘The previous owner had spared no expense in keeping the car in tip-top shape and Mandy and I are determined to maintain that tradition. Middle Barton Garage confirmed that the interior was correctly re-trimmed to factory finish and that the car had already been stripped and re-built, including recent new discs, dampers, springs, fuel tank and new fuel lines and a re-built engine and ancillaries. In fact, everything needed to bring it back to better than new condition.
‘Middle Barton also attended to a few anachronisms to put the car back to its totally original correct specification and – being just as fussy as my wife and me – replaced a few bits and bobs, such as the breather on the petrol tank. They also spotted and attended to a bit of flexing in the mounting of the re-built carburettors I told you we were fussy! We had asked Middle Barton to pay particular attention to any areas that might have shown even slight rust but they said: “We don’t think there’s a better example anywhere.”
‘You also won’t be surprised to learn that we had the car Ziebarted once more. That’s important because this is no ‘trailer queen’; we use the Abarth as it was intended and it gives us a lot of fun. We’re now looking forward to the Silverstone Festival where we are hoping to form part of The Daily Telegraph’s display of rare survivor cars.’
CLUBS & SPECIALISTS
❚ Abarth Owners’ Club. abarthownersclub.com
❚ Sporting Fiats Club. sfconline.org.uk
