I bought the car from a guy who really loved the Fiat, he bought the car from a deceased estate. It was a one owner car, belonged to a guy who was some 80 years old who obviously kept it always garaged. I think he looked after it really well. It only had 42000 km on the clock. Unfortunately the second owner left out out in the weather, as he couldn't get it running. There were a couple of places where the rust got into it. A set of plugs and points and a new starter motor and the engine was purring at 400 revs. The paintwork was really good, just a few cracks and 2 old repairs - one had a pretty poor job of braising and the inevitable 10kg of bog, which is now all gone. The panels have been hand hammered and properly fixed, and she is rust and bog free. I rust proofed the car. It is 3/4 primered now, new pics when it's gleamy and original.

It's interesting to compare the 73 model with the 75 model. Example: The early car has steel pressings and not plastic on the radiator shroud, plastic fittings round the fuel tank and a few nice touches, stainless trim much nicer, it has proper rounded corners and no plastic bungs. Steel aircleaner instead of a plastic one. Light under the bonnet and a few other nice little details. No radio was ever fitted, original rear vision mirror has survived.

The rear passenger windows with those stupid glued on catches that always break have been repaired and look like it was done at the factory. On further inspection, they are not stainless steel. I am now sure that they have used bit from a quarter light window from a mini minor or some British car, and made a beautiful easy and cheap fix. Will send some closeups of the catches soon. I have to make another pair for my other Fiat, which has the windows glued in!

I have driven it round the block a few times, and it drives like a new car.

It's a true classic - 30 years old :)