Even putting to one side the relentless charge towards electrification and the sheer proliferation of EVs currently saturating the market, modern cars are boring. I’ve written as much in a previous blog, and as a lifelong automotive anorak, that makes me sad.
New cars are, without question, safer, cleaner, easier to drive and blessed with more technology and convenience features than ever before. You could certainly make the case that there is no such thing as a ‘bad’ car anymore; rewind to the 90s and 00s and there were plenty of contenders for that badge.
The fact is, though, that when I feel like reading about cars (which is often) I will invariably choose a magazine dedicated to classic cars or modern classics, the latter also known as ‘youngtimers’ across the Atlantic. Not only are these cars more interesting (to me, anyway) but, in the case of those from the Nineties, they take me back to my childhood and ignite fond memories.
I regularly find myself indulging in the wholesomely varied articles of Classic.Retro.Modern magazine, one of the more recent titles to hit the newsstand shelves. It is a superb publication and, reading the November 2021 issue last night (yes, I’m a year late) an article on the Fiat Coupe caught my eye.
The car itself was something of a feast for the senses, what with its uniquely styled body and painted-metal dashboard strip. The Coupe has always been one of my favourite cars, and it was great to garner some additional information and therefore knowledge of the model. Did you know, for example, that the five-cylinder models have a much lower attrition rate than the 16v ‘fours’, owing to their desirability? The model was also styled in-house by none other than Chris Bangle, later of BMW fame (should that be ‘infamy’?).
The Fiat Coupe made use of platform sharing, with its underpinnings taken from the Tipo hatchback, and which would go on to underpin the ‘916’ Alfa Romeo GTV/Spider - another of my favourites. As a result, and despite its front-wheel drive set-up, the Coupe handled very well, with direct steering, strong grip and an adjustable balance. Contemporary road testers even remarked that its tendency to oversteer on a lifted throttle could be unnerving to some drivers, but there was consensus that of all the 90s coupes, the Fiat was by far the most engaging to drive.
The only problem with driving a Fiat Coupe was that you couldn’t see its incredible styling from within. Typically Italian and a feast for the eyes, it was - remains - a car of exceptional attention to detail. Just gawp at those double-bubble headlamps, wheel arch slashes, angular, pronounced haunches and alloy fuel filler cap. Today, amongst a sea of generic, monotone SUV shapes, a Fiat Coupe singles you out as a driver with impeccable taste.
My magazine guide informs me that decent, presentable Coupes are around the £6000-7000 mark, with really good examples edging nearer to ten grand. Projects can be had for around £2000 if you’re feeling brave, and both parts supply and maintenance costs seem reasonable. Go on, drive different…
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