Highlights

Rare, beautifully preserved Japanese import in excellent condition
Only 56,177 km (34,906 miles) from new
Excellent maintenance history with nine documented services
Recently fitted with a new mohair convertible hood
Stored in a heated garage and never driven in the rain
Comprehensive program of precautionary maintenance carried out in readiness for a 2024 summer road trip around Europe
Advisory-free MOT until September 2025

The Appeal

Before the retro-inspired 500, there was the Barchetta. Based on the front-wheel-drive Punto platform, this was Fiat's first foray into cars inspired by its illustrious past. Evoking the flowing lines of '60s Italian roadsters, the Fiat Barchetta was a great success - and it's easy to see why. Just look at it.

This 2005 example is one of the last built. It was supplied to Japan and used very little by all accounts, now showing a mere 56,177 km (34,906 miles) on the clock. It's in exceptional condition for its age, and it only takes one glance at the spotless underside's factory finish to confirm it's spent a life garaged and only driven on Japan's salt-free roads. The vendor does not believe the car has ever undergone any remedial paint work.

Since arrival in the UK, we're informed that it still only ventures out of its heated garage in dry conditions. It comes with an extensive service history and benefits from a new red mohair convertible hood and a retro-style modern DAB/Bluetooth stereo.

The vendor is reluctant to part with the Barchetta, but they only have room for one car in the garage and need the space back. After nearly two and a half years of ownership and a fantastic road trip around Spain and Portugal in the summer of 2024, they've decided it's time to fin the Fiat a new custodian. Since returning from southern Europe 87km (54 miles) ago, the car has had another oil service, a new power steering hose and fresh advisory-free MOT.

History and Paperwork

2005 MY - the final year of Barchetta production
Left-hand drive - as all Barchettas were
56,177km indicated and warranted by the service record
Japanese import with UK registration
The vendor informs us that the Fiat has full service history with nine documented services
MOT until 2nd September 2025
Original book pack included

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The Condition

Highly original inside and out
Recent new mohair hood in red
Factory finish underside with no aftermarket underseal; all looks immaculate with no corrosion apparent
Smart silver paintwork, believed original by the vendor
The bodywork looks very straight and solid with even panel alignment, crisp swage lines and good door fit
All four alloy wheels appear in very good order for the car's age
Original leather interior in very good condition
No heavy wear apparent to the seats, carpets, door trims and controls
Equipped with electric windows, air conditioning, and a retro-styled modern smartphone-compatible hands-free DAB stereo
We're assured that all the cabin electrics are in very good working order

The Mechanics

1.8-litre 16v four-cylinder NA petrol engine
Five-speed manual gearbox
Original tool it present
Recent oil service and new power steering hose post-road trip (within the last 87km/54 miles)

The aforementioned precautionary maintenance before the 2024 summer road trip included:

New timing belt
New tensioner
New idler
New water pump
Antifreeze
New spark plugs
New timing variator
Replace gearbox oil
Replace engine oil
AC re-gas

BEFORE YOU BUY

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