I'm really sorry to hear about this Theresa.

It's always sad to hear about a Coop getting scrapped or even a forum member leaving ownership. But this is extra sad because of how much the Coop means to you and more importantly how much you mean to the Club!

I'll happily chip in towards repairs, but I'm going to wait for Theresa to actually accept the idea first! Which as proccy said, she probably unfortunately won't!

Sorry to hear this T, I could pledge some cash to save another Coupe and hope to put a smile back on your face

Sorry to hear this T I've enjoyed meeting you at Tatton park over the last few years I'm happy to pledge £30 if it's a serious group contribution.
If I was you I'd turn it into a Rat car and then you could say the rust is ment to be there.

I too would be more than happy to pledge a donation to help T save this car.

I did try to pick up the one that sold for spares / repair on here just the other day. I wanted the motor but was hoping the rest would have provided some suitable donor parts for T's car.



Funny you should say that

Very sorry to read about your coupe Theresa.
If you decide to get it fixed up I am happy to give any parts you may need for the project.
For example I have a very decent pair of sub frames here and many many other parts if you want em.
I'm sure I will be in the uk at some point this year so delivery is no problem.

Good luck with it all T.

Bad news. But you've had a good run which is the important part, and in the positive side of things another car could be substantially cheaper to run. I did it when mine needed work and the difference in running costs easily covers what's needed for my coupe.

As others have said, if you decided to keep the car would you make a list of what's needed? I'll happily look though my spares box.

Chin up T, get those creative juices flowing and let's get things back to normal....

Sorry to read of your plight Theresa.
Lots of positive suggestions and good will.
Hopefully collectively we can help.
Happy to add a contribution as well.

Sadly other cars will find themselves in a similar fate (mine included) but I think Theresa is a special case for her extensive club efforts?

Can Theresa perhaps get an estimate of the key work which needs doing (perhaps by a Coupe specialist) and then maybe draw up a plan of attack?

Just waiting for the 'save the sprinty' fund to appear now...

Wow, so many replies - wasn't expecting that!

I have tears in my eyes, but also a smile on my face reading all the good wishes and suggestions, etc

Thanks so much for all your comments, thoughts and suggestions, they are all appreciated.

Especially appreciated is the offers of money to help keep my Coupe on the road
Everyone on here (except proccy ) have been kind to me over the years, but as proccy has said, I'm afraid I can't accept anyone's money to help fix my Coupe although I'm extremely touched and thankful for everyone's offers - thank you

Many people have been in the same situation as me and will be in the future and it's not fair that they won't be offered the same help.

I'll still always stay around here, I love this Club, I still love the Coupe and still love the people on here and the friends I've made through here.

I haven't asked for a price on the welding work as I know it's going to run into 4 figures due to the extent of what's needed.
The garage I take my Coupe to is an Italian car specialist and is where I also worked for 10 years or so and they know their stuff.

I'm also thinking about buying an Alfa 147 2L TS from him that he said I can have cheap, so that may be my next car.
I would rather give my money to him for an Alfa 147, than the same money to a random Ebay or Facebook seller for something like a Ford or Vauxhall, etc.
The 147 which is a car I've always liked and know through working on and driving customers cars I'd love a GTA, but can't stretch to that

I just don't know what to do with my Coupe when the time comes though

I can make room for it on my driveway, but as it'll be outside, it'll become more rusty and damp/mould, etc.
I don't know whether to take all the good bits off, sell them and scrap the car or keep all the bits in the hope I can eventually buy another Coupe or just pay for storage somewhere and keep the car there, intact, in the hope that I'll be able to afford to get the work done one day

Whatever happens, thank you all for your offers of help and kind words

(I may get in touch with the local college though, as I used to go there and know one of the lecturers still there)

I too will pledge £50 to the fund should Theresa accept. As said, this is by no means charity but people helping someone out.

Having met her myself at past meets she is a great woman and it would be good if her coupe could stay on the road for a while longer.

surely if there is forum member close by who knows how to weld, it would be a damn sight cheaper than a italian specialist extortionate costs?

So sad we are all facing the same unfortunately , why so bad from last year though ?

It was bad last year and is just getting worse. I was warned last year and I know it won't pass an MOT this year as it's a massive risk to the testers license.

When I went to the garage a couple of weeks ago, I asked them to check out the extent of the rot just to see if it was worth/if I could afford to get the welding done on it and unfortunately, it needs too much

Reality of the situation has started setting in

If it was just welding underneath, I would think about it, but with the car needing things like a cambelt change, etc., as well as severe lacquer peel on the roof and other damaged exterior paintwork etc, etc., then the costs are mounting up.

It's done 161K and as far as I know, still has the original clutch, etc., so there's other things to consider that might fail and cost me, even if I could afford for all the above to be sorted.

My Coupe owes me nothing and have ran it on a shoestring budget for years and it's been faithful to me (except for a couple of breakdowns lol).

It's the best, newest and nicest car I've ever had and the longest car I've ever owned and my main problem is the thought of letting it go and not being able to drive it anymore

When I went to Spaitalia as a passenger with proccy, I left my car at proccys house, meaning I hadn't driven a Coupe for 3 days.
On the 4th day, proccy said I could drive his Coupe to the track.
Being back behind the wheel of a Coupe was a feeling of love and a 'I've missed you' feeling. Took me by surprise really

I really want to be able to find a cheap Sprinty, so I can swap everything over and make it look like mine, but without all the issues

Not if you keep on top of it every year or two. Only an issue if neglected. These cars need TLC and that costs money. Unfortunately, some owners don't even service the cars properly, nevermind addressing the tin worn issue and think they can drive the car forever and just put petrol in.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-FIAT-COUP...A4AAOSwdU1W9Fri
htp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1999-FIAT-COUPE-20V-TURBO-/262399339882?hash=item3d18382d6a:g:NA4AAOSwdU1W9Fri

Same chap has three Coupés for sale and refers to each as "My" Coupé. I guess he's a bit of a trader. Cars look ok though.

thanks for fixing the link Barmybob

I agree but there are not many coupe owners that say they are not experiencing rust it's a 20yr old fiat unless it's on 40k and kept in a heated garage and never used but what's the point .

sorry to hear the bad news T ..... have you or any club members with influance tried contacting one of the car rescue type of shows.... maybe they could fix it up for you to look after the iconic car and keep the club president running this community.

nothing ventured, nothing gained ?

He is a trader & one who seemingly thinks nothing of misleading people in his ads (I've had 'interaction' with him)

Hmm, his eBay name could be a bit of a giveaway "makaveli878" assuming he can't spell "Machiovelli".

Can't say I would trust this eBay seller. The person who owned that Sprinty has said it had no service history.
He bought it and now claims it has full service history.
There was a list of work this coupe required including welding.....
I would stay well away.

Noooo! This makes me very sad T. Nobody loves their coupe more. You deserve a coupe. I think a nice cheap one will come along and you shall be back in one in no time. I've just bought a house and cannot afford any big bills from my own car or it'll have to be sold/scrapped the first time the MOT man looks at me with that look! There's got to be a sugar daddy multiple coupe owner millionaire reading this? Give this girl what she wants and she'll be putty in your hands forever more
Seriously though, really sorry to hear this. I think you should let us start a fund to get you back on the road. I'm in!

Matt x

Me too.... Disappointed with the car I saw.

Anyway T, I'm also sorry to hear this news. I'd chip in with the rest of the club, and you'd be very welcome, but I understand you aren't comfortable with accepting funds - totally fair enough. If you change your mind though (go on go on) ..... my only condition would be posting regular photos of the repairs.

Anyway, if you go for the alternative, at least you're staying Italian with a 147 !

Good luck with whatever happens.

I'll keep my eye out for a sprinty.

I too am up for chipping in - £30 from this end no problem.

Don't be overwhelmed by everything that needs doing. Every problem is a series is smaller tasks.

If you have the room to keep it- then work on what specifically will fail the MOT. Never mind the belts (at this point) or the cosmetics...

I really do appreciate everyone's offers of money towards costs of repair and am touched by everyone's kindness, but again, I can't accept your offers, although I will accept a pint or two when any of you see me

I don't consider £3,600 odd cheap for another 20VT and if I could afford that, I could afford the repair costs to my Coupe.
I wish I'd bought another Coupe a couple of years ago when they were selling for £1,000/£1,500 ish

If I do end up looking for an alternative car, then yes, I would like it to be Italian
Considering I worked on Italian cars for 10 years or so, you'd think I'd be put off them, but I do have a small amount of love there for them



I've done a bit more to mine than just put petrol in! Issues also arise when the Coupe is your only car, it's your everyday car, when you've got 3 jobs to go to, so no time to take it off the road.

Issues also arise when you've spent years making sure it's undersealed, washed, polished, etc. Years of parking in 2 spaces to protect it and away from the front doors of a supermarket car park but still the lacquer peels off the roof, it still gets knocks and dents from inconsiderate and it still gets vandalised in your works car park None of these issues help






Lol, I was thinking of you and your Sprinty when I said mine will probably end up as a garden ornament

Can you imagine the conversation between me and my sugar daddy multiple coupe owning millionaire Him: I really want *insert own words here* tonight Me: Ok, as long as you pay for the front inner wings of the Coupe to be welded

Cheers though Matt, you can probably imagine my pain and heartbreak about this more than some others.

No funds wanted for my Coupe though, I'd rather everyone spend what they've pledged to keep their own Coupes on the road

Please can I specifically ask that no money/funds are to be set up for me or my Coupe.

As much as I appreciate the offers of help, my reason for posting about my Coupe was to let people know what was happening to my Coupe after years of owning it and being on here.

All I expected was a bit of sympathy from like minded owners, that's all - the rest is down to me to sort out.

Please don't part with your money if requested - I'd rather you use the money for your own Coupes.

Thanks

Really, really gutted to hear about this Theresa I'll keep an eye for a Sprint blue over here for you, you might get one at a good price.

If you do go for the 147, check the oil regularly Mine used to enjoy 1 1/2L between services!

Hi Theresa

Would you consider buying a non-turbo Coupe? You can still find some bargains and they don't cost any more to run than any other car.

Hope you find a solution.

All the best
Annie