I have been off line for a few days as I took the plunge and added a partner to my Sport. I bought it off Ebay a few weeks ago and flew out to pick it up in Ancona yesterday.

It is a Supermirafiori 1300TC 1982 - 1 owner from new. The first owner passed away in 1996. His widow could not bear to part with it until this year when it was bought by a classic car dealer. The car was advertised with the words as it left the factory!!

Although this was a slight exaggeration the car is in fantastic condition and drives as close to a new one that you could hope to find at this stage. The car has just 26000kms registered which is just over 15000miles and respesents use of 1000 miles pa while the owner was alive. It is the tightest and sweetest sounding 131 I have ever driven.

I was a bit apprehensive about buying a 1300 when what I wanted was a 2000. Having driven 1200kms since 16.30 yesterday mostly along Autostradas and Autoroutes all my worries are gone! It keeps up with modern motorway traffic with ease and with the flexibility of a 2 litre. Fiat claims a 160km/h max speed and I have seen 175km/h indicated with more to come so the engine appears to be in great health!

Other surprise include how capably it changes lanes at high speed - it gives loads of confidence popping in and out and the biggest surpise of all is how effective the brakes are!! I think I will transfer the entire system to my Sport!?

Electric windows, central locking {no PAS on the 1300], a proper internally adjustable door mirror and effective ventilation - All major improvements on the series 2. This is a serious contender for Italy for 3MA09!!!

I will post some pics soon - Theo:Simon have one on their phones taken in the Alps this morning.

Tomorrow I set off from Auxerres via Paris to Cherbourg to catch the ferry to the Emerald Isle. If Mark and Brendan are around Friday afternoon Ill be paying them a visit!?

Thanks Theo - That explains the lack of reply!!!

Ill try it again in a minute. Jacquie got it OK.

Yes the EU trip is >1700 kms with another 200 in Ireland. As you say though its a good car and I cant think of too many other things Id prefer to be doing!!

congrats on your new car kev,
thats a memorable drive to take as a first spin in her
safe home, keep an eye out for you whizz bye on roscrea bypass
regards gerry

Kev, absolutely fantastic news! I'm glad that it was as good when you got there as was advertised.......well, almost. It would have been a very long wasted journey had it turned out to be a dud

I remember all too well the superb drive-ability of the series 3 Super. They were built for chewing up the miles on the motorways! I had several Series 3 2000TC Supers back from 1987 (XPE613Y, PBL712X) until the mid 90's, and again owned a superficially excellent (but underneath very rusty) example (as pictured with me below) from early 2002 until mid-2003, when like a fool I sold it for buttons (A546GPD). I totally love them. Like you, I'd love to find a straight 2 litre?

I'm very sorry to say that I didn't get your multi-media message on my mobile either.

Have a very safe journey home matey, and I look forward to you posting lots of pics here as soon as possible and telling us the whole story over a pint in the hotel on 3MA08 next weekend