My new 131.....

[kev131]

I'm sitting in my hotel foyer in Caen writing this having driven 900kms today from Zurich where I picked up a series 3 Supermirafiori 2000. This is what I have always been after and have been in negotiations with the seller for over a year. I saw the car last year while looking at a 132 but couldn't agree a deal. Patience won through and we agreed on a price of about 60 % of the original asking price. Plus it's had ?2000 spent on it for preventative maintenance since then so I'm happy with my deal.

It's not perfect and needs some work but it is a very good and solid base to bring it up to standard. It will be a perfect 3ma car once I'm finished with it while keeping my Sport for special occasions. Anyone want a 1600TC?  

It's been a fairly uneventful journey until I got to Paris late into rush hour traffic. Paris has a ring road but anyone who has used this will know the kamikaze motorcyclists who weave in and out of the traffic thinking that having their hazard lights on will grant them immortality and absolution from normal traffic rules! Anyway as the heat rose, the traffic slowed and became more congested, the temp gauge inexorably rose towards the red zone! For some reason the cooling fan didn't want to come on so a dash across 3 lanes of frustrated and impatient drivers while dodging the motorbikes was necessary. A quick stop at a junction allowed things to cool down but then after pulling away it didn't want to continue running whenever the foot was taken off the pedal. Quite a few pedestrians on zebra crossings got a fright as I continually revved the engine. Next the gauges died on me which is the ultimate fear in hot conditions. Amazingly they came and went 2 or 3 times before once back on the Autoroute everything returned to normal. It never failed to start - just kept cutting out when hot! It was a very stressful time trying to practice enough French to avoid being lynched by Paris drivers if I broke down and blocked a main arterial road!  

Owning a 131 is never dull!!!!!!

[mirafioriman]

Looking forward to seeing the pics

If you have a piece of wire or a thick paperclip you can short out the fan switch so the fan runs all the time (assuming the motor is OK)

[c.a.c131]

A 30 year wait for a S3 Super 2000/TC Kev   can't wait to see the photo's of this one   Best of luck with the sale of the S2 1600/TC

[Heini131]

Congratulation again 

On your message i received today i couldt not see anything  don`t know what the problem was but knowing the advert of your car I can`t wait to see your pics
WELL DONE!

[daverwd]

Well done kev ,,
I am sure it's a beauty..
safe journey home ... and get some pic's up for us soon ..

[bellamacchina]

Congratulations Kevin, finally you have it. Great colour and good condition. Now looking for the good grille and lights
Have a good and safe second part of your trip home!

[kev131]

Albert you sound like you know more than I thought you did! I though Heini was the only one to work it out!!!!  

Pics soon and yes I'll be looking for the right lights and grill.

Thanks Dave. Another 131 in Ireland. It'll be sinking under the weight of them soon. Actually on that point has anyone seen the back page of REtro Cars (July issue)? Apparently there will be an Irish 131 article in AUg featuring a known red Abarth from the North and what looks like a well known rally modified Racing (red/yellow) that was for sale for ages.  

[Rob 131]

Kev

I find the Taxis on the Paris Ring Road to be the worst thing 

Another 131, superb.

What happened to the S2 Super. You don't want it anymore. I thought you had garage space for 4 131's.

I bet you'll be having a few pints on the ferry to get over the stress.

[simon131]

Well done Matey!!  You'll never look back.

I got your picture-text. Love the Alpine buildings in the back ground! 

Fiat 131s rarely let you down, and as Dave says, a paperclip and piece of wire usually fix most electrical woes!

I love the excitement of driving an unknown 131 half way across Europe when you've just purchased it. It's rather a Bapitism of Fire, but is certainly the best way to get to know your new ride.

Have a safe and enjoyable journey home. can't wait for the pics and the full story.

[kev131]

Ha  - I'm on my 6th 131 now and every single one has driven differently. I think they must have something in common with women. They all have the same equipment but they all perform differently!!!hope that's not too sexist!  

Just doing a "Theo" and having an afternoon coffee in MacDonalds and availing of their free wifi. Will be checking in at 5pm local time and sailing an hour later. Crossing takes about 17 hours and with a cabin the time goes quite well. My first pint of Guinness in a week will help too.  

Having power steering for the first time is a bit disconcerting. Quite nice around town and not as light as I feared on the highway. The driver's seat is surprisingly supportive, better than the Sport I think and the lower noise levels are very welcome. I measured the first petrol refill and it worked out at around 10 litres for 100 kms. I think that's about 30 mpg in imperial .... take off 10% for the optimistic Fiat speedo and 27mpg for sustained autoroute cruising at an indicated 120 to 130 km/h isn't at all bad.

[Rob 131]

Have a good trip. You can't beat Brittany Ferries.

I recall one mad dash in 2006 to Caen which is in some respects best forgotton

We had sailed into St. Malo and had 2 weeks in the Southern Vendee

We were sailing back from Caen and clueless me didn't really study the map until it was too late thinking it was about the same distance as St. Malo. We were late leaving (the wife) although having a baby and a four year old at the time made it difficult.

When I swung on the motorway to Caen and saw the distance, I panicked. I had recently bought an ex-demo 320iSE and it was now time for it to perform. It did sort of . But nothing like the 330i Sport I had part exchanged it for and with the time I needed 330i Sport Performance .

My baby daughter must have felt the stress and did what babies do best. We had to stop and it was like an F1 stop.

We then did an extra loop of the Caen Ringroad (blame the map reader and the lousy sign) before screeching up to the ferry just before departure. I won't bore you with the rest of the journey, but docking in Portsmouth about 10.00pm and then travelling to Chester was not too much fun

[bellamacchina]

Great Kevin, good you are almost home.

Of course I knew more from Heini but I also knew from you that you looked at a 3rd series Super in Switzerland and they don't stand on every corner..................

Good luck with the car!

I hope you find space and time to save the red 2nd Series too!

[sport fan]

congrats Kevin and the best of luck with the new motor 

[Sev131]

Congrats Kev!

Awaiting pictures.

[rallydiego]

Congarts also from me Kevin !! Great to know you've found one you like !

Dirk