A 1995 Fiat Barchetta, eh? I’ve never heard of one – kinda sounds like an appetizer. Anyway, the U.S. was not a target export market, and that may be the primary reason this model is unknown to me. But that’s about to change as we delve into this seemingly unusual model. PRA4SNW found the listing for this Elyria, Ohio, domiciled roadster, and it’s listed here on eBay for a BIN price of $14,950; there’s a make an offer option too.
Assembled in both Maggiora and Mirafiori, Italy, the Barchetta was offered between 1995 and 2005. A single roadster body style was available, and production estimates are believed to be slightly under 60K copies. While the look may initially be unfamiliar, I do see a familial resemblance to the Fiat 124 Spyder. The listing contains many extensive images of this Barchetta, but the descriptive text is light, offering “A nice body, and solid undercarriage..Top is good, but rear plastic window is cracked.” The presentation is sound with a still-deep finish. The rear end treatment with its flush taillights is memorable and is one of this car’s more notable styling cues, while the front clip is reminiscent of Mazda’s Miata – at least to my eyes. Italian sports cars and rust are terms often inextricably linked, but that doesn’t appear to be the case here. There are numerous listing images of this Barchetta’s underside, and it all shows as being very sound. Small? You bet, 2,300 lbs. stretched over a 154″ length while riding on an 89.5″ wheelbase.
The drivetrain configuration consists of a 129 HP, 1.8-liter DOHC, transverse-mounted, in-line four-cylinder engine driving the front wheels via a five-speed manual transaxle. The seller claims, “Mechanically, the car runs and drives good.” The mileage recording of 162 KM translates into 101K miles, so there may be some question as to whether this Barchetta can still pull off its factory-claimed 0-60 MPH time of 8.4 seconds. Nope, it’s not a rocket, but the seller does state, “…fun to drive.”
The interior compartment is about what one would expect to find in a car of this nature. The fabric upholstery is definitely worn-looking, and the driver’s seat will need a redo. The dash and door panels, however, check out as OK. The instrument panel’s large, centrally mounted gauges are still clear and legible. Unsurprisingly, this is a non A/C equipped roadster.
This car’s likely draw is its less-than-common appearance – ideal if you’re looking for something different. Then again, it could be its bane as far as parts sourcing is concerned. So, how about a show of hands, who’s heard of Fiat’s Barchetta?
See them in abundance in Italy, they look really nice in Robin Egg Blue.
I was wondering if these were popular in their home country. That means that parts are probably readily available.
I’ve known of these cars for awhile but still have not seen one in the flesh.
Those are some very honest photos.
Why woud they put the FIAT badge on the trunk lid, off centre?? Cute little car.
I would guess it’s a repaint and they weren’t very careful when replacing it. This car was definitely not babied. It was ‘rode hard and put away wet’ as they say.
Weight distribution?
The round badge was not used in 1995. The badge was a rectangular shape in Blue and white that spelled the word F-I-A-T
the round badge must have been installed later. And not too well. The rear of the blue car shows what they looked like from the factory
A front wheel drive sports car….hummmmm
Not a rarity. Look at the Mercury Capri and the Audi TT
Yikes. Both pretty poor examples, in terms of handling qualities. The obvious benchmark of this era would be the Lotus Elan (M100).
I have and have had 2 Capris and loved both of them.
We have Ornes our Barchetta for 26 years. Funny car and no problems
Wild that it is FWD, as this looks to be first cousin of a Toyota MR2.
Is no one going to mention that Rush wrote a whole song about a ‘Red Barchetta’ in 1980? No nerd points here.
Inspired by ‘A Nice Morning Drive’, by Richard S. Foster.
You are the only one that I’ve seen (other than myself) that references this short story, about an MG.
https://www.mgexp.com/article/a-nice-morning-drive.93
From a better, vanished time…
I am disappointed that I had to scroll this far down. Thought I was going to have to do it myself.
You gotta really squint to see a 124 Spider in this thing. Mercury Capri, yes. 124? Not so much.
nice
I like it! I wouldn’t kick it off my driveway!
Nice looking clean car. Wasn’t noted but it looks like power window buttons on console
Shame about hole in seat and plastic window.
160k miles ? I don’t know.
A few years younger, I’d go look.
Correct on the power windows. In the eBay ad, there are photos of both doors’ inside panels, there are no window cranks.
160K KM.
JO
You are probably correct. That is where Fiat likes to put the controls. Especially in the small cars. That’s where they are in all the models of the 500, including the 500L and 500X
First of all, they are named barchetta with a lower case b. Why? No idea!
I have only driven a barchetta once but it was a memorably fun experience. More fun than the Miata that I currently own. Very light and agile and just a happy little car.
But the price on this one seems outlandish. I’d think that kind of money will get you one of the nicest in the world, and this car isn’t it. Sure it’s rare in the US but not enough to justify such a premium over a Miata or an Alfa Spider.
I get a kick out of barchetta meaning “small boat”.
Correct you are about how the name is spelled. You can see it with the lower case ‘b’ on the glove box door.
My first instinct is to say something derisive about the author’s ‘never heard of it’ shtick (re: a mass-produced car that was contemporary to the existence of the internet, no less), but if it “sounds like an appetizer,” I guess that means they don’t mispronounce “bruschetta” with a soft “ch” like most doofus Americans. So, credit where credit is due???
I’ve never heard of them either Joe, mass produced or not because I’ve never followed Fiat and I wouldn’t want one of these anyway. The “sounds like an appetizer” comment btw was just a play on words.. we “doofus Americans know that Bruschetta is a classic Italian appetizer on this side of the pond, and we also have a sense of humor. How’s that for giving credit where credit is due?
It’s no shtick, why would it be? I’ve never heard of, or seen, a Fiat Barchetta, period! Are you an expert in every auto manufacturer/model ever designed and constructed? There are always a few periodic condescending commenters here who are deluded into thinking every BF writer is supposed to be a consummate authority in all things automotive. It doesn’t work that way. Lighten up!
JO
Right—sorry—neither joke works if you’ve already forgotten that one of these cars was featured on this very site Mar 25 of this year, and if you don’t know how to pronounce “barchetta” in the first place.
It’s a play on words, Joe, a play on words; drop the superiority complex. As for having one featured on March 25th, I didn’t write it, and I can’t seem to figure out how to find enough time to read all 500 posts that we feature every month, all while writing about 20-25 of my own.
JO
So… a play on words that depends on correct pronunciation of two foreign-language words? Totally cool.
But poking fun at the juxtaposition of the author’s highbrow fine-dining foreign-language play on words vs. the author’s claimed unfamiliarity with the actual car? Whoa, whoa, whoa, too erudite for this junior high lunchroom environment; “drop the superiority complex,” nerd!
Duly noted. I’ll make a point to adjust my expectations accordingly next time someone sends me a link to this site.
“Duly noted. I’ll make a point to adjust my expectations accordingly next time someone sends me a link to this site.”
Or just going away would be a good option too.
Thank you,
JO
They were sold here in the UK, but LHD only which was a pain as it didn’t really take off with the likes of MX5 and Z3 floating about. They are lovely little cars …