1988 Fiat Strada 85 Super

WHO Lee Denton WHAT 1988 Fiat Strada 85 Super MILES 44,000 PROVENANCE Stamped service book MODS None HOW MANY LEFT? 19 (all Strada variants)

HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD IT?

I bought it on eBay unseen in December 2006 for £160. The MoT had run out that May. I wanted a Super as I had owned a few lesser models over the years. Most Strada hype is for the twin-cam models but lesser Stradas are now becoming rarer. I believe only a couple of Supers still exist and mine may be the only one taxed and on the road. I had the car delivered and booked an MoT to see if it was worth restoring. To my surprise it was very sound with no evidence of previous body repairs and only superficial surface rust – and that’s very unusual for a Strada. Even all the electrics worked.

HOW MUCH HISTORY?

The car had only covered 42,000 miles, with history to back it up from receipts and a fully stamped Fiat service book. Even now, it has only covered 44,000 miles.

WHAT’S LEFT TO DO ON IT?

All it needs is a major service as it doesn’t get used a lot. I plan to use it this summer, weather permitting – I’ve rarely taken the car out in the rain. It gets comments wherever I go for the excellent condition and being so rare. I plan to keep my Strada for years as it is almost irreplaceable.

HAS IT BEEN MODIFIED?

The car was originally metallic grey but after finding a brochure on the Strada I decided to change the colour to gold as shown. Most of the work was completed by Easter 2007 including respray, wheels refurbished and new tyres.