Buckley’s deals on wheels
I have been using my Renault 16 TS a little. It is an outstandingly comfortable machine, which in many ways would make a good everyday drive with an amazingly sweet engine and a delightful gearchange. Only the lack of a fifth ratio and the heavy lowspeed steering might turn it into a chore, but it is far from slow.
Exposure to a Volvo 144 of the same vintage (p112) showed just how civilised the R16 is. Apart from the known structural rust, it is also one of the cleanest cars I have. R16s are hard to find now, so I feel lucky to have captured this one, and the departure of my Lancia Appia has at least given room for manoeuvre in the barn.
All of the above caused me to give some thought as to which cars would survive a cull if I chose to have a clearout; or, going more hardcore, what would I buy with the proceeds of selling the lot. AC 428, Jensen FF or Espada are the most regular fantasy candidates, but attention keeps wandering to a car I have had the chance of buying on several occasions but always demurred: the Iso Fidia.
Cheaper, rarer and even more exotic, with the added cachet (at least for me) of having four doors, its looks are slightly awkward yet futuristic: it’s the sort of car that would have looked the part being driven by Ed Straker in UFO.
Back to the real world. Having got a fresh MOT, my A2 has had another reprieve. Our second Fiat Panda having developed an issue, the little Audi is beginning to look like a winner. Even so, it got close to being replaced by an Alfa Romeo 166 when what looked a half-decent Twin Spark manual (with the original ‘sad eyes’ front) came up at Manor Park Classics on 17 February. C&SC colleague Simon Hucknall had a look for me and reported back positively: the fact that it was no reserve, and had failed to sell in the previous sale, suggested it might be a bargain because the mileage was low and the previous owner had evidently looked after it.
A handsome car that has aged well (like the 156 and several other Alfas of the period), a 166 ticks all the right boxes as a usable modern that is rare and durable, if not bulletproof. Two decades ago I had a V6 on test for a week and enjoyed it. There was a point not long ago when a few hundred quid would buy a runner, but the sheds have now been sifted out and interest has firmed up quite substantially. Feeling mean, I set myself a £1500 budget but the silver-grey 166 was already at £2k when Manor Park called to take my phone bid so I was out, despite my wife Mia egging me on to go a bit higher if I really wanted it. Evidently, I did not.