‘More a tale of woe than a hero!’

1998 Fiat Punto Cabrio ELX 85 Dan Clelland, Staffordshire

I've been a long-term fan of Fiats having owned 500, 600 Multipla, X1/9, 124, 126, 127, 128, 850 sport and a Strada Cabriolet. After a very expensive dalliance with a Quantum kit car, I felt that it was time to return to my

Italian roots with a very underestimated car. This is my 16v 85bhp Fiat Punto Cabrio (basically, a topless Sporting). I bought the car in the summer of 2019 and stored it in a relative's garage as I don't have the space at home to garage it.

The car was a Cat N write off and needed a bit of bodywork. First I replaced the bonnet, front wing and bootlid, then fitted a new rear window to the hood, and the car passed its MOT in March 2020 while still on SORN. Of course, we all know what happened then! The country went into lockdown and the car has been stuck in storage since. In eighteen months of ownership and insurance, it has only covered around four miles! As time goes by it becomes more recognised as a classic than I believe it to be.