Fiat never officially imported the Barchetta into the United States, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t make up for lost time.
Built on a platform similar to the one used to make the Punto, the Barchetta is powered by 1.8-liter inline-four.
This particular example currently shows 51,053 kilometers, or approximately 31,723 miles.
Find this 1997 Fiat Barchetta for sale …
Looks like a little boat.
Literally no one needs this
Who is paying mint NB/NC Miata money for this? Or is this for the discerning buyer who thinks the Mercury Capri os too down-market and the Chrysler TC by Maserati too opulent?
David S. Wallens said:Looks like a little boat.
You'll never believe what Barchetta is Italian for. 
I wouldn't kick her out of bed... those wheels stay on, tho
Is that a CD changer in the trunk?
In reply to maschinenbau :
Ugly in your eyes maybe. Slow and unreliable? Probably. All of my project cars are fast and unreliable, so I'd sacrifice the speed for this level of cuteness. Where do I sign?
Edit: It looks like an updated 850 Spyder.
Still a bunch on the road in Europe and they definitely catch your eye, I thought they looked good.
Does a skippers hat come with purchase?
I think they are pretty in the way only the Italians can manage. Probably not something I'd go to the trouble of importing and owning though
Personally, I prefer the look of the original 850 to the Barchetta.
A friend did an engine swap using a 124 engine (definitely NOT a trivial job I understand) Very cool. No idea what he did to get a gearbox that wouldn't be shredded.
wspohn said:Personally, I prefer the look of the original 850 to the Barchetta.
A friend di dan engine swap using a 124 engine (definitely NOT a trivial job I understand) Very cool. No idea what he did to get a gearbox that wouldn't be shredded.
I've got a twin-turbo Subaru engine in my 850. It's kinda a death trap. The transmission is a 915 Porsche unit.
All I can see is a driving Bedouin tent
I don't dislike it, but it is FWD so not a sports-car and they want Miata money. Trying to maintain one could be difficult. Can't think of any reason to buy one other than "I have the only one".
A better option would be a Capuchino.
I think the styling isn't horrible. Never made the updated 850 connection before but it makes sense. Great color. I also really like how they brought the body color inside on the door panels and dash.
I've had a few fun FWD cars but, if I'm in the market for a small roadster it's going to be RWD.
As far as it being slow, well a Miata can be smoked by minivan soooo....
I get the desire to have something that is a little different. I bet someone will want it.
In reply to NOHOME :
I'd take this over a Capuchino only because it's left hand drive. RHD can be fun, but gets old.
In reply to NOHOME :
Sports cars can be FWD. I like the way you state your opinion as if it's a fact. That is all.
Edit: Damn! My main criticism of the 850 Spyder's styling has always been that it has too much front overhang. Now you've got me wanting to put a Subaru motor up there!
In reply to Kreb (Forum Supporter) :
The FWD thing is simply a personal affectation. But in my mind it is an uncrossable barrier. Never said FWD can't be fun. Or fast.
Number 27 on youtube just covered these. Not as terrible as you might think.
Kreb (Forum Supporter) said:In reply to maschinenbau :
Ugly in your eyes maybe. Slow and unreliable? Probably. All of my project cars are fast and unreliable, so I'd sacrifice the speed for this level of cuteness. Where do I sign?
Edit: It looks like an updated 850 Spyder.
Bertone also tried to sell this look to Porsche.
IIRC that engine is the final incarnation of the Fiat twincam that was also used in contemporary FWD Alfas. It might not be driving the wheels at the favourite end of the vehicle, but they're fun Italian engines - IMHO much funner than the current Alfa four banger.
In reply to BoxheadTim :
The Barchetta uses the successor to the Lampredi twin cam. Fiat/Lancia were using both engines in some models. The Fiat Coupe was offered with the same turbocharged twin cam as the Lancia Integrale, and later offered with the 2.0L turbo I5.
For a small group of companies, it's amazing how many engine families they have created in their histories.
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