Was 1997 a good year? - Fiat Coupe Club UK

Posted By: mungo

Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 20:01

There seems to be more of 1997 out there than any other year at the moment. Are they less rust prone? Anyway, anyone know this? Looks reasonable apart from being at Norwich.
Link

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 20:06

I don't know it, but it's been on there for what seems like years?

Posted By: Theresa

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 22:18

Yes, 1997 was a good year, as that's when my Coupe was made

I don't think they are any more or less rust prone to any other year to be honest - it gets them all eventually

Posted By: adam16vt

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 23:04

Errrrrrrr norwich.......

Posted By: adam16vt

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 23:06

Jokes aside he's had that well over a year and before that it was at another dealer close to where I live

So even if the belts have been done it has just sat there, I would give it a miss, that said he might need to shift it........

Posted By: magooagain

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 03/08/2014 23:45

I have 3 Coupes all 1997 and all rust free.

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 04/08/2014 05:43

I almost went to see that one. It does seem the early ones didn't / haven't rusted as quickly as the later ones.
There's been some really ropey w plate models.

Although rust in inevitable in all ages.

Posted By: Cappo

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 04/08/2014 13:32

We also contemplated looking at that one but as above, it has been for sale forever. I don't know why, but surely some people must have viewed it and walked away in that time? Originally it didn't say anything about the belts having been done, that was added a few months back now. It might be fine but approach with caution I would say.

Posted By: adam16vt

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 04/08/2014 14:03

If it is the same one that was near me for a while the best were done in 2008

Posted By: mungo

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 04/08/2014 22:23

Originally Posted By: adam16vt

If it is the same one that was near me for a while the best were done in 2008

So ready for a change...

Posted By: mungo

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 05/08/2014 20:33

And another...
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Posted By: Edinburgh

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 06/08/2014 10:07

Originally Posted By: mungo

And another...
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Odd pic of blue dashboard panel when car is black

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 06/08/2014 10:50

Ink Black

Posted By: Edinburgh

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 06/08/2014 13:55

Sprint Blue

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 06/08/2014 14:46

Should be fountain pen blue really.

Yes, I like sprint blue

Posted By: JLow75

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 06/08/2014 14:53

People say the later Coupes are the ones rusting the worst (post 1998, T/V/W plates) but my sills & other things crumbled in my 1996 20VT

My current one is 1997 & the body is superb

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 08/10/2015 23:42

Mines '97 and cant complain. Just had a small bubble of rust on rear arch. Thats pretty mutch it . Oh and a radiator support bracket is rusty but still ok

Posted By: Blueboyracer

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 09/10/2015 07:31

Mine is '97 and mine doesn't have a single visible piece of rust on top and my mechanic said it was remarkably clean underneath too

Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 10/10/2015 21:58

Mine's a 97 and pretty much rust free apart from:

Wheel arches starting to bubble a bit
Inside of the bonnet on the offside

Thats about it.

Posted By: pinin_prestatyn

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 18/10/2015 12:57

The reason is they sold the most in 1997 so there's plenty out there, good and bad.

Posted By: Blueboyracer

Re: Was 1997 a good year? - 19/10/2015 08:41

I found this interesting section on the web...

Originally Posted By: http://www.sportingfiatsclub.com/models/coupe/coupe.asp

Numbers Produced
Not uniquely in Fiat history, there is some disagreement between Fiat and Pininfarina about how many Coupes were made. Let’s say no more than 70,000 were ever produced and the 50,000th being completed by July 1997 – this would be nearer Pininfarina’s view. With just under 8000 imported into the UK (dealer and estimated private new/used imports combined) atleast we have a few cars around to be talking about!