Well, I've taken the plunge.

Full Re-spray in solid Black, (no blue's/browns added), and the Flush filler cap I've been talking about on here. The idea being, that she has a flush rear wing, but still a top loading Aero style filler cap, recessed by just a couple of mm, to look factory finished.

The prep work starts mid week, which, because of the re-spray being black, needs to be perfect, otherwise any ding/mark will show.

Will update with Pics when completed.

Sounds interesting!

Look forward to seeing some regular updates.

Where are you getting the work done from?

Work is being done by "Burnt Mill Coachworks", in Harlow. I know the owner well, and have had previous jobs done through them.

A couple of the other fccuk members have had work done through him too. And some of his cards have been left with PowerFiat in Basildon.

Will add new pics once I have them...

Looking forward to seeing this as I have been thinking of doing the same

Did you use one of the ATL caps? I'l be interesed to see if it suits the car.

Thanks & Good luck

Al

Very similar to the ATL cap.

The cap and fittment is from Merlin Motorsport, from this range.

The idea, is the cap will be as wide as the original aperture for the original cap. The aperture is oval, so there will be a plate welded in, with some work, but the look will be a very subtly sunk aero cap, with no gaps.

Okay little update on this.

I should get her back by mid next week. Full re-spray in Black, the Black they've decided to use is straight off the shelf. My bodyshop chap has explained this black is usually mixed with other colours to create matches to other manufacturers "Blacks", but as I specified I wanted to the deepest darkest black, this is the best option.

As a little teaser, I managed to get a quick photo of the filler cap modification.

Not finished, or fitted. But you get the idea.

Clearly, it's difficult to see exactly how the finished product will look. But the caps sit perfectly flush with the rest of the body line, with softly rounded edges to the cap, to match the softly rounded edges of the cap itself. They have welded in a metal plate and brack to cover the egg shaped hole, and completed the rest with a small amount of filler.

I should have some more pics next week of the completed article. It's amazing just how much prep work goes into this, as with what they and I had thought was a car in such good condition, the number of small dints and marks they prepped up to make sure the Black looks perfect is incredible.

As a bonus, they are also prepping and sorting the slight corrosion on the Alloy parts too (B pillar, Wing mirror carriers, etc). I've asked that once prepped, they should keep these factory finished, in that Satin Black colour.

Do you not think it would be nice to match the satin bits to the same glossy black?

Y'know, I was toying with that idea. But after I did a photoshop I decided against. It looked a bit "too much". And somehow the Coop lends itself well to being broken up a little with the satin finish on these parts.

It's difficult to be more descriptive, but I felt it was heading towards colour coded hub caps, and coloured wiper arms, in terms of styling.

TBH what I'm trying to aim for is a modern equivelant of what Fiat styled in the 90's with the Coupe, and to somehow bring the style right up to date. The LED rear lights, the flush filler cap, the de-seamed rear light recesses, LE skirts, and Zender Front bumper, with de-badged bonnet, all in deep, pure black....

What sort of price will all this be coming in at?

i'm going to put my guess at £1900

£2.6k

£950

I have to be honest. I think changed the fuel filler cap is a bad mood. Think it looks chavvy. I'll wait for the final pictures but just my feeling at the moment.

Ross

p.s. i'll guess £2200

£1.8k is the cost.

Whether that's high or low, I'm not sure. But I know the work is going to be top notch, and he's one of the few people I'd trust with the Coupe.

As you said yourself, wait and see the end result, before you make your mind up on that, I think you'll be surprised just how subtle the changes will be, and just how subtle the final outcome will look.

Less is always more....

Does that mean i win a prize for coming closest?

Sure, I have an old slightly corroded spare filler cap going for grabs.....

seems a fair price for a decent job. as its going to be a complete colour change what areas are not included?

I'd pay 2k for just a straight same-colour respray as long as it was a very, very good finish. Waiting to see the final result. I travelled the entire length of the country looking for the right coupe, so don't mind doing the same for the right respray.

It's funny, I think the filler cap is beautiful. I know that sounds a bit odd to say the least, but it's a really distinctive feature of the car for me. And, as such, I'd never tamper with it.

I remember thinking it when the car came out. It was so over the top, so "un-neccessary", to design the cap like that. It was lauded by the press, too, I recall. "Typical Italian flair/ eccentricity" blah blah. Yet, amongst it's competitors at the time, the car did have some truly stand out features - the OTT filler cap amongst them. Even now I get a peverse pleasure from looking at it.

But then I am a Coupe-anorak, and constantly bang on about about "keeping them orig" so......as per usual.....I'll get me coat

Only underneath the interior carpet. The rest is included in the price. I've asked for a factory finish with this too. So he's going for a less glossy coat for under the bonnet, under the boot lid, and in the boot area itself, and gloss elsewhere. To give an example of how extensive the job is, they've removed the (Mariusz) LE side skirts, and are spraying behind them, and then filler spraying and spraying the side skirts too.

This is a "doors and bonnet off" job, in order to get the best result.

I've gone down the 'trying justify the cost' route. But decided that, I just wanted to treat myself!

Without the work, she's been a superb car. The body shop have been around her with a fine tooth comb, and said the only corrosion is on the wing mirror plates, (which they are repairing as part of the work). And the rest of the car is as straight as an arrow.

So I'm keeping my fingers crossed that not only will she mechanically spot on, but now also have a body to match. (Interior is like a new Coupe, Rog at Powerfiat could believe the condition inside...).

When I first started work on the exterior of the car, I considered sticking to the original spec for a while. But for me, (and this could leave me a bit burnt for the flaming ;)), the Coupe never looked totally finished off. Sure, the styling is dramatic, and from some angles the car is achingly pretty, but (as standard), IMO from other angles, the ride height is a little too high, the standard wheels should have been 17/18 inch, not 15 inch, the wheels sit too far in the rear arches, the filler cap is too retro for the modern styling of car, and so on.

That sounds like I don't think the Coupe's a good looking car as standard. But I don't mean it to sound that way. I think the Coupe as standard is one of the prettiest cars money can buy. But those touches (for me) to finish the car off nicely is all that's need to make a good looking motor, drop dead gorgeous.

Maybe this could be classed as light plastic surgery for the Coupe? As long as I don't end up with a Michael Jackson of the Coupe world, I'll be happy.

Well, each to their own. At least what you're doing is not straying too far from the original...

It's when people start adding spoilers, skirts, pillars etc that I begin to really struggle.

And yes, "achingly pretty". It is. Caught at the right angle(s), right light, right setting - drop dead fccking gorgeous.

A photographer's paradise, too....

Indeed.

In fact I'm starting my own petition against putting spoilers on the Coupe. The smoother the better.

Ok.

Then I am the founder member.

Spoilers is a good start

Me again

is this a special price for you or would this be the cost for anyone that wanted similar?

and are you doing the dash and door strips gloss black too?

This is a special price.

And yes, everything is being correctly painted, including the dash and door strips.

Engine bay....?

Yep, Engine bay too.

In summary, every part is being resprayed, except for underneath the cabins carpet. So that includes in a Satin type finish (as per factory finish):

Engine Bay & Underside of Bonnet
Boot Floor, and sides & Underside of Boot lid

In the Gloss finish:

Doors and Bonnet are off, and with removed door cars, etc.
Rest of the standard body, including removal of the side skirts, and spraying these separately.

Bumpers Front and rear are removed and sprayed separately too.

The front bumper and skirts were from Mariusz, and have some small imperfection, due to the gel coat on the fibreglass, these have been prepped up prior to spraying. The rest of the car, (I though was in A1 condition has also been prepped up, smooth out all the small door dings and stone chips etc).

All the glass out?

Not the doors (I think they said it's quick to wind the window down, and work that way). But as for the rest, yes.

He was saying that if you can get the windows out relatively easily, the finish is far better than if you just mask up and around, he also said it's an easier job with glass out.

Many of them who do so-called "mint" finishes don't bother with taking the glass out....

That's because take the rear quater glass out is very difficult without breaking it

Nah its easy, 20 mins a side, done 5 pieces this week. Non broke & im not a windscreen man

Laziness not wanting to strip the trim out.

I though they were stuck in with the same glue they used on the rear light cups. Good to know they arn't

Yeh but you can use cheese wire on the glass, chops through anything.

If you try cutting the quarters out with a blade the same as the rear lights then yeh a real pain.

That's it, that's what they used to cut the rear glue out for the rear windows. He describe it as razor wire, but I guess it's the same.

I've checked today the body is now all primed. The front bumper is being blocked down, and the main spray should have early next week, with a mop down afterwards. So will be ready next Sat.

Pictures to follow of course.

Didn't you say it was having a Zender bumper?

She already has the Zender bumper (see my signature pic). But the Zender Bumper and LE skirts are Mariusz' fibreglass moulds, and although the quality is good, they're being flattened and prepped, so that the Black doesn't show any rippling in the gel coat.

Sounds like a really exciting piece of work to me. For what its worth, I think youre dead right to have a go at bringing her a little up to date if thats what you want.

I like the fact that what you are doing sounds quite sublte & very tasteful. I cant wait to see the end result.

As for the price.....sounds about £1000 under priced to me for the extent & finish youre after.

Are you painting the headlight plastic in the gloss aswell? A thought for you?

Chris

Thanks Chris.

The price? It's a special price, I think the intention is to show some "customer loyalty", (he's had a fair amount of work from me in the past), plus I said I'm happy to pop his details on here for others who may be interested, particularly those in the Essex and surrounding areas.

I did think about the headlamps, and that along with a couple of other ideas are on my list of possibilities, depending on how it looks when this has all been complete.

Filler cap origanal is the best bit why get rid

each to there own

bugger

Personall, I'd say the best bit's of the car are the slashes across the wheel arches, the front lights, and the flared rear arches. All of which are staying 100% original.

I think the Jury is always going to be out on whether replacing the filler cap is a good move. Particularly as the filler cap is very unique to the Coupe. But for me, it's a part of the car that never quite matched the rest of the styling.

Sorry. That said, I'm sure other special prices can be arranged, but maybe not so good...

To be frank, mate I think you're mad as a fish to change the colour and to fill in the fuel cap. I love the silver colour and I too think that the original fuel cap is one of best things about the coupe's styling. I think you're spending a lot of money to make the car less valuable but I'm one of the boring "keep it original" brigade. Life would be boring if we were all the same in our tastes.

I'm boring, too. Really really boring. I love originality

It's quite funny reading some of these comments.

For me changing the filler cap, and changing the colour to a non-fiat pure black will make the car look stunning, I'd emphasis, for me. For others, this goes against being totally original, or simply not to their taste.

But what works for one, doesn't work for others. We all know that, really.

I totally agree, that if you intend to try to make money out of the Coupe, in say, 10-15 years time when it will be classed as a classic, then original is best. But firstly, that's not my goal with this, and secondly (if it were my intentions to sell as a classic), if in 10-15 years I still have the car, the colour can be reverted back easily enough, and the original filler cap refitted. The classic car price will pay for the work, with money to spare. (Nothing has been cut out of the panels to accomodate the new cap). If I wanted to sell 'as original'.

The colour change and work is purely for my enjoyment, and I can tell you I'll be chuffed to bits when the work is finally complete.

Engine bay - they going to do it properly and remove the engine?

Not too sure about the fuel cap (but thats the point of modding) but shall see the finished pics - just worried it will look like a Hiundai...

personally I am looking forward to seeing some pics. especially the fuel cap.

I did think that the fuel cap was going to be blended so that the lines of the car would remain the same in each side. And by blended in I mean a metal cover painted black.

i think i dislike you

good on you fella, drive through your way a fair bit as my mum lives in Waltham Abbey.

Will keep me eyes peeled.

Good question. He did mention the absolute correct way, would be to remove the engine, but he reckons he can do as good a job with the engine in place. Remarking that the parts he won't be able to get to, you can't see unless the engine is to be removed. I guess this is the only "shortcut".

I know what you mean re tha filler cap. But I reckon the rest of the Coupes standard styling is enough to take any possible liking to the Hyundai (is that the right spelling?) completely away.

You're right in thinking that too. The standard eliptical recess for the orginal cap, has had a small plate welded inside, allowing the filler cap to fit flush with the rest of the body line. I asked for the cap to be very slightly sunkened, (by only just a mm or so). I particularly didn't want the cap to be proud of the body work, otherwise it'll look like one of those cheap stick on jobbies.

The end result is a cap, which sits almost flush with the rest of the bodywork, with soft rounded edges meeting the soft edges of the cap.

For me, even in filler, it looked very good. And the rounded edge, matches very well with the de-seamed rounded edges of the rear light surrounds.

You're more than welcome to pop over and take a look when it's all complete.

Why didnt you just use LE nero black, that is pure black... totally pure, no aditives straight of the standox mixing tin with black on it! plus at least its an origonal colour to shut up the boring gits on here

Y'know, I'm not sure that it is pure Black. If it is, then it'll be the same Black that's being used, as the Black that's going on is straight pure Black.

You like black, or summink?

Does it show?

Actually for the Coupe, I've always thought the styling was so "out there" that a dark colour was best to suit it's lines. And what could be darker than black?

I think the coupes styling suits flat colours much better than the metalics (vinci grey the exception obviously) my next coupe will be a flat colour

You'll change your mind on that soon.....

Is it the fuel filler from a Saxo?

( )

When will it be done .... ?

Got any more taster pics?

Ditto. Vinci Grey, was an alternative consideration when I was deciding on colours, strangely enough.

Yee of little faith. Have patience, all will be revealed in good time....

It'll be complete this weekend. But I won't be able to see or pick it up until next weekend - personal comittments!

I do have a couple of new pics. Just shows the car and removed parts primered up and ready for the Black. But, (and this is for anyone who's considering getting any Motorola phones), the phone I took the pics on has decided to expire. So getting those off the crappy thing, will be a 'mare.

As soon as I get to the car, I'll be posting pics up!

From how youve described your thought process....I reckon its gonna look the bees knees. Anyone who doesnt agree is just....well....wrong

Im in a mischievious mood (cant spell it mind). Apologies

Right, Christmas came a few days early for me today!

I have some pics of the new colour and filler cap. Still to do is a new set of number plates. Comments are welcome, but all I can say is when I turned up at the body shop I was absolutely stunned at the difference in the car. Some how the Black seems to make her appear longer. Don't quite know how that it is... because clearly, she's still the same length.

Anyway, I'm absolutely chuffed to bits with her. She's like a brand new Coupe, just rolled off the production line. I can't begin to describe the deepness of the Black that's been used on the car, the closest would be desribe at as looking at glass, I guess. I also can't fault any of the finish and re-fit of the parts (considering all the doors, bonnet boot and bumper were off her during this process).

Here's the pics:

Rear offside

Rear nearside

Close up nearside

Close up offside

THAT filler cap :-)

Bonnet

Front nearside

That's all the pics I took very quickly for now. Over the next week or so, I have a mate who's a wedding photographer, who's going to take some pics at a local infrequently used airfield.

....must get around to changing by 20vt avatar.....

Looks ace!!

I need a respray so badly

Only negative thing I would say is.... Clear side repeaters perhaps?

I like it, looks fab even the filler cap.

Are they 18 inch wheels ?

That does look really good.

Awesome paint job!

I think the fillercap makes it alot 'cleaner' on the quarter

Looks fantastic, but stangley with the black i think the standard rear lights would look better than teh LED ones. But each to their own

Quality job though, you must be well chuffed.

looks very nice!

one thing that would make it look nicer IMO is LE wing mirrors, but that is obviously because i have an LE

That is gorgeous and you're right, that black is superb!

That is awesome.

I do agree with 13ad13oy about the clear side repeaters, and you could even finish them off with some chrome rings like these:

http://s94153531.einsundeinsshop.de/sess/utn;jsessionid=15476d572ba1ad1/shopdata/index.shopscript

However, at night with those LEDs it'll look awesome. The paint finish & overall effect looks superb. With the plates off it really does look like straight off the production line.

Only thing I dont like is alloys, & thats only because they just look obviously 'after market'. But Im in the minority & thats being really picky.

Overall......ssssuuuuppppeeeerrrbbbb!

lovely looking, the little details make all the difference, first thing i noticed was how smooth it looks around the rear lights and think the leds suit it and the filler look great

Actually, thats a 'next on the list'. When she was silver, somehow you hardly noticed the orange repeaters, now Black, and they do tend to notice more.

Thanks, mate.

Yep, 18's - They're Dare V5's.

Thanks.

Yup, and Thanks. I can only recommend this chaps work, but the pictures speak for themselves really. Like a mirror finish.

Thanks. Y'know, after a couple of people said to me that they thought this was the wrong move, to go from the standard cap, to this aero one. I started to doubt this too. By the point the doubt crept in, the work was already underway, so I thought "eff it", if it looks poor, I'll just have to revert back to original.... suffice to say, I won't be reverting back at all. The finish to the new cap is just what I wanted, the cap is just slightly rececessed (1mm), and I'm stunned by the difference it makes.

Absolutely. Who needs Santa, when you have a good bodyshop sprayer instead?

I know what you mean about the rear lights, they do tend to be less blended. And it was the main reason why I delayed this work a little.

There is a method to my madness with this re-design though. The aero cap comes with the ring with the bolts in around the cap, the LED lights have the same outer ring (with LED's in) and the inner light (mimicking the filler cap itself). Take a look at the pics again and you'll see what I mean.

For the time being I'm sticking with the clear/silver rear lights, as I'll be having clear side repeaters too, so this will match quite well. The alternative is to go for smoked side repeaters, (which will blend with the black quite nicely, and then have the rear LEDS lightly smoked (using the bodyshop to do a good professional job).

Thanks!

I did toy with the idea of going down the LE route - anthracite coloured rings around the rear lamps, same for the wing mirrors and front grill too. But, for me, the re-design was more about bringing the Coupe more up to date, without losing the original drop dead style.

Again, a possibility on the car, is to spray the grill that anthracite type colour, and have the wheels re-sprayed to match.

Thanks, Stan.

BTW love the sig!

Thanks, mate.

Hmmm. Not sure on the chrome rings route - less is more. But, as I mentioned above, the clear (or smoked) repeaters is the next thing to do.

Thanks, mate.

Yep, alloys are a mute point amongst us all, I think. The general ethos is if the standard alloys could be made in 17's or 18's at a reasonable price, most of us aftermarket chaps would have chosen that route. But as this isn't possible, the only way to have larger rims is to go this route. That said, I do like the V5's on the Coupe.

Thanks, mate.

The smooth rear lights some how bring it more up to date, I think.

I have the knowledge of who&how to 3-piece 18" a standard 20VT Fiat Coupe rim....

However, this is a lottery winners only need apply solution unfortunatly...

Ditto. That is truly gorgeous. I was thinking of Pearl white, but black really suits the coop too. The only downside to black is it's a bugger to look after.

Actually there was a Japanese alloys maker, making rims which looked like the 20vt rims, but in 18's. Only problem, was I didn't know the fittment, and can't speak Japenese...

That is very true. That said, she's only driven once or twice a week and kept garaged at other times. I also actually enjoy waxing a car off after a good clean.

Thanks for the comments!

Let us see!

The option I looked into would cost £800 for the mould (but that would be only one) and about £350-400 per wheel depending upon the widths.

So first set around £2300, sets after about £1500-1600.

I may look into it further, as a finishing touch, but not for a long time yet!

Looks an exceptional job, done in rapid time


If only all modded coupe's had this much effort put in. Nice and neutral, nothing stupid stuck on, ok not everyones taste but its loverly

I like the flush filler cap idea, but I don't really like the style of the cap...looks a bit max power/chav. If it was like the standard one but recessed then that'd look good. All imo of course, if you're happy then that's what matters.

i think the whole thing looks absolutely sensational. i like black when it's done well and kept clean, and this car is possibly the best in terms of style and condition i've ever seen - especially when you consider it's age and mileage. well done to you circolo........

Cant think of a way of doing it, but if there was a way to recess/hide (or similar) the wipers then the smoothness of the finish from the front would be amazing.

Take the arms off & see what the effect looks like....think you may be amazed.

Love the car - really brings the coupe up to date - especially like the smooth rear lights. mmmmmmm

Stunning looking! [shabba] Give! [/shabba]

A lot of thoughts gone into the styling and while every aspect may not be to everyones taste i must say that the attention to details more than compensates for that.

Phill

Must say it looks like a very nice job there, circolo, anychance you can book in for a service at PowerFiat so i can have a closer look?

Paul R

She's due a service in May/June. So I'll be getting her booked in for Mar. -Nothing wrong with more frequent than neccessary servicing...

She's only driven once or twice a week (approx 60 miles), so she hardly needs the service. But I still want to keep her serviced up, just in case.

Got some more pics taken, by a mate who runs his own photograhphy business, (weddings, corporate events, etc). Just waiting for the copies, and I'll upload those too.