OH NO! it just gets worse Fiat Punto GT Turbo Restoration PART 4

[@Snarl616]

this channel is becoming like M539 Restorations, but with italian cars. As an italian guy and a lover of many cars you restored, I wish lots of success to this channel.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Many thanks. Here’s to my channel growing this year.

[@Snarl616]

@@ItaliaAutos Some suggestions for you: 1 focus on mechanics rather than rust. People will want to know how to safely and easily fix common issues in Fiats, like the head gasket or the crumbling clear coat, so more people will come to your channel. 2 Name your projects, or at least make them not just cars. Maybe use a name, or use them for a trip and name them after that. This will create a stronger link with your cars. To make you an example, I love my Punto mk2, but I love her even more when I gave her a name (which is Bonnie, by the way). 3 Get in touch with any Fiat UK club or youtubers specialized in italian cars and make them appear in your videos. This way your videos will be not just that, but a web of contacts and youtubers will be created for italian cars in that part of Europe.

[@_RicksGarage]

You are a braver man than me Neil. I wouldn’t sleep at night if I had that project on my mind 😂😂. If you decide to go ahead then I’ll look forward to the series and will be watching with interest. Best of luck to you Neil. I love a Mk1 Punto 👍🏼

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers.thanks for watching Prob a while till the next update now.

[@michaelthom6005]

Jeez bad doesn’t do it justice. You’re a braver man than me. I’d be searching high and low for a better shell. Best of luck anyway.

[@squareyes1981]

I admire your lack of phased-ness. It is noble to save a car in this state

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks

[@roby72s]

There is nothing that, you cannot do. You will nail it. The end result will be brilliant.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks.

[@TheWynne71]

A good friend had a black Punto GT back in 95/96, it was a hoot to drive once in boost. Some may say you are mad on this one, I say fair play to your ambition and resolve! Stick with it Neil, you will enjoy the end product all the more knowing you’ve kept as much of the original as possible.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Nice. Thanks

[@chrispearson8585]

Good on you, Neil, on taking it on. I have taken on a 40 year old Alfasud Sprint.....sills rotten, rear panel gone top & bottom, front bulkhead rotten, offside A post rotten, both doors scrap & rust in all sorts of other places. New panels hard to come by. As with your Punto, no economic case for fixing it but that misses the point. Good luck!

[@ItaliaAutos]

At lease you get my point on fixing it. Good luck

[@uranusneptun5239]

This is one hell of a project. Cars in Britain seem to rust faster than anything can break. Lol

[@marchutchings8834]

Neil, no insult intended, but you are a brave man with that car. I did a similar resto myself years ago. I should have listened to advice from a pretty smart car nut, who said go and buy a straigh shell or donor car. THat one is too far gone to put serious amount of time into. Wish you well and thank you for your informative vids.

[@ItaliaAutos]

It's all apart of the fun. It's just my time and that's free. Once it's been dipped anyway.

[@PeteCourtier]

If it was me, definitely a re shell. But it’s not and this will definitely be a must watch. If it can be done then go for it👍🍺

[@richwilliams9895]

Concern with a re shell is they are old cars now and majority of punto shells will require welding etc.

[@johnmoruzzi7236]

I think the car has already been dipped.... in the Bristol Channel. Hope you repair the shell... with help and moral support from your fabricator friend !

[@ItaliaAutos]

Think you may be right.

[@greenberlina]

Neil, it’s totally ‘do-able’. The ‘chassis rail’ is a middle sill, I’d try fiat for any old stock available as the later version of this shell was still in production until 2010. Pattern out sills are available, as is the front cross member (slam panel is the one above it that has the bonnet lock attached to it) Floor may be very similar to other Fiat - Alfa cars of the era, maybe repair using donor sections from a not so rusty or crashed donor car? (This is waaaaay more rusty than my Arna was 😋)

[@hannchris2762]

Neil when you first showed this Punto I left a comment saying re shell it and having seen the state it's in I stand by my original comments

[@ItaliaAutos]

I agree but then it wouldn't be a challenge or the same car.

[@summer-ww3op]

Can I call this a warrior restoration.. Omg much respect for you

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers

[@stuwhite2337]

I'm currently restoring a 40 MGB roadster that stood outside for 20 years. By comparison to the Punto my chassis members are immaculate!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Nice. Good luck with yours.

[@Fiat_176]

I have seen a Punto more rotten than this getting fixed up, and it wasn’t even a GT😂 Thank you so much for saving this Punto, they’re getting more and more rare. Don’t try to get the ABS sensor out, they’re impossible to take off without breaking. And quite rare and expensive to find for the front.

[@Fiat_176]

Also fuel tank might be smart, easier to replace to the plastic one. I did it with mine

[@grotesmurf1]

OMG I have never seen such an expression on someone's face like that....but yours gave it away Neil.. Yes the shell is certainly a bit lighter....with all that rust.... but you are a brave man taking on this massive job. I'm the former founder and chairman of the Fiat Uno Club Holland and yes I do have seen some rotten shells in my life with Uno's and with this Punto's it's not much different.....but this one is a real bad one, but I do hope you can save this. Think lots of guys from the Punto forum/club will help you out with this one and hopefully we can see the result of your hard work this year. Keep a lookout for the upcoming new series of Car S.O.S. on the 10th of March the first show will be broadcasted and it will feature a Fiat Uno Turbo (the predecessor or the Punto, but you knew that😉). My car will be in it as a modified one so keep a lookout for a (Audi RS Nogaro Blue) Fiat Uno Turbo which is mine 😁

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers. I will be looking out for it

[@maxmoughal5183]

Seems like a clean straight shell would be quicker easier and cheaper.

[@Thecarman1994]

Good luck Neil. I hope that you get it finished for my 100th birthday celebration. January 2054. I'll be interested to see the dipping process, if you go along that route.

[@ItaliaAutos]

12 months and body will be on wheels.

[@gefo0]

So much effort, but she deserves it, thanks for the video

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks for watching

[@a11csc]

hal and ziggy sat this be done in 2023 good luck neil

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers

[@a11csc]

@@ItaliaAutos i will be listening in future episodes to see what ziggy says

[@robbiemcelwee9139]

No bother to you Neil, get stuck in and save her!🙌🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers. I'll try too.

[@robbiemcelwee9139]

@@ItaliaAutos I'm in the middle of doing something similar with a mk2 mr2 so feel your pain, will be a tidy little car once it's done!👍🏼👍🏼

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers and good luck with yours.

[@autoazure]

What a project! Brave and motivated chap to take that on!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks

[@squareyes1981]

Retropower just did a video on dipping vs blasting and why they don’t dip any longer. Might be worth a watch considering you have the capacity to blast it yourself much cheaper

[@ItaliaAutos]

I watched it. Find out more in the next video.

[@alancampbell1008]

Think with your determination you would manage it, certainly a mammoth task and a very interesting series beckons.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Sure is

[@adamjow8405]

Bloody hell to those chassis rails. I wish you luck with all that work to do. Definitely a brave decision there.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks

[@gizmo6164]

Wow, taking it in your stride. This is going to be a stellar project to follow through your videos. Brilliant!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@vassallo49]

Che lavoro! Per noi comuni mortali sarebbe impossibile poi rimettere ogni vite ed ogni parte al suo posto. What job! For us mere mortals it would be impossible then to put every screw and every part back in its place.

[@molluscturtle]

Hats off for even trying this, Neil - but his is fixing this car even viable? Those sills :-o

[@ivakraketa]

You Wil assemble that on best possible way. Keep up the good work. God bless you.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks for watching

[@rickydub6950]

Definitely try save it, as you have said, new shell wont be the same car, and if it can be done, at least attempt it 🙂 good luck 🍀 (a dip might be a bit too much for that shell) *** if doing it post welding why not 😁

[@Strike86]

If you can get hold of the inner, middle and outer sill panels I would say absolutely go for it - it's not like they're making any more of them. Btw if it's any cheaper I would have the car media blasted rather than dipped. I've heard lots of professional restorers recommend against dipping (particularly on galvanized cars) because it strips everything off, good and bad, and leaves bare metal and acid in cavities and voids where it's impossible to get paint or wax into afterwards.

[@ItaliaAutos]

The company I've used bake the car afterwards. I'd also be sending it back to be galvanised once welded.

[@Mark_T]

Future classic! I had a 2001 JTD. I wish I still had that.

[@ItaliaAutos]

hopefully.

[@b6eunos]

Love it! I hope the shell can be repaired but as others have said it's not going to be easy. Very much looking forward to this rebuild!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Not easy at all

[@fiestasiphil]

Fantastic video, this is going to be an awesome project 😃

[@howardlake6178]

Looking on the bright side, a friend of mine has a 2.5 year old, £86k Discovery. Recently water got in. He took it to the dealer and your screens were in there to such an extent, 2 blokes were required with tools. A mechanic came out. Put his hand behind the screen and pushed it out. It's currently taped in until a 3 grand plus warranty claim 😂

[@paultaylor9652]

Lovely Jubbly video, maybe a donor car Neil might help if you can find one and friends in the right expertise.

[@033racer4]

What a rust but all puntos have that. I think it's a good investment because there aren't many left. Sicco Wijnja from the Netherlands has many Punto parts.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Awesome. Thanks

[@MechaNick_]

I believe the Lancia Y has a plastic tank.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Not many in the uk

[@MechaNick_]

@@ItaliaAutos I might have a useful plug for old / youngtimer parts. There's a chance they have GT parts aswel. (Fiat Abarth Lancia)

[@thescotsmantechnologyrevie2138]

What a great channel! First video that I’ve watched, but instant subscribe. Thank god someone is saving the original Puntos! Nice collection you have there too, I’ve owned most of those - Alfa Spider, Barchetta, Alfa 145, Punto (not the fancy GT, mind). I’m a Panda man nowadays.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Welcome to the channel.

[@karlos1060]

Neil do yourselve a favour and get this car to the junkyard and salvage what can be saved. It's a never ending story with this one! It's to far gone!

[@ItaliaAutos]

I hope to surprise you.

[@karlos1060]

@@ItaliaAutos Everything can be saved ofcourse, but there is so much work. Everything looks like it is in bad schape! But you are the man and can fix it if you want to! If you do it is awsome as well!

[@andyhill8236]

Good luck Neil that's one big job sad fact that all the cars being built today will probably never be restored due to all the electronics look forward to the rest of the videos on it

[@Breene17]

Defo save it good project for the channel its cool when you see things like this normally on KZbin it's the same old where as this Is defo different

[@nevillepretorius8948]

That is worse than I thought it was. In the first video when you just got the car I thought it looked like a really rust free car. It can be saved, but will probably cost less to just get a rust free shell and build it into that. Soldier on mate! 👍👍

[@richardgoodge7666]

It’s totally do able I used to repair these when they were fairly new and they would be crusty then love these puntos keep up the good work sir

[@proooooost]

I understood that the uk road authority was supportive replacing complete shels as this was common practise done by ford for accidant repair in the 90' s. Sure you can get a reasonable shell from a lower spec one.

[@ItaliaAutos]

I vould but then it wouldn't be that same car.

[@aaronhajzyk]

Personally I’d scrap that shell go find a good bargain basement shell and build that one up

[@billyboy002000]

Love this channel.. thanks for posting

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks for watching

[@M3Benn]

Miss my GT3!!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Well you can at least see this one come back to life

[@M3Benn]

@@ItaliaAutos I’m looking forward to it! :)

[@craigfielding8759]

Wow lots of work to do but I’m sure it’s all worth it given how rare these cars are now.

[@22NL22NL]

Get that man a cup of tea! Hope it works out OK for you!

[@gertjoeschuurman536]

What a work Neill i hope you save the car. Nice video.

[@ItaliaAutos]

That's the plan! thanks

[@jamesdecross1035]

I'm stuck with working outside (in good weather). My Alfa 156 is worse. Do it!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Lucky you. Thanks for watching

[@Thanos.m]

I remember growing up these were everywhere now I can't remember the last time I saw one. Having a quick look online aside from some imported from Italy it doesn't seem to be single UK car for sale and based on that I'd say it's a lot of work but most likely worth it considering how rare these have gotten. Edit: it seems there's plenty of them still in Italy and Greece may its worth getting a parts from there

[@Peter-qb9jk]

At least in Sicily we are still full of this cars, they can be see everywhere. I drive one myself

[@martinross5634]

I would be throwing the towel in or looking for a better shell. Repect to you!

[@paulfisher6283]

Crickey! Brave man!

[@focus3303]

I know it's a long shot Neil but what about looking for another body 🤔 Hat's off to you mate 👍

[@bishbashbosh-j6z]

hi Neil, It's a huge undertaking and not going to make you any money. But from a KZbin channel product, will be interesting viewing to resurrect a Punto. When you get to paint and putting it together, don't go stock, make it stand out and a few mods will be worth it. best of luck whichever direction you go in. If you were down the road, I'd put some hours into help but alas, too far up North :).

[@ItaliaAutos]

I'm not really into modding.

[@Chris-xc3xz]

Any mk1 plastic tank will fit, just need to obviously swap the pump over.very common swap as the metal ones always rusted and leaked

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers

[@marcbrasse747]

Oh dear, oh dear! Like I already wrote last week: It's far removed from anything economically sound. You'd only "recoup" such costs on the very long term by keeping it and living your personal Punto dream through it. Making a profit will however be next to impossible. But if you insist: One idea would to go beyond MOT standards and strengthen it beyond it's original construction by using real DIN steal beams to replace the weakened existing structural stuff. So basically go beyond the original steel pressings. One could add some sort of internal sub-chassis. So what if it weighs more. At least it will never become structurally weak again. That would then also give a you a real sturdy basis to place everything else back on, including the outer sills. The questions then are: A: Is there a standard DIN rectangular box shape which fits reasonably snug into the existing spaces. B: Can you keep the rest of the structure in shape while you are mounting these beams?

[@Matt-go7ss]

I wonder what caused that corrosion? Did it have a body kit on it?

[@ganz7ful]

That's a major repair. Would the integrity and straightness of the chassis still be maintained? Can't wait to see this series if you did decide to save it. Btw, don't you just love those blue nitrile gloves lol!

[@Blastfromthepastrc1346]

Very enjoyeble video as always Neil👍 old cars are always a labour if love,i definetely think you should save it if you feel like it,also it would generate alot of interesting content for your channel👍 take care and thank you for sharing your car adventures with us🙂greetings from Sweden

[@ItaliaAutos]

That's the plan! thanks

[@porsche356a]

My vote is to ditch that body and start somewhere else. It would have to be a labour of love that car, as you will never get back the time and effort you put into it, plus a really hard resto like that often leaves you a bit dispondent about the car, especially when you know that area you didn't get 100% or that rust that you are not 100% sure is gone. Would love to see the dipping process though.

[@Modshmockers]

Got your work cut out there Neil.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Sure have.

[@broomad]

I don't think there is any right answer to this one Neil. Yes it's rusty but how much better would any other shell be ? If you love these cars that much then I would go for it !! Would be good if you could find a scrapper(s) from which you could cut some large panels to speed things along though :-)

[@fatwalletboy2]

Good long video Neil but..... At 7.19 the bit thats been ripped off is the front towing bolt and that may explain the out of shape front x brace. Because of that the state of the chassis rail and overall condition of the shell personally I would not put the welding cost or £1800 cost into dipping. Only if you had an affinity to that very GT from your younger days but you are in for so much work there mate. Theres a few base 3dr puntos knocking around so maybe a reshell is the way to go and could save you a lot of time and money. Maybe 500-750 plus transport tops then stripping it. The rest youd have to do anyway but these Mk1s are made with swiss cheese so chances are the whole car has already twisted out of true. Just lever the ecpansion tank off its clips not much holding them on underneath. I think if you get the metal petrol tank dipped you wont get much back. Go plastic. Nice touch though with the music in there..... Btw who did your windscreen removals as I need a good fitter to cut mine out.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Chase windscreens did it. Just wouldn't be the same car if it was reshelled.

[@katywalker8322]

Are any sill repair panels still available?

[@sarggt1690]

I admire your work and corage my friend but that chassi is to far gone... i wish you do a fiat bravo sometime, i love that car. Greatings from Portugal

[@johnellis9764]

Do it you’ve gone that far bit of fabrication is the worst of it seen worse repaired 👍

[@aldeacristian4582]

Scap the body, buy a regular mk1 punto from europe, Italy or Spain and convert it with your parts, it shouldn't be that hard and the car with basically no rust would cost you well below 800 punds.

[@zlatkovujevic7348]

Yeah this just a scrap body, not worth it at all. Use good donor car and convert it to GT.

[@hugolousa6224]

God job

[@karluum]

IMO you should find the better chassis of Punto and make the swap all pieces from GT version.

[@MegaReddevil71]

Maybe find a base model shell if that's possible

[@Brisbane2024]

Hi Neil, that’s really a big project. Maybe, just as proposal. Would it not make sense to buy a donor car, maybe without engine oder broken engine? The chassis unfortunately looks extremely rotten. However, hope this car will be back on street some day. 👍

[@ItaliaAutos]

Wouldn't be the same car.

[@zzhughesd]

Just insane. I’d stop at a 5OO piece jig saw. Not a bare shell and wiring loom

[@eamonmchugh701]

Massive job a head of you but very good project

[@ItaliaAutos]

thanks for watching.

[@PinkyRacing]

like this project.

[@key2theuniverse713]

I mean, I'm no expert However if it was me and I was going through all the work to get the car back to almost brand new status, I'd want to have the original chassis and vin number

[@ItaliaAutos]

That's my thoughts.

[@key2theuniverse713]

@@ItaliaAutos touch wood you can get it sorted..... I'm routing for you 😂 if anyone can it's you..... can't wait for the next video

[@byronmills5952]

Aren't the later second generation Puntos based on the same basic underpinnings as the original? You could possibly utilise floor and inner sills from a newer car - or possibly more readily available new old stock?....

[@Boris-xx7dw]

Mate you should have left it at the bottom of the Atlantic lol .

[@pereldh5741]

Good grief!! Were you at some point considering getting another shell..?

[@mercedesfriesland]

Buy another body, with less rust, and build everything over and make it a Punto GT Turbo

[@ItaliaAutos]

Na. Wouldnt be the same car then.

[@mercedesfriesland]

@@ItaliaAutos right, less rust. 😂 But i know what you mean

[@shaun19651]

If you brace the door frame across you should not have any problems. Refit the door before you weld the outer sill in just to be on the safe side to line everything up.I have done midgets and mgb's and they were a lot worse than that. I think the biggest problem will be finding the panels, Good luck anyway

[@ItaliaAutos]

I'm going to have to get inner sills and rear inner arches fabricated up but I have rear floor pans and outer sills ready to go.

[@shaun19651]

@@ItaliaAutos I have looked around for panels but they seem to be very rare

[@shaun19651]

There are repair panels here

[@shaun19651]

Autodoc

[@paologhinetti5612]

Does it worth? I mean...

[@zlatkovujevic7348]

Oh my God Neil...oh my God. Scrap it ! Not worth it.

[@ItaliaAutos]

Not doing it for money or value. 👍😀

[@stevestone4346]

Seriously Neil is that car worth it ? If you're gonna go ahead with it then take the advice of the retropower boy's. They've dipped and had cars blasted and they said they wouldn't have another car dipped. They said that moisture doesn't escape in places that can't be seen.

[@ItaliaAutos]

I'm still researching it. But as there's rust inside thst blasting can't get too dipping might be best.

[@stewarthaddon3219]

Get your man to weld it up Nell, you could lose your love for the project if you open that can of worms. Other than that...go big or go home pal!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Cheers. Thanks for watching

[@-Barracuda-426]

VIVA LA PUNTO GT!!!!!

[@ItaliaAutos]

Thanks for watching

[@-Barracuda-426]

@@ItaliaAutos Thank you for saving a Punto GT Sir! 👍🏻💪🏻👏🏻

[@paula200]

I have to ask - is it worth it, for a Punto - even if it is a GT? I know its keeping an old car in the road, but that's a total money pit, for anything even approaching a half decent restoration. Doubtful you could get a good shell, but that would be the only way to go, imho. Don't think there's much decent on that car to sell, if you broke it. Have you checked out it's MoT history? I have😲

[@stumac869]

It can be repaired and if a home project where time isn't an issue then it's potentially worth the effort. However you're a business and this is an opportunity cost. Can you justify the hours it'll take to repair when you could be earning?

[@ItaliaAutos]

ill be repairing it at weekends in my own time. plus its going to make good content for the channel.

[@thomaspersson4972]

Regarding method of stripping the shell and also how to rust proof it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rmTUaZiIid6Xe9E

[@ItaliaAutos]

I’ll take a watch later.

[@RumpleXstillXskin]

Looks like a scrap shell ?

[@ItaliaAutos]

It does doesn't it.

[@herridge819]

Your videos are great Neil but I just can't see the point of this restoration in terms of your hours, it looks like it's not worth bothering.

[@iamyourfuture808]

you have to ask yourself, why are you doing it? to repair is going to cost far more than its worth. if you re-shell, yes its rare but down the line, a potential purchaser is going to want an original car not a re-shell. the only positive thing I can think of is it should generate views for your channel and maybe attract customers to your business.

[@vincebagusauskas278]

Gawd who wants to buy a rust bucket?

[@Daniel12343]

I read somewhere that the bodies were galvanised on the Punto's but the floors weren't, it looks like that might of been true. I've got a mk2 Punto if you need any measurements off of it (the floor looks similar).

[@ItaliaAutos]

New chassis rails would be nice

[@joneveritt1898]

It's a scrapper in my opinion sorry , a money pit

[@arco27]

would not waste my time on a rusty Punto😁