By Matt Bird \/ Thursday, 12 October 2023 \/ Loading comments<\/p>\n
It often seems like barely a day passes without a new crazy expensive, incredibly limited run special edition supercar is announced. One that\u2019ll barely ever be seen in public, one that guarantees attention wherever it goes, one that looks like nothing else on the road. Monterey Car Week was crammed full of them.<\/p>\n
And while not every super duper slice of exotica will appeal to all, the prospect of owning a car that makes people point, smile and wave doesn\u2019t half sound nice. With so many cars met with total apathy – sometimes genuine rage – from passers by, to be behind the wheel of something that brings cheer to all around must be great. Especially if it costs \u00a35k and not a million. If that sounds desirable, boy do we have the car for you\u2026<\/p>\n
This is a Fiat Punto Cabriolet, a car from that fascinatingly weird era of the 1990s where supermini drop-tops were actually a thing. Remember the Corsa cabrio? The Rover 100? Anyway, it\u2019s hard not to look at this lovely old Fiat and raise a smile, seemingly beautifully preserved in that classically classy colour combo of green and cream. It\u2019s so strange it\u2019s come out the other side kind of lovable. <\/p>\n
Wanna guess how many Punto cabrios are still out there? HowManyLeft puts the number at 11 for this ELX model (apparently there was a 16v flagship as well) meaning this could be the only green one left out there. A potentially unique drop-top Italian classic, with just 60k recorded since the mid-1990s, for \u00a35,000 – bargain, right?<\/p>\n
Of course, we\u2019re being a little tongue-in-cheek. The Fiat was never a cool convertible, really, all a bit stumpy and maybe a tad pram-like where the ideal is for a swoopy rear deck. As was almost guaranteed when working with a hatch shaped like the Punto. And it won\u2019t be very fast. And best gloss over the questions about handling and rigidity. <\/p>\n
But we\u2019re a long, long way from 1996 now. It\u2019s rare, quirky, different, a bit daft and very likeable. The Punto cabriolet was never a serious prospect, just a bit of fun when such silliness was apparently actively encouraged in the industry. In such sombre and serious times, it\u2019s a welcome bit of light hearted relief. You\u2019re still smiling too, right?<\/p>\n
Apparently fresh to the selling dealer\u2019s stock, there isn\u2019t a description for the Punto yet. Sorry, we were just too keen to wait any longer than necessary. But it looks incredibly fresh from here; inevitably the jazzy upholstery has suffered a little from more than 25 years of top down motoring, though the paint and roof look especially good. Great wheels, too. <\/p>\n
As something to pack pals and a picnic into for something like Festival of the Unexceptional, the Punto looks perfect. It\u2019s in its prime kitsch phase now (we\u2019d say), where it\u2019s old enough to be forgotten by most but recent enough to be recalled and appreciated by a few. And hopefully still with some sunny summer days out to enjoy yet. There won\u2019t be another one at the seaside, that\u2019s for sure. <\/p>\n