Faults:

The cam pulley came off at 12002 miles, so no way the dealer would fix it, it threw the cam belt and bent all the valves.

Burnt points every 2 weeks, starter switch couldn't handle the amperage of starter so I installed a starter button on the side of the seat.

Door stops were made of coat hanger wire so doors had crimp marks at fronts.

I learned a lot about mechanics owning this vehicle for ten years. My toolbox was a permanent fixture to the car. I changed the transmission in a K-mart parking lot while visiting Lake Chelan; luckily able to find a semi-working transmission in a junkyard and luckily a local gas station loaned me a floor jack.

It was fun to drive when running. My next car was a 1983 4-cylinder Toyota Camry and I was amazed to suddenly have a reliable car that rarely needed work.

General Comments:

Honda Civics were also available at the time but unheard of by the general public. It would have been a much better car. The dealer also had a Lotus Europa for 1000$ more but insurance for 1 year at my age would have been 1/3 the price of the car, and reliability would have been the same with much more difficult-to-find parts, but it was gorgeous.

The Fiat did sit for a few years when I picked up a VW Squareback which needed an engine rebuild for cheap. That was the easiest rebuild ever; just loosen a few bolts, drop the engine and bolt on new cylinders. A great car once I figured out how the fuel injection worked - for a while I had the reputation of being a magician with VW fuel injection systems, most mechanics at the time knew nothing about fuel injection.

Faults:

The engine blew at 90,000.

Paint was very thick, as if they dipped the car.

General Comments:

It was my first car. I had the choice of buying a using Mercury Comet V8 or a new car. My dad put the down payment down and I paid the rest.

It was the 70s, what can I say. My first mods to it were big house speakers and a Jensen cassette player.

It was a 4 speed, and it would beat up on 6 cylinder gremlins all day long in drag races. I liked it for what it was - Mine. It didn't have a cruise control, but I made do by setting the choke and idle speed, I could cruise 65mph all day long without touching the gas pedal.

The timing belt went out at 90,000 miles; strangely it didn't bend a valve, and the block looked as good as new.

I gave it to my dad and he sold it. Both are long gone now.