Fiat Punto
One of the best selling cars of all time, from any manufacturer, we think it’s a travesty that the Punto was unceremoniously pulled from the showrooms in 2018 with still no sign of a replacement. Over its quarter-of-a-century development, the Punto went from strength-to-strength with everything on offer from full-fat turbocharged hot hatches, coach-built soft-tops and industrial, load-lugging vans.
Fiat PUNTO MK1
Where it all started, the original Punto was a revelation in the super-mini sector and won Car of the Year back in 1995. Inexpensive, elegantly designed by Giugiaro (those rear lights were a showstopper when first seen back in 1993) and powered by a range of Fiat’s famously energetic engines, they sold like hot Italian cakes. Although you’re not really seeing the more base models popping up in classic auctions just yet, it’s only a matter of time.
Fiat Punto GT
Following on from the legendary Uno Turbo, the GT was the hot-hatch entry in the Mk1 Punto range. The turbo-charged engine was an evolution of the Uno’s (actually, its history stretches back to the 128), now developing around 134bhp and was enough to propel the little Punto to 60mph in under 8 seconds. The last of its kind in terms of no-frills, unadulterated pocket-rocket fun, the Punto GT is already an inarguable classic. Finding unmodified examples isn’t easy, but we’re always on the look out for these.
Fiat Punto Cabriolet
It might seem a pretty left-field idea, chopping the roof off your simple little shopping car, but apparently Fiat always wanted a cabriolet version of the Punto right from the drawing boards. Actually built by Bertone in their own factories, the Punto Cabriolet was, and still is, one of the cheapest ways to enjoy topless motoring. Add in the usable seats in the back, nifty electronic roof operation and a great engine (the 1.2 16v fitted to later models is the one to go for, in our experience) and you can’t help but fall in love.
Fiat Punto MK2
Much more than just a mere facelift, the second-generation Punto introduced some huge leaps forward in technology and enhanced underpinnings. Although the engine range was initally thinned down to meet new emission regulations and the Cabriolet version was dropped (Pininfarina did build a concept fitted with a retractable hard-top, but sadly this never made it to production), there was still no shortage of choice. For the enthusiastic driver, the 1.8 HGT developed a very healthy 130bhp, had none of the turbo-lag of the earlier GT and, actually, handles a lot more assuredly when pushed. We’ve been meaning to build a HGT track-car for years now, one day we’ll get round to it!
Fiat Grande Punto / Punto EVO
Without a doubt, one of the prettiest modern hatchbacks, the Grande Punto generation ushered in a new grown-up approach for Fiat. Comfortable, well equipped interiors, frugal engine choices and parts so readily available you can practically find them on Tesco’s shelves. What more can you ask for from a city-car? And to prove we put our money where our mouths are, there are two Grande Puntos currently being used as daily drivers in the italicar family right now.