Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. (1985 to 1993)

Fiat's Uno, styled by Giugiaro and launched in 1983, was a roomy, slippery supermini that went on to sell in the millions. In 1985 Fiat added the Turbo i.e., turning the humble hatch into one of the fastest small cars of the decade. Its 1.3 engine, derived from the old Fiat 128 unit, gained Bosch fuel injection, electronic ignition, a water-cooled IHI turbocharger and an intercooler, and the car weighed only about 845kg, helped by a lightweight tailgate. Lowered, stiffened suspension, disc brakes all round and alloy wheels completed the package.

A second series arrived with the Uno facelift in September 1989, now with a 1.4 engine, a Garrett T2 turbo, revised injection and more power. Both versions offer strong mid-range punch once the turbo is on boost, with sharp steering and an eager, slightly wild character that made them favourites with younger drivers and tuners in period.

That is also why survivors are scarce. Many were driven hard, modified, crashed or allowed to rust, and mainstream used-car guides once advised avoiding them for that reason. A standard, well-preserved example is now a cult Italian hot hatch with a loyal following. Buyers need to be realistic about the car's lightweight construction, cheap interior materials and the scarcity of model-specific parts.

• Years built: first series from 1985 (June 1985 per automobile-sportive.com) to 1989; second series from September 1989 to about 1993.
• Body style: three-door hatchback.
• First series engine: 1.3 litre SOHC four, quoted as 1,301cc (PistonHeads notes it was also listed as 1,299cc), 105hp at 5,750rpm, IHI turbo, Bosch injection.
• Second series engine: 1,372cc, quoted at 118hp, Garrett T2 turbo, Bosch LH (L3.1) Jetronic injection.
• Gearbox: five-speed manual, derived from the Ritmo 105 TC according to Motor1.
• Brakes: ventilated front and solid rear discs. An optional Antiskid ABS system was listed from 1988.
• Production: sources disagree sharply. Motor1 gives about 20,000 across both series, while automobile-sportive.com gives about 35,000 first series and 25,000 second series. Treat any figure with caution.

• 1985: first series launched with the 1.3 turbo engine, intercooler and sporting trim.
• 1988: Antiskid ABS listed as an option.
• Later first series: Classic Cars for Sale refers to early IHI and later Garrett turbochargers, so check which is fitted and whether it is correct for the car.
• September 1989: second series with the facelifted Uno body, improved aerodynamics, the 1,372cc engine, Garrett T2 turbo, higher boost and revised injection. Top speed rose to a quoted 127mph.
• About 1993: production ended as the Uno range wound down ahead of the Punto.

The 1990 lot is a second series car, so expect the 1.4 engine, the later nose and the later interior.

Bodywork and structure

• Rust is the biggest concern. Check the floor seams, sills, fuel tank mounts, boot floor and spare wheel well.
• Inspect the rear turret tops, front inner wings, strut turrets and suspension arm mountings.
• The engine subframe is hard to repair in place, so look closely at it from below with a torch.
• The scuttle under the windscreen can rot and is difficult to fix without removing the screen. Doors and tailgate rot when drain holes block. Check the sunroof surround and mechanism.
• Look for crash damage and poor paintwork. Cheap body kits and resprays are common.

Engine

• Regular oil changes are vital for the turbo. Ask for receipts. Cambelt changes should be frequent; Classic Cars for Sale recommends every 30,000 miles with good quality belts.
• White smoke from cold or blue smoke when hot can indicate turbo seal wear. A rattling or whistling turbo is a warning sign.
• Inspect the turbo oil feed pipes, breathers and vacuum hoses for leaks and perishing. The front-mounted intercooler is easily damaged.
• Under-bonnet heat can corrode the fuel rail and make it porous. A fuel smell in the engine bay needs investigating. Check injectors and fuel pump; some owners add secondary pumps.
• Avoid engines that are noisy or smoky at start-up.

Gearbox and drivetrain

• Check for worn synchromesh, jumping out of gear and whining. Many cars have been driven hard.
• A heavy or slipping clutch suggests replacement is due, especially on cars with more power than standard.
• Check driveshaft joints for clicking on full lock.

Suspension, steering and brakes

• MacPherson struts all round. Vague handling usually means tired bushes.
• Many cars have been lowered. Classic Cars for Sale advises no more than about 30mm and properly matched springs and dampers. Very hard polyurethane bushes can make the ride harsh.
• Check discs, calipers and hoses. On Antiskid cars, confirm the ABS warning light behaves correctly.

Electrics and interior

• Unos have a reputation for electrical faults. Bad earths cause many random problems such as dead windows and weak blowers. Test everything.
• Interior materials are cheap. Look for sagging headlining, worn seat and door trim, cracked brittle dash plastics and damp from the sunroof. Turbo-specific trim is hard to find.

Identity and paperwork

• Fiat built millions of ordinary Unos, so clones are possible. Check that the VIN and V5C describe a Turbo i.e., and that the engine is the correct turbo unit for the series.
• Look for the correct factory features: intercooler, all-round disc brakes, Turbo i.e. trim and wheels, and the right turbocharger type.
• Modifications are common. Ask for details and invoices for any engine work, and rolling road printouts for claimed power. Check whether a remap or larger turbo has been fitted and whether original parts come with the car.
• A clean, standard car is generally preferred by enthusiasts over a heavily modified one.

Routine service parts are available, but turbo-specific parts, trim, body panels and interior pieces are scarce and often have to be sourced second-hand, sometimes from continental Europe where more cars survive. Turbos can be rebuilt by specialists. Fiat specialists and the enthusiast forums are the best sources of knowledge, and garaging is strongly advised to keep rust at bay. The Fiat Motor Club (GB) covers all Fiat models; its website is listed as fiatmotorclubgb1.netfirms.com.

• Is the engine the original turbo unit, and when was the cambelt last changed?
• Has the turbocharger been replaced or rebuilt, and is it the correct type for this series?
• What modifications have been made, and are any original parts supplied?
• Has any welding or body repair been done, and where?
• Is there a service history showing frequent oil changes?