Club126UK

Welcome to the CLUB126UK Forum => Club126UK Forum News => Topic started by: Marky on January 30, 2015, 11:45:04 AM

Title: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Marky on January 30, 2015, 11:45:04 AM
Hi All! I'm new to the forum and have always been a fan of the 126. I had one for my very first car at 17 and loved it ever since! I have noticed a few posts from the past regarding the Barchetta 595. Appeared in the which kit? magazine in December 1993. As a few of you are aware, the original moulds were made by the DOVE company in Norfolk and enjoyed a limited run from December 1993 to 1995, then promptly disappeared. I understand these moulds changed hands several times over the years but were never used and always remained in the UK. After a very long time searching and chasing individuals from across the UK, I managed to track down these originals at the bubble car museum in Lincolnshire. The original moulds and car was never designed to have opening doors. These came about after someone purchased a body and modified it to have doors and then made a mould from that. They are not factory moulds but a facsimile of the original car and as such, suffered serious structural issues and required heavy reinforcement. I am also aware that bodies have been offered in Malta and around Europe that were also copies made from a body shipped to the relevant people. Everyone who purchased a copy version of the kit would have certainly had fitting issues with almost every aspect of the build and as such, these producers stopped offering the bodies in the wake of a long line of disgruntled European buyer/builders. Well. The good news is.... Not only was I able to track these original blue factory made moulds down.... I was also able to purchase them! I have owned these moulds for about a year and due to other commitments, I was unable to do anything with them at the time. I can tell you however, I have now produced a full kit from these very complex moulds (the first since 1995!), and will be offering people the opportunity to purchase the real thing. The bonnet and boot are so exact, the will fit the original fiat 500. The lights are directly from a fiat 500 and there are several companies on the net offering original lighting for £169. That includes front and rear lights, chrome surrounds and wiring loom. To build a car, all you would need is a cut down 126, the ability to reinforce the floor pan, fabricated roll over hoops and good attention to detail. The kit includes all panels. Shell, Floorpan (bonds directly to the 126 floorpan), bonnet, middle boot lid, rear engine cover/boot and fully moulded untrimed seats. Everything else will come directly from the fiat 126.  The donor car must be aged between 1976 to 1987. It will fit later vehicles with some modification. total vehicle weight would be around 470kg depending on extras a builder may add. an original vehicle can be found on you tube by searching 'barchetta 595'. I am more than happy to answer any questions by any interested parties. More information and my contact details can be found on my website www.595s.org

Just of note, I am also tinkering with the idea of a trip to Poland as a friend of mine tells me there are a glut of 126s out there and can be acquired cheaply. I would only be worth it to bring back several at once on an articulated vehicle transporter. It is possible to get 16 vehicles on one double deck articulated trailer with the vehicles driven on in line and side by side on both decks. Anyone interested in this, please contact me through my website.

Kind regards, to you all! Mark Hill.    ;D
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Marky on February 06, 2015, 12:46:08 PM
The new body fresh from the  mould.
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: belstaff on February 10, 2015, 09:13:26 AM
 
   Hi Mark,
   You & your Barchetta 595 - Fiat based kit car would be most welcome to join us at
   the N.M.C.Rally in September to show us your kit car shell etc.
 
   We know pete126, The information is on this forum. To see full details of what we are about also look up N.M.C.R. website.

 I Look forward to hearing from you .
 
. Regards
Gren. NMCR Administrator.
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Marky on February 11, 2015, 04:01:18 PM
Thank you Gren! I would be very interested in attending. I have posted a few detailed items regarding the build of the kit on some of the other forums on this site. Thank you again for the invite! Marky
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: drcdb15 on July 06, 2016, 11:07:19 PM
I've done a very limited bit of research on this, but I can't find anything on the web in the past year or so...

Is this project still alive? Anyone got any news?
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: thepuddlejumper on July 07, 2016, 10:46:02 PM
I think an electric version is for sale on eBay with a space frame chassis.

Ralph
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: jacw on September 05, 2016, 08:05:41 AM
Does anyone have any news on where the Barchetta 595 moulds are now and what's happened to this project? It sounded as if Mark was going into full production. Thanks, John.
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: DeVilleChris on September 09, 2016, 10:49:41 PM
I bought a few parts from Mark recently and he is just finishing the first one from the line now. After that one is completed he will start taking orders :)
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Yoshimisumi on September 10, 2016, 10:04:32 AM
A thread resurrection with a decent outcome for a change!


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Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: 1973/126 on December 14, 2017, 08:29:13 AM
 I was reading this advert on eBay and I though the name rings a bell. What a sad end for a good 126 >:(
 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-126-low-mileage-rolling-chassis-with-V5C-service-history-books/132431151188?hash=item1ed5830054:g:FoYAAOSwR6RaLpqO
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: drcdb15 on December 14, 2017, 11:31:59 AM
What a sad end for a good 126
And for the Barchetta project by the sound of it. I presume the moulds are in Malvern, but owned by Mr Hill in Telford, but if he has neither the resources nor the inclination to do anything with them I presume Malvern Glass Fibre will want rid of them at some point...
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: drcdb15 on December 14, 2017, 11:53:35 AM
Looking at the BVD 595s web site, it looks as though there is no evidence at all that BVD has ever actually made a single Barchetta based on a 126. There is much hype about using an Aprilia motorcycle engine, lots of impressive specifications, and even a picture of an Aprilia engine... but no actual evidence of any real car. There are also claims of a new limited run car planned for 2018, nothing at all to do with either the Barchetta or the Fiat powertrain... the only hard evidence of this firm actually doing anything apart from making fancy specification lists is video of arc etching VIN plates...

Furthermore, there is no landline number shown, and the only physical address given is Malvern Glass Fibre's, in Hanley Swan - the very firm which the eBay advertiser says has no links with BVD.

As it happens, I have a base in that area so when I am next up there in a couple of weeks I'll pop in to the MGF place to see if I can see what's what - might even get a glimpse of these famous Barchetta moulds !!
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: drcdb15 on December 19, 2017, 09:47:17 PM
I was reading this advert on eBay and I though the name rings a bell. What a sad end for a good 126 >:(
 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fiat-126-low-mileage-rolling-chassis-with-V5C-service-history-books/132431151188?hash=item1ed5830054:g:FoYAAOSwR6RaLpqO

Sold for £50 it seems. Sad end to the car, but at least someone got a bargain for the mechanicals which were in good order apparently.
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Club1n on December 20, 2017, 11:45:37 PM
Quote
Sold for £50 it seems. Sad end to the car, but at least someone got a bargain for the mechanicals which were in good order apparently.

I'm the "proud" new owner ;D , couldn't turn down an engine and gearbox for £50 :P I'm pretty excited to see what condition it is in, when I spoke to the owner of the place where it's being stored, he said it was inside until fairly recently.. Fingers crossed everything is as described as I've still seen no pictures of the car :D
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: 1973/126 on December 21, 2017, 02:10:53 PM
 Well done Matti, you've got a real bargain there :thumbup From what I remember it was a really lovely looking car and from the sellers description it was well looked after so the running gear should be good.
 Make sure you post some pictures once you have collected it. I'm intrigued to see what is left of it.
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Club1n on December 21, 2017, 03:11:52 PM
From what I remember it was a really lovely looking car and from the sellers description it was well looked after so the running gear should be good.

I actually found a picture of it whilst I was browsing around on here, it was immaculate!

(https://i.imgur.com/FBYpuqK.jpg)

Will post pictures when we go and collect it on the 3rd!
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Xylaquin on December 22, 2017, 08:13:20 AM
Dixie was looking for that last year!
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: dixie on December 22, 2017, 08:21:03 AM
Dixie was looking for that last year!
Hi all. Yes J was. Can the new owner get in touch please

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Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: dixie on December 22, 2017, 10:31:17 AM
Dixie was looking for that last year!
Hi all. Yes J was. Can the new owner get in touch please

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Hi. Could Matti get in touch please. I owned this car a while back and would like to know how it is. I will also try to fill any details of its past if interested.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Club1n on December 22, 2017, 04:43:34 PM
Dixie was looking for that last year!
Hi all. Yes J was. Can the new owner get in touch please

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
Hi. Could Matti get in touch please. I owned this car a while back and would like to know how it is. I will also try to fill any details of its past if interested.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Sent you an email Dixie, will send you a PM too. :)
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: drcdb15 on December 28, 2017, 02:42:35 PM
the only physical address given is Malvern Glass Fibre's, in Hanley Swan - the very firm which the eBay advertiser says has no links with BVD.

As it happens, I have a base in that area so when I am next up there in a couple of weeks I'll pop in to the MGF place to see if I can see what's what - might even get a glimpse of these famous Barchetta moulds !!
Well... what do you know ? Guess what *I*'ve seen....

As of yesterday, 27 December, the moulds are at MGF, stored inside, and the moulded body shell is sat rather forlornly on a steel jig, outdoors. It's been marked up with marker pen in various areas, with bits sawn out and taped over and so on, so obviously some work has been done in offering up parts like the steering column, instruments, steering rack and the like, but it looks rather abandoned as though nothing has been done very recently.

The place was all locked up for the holiday, so I was unable to find anyone to speak to to find out the current state of play, but as I say, it didn't look much like there was any active work on the project at present. And being sat outside with sawn sections exposed to the rain won't be doing the moulding any favours in terms of paint finish in future years  :cry:
Title: Re: Barchetta 595 - Fiat 126 based Kit Car.
Post by: Club1n on January 03, 2018, 05:26:11 PM
Today was a good day! Bill at Malvern Glass Fibres is a really nice guy (thought i'd get that out straight away) came and met up with us even though he was dying of man flu.

Firstly, the Barchetta body was around the back;

(https://i.imgur.com/tOjruSk.jpg)

Next to the Barchetta body was a tarp;

(https://i.imgur.com/ciYlXKl.jpg)

Under said tarp there was the sorry remnants of the 126- we loaded up which was a nightmare trying to back the trailer down the narrow entrance.. so we gave up and pushed the car along the drive, surprisingly easy with no body (minus the razor sharp edges!);

(https://i.imgur.com/o0Kr99n.jpg)

(https://i.imgur.com/cGI09Uh.jpg)

I did however manage to get a glimpse of the infamous Barchetta moulds, which (from what bill said) he uses to make those man cave tables, without cutting actual cars in half.. which I thought was pretty neat!

(https://i.imgur.com/JQKs6sy.jpg)

And in his/her final resting place for a couple of days before I pull it's heart out;

(https://i.imgur.com/yeHlHwI.jpg)

From what Bill said, the project was never completed because the Barchetta body didn't fit.. From what I've observed from the car, it was never going to work out, too much body was cut off, I have no clue how it could've been successfully mounted onto the 126 with it being safe.. The car is like a big jelly cube. At least a couple of good things came out of today, Sometime 2018 the rally 126 will be thundering down the backroads of Staffordshire thanks to OYC, and I met Bill, and he was a really nice man- he made us cups of tea because it was very cold.. :D