Eco warrior: Fiat 500 TwinAir
I’ve never been a dedicated follower of fashion. When it comes to clothes, I’ll always err on the side of comfort. I’m also unlikely to jump on a bandwagon, choosing instead to wait for the next wagon, even if means I stand waiting in the rain like a sad chump.
It’s a similar story when it comes to popular culture. If a television channel constantly plugs a new show or insists on using the phrase ‘live and exclusive’, I refuse to watch it, choosing instead to catch it when it comes around on ITV4 or Dave. I’m also one of the rare members of the human race who doesn’t own a copy of an Adele album. Read more 
Ton’s Real World Dream Barn
PetrolBlog’s Dutch correspondent flies over with details of his Real World Dream Barn. He’s clearly not afraid to bend the rules a little!
As you may or may not have not have read in my bio, for as long as I can remember, I’m not really much of petrol head, but all the more a Porsche head. So when thinking about a Real World Dream Barn, I could easily fill the whole list with ten Porsches and be perfectly happy. Or just buy a 959 and be done. Read more
An Italian first car? Just the job, says Ton Dumans
What’s this? Another guest blogger on PetrolBlog? This time we’ve gone all continental and are delighted to welcome Mr Ton Dumans from Holland. Ton has discovered a couple of things recently. First of all, Ton stumbled across PetrolBlog itself and secondly, Ton tasted PetrolBlog’s official food of choice, the Hobnob. Having successfully passed the gruelling PetrolBlog initiation test, Ton has signed up as a member of the team.
In his first post, Ton takes a look at two cars he helped some non-petrolhead friends source and purchase. Based on the images, we’d say that Ton would make an ideal personal shopper for those looking to buy a first car in Holland. Sadly, the cost of insurance may put these cars out of reach of new drivers in the UK… Read more
Ryan’s Italian Job: Fiat Strada & Lancia Beta Spider
I was recently contacted by a chap from the States who felt encouraged to email PetrolBlog having read this earlier piece on the Fiat Strada. Turns out that the chap, a Mr Ryan Kooken, has a rather brilliant taste in motor cars. Not only does he own a Fiat Strada himself, but he also has a delightful Lancia Beta Spider. So that’s two Italian cars from the 1980s. Mr Kooken, PetrolBlog salutes you sir. Read more
Shatchbacks VI: Hatchbacks Under Siege
Can it really be five months since the last Shatchback update? OK, there was an impromptu spotting frenzy in Lisbon back in the summer, but PetrolBlog has been lax in getting more booted horrors on to the hall of fame. So without further ado, I give you Shatchbacks VI: Hatchbacks Under Siege. With grateful thanks to @jeckythump for the inspired title. Read more
Bangerwatch: Fiat Uno Turbo i.e
In the market for an ’80s hot hatch, but would prefer something different to the ubiquitous Golf GTi or 205 GTi? Well, if you’re feeling brave, you might be tempted by this little Italian rocket found in the classifieds. Signore e signori, I give you the Fiat Uno Turbo i.e. Admit it, you weren’t expecting one of these to be for sale today, were you? Read more
Real World Reviews: Fiat Panda 1.2 Dynamic AirCon
PetrolBlog is delighted to welcome a new guest blogger to our dusty little corner of the interweb. Tom Richards is a PR exec in the automotive industry and, like the rest of us, is a keen petrolhead. For his first blog he has penned a Real World Review of his Fiat Panda 1.2. You can expect more from Tom in the future, but in the meantime check out his twitter feed @teorichards. Read more
SMMT Day: Speed dating with cars
This week I was invited to the annual SMMT Day at the Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire. Put simply, the SMMT Day involves automotive journalists and bloggers getting together in a central place with the primary aim of driving as many cars as possible. Or as I like to call it, speed dating with cars. OK, there’s also the opportunity to mingle with the good folk of the UK press offices, but in truth, the real attraction is the vast selection of cars available to drive. Think ‘kid in a sweet shop’ and you’d have some idea as to how it felt to be there. Read more
Shatchbacks V: The Final Frontier?
I’ll start the fifth update of Shatchbacks with a sobering point. I’ve received enough content suggestions to ensure that Shatchbacks will continue until at least the seventh episode, so not quite the final frontier – yet. Who would have thought that there was so much misery on our roads? On a lighter note, I’m delighted to report that manufacturers are clearly seeing the marketing potential of Shatchbacks. A quick Google search reveals that Hyundai, Peugeot and Vauxhall have all bought Shatchbacks as a Pay-Per-Click AdWord. Nice. But for your information Google, no I didn’t mean to search for hatchbacks! Read more
Whatever happened to…the Fiat Strada
Remember the Fiat Strada?
If not, let me jog your memory…it was the car that bridged the gap between the 128 and the Tipo…built between 1978 and 1988…called the Ritmo everywhere other than the UK, US and Canada? Read more
Yesterday’s Specials…Fiat Panda Italia ’90
Ah, the memories of the the 1990 World Cup. The sound of Luciano Pavarotti, the sight of Gazza’s tears and the gallant but inevitable failure of England to get past West Germany on penalties. In truth though, this was England’s best post-1966 performance, a genuine team effort and a real case of a missed opportunity. Or penalty. Or two. Read more
