I like the look of lowered Unos. Matt, I think you've done a great job so far.
What's the deal with that green Turbo then? Is it too rusty to save?
My Turbo is about 50mm lower and looks great parked next to modern, bulbous cars - the Uno bumpers are below knee-height and those infamous 'square block' headlights (which, I would like to point out, aren't square) are actually smaller than the headlights on modern cars.
Something like my Punto has the 'lowering' front wings that James mentioned - there's a huge slab of metal above the wheelarch where there should be a svelte crease like on an X1/9 (which of course doesn't have an engine at the front) or on my 164 (where Alfa Romeo deliberately modified the suspension to get the bonnet line down!) The problem is that with modern cars, the bonnet has to be high for pedestrian safety and aerodynamics.
Anyway about the base spec equipment that Chas mentioned - yes, it is nice to make some upgrades. Here are my favourites:
- 2-speed heater fan (requires heater box removed and split to change fan). The refinement of a working heater, set to demist, and the fan on '1' cannot be underestimated on damp, cold nights.
- Lighter socket - for powering your phone, GPS etc. Gets fitted at the same time as you upgrade to the 2-speed heater panel
- Central locking. Don't waste time with Uno 70 central locking, as it's probably flogged-out by now. Just fit a new kit - and ideally a remote-controller (e.g. car alarm) as well. For a 5-dr you can fit rear door handles to the front doors, which is de-locking nirvana - so simple!
- LED over the ignition key. Connected to the driver's door switched earth for the interior light. The shape of the steering column cover is perfect for a 5mm hole to be drilled so that a hot-glued LED shines on the keyhole.
- Interior light delay - related to the above, a small gizmo pre-made connects to the switched earth and keeps the interior light/key light on
- Clock and map reading light, either the LCD of the later Mk1 or for a real old-school look, the red LED unit in the early Mk1 70S/SX.
- Mk2 Uno wiper. I think this is loads better than the Mk1 wiper - it's faster, makes no whirring noise, and parks out of the way
- Rear wiper intermittent, ideally with adjustable delay. This is an electronics kit - I don't know whether Maplin carries this sort of thing, we're a bit better catered-for in the DIY electronics world thanks to
www.jaycar.co.nz and
www.dse.co.nz. My Uno Turbo has a fixed 40-second delay, perfect for driving in average wet conditions.
- Turbo seats and door cards - or for a 5-dr, Mk2 60S/70SX seats and door cards (the Mk2 has window winders and handles in different places, but this can either be bodged or fitted directly to later Mk1 doors).
- Proper horn. The Japanese-style diaphragm horn fitted to base models is an embarrassment. You need the wind-tone horns from a 70 model (or many other cars). The FIAMM horns available aftermarket will do OK also, as they're basically identical to FIAT horns.
- Headlight relays. These make a big difference even with standard bulbs. The relays can get power from the starter motor live feed - just crimp on a ring terminal - you can have one relay each side (best), or take some shortcuts and put both sides on one relay. Remember to fuse the feed wire. I'm actually more concerned about dipped beam but of course you should relay the high beam as well. Then you can put in 100W/90W bulbs and marvel at the amazing light output
Illegal but so much better than original bulbs and wiring, and at least they're still correctly aimed and dipped - aren't they...
- Steering wheel - maybe - I have a strange fetish for the thin and hard base-model rim, but most people like to grab a thick - err, rim.
- Clutch squeaks, floppy gearchange, rough engine idle (standard Uno features these days) must all be fixed
-Alex
