A Grand Monday: Fiat Punto 60S

If there’s one thing that Fiat has always done well, it’s small cars. Tough, basic, mechanically durable and refreshingly stylish, the Italian manufacturer is renowned for making some of the best superminis in the world.

The Punto is a case in point – great to drive, lively even its most basic form and distinctively styled, it’s hard to believe that it’s now a quarter of a century since it first appeared. 

But then, ask yourself this. When was the last time you saw a Mk1 Punto? Despite being fairly robust, after more than two decades most of them have now fallen victim to sill corrosion, head gasket failure or simple neglect, making this 33,000-mile example from 1999 a real survivor, and one that truly deserves to be preserved for future generations.

It’s a basic ‘S’ trim model, but that’s often how small Fiats work best – no electric windows, no power steering, no complex bits to go wrong – just a fun, basic and great looking little car that’s really well preserved.

With a cheerful bright blue interior and excellent, solid bodywork, the only thing this car really wants for is a set of original Fiat hubcaps to replace the nasty aftermarket ones that it’s fitted with. Other than that, it’s near perfect, and while £875 may seem a lot for a bog standard Nineties supermini, we reckon there’s a near concours example in here waiting to get out. Plus, you could undoubtedly chip the seller down a bit, as we doubt it owes him that much. 

The Punto is a car that defines its era, and will be remembered as one of the best cars of the 1990s, outstanding in its class. This one for sale at £895 really needs someone to love it. 

• Read our Fiat Punto review and buyer's guide
• How many Fiat Puntos survived? Find out
• Find a Fiat Punto for sale