[tanbeamer]

Seeing your car, I am getting tempted to pick an old Palio 1.6 and then resto-mod to achieve the same condition as that of your car.

My dad too went crazy on seeing your car's pictures. Hoping to see it hit the 100,000 mark very soon

[itsashishsharma]

Oh dear sidindica, you have made fans on the forum - one of your many fans.

You revived some sweet memories. I owned a Palio 1.2 during my college days. From getting my crush to come on a drive with me to transporting a cricket team to the nearest playground, that was something special. Not even my 330i's steering feels as awesome as my old Palio's. If only Fiat was serious in India, I won't have to struggle to maintain it and then sell it for peanuts.

[gt_mustang]

That is an inspirational restoration. The red is chili hot .
I have a palio S10 from my college days rotting in my parking
I would love to restore it . But I don't live in Hyderabad anymore and availability of parts scare me.
It would be a sight to behold though if properly restored.
Any advice would be appreciated

[sidindica]

As we speak, one S10 is with me undergoing full blown catalogued factory spec restoration in my supervision here. Easy to get parts and expertise but needs money and time. And lots.

[RenuKumar]

Fiat - made to live forever; with the right owner.! Good decision mate

[warbug]

Not a Fiat, but I went for a Ford Fiesta, when I did the TD 16 years ago I wanted to go for the Palio but I needed the boot. I hear what you say, the HP steering, 1.6 NA engines - though I don’t like the carputers I have to use them, but once in a while I go out racing in the fiesta and it’s liberating. I feel that there is a space for Analogue/mechanical new cars in the indian markets. I used to drive a friends 1995 BMW M5 and I have never driven a car like that, not even another BMW - coming from a Q5 daily driver.

[achyutaghosh]

What a looker she is, SidIndica. Congratulations for owning the first hot hatch in India, and for impeccably maintaining it till date. If you would have said this car is 3 years old, i would have agreed with it too

As an ex-Palio owner, i believe that the Palio was a car way ahead of its times. The exterior design is still better than current hatchbacks, the interiors have aged gracefully, the engine was a stonker, in ride and handling it can still teach a thing or two to the current leaders, and that door close thunk is still unmatched by any car in India i think. Pity that FIAT lost the plot in India.

You are lucky to be staying in a region of India where such beauties can be kept beyond 15 years. Look forward to many more years of you and your Palio.

[IamGetz]

Originally Posted by sidindica

Signing off with the latest photos of the car, for which, age is just a number

Very aptly put, age is just a number. Truly reflects sense of ownership and pride of a trustworthy companion.

Echoes sentiments of all long term owners that transcends new age gizmos and values car connect at a deeper level.

I too feel the same for my trusted Getz GLE 1341cc petrol manual, and can only wish you many many happy years of proud ownership of your beautiful vehicle.

[RaviCar]

That looks wonderful. I hope I am able to maintain my cars like you.

Would you be able to enter Delhi NCR after re-registration?

Wish you a lot of safe miles on this beast.

[sidindica]

Christmas 2022 and 70,700 kms up

I haven't driven the car much in the last 5-6 months, but then, its a museum relic for the streets of Delhi NCR. For the rest of India, its a normal car, which no one knows what it was. Like, a forgotten old Santa claus playing songs from the 90s. But yeah, its still irrelevantly relevant because it gives you worth the full price you paid for the tachometer (IYKYK).



It gives you worth the price you paid for the progressive rear springs, solid rear anti roll bar, superb steering, driving dynamics and the aural brazilian engine note.





I got the basic mobil 1 synthetic oil service done at 70000 kms at Jhalak, other than that, no issues at all, except one fine day the wipers started to play nagin dance on one fine rain. I saw a polo in front of my car and noticed its wiper has a bulky looking deflector. I dont know what it does, except I was told it helps in keeping the wiper sweep stable at high speeds and aids aerodynamic properties. I somehow liked that design and ordered one set from a volkswagen service centre. So my Palio now sports OE VW Polo wipers and its a perfect fit. Initial impressions have been good, rest as it is, once miles are clocked for eternity......




Original is the name of the game, and my car does not have any tesla screen, any pops and crackle overrun, any Connaught place made cringe exhaust, just pure aural pleasure from the factory.





My friend once said, do not reverse engineer what Italians did. he was right.

[samee_arian]

What a lovely car. One can easily see the love and care than must have gone into maintaining this red beauty. While most of the things look OEM, I am sure the alloys are not OEM (not sure if Fiat provided such good alloy options when Palio was being sold, nut have definitely seen some similar alloys on a Red Punto but in black color and they looks awesome). Also wanted to know if the paint is original and the lights too, coz it looks too good to be true. Overall a lovely car. Brings back days from my youth when Palio was one of my favorite cars and S10 model was the one I really looked forward to seeing on roads. I really wish Fiat was more committed to India coz I loved most of their products. FSA all of a sudden saw a opportunity with Jeep but now it seems it is going the same way.

[Tokengrip]

Beautiful looking car... Somehow i always feel that the Momo revenge Rims were made for the Palio/Punto. I have a set of black ones that my grey Punto rocks.

So where is the car based now since you can't drive it in the NCR..?

[TurboKat]

Originally Posted by samee_arian

While most of the things look OEM, I am sure the alloys are not OEM (not sure if Fiat provided such good alloy options when Palio was being sold, nut have definitely seen some similar alloys on a Red Punto but in black color and they looks awesome). Also wanted to know if the paint is original and the lights too, coz it looks too good to be true. Overall a lovely car.

The alloys are 15 inch 98 PCD Momo Revenge wheels. Sidindica's ex diesel Puntos(both red and silver) had those rims(16 inch, 98 PCD) in matt anthracite(grey) colour. Regarding to the paintjob on the Palio, Sid has mentioned the details earlier in this thread.

[amvj]

I hate threads like these in Team-bhp. It makes me regret for not buying an Italian (Abarth Punto). Your Car looks gorgeous and looks like it came out of showroom recently. You are keeping it amazingly well. Thanks for sharing. Cheers.

[shankar.balan]

Originally Posted by sidindica

As we speak, one S10 is with me undergoing full blown catalogued factory spec restoration in my supervision here. Easy to get parts and expertise but needs money and time. And lots.

Nothing quite like that Palio 1.6.
Superb car. As usual under rated and disrespected.
But such an elegant design and such a strong engine.
Its just 20 years ago that these cars were on our roads. So much has changed. Some for the better and much for the worse.
Thankfully there are people like you who have great taste and keep these fantastic soul-filled machines running sweetly and looking lovely.