BRAKES AND WHEELS

Carburetor cars used solid discs all round, and the front ones can wear ridiculously quickly. Says Andy: "Shimmying through the steering under braking will be evident if the car you're looking at is due for a new set. However, because fuel-injected cars sported ventilated discs at the front, they're not so prone to warping with hard use."

Even properly adjusted, the handbrake mechanism is notoriously poor: don't be surprised if it doesn't hold on a hill. But if it's in top-notch condition the system can be adjusted.

Fuel injected cars were fitted with 15-inch wheels, with a five-bolt fitting. Because earlier cars came with 14-inch wheels and a four-bolt stud pattern there's no interchangeability between the generations. While many cars have been fitted with aftermarket wheels, it's still possible to track down original wheels for most variants.

ELECTRICS

Italian cars are renowned for temperamental electrics, which is unfortunately well deserved in the case of the Biturbo. Says Andy: "Check that absolutely everything works - it's likely many things won't. Electric windows, air-conditioning, starter motors and warning lights can all play up. The fusebox is a printed circuit board, which often burns out. Replacing it will cost around £170 (US$245), and it can almost be treated as a consumable item." The electric windows are especially worth checking, because each winder mechanism costs £200 (US$288).

Some cars had fused relays which had a habit of packing up. Because the cooling system's two fans were operated by these, blown head gaskets and potentially wrecked engines can result if there's a failure. So when idling the engine to check the condition of the turbos, make sure the cooling fans cut in.