Russian Steel what dates??

[HoTWire]

Okay Italian cars have a bad reputation becuase they rust. However they rust because of being produced with poor quality steel (and occasionally being left out in the rain un painted due to strike action). However Italian firms did stop using Russian steel. The problem is they all stopped at different times. Anyone got the dates they started using and stop using Russian steel?

I know that Fiat is suppose to have stopped in 1982 (which is why there are more X1/9s around than you'd think there should be) and that Alfa Romeo had stopped by 1989 at least. I'm curious to know when they started.

Which models are safe!!

[Mr_Bo11ox]

I suspect trying to establish a rule which says “model ABC of car, if produced before date X is ‘risky’ but after that date is ‘OK’” is asking for trouble! Any Italian motors more than about 10 years old which are left on the road today, need to be inspected very thoroughly on an individual basis surely. Even ‘semi-modern’ pasta burners like Integrales etc can rot for England if they put their mind to it!

[HoTWire]

Oh yeah I'm aware that its a touch risky,.. but there are some years that are better than others. Frankly ANY car over 20 years old would have the same level of inspection from me. But there are definatly years that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole, and others that it might be worth the trip to go and see...