he Fiat Coupe 20v Turbo has followed a similar value ascent to its great 1990s Italian coupe rival, the Alfa GTV. However, this particular example is a bit of a unicorn as it’s believed to be the only UK car built in 2001.

It’s a three-owner car – the first being Fiat, the second a Fiat dealer boss and the third long-time owner from 2003. It’s also got a spectacularly low mileage – most have racked up around 70,000 miles by now – and it looks to be in fantastic nick.

We just had to check it out.Pictures don’t deceive. There are a few minor blemishes – some touched-in paint on the bonnet on the passenger side and blink-and-you’ll-miss-them stonechips on the snout, but the rest of the car’s paintwork is simply superb, with no signs of damage or corrosion. The alloy wheels are absolutely original and are in fantastic condition, with zero kerb damage. The Toyo Proxes have plenty of tread remaining.

The interior is in good nick too – the previous owner spent a fortune replacing the centre console, and it looks brand new. The soft-touch plastic around the handbrake is showing some scrapes, but that's a common issue with Coupes. It’s still the best-condition centre console we’ve ever seen on one of these. The seats show only light signs of use, the headlining is perfect and there are no scuffs on any of the metal trim pieces.

Under the bonnet it’s nigh-on concours. The last service stamp was in 2014, but since then the vendor has given it an oil and filter change, a fresh cambelt and waterpump (with metal impeller), fanbelts and rocker cover gasket. It’s also had new brake discs front and rear.

It’s easy to see why the Coupe passion lasted for so long. The warbling five pot really is a treat for the ears, and the big-lunged surge in third is truly addictive. It’s not quite as sharp a steer as the Alfa GTV, but it really works as a comfortable GT in a way its rival can’t (there’s room for humans inside). The brakes are sharp yet predictable, and we didn’t experience any peculiar rattles or vibrations.

Nearly £14k is a big price, but then to restore a car to this standard would result in a similar bill, and you’d be without the provenance and low miles. If you’re looking for a Fiat Coupe that’s ‘as-new’ as possible, then look no further.