Today's guest post comes from our friend Joe D, who happens to own a Ford Fiesta ST. Thanks, Joe!
The Lada 1200 (VAZ 2101) is an Italian car much in the same way that the Ford Fiesta is a German car. In need of a durable people’s car to handle harsh Soviet roads, Russian officials tested the best of the west and found the Fiat 124 (Car of the year, 1967!) to be the most suitable choice. A deal was struck between the Soviets and Italians that resulted in a modified version of the 124 being engineered for the Soviet market. To produce it, Fiat would design and construct a massive new factory along the Volga River in the newly created city of Tolyatti. The new factory - the largest in Europe at the time - would go on to produce the facelifted version of the Soviet-Italian-mashup and contribute to the over 18 million vehicles sold (third only to the Volkswagen Beetle and Ford Model T) between the two generations' 40 year lifespan. This facelifted version retained the same underlying mechanicals and updated the styling to the now-iconic square headlamp look. The Soviets also gave back to the Italian auto industry ,supplying, as part of the deal, tons of recycled steel. As the legend goes, many Italian cars of the 70s and 80s were constructed using this poor-quality Russian steel….it is left as an exercise to the reader to conclude the long-term effects this had on corrosion resistance.
The Fiat 124 and its Soviet clone are nearly identical. Small visual cues like the bumper overriders, headlight bezels, and hubcaps distinguish the communist copy from its western original. Major changes included a massive rear axle, massive drum brakes, and thicker steel. The pushrod engine of the 124 was scrapped in favor of a more modern Fiat-engineered overhead camshaft unit, supposedly originally intended for a small Fiat off-roader that never saw the light of day.
While the little Lada became the butt (Hehe, butt - Ed.) of jokes and cheap transport this side of the iron curtain, in its time it was considered top-of-the-line transportation affordable by most anyone. This example comes in classic white with a red leather interior, and only 75k miles on the clock. At just $12,500, this classic Italian masterpiece by way of Russia is comparable to the German-American Fiesta in both its price and its multicultural origins. Too bad Ford never offered a bright red interior on the Fiesta!
84 watchers, according to the eBay page at the time of this post. We already have a black Verde, so we're sharing this one with you all after a few days of talking ourselves out of buying it. It's not because this isn't going to be a great buy - it's a solid Verde, no doubt. No - it's because we don't have a place to park it. Why is that? Well, we've got a customer Verde on jackstands in the garage, stripped entirely of its suspension. And the other two (tight) spots in our 24x24' garage? The Maserati is in one. It should be in storage at a friend's place by now, but that would require its cover, which would first require a car wash, which would require windows that close. Currently waiting on the machine shop to produce a pin for the window regulator. Third spot goes to our black Verde, of course.
There are two types of Verde buyers: The curious, and the repeat offenders. The curious first-timers often buy the cosmetically sound but neglected cars, or the dilapidated projects, and once their wallets re-calibrate their expectations, they cut their losses and move along. The repeat offenders are always on the prowl for the cared-for drivers out there. Dents, dings, and worn interiors are simple enough to fix, but the various unorthodox systems on the Milano, if broken, do require more research and effort than on the typical Italian car.
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Year: 1988 Model: Alfa Romeo Milano Verde Engine: 3.0L V6 Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 114,000 mi Price: auction
1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde (3.0L), 114,000 miles; I’ve owned this car for over 10 years, fun driver, but I don’t have time to drive it much anymore, so hopefully someone else will enjoy it and give it a good home. It’s a classic Alfa V6 (3.0L vs regular Milano 2.5L), with cool DeDion rear suspension, torsion bar and A-arm fronts, 5-speed manual transaxle and Recaro interior (seats, door cards, etc). Car is in good mechanical condition, but could use some cosmetics—though I didn’t bother as I liked it as a driver. In the last several years all the suspension bushings have been replaced, as have engine and transmission mounts, steering rack, tie rod ends, etc. It has Bilstein HD shocks, recent Performatek rebuild on shifter, Stebro mid and rear muffler... Cosmetically, the hood could use a respray (clear coat is cracking) and there is a dent on LR fender (paint still adheres).
Relatively new f/r calipers and rotors. Recent new injection hoses and matched injectors.
A/C works, sunroof works, newer headliner, passenger and driver lower seats recovered with OEM Recaro cloth.
ABS brake system (pump and accumulator) work fine, ABS light is on so likely a sensor needs replacement or adjustment.
This Verde is one of the good ones. Fresh engine and trans mounts were probably done in conjunction with the steering rack job. That rear engine mount and the steering rack are both weekend-crushers for the uninitiated. The suspension bushing replacement, as innocuous as it sounds, is a relatively time-consuming, though inexpensive way to bring an a worn Verde back to life. Paired with the fresh steering rack and tie rods, the steering on this Verde will feel like new. Stebro exhaust, Performatek shifter components, and the Bilsteins are all a great use of someone else's money. We don't love the ABS light, but that isn't insurmountable, and at least the accumulator is in working order. No seller comments on the engine, but the engine is usually the easiest part of a Verde to sort. If it's in good shape, service it properly and it will continue to function as intended for years to come.
There are plenty of venues for a bad deal on a Verde, so we are refreshed to find out the market price for a mildy scruffy but sorted example. Whoever buys it should get out and drive it - I've personally put over 7,000 miles on my Verde since April of this year. Maybe paint the intake manifold if you buy this one though?
Have an Italian car that you'd like to share with the readers? We offer an affordable rate of $10 USD and great exposure on our front page, Facebook page, and daily email newsletter. Send us an existing eBay/Craigslist/online posting OR simply supply us with some photos and the basic info on your car and we'll take care of the rest.
Each paid posting is shared in the Reader Classifieds section on the left sidebar as well as on the Reader Classifieds page accessed on the menu bar (through the menu on mobile). The classified will be shared on our front page sidebar, front page feed, and classifieds page, as well as on our Facebook page and in our email newsletter
Those interested in a free reader classified can submit their vehicle to be included in the reader classifieds section only.
I fantasized about this back in Chicago
Mercy, mercy me, that Murcielago - Kanye West
We know Lamborghini to be a renegade brand. The folk story, at least, tells us that Ferruccio was fed up with the compromises in one of his Ferraris - perhaps his 250GT 2+2 - and so he aired his grievances to Enzo Ferrari. For his boldness, he was rewarded with an insult concerning his profession from Sr. Ferrari. Six years later he was selling cars under the Lamborghini banner, boldly ignoring the world of motorsports and focusing instead on performance, reliability and ergonomics.
What followed during Ferruccio's ownership of his namesake were cars built to that same ethos. When he sold the company, the designs improved, but the technological foundation stagnated. And then, the Audi group returned Lamborghini to its original form. Through their rigorous product development cycle, they were able to conjure a Diablo replacement in line with the original intent of the company, while simultaneously pushing the limits of automotive exterior design. They didn't venture too far outside of the box, as the 6.5L engine in today's LP640-4 can trace its roots back to the original Giotto Bizzarrini 3.5L quad-cam 60 degree V12.
This LP640 manual represents the best of the past and the best of the future. It represents the last V12 engine with a true manual gearbox and it represents the last Lamborghini with Diablo/Countach DNA. Between 2008-2010, ONLY 8 LP640 Roadsters were produced. Of those cars, less than half are still in collector quality, as this example is. This LP640 Roadster is a UNICORN! It’s 1 of ONLY 8 produced in a 3 year span. 1 of ONLY 1 in this color and combination. 1 of ONLY perhaps 4 left that are in collector quality condition as this example. Once this UNICORN leaves our showroom floor, it will literally be impossible to be replaced.
- 2009 Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Roadster 6-speed finished in Giallo Orion (Pearl Yellow) over Nero Perseus interior with yellow Q-Citura contrast stitching.
- EXTREMELY RARE 6-speed gated manual transmission from the factory.
- 1 of only 4 6-Speed Roadsters produced for 2009.
- 1 of ONLY 1 in this color combination!
- Original window sticker showing an MSRP of $419,260.
- Two owner car with 1,542 miles showing on the odometer.
- Powered by the 6.5L V12 engine.
- Shifted via the 6-speed gated manual transmission, all-wheel drive.
- Lamborghini Orange County LOC Exhaust system ($6,600).
- Q-Citura leather interior ($2,900).
- Carbon Ceramic Brakes with yellow calipers ($920).
- Navigation ($3,250).
- Interior Carbon Package ($8,450).
- Branding Package ($650).
- CI Badge Wheels ($400).
- Hermera shiny black wheels ($5,990).
- Lamborghini logo in headrests.
- Valentine One Radar system integrated into rearview mirror.
- Black soft top.
- Front lift system.
- 7,500 mile fluids & filters annual service just completed.
- Original window sticker, car cover, owner's manual, 2 keys, and battery tender included.
- Service records available upon request.
Please reach out to us if you would like more information on this vehicle or have any questions. Feel free to call us at 425-787-6200 or e-mail Sales@CatsExotics.com.
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$450,000 is Islero money these days. But, we see the bookend-appeal of the LP640-4. It's the last of the Bizzarrini V12 Lamborghinis, and the last of the 6-speed manual Lamborghinis V12s. The performance is more than respectable for the intended use of the car. And, though the Murciélago did actually see some duty on the racetrack in GT1, we see it more as a very fast GT. If you can find a way to make your luggage fit, the Audi-sourced interior controls should make for a relatively comfortable trip to your destination.
For the money, there are more rare cars, and there are cars with much more performance cred. But, for those seeking something with a clear sense of identity, we can see adding this Murciélago to the collection.
Have an Italian car that you'd like to share with the readers? Email us graham@blythbros.com to arrange your reader classified posting!
Today's reader classified posting comes from reader Simon, in Alberta, Canada. Good luck finding another Uno Turbo in Canada, let alone North America. We love the OMP steering wheel and would have to imagine that an Ansa would sound great on the turbo 4. That said, we happen to enjoy our Canadian Stebro exhaust on our 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde.
We have to admit, we are very tempted to not only buy this thing, but to then go so far as to move to the Calgary area and flog it in the Canadian Rockies just a bit to the west. Turbo aspiration + elevation = elation. The only thing in our way is our serious obsession with the Fiat Ritmo Abarth 105 TC. We imagine that the seller will miss his Uno, but a careful glance at the four-post lift in the garage has us convinced that he'll cope with the departure just fine.
Thank you to Simon for posting your car in the reader classifieds!
Year: 1989 Model: Fiat Uno Turbo Engine: 1.4L Turbo 4-cyl Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 99,600 km Price: 20,500CAD
Super rare Fiat Uno Turbo, Maybe the only one in Canada. This car is in unrestored original condition with zero rust and everything works. Turbo still pulls hard with around 0.8Bar. Mostly stock except for Ansa exhaust, OMP steering wheel.
Here's something you don't expect to hear from an auto enthusiast: Front wheel drive Alfa sedans are good. Quite good. Yes, we've been custodians of three now, all of which we've loved. The 164Q met an untimely demise, but not before we gave it the 24V lump a full water pump and timing belt service - not cheap or easy on those. There was also a 164 LS that starved for oil when we took a cloverleaf off ramp at 90mph. Velocity squared over radius - it's the velocity that gets you. And finally, there was our 1991 164L winter car, which didn't self-destruct so much as inflict death by a thousand cuts upon our morale, wonderful though it was. That got the boot after a frustrating winter daily-driving it in Detroit.
The 164 design is beyond reproach in our simple minds, but if it could be improved upon, then Walter de Silva would be one of our top choices for the job. De Silva and his team at Centro Stile Alfa Romeo managed to update the 164 theme without blending in among the anonymous ranks of contemporary European sedans. The handsome design would become the last Alfa sedan to be powered by the Arese-produced Busso V6 engine, which was replaced by a General Motors-based unit in later Alfas.
Rare, one of a kind the only 2001 Alfa Romeo in the country, import to the US didn’t start until 2015 selling at $50,000 - $75,000.
This 166 model called the “Executive Car” only 500 built in Rivalta, Italy and actually designed by Centro Stile Alfa Romeo and Walter de Silva. It is front wheel drive, six speed stick shift, 2.4L engine V6 turbo diesel. How cool is that? (CICFS NOTE: the engine is a 5-cyl, not a V6)
Runs and drives like a champ, fast, furious very tight, how much fun…Everything works, engine, transmission, clutch and ac, it needs a drives window switch and the drives seat is fixed in a comfortable position and needs the motor, the computer screen is in Italian and I can’t read it. But I have navigation CD and a 6 disc player in the trunk.
I found a non running 1999 for $12,900 and 2002 running one for $25,900 VIN ZAR93600000060348
166 models built as the "Executive Car" only 500 per year built in Italy from 1999 to 2003. It is so much fun to drive it is fast…nice and tight! The readings are all in kilometers. Driver’s seat is in a fixed position and the computer is in Italian, I can't read it. I also have a navigation CD. I just had the car completely serviced with new air, cabin, oil and fuel filter.
This was at an Insurance Auction and said it had fresh water flood claim however after full inspection I found no damage at all, NONE!
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The 166 was never offered for sale in the United States, so to see one on eBay is quite rare. We would be interested in bidding, but for a few issues. First, the car was sold as a flood car through an insurance auction. Sometimes you have to deal with the myriad issues brought on by flooding in order to purchase a rare car. In this case, we don't think the risk is outweighed by the rarity and desirability of the car. Second, the seller sounds like a real piece of work. His price comparisons are based in pure fantasy - unless you think $50,000-75,000 is justifiable for a 2001 164 diesel. Ah, diesel. Yes, the final reason that we wouldn't bid: we don't do diesel Alfas. The diesel engine in this car is a 5-cylinder, not a V6 as stated by the seller, just to be clear. Diesels are great, diesels are efficient, diesels are torquey. But, diesel engines do not perform as an Alfa Romeo engine should. Buy a Mercedes-Benz if you want to enjoy a proper diesel.
So, will the seller manage to sell a rare, flood-title Alfa that was never sold new in the US? Depends on the reserve price. Our guess is that this will stick around eBay until the seller wises up to reality. In the meantime, we'll keep a look out for 166's worth bidding on!
This past weekend was my college's homecoming weekend, and today's post is a 1971 Maserati Indy. What's the connection? Bear with me here. In 1971, the Hulman family donated the assets of its family foundation to Rose Polytechnic Institute in Terre Haute, Indiana. The size of the donation was significant enough to warrant a change of the college name to Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. That's the connection to the model year. And the model name? Well, many of you are familiar with the fact that the Hulman family owns the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or Indy Speedway, for short. That wasn't too much of a stretch, was it?
The Indy name itself is more of a stretch, when you take elapsed time into account. See, Maserati did win the Indy 500 twice back-to-back in their 8CTF, but that was 30 year prior to the launch of the Maserati Indy. Whatever. Ford milked the GT40 story for its 2005 GT and that didn't seem to bother people. Shameless marketing.
This 1971 Maserati Indy is an extremely desirable 5-Speed manual example with matching numbers. Very attractive blue with black leather interior and only 55k miles. It has only two small rust bubble spots on the drivers door and rear quarter. It is otherwise very solid and a great original driver. A very smart buy at just $67,500
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The Indy didn't receive the 4.7L and the 4.9L engine options until Ghibli production was winding down - most likely to avoid cannibalizing sales. A wet sump differentiated the Indy units from the Ghibli. The 4200 in this Indy should be more than sufficient to motivate the aerodynamic unibody car along the road.
The seller notes rust, and our lack of bodywork experience causes us to avoid rust at any cost. But, the right buyer could find a way to remedy the rust. To do it right could be costly. Mechanically, the ad leaves many things to question, but this Weber-carbed V8 and live rear axle configuration doesn't worry us too much. The Giugaro AM115 Ghibli is tough to match, but the Indy comes close, and at a much more affordable price.
We try to keep this site free of our personal biases, but in the interest of transparency, we'd like to come clean: we are sharing this car because our personal 1988 Alfa Romeo Milano Verde has the same stereo! We made ours light up orange to match our Verde's interior, but same stereo. So, what's in it for you, the reader? Well, this price of this 4C Spider just so happens to be $100 less than the price of yesterday's wrecked Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2.
We won't venture to compare a Gallardo with a 4C, but the 4C holds its own, on paper at least. Specific output on the 1.75L 4-cylinder is 135hp/L, so expect some peaky, if not extremely entertaining power delivery. And, rumor has it that the carbon fiber monocoque is related to that of the KTM X-Bow. This is an Italian car site - why do we care about the Austrian X-Bow? We care because the X-Bow was designed and developed by none other than Giampaolo Dallara's engineering firm. Unlike Sr. Dallara's first mid-engined street car, the Miura, the jury is out on the 4C's design. We personally are not drawn to it, which is surprising given how much we care for the other designs - the Ferrari 456, Ferrari 550 Maranello, and Ferrari 360 - by its designer, Lorenzo Ramaciotti.
2016 Alfa Romeo 4C Spider Giallo Prototipo (Yellow) Exterior over Black with Yellow Accent Interior LOADED WITH OPTIONS! TRACK PACKAGE! LOW MILEAGE! **ORIGINAL WINDOW STICKER LIST: $77,475** FACTORY OPTIONS INCLUDE: 18 x 7 and 19 x 8.5 Dark Fan Spoke Wheels (Originally $2,500) Giallo Prototipo (Yellow) Exterior Paint (Originally $1,500) Spider Track Package (Originally $1,400) Carbon Fiber Exterior Mirrors Race Tuned Suspension Bi-Xenon Headlamps (Originally $1,000) Spider Convenience Group (Originally $900) Cruise Control Rear Parking Assist System Racing Leather / Microfiber Seats (Originally $500) Sport Tuned Dual Exhaust (Originally $500) Carbon Fiber Cluster Bezel (Originally $490) Carbon Fiber Shift Bezel (Originally $490) Alfa Romeo Red Car Cover (Originally $400) Alfa Romeo Yellow Performance Brake Calipers (Originally $300) VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS: 1.7 Liter Turbocharged 4 Cylinder Engine -237 Horsepower- -258 lb/ft of Torque- Rear Wheel Drive 6-Speed Automatic Transmission 18/19 Dark Fan Spoke Wheels Power Adjustable Exterior Mirrors Variable Intermittent Windshield Wipers Daytime Running Lights Alfa Romeo Performance Calipers Body Colored Exterior Mirrors Dual Bright Exhaust Tips Solar Control Glass Premium Speaker Package Bright Aluminum Pedals Sport Tuned Suspension Hill Start Assist Black Leather-Trimmed Bucket Seats Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel Leather-Trimmed Interior Carbon Fiber Cluster Bezel Carbon Fiber Shift Bezel VEHICLE HISTORY: ONE Previous Owner! LOADED with Options! Pristine Condition Throughout! Exceptionally Well Equipped! INCLUDES: *One Master Remote Key* *Original Owners Manuals* *Floor Mats* *Alfa Romeo Car Cover*
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We aren't exactly opposed to the design either, to be clear. And, $50,000 is the price at which these low-mileage 4Cs, especially the Spider, start to interest us. We'd take the roadster, because we can't foresee much in the way of long-distance driving, were we to purchase a 4C. And the yellow? That's our loud color of choice for Italian cars. We'll let you know when we finally do purchase a yellow Italian car. In the meantime, one of you should take a serious look at purchasing this one.
Before Balboni came Bob. That's right, the original Lamborghini test driver was a man named Bob Wallace. He moved from New Zealand to Italy in search of a work as a race mechanic in the very late 1950s. He even got one of Lamborghini's two racing concepts named after him: the Lamborghini Jarama Bob. But, as much as he contributed to the company, Bob's name just doesn't really resonate well with the Spanish bull fighting naming convention. So, the p ublic never got a Bob-edition Lamborghini.
Valentini Balboni took over as Lamborghini test driver following Bob Wallace's departure in 1975. By this point, Giampaolo Dallara had departed, and Ferrucio Lamborghini had sold his namesake to private investors. Nevertheless, Balboni is the household name in Lamborghini test driving. And, as such, he was rewarded with a model bearing is name when Lamborghini introduced a rear-wheel-drive Gallardo variant in 2010. Following the limited sale of the Balboni editions, a serial production RWD model known as the Gallardo LP550-2 was introduced.
THIS CAR HAS ONLY ELEVEN THOUSAND MILES ON HER!!! GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT NEED TO SELL IT AND CUT MY LOSS. REAR END IS PERFECT ENGINE AND TRANS NOT TOUCHED. CAN BE FIXED OR USED FOR PARTS. YOU CAN COME SEE THE CAR IN PERSON OR EMAIL ME FOR MORE PICS OR TEXT 347-782-9586 JACK@ICARNJ.COM AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND FRONT END IS HAMMERED! WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU GET. CALL ME FOR MORE INFO. LOCATED IN TOMS RIVER NJ.
TITLE IS CLEAR BUT CARFAX SHOWS TOTAL LOSS REPORTED BY AN INSURANCE COMPANY.
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The driver of this particular LP550-2 flew a bit too close to the sun, smashing the front end. More unfortunate than the destruction of the Gallardo is the fact that the car was likely understeering when it plowed its front into whatever object was in its path. A more fitting end to a RWD Gallardo would have been in a galant oversteer slide.
Pricing on this orange wreck seems a bit steep. Without the manual transmission, parting it out won't be as fruitful. A rebuild is possible, but not worth all that much. Complicating the rebuild is the haphazard way in which the current holders of the car have stuffed the front bodywork into the front passenger compartment. Those with a bodyshop and some Lamborghini resources might be tempted, though. At least there aren't any front axles to worry about being damaged?
