The Fiat 124 is one of the icons in Fiat history, immortalized as a car that put much of the developing world on wheels via licensure to companies such as FSO, Lada and Tofas. Millions of these compact sedans were produced by Fiat from 1966 to 1974, with many more to follow via the companies to whom the design was licensed. While most of the 124s made were four-door sedans, Fiat did produce an estate version for those in need of a bit more utility. These versions are nearly gone from the US landscape, so this 124S estate for sale in California is a pleasant surprise, especially as it is used daily by its owner.
Alright Fiat freaks! Here's a super rare, vintage 1971 124 wagon, or if we were in Europe, an estate. Has all the options checked above plus new clutch disc, pressure plate and bearing, good tires, custom LED tail lights (repairable originals included with good lenses), 10 foot paint, mileage is unknown due to speedo not working. All lights are functional and the two speed heater works well too. However, the controls don't seem to deliver warmth, possibly a loose cable. Rust free, accident free, smoke free, pet free, dolphin safe (lol).
I drive this car daily and its a blast. Thumbs up all day long. I have noticed, however, the brake master cylinder getting air, so it will need to be replaced. Has new DMV registration, doesn't need to be smogged, ever (in CA). I was planning to swap to a 2.0 liter twin cam, twin weber and 5-speed into it. But, alas, my financial situation forces the sale. I'm already regretting this but it has to be done.
At almost $10,000, I tend to doubt this Fiat will move quickly, even considering how rare it is. If it was a show quality car, I might be able to see it, but this car has had some modifications and has been repainted at some point down the line, as evidenced from the differing color in the door jambs and under the hood. That being said, this is probably a $4,000 to $6,000 car at the maximum.
We’re all familiar with the Fiat 124 Spider which had a long production run from 1966 through 1985. Lesser known was its hardtop sibling, the 124 Coupe. Styled by Mario Boano, who was also responsible the Lancia Aurelia, Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and the Ferrari 250GT “Boano.” A traditional three box design, this coupe started off with a front clip similar to the Spider, which eventually gave way to more squared off haunches at the outset of the 1970s. This final year 1975 Coupe for sale in Florida is a rare sight on the roads these days.
Here is a great opportunity to own the last year this body style was made. I installled an electrinic ignition works great, new tires, new battery and just installed a new water pump and only has original 48,000 miles, and for the last 27 years the car never seen snow or rain.
While it may have avoided snow, I’d be curious to know if this car really ever did avoid rain. This car is getting on close to 40 years and one would think it would have encountered the errant storm here or there. Besides that, the description from the seller is very sparse, leaving many questions for potential bidders. The car looks clean, but is there any rust lurking underneath? How many owners has the car had. Are there service records and does it have the original engine? If I was buying a 124 Coupe, I would hold off for one of the earlier AC or BC models, as I wasn’t a fan of the crash bumpers and front grille that frankly looks like an afterthought.
The Fiat Spider carried the roadster torch for Fiat for almost 20 years, which is rather remarkable, considering the automotive advancements that came about between 1966 and 1985. Even today, this two seater looks rather timeless. This later Spider for sale in New Hampshire has the 2.0 liter engine with fuel injection that is good for just over 100 horsepower.
A beautiful 1981 Fiat Spider 2000. Body by Pininfarina. Color: Safari Yellow (an ivory shade). Engine: 4 cylinder with Bosch fuel injection system. Transmission: Manual 5-speed. Now with a LOW RESERVE: This car is in great condition and has been maintained in every way that a solid running Fiat Spider 2000 ought to be. I have invested a lot of money into the car (since 2008), and I am proud to own it. And the clock even works! Here’s a list of what’s been done to the car since I bought it 4 years ago:
Engine completely serviced and tuned-up last year, valves adjusted
New timing belt
New distributor, rotor and cap
Transmission completely serviced and inspected
Complete clutch system replacement (i.e., pressure plate and disc)
Stick shift linkage completely rebuilt into top of transmission
New gaskets for engine (wherever it was opened up)
New Airflow sensor (i.e. sending unit for fuel injection computer)
New air filter
Front end suspension thoroughly inspected and refurbished as needed
New stabilizer bar in rear suspension
Shock absorbers all the way around
Complete brake job, with exterior brake lines replaced
New vacuum brake booster
Heater core and valve, cooling hoses and anti-freeze replaced
Manual radiator fan override switch installed (automatic fan works too)
Performance tires, (approx. 7,000 miles on them since purchased)
Fresh oil changes every 3,000 miles
Body is clean and rust free
Garaged in winter
Minor deficiencies:
The convertible top looks great on the outside, no tears and water tight.
The interior shows some wear and tear
The radio tape deck is not working, but may only be a blown fuse
I’ve invested my money in the mechanical stuff
I removed the carpet to inspect the floors, etc.
I have all of the carpet sections in a box
Car has a few very minor dings (not dents), and a couple of tiny scratches.
Dings can be seen on last photo
I’ve got an un-opened bottle of touch-up paint for the scratches (original color)
This car is beautiful and you should bid with every confidence. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to inspect and drive the car in person.
For a Spider hailing from New England, this car looks tidy. The Buy it Now price of $5,350 is attractive for such a well kept classic Italian roadster. For me, only the color and larger crash bumpers of the later Spiders let this car down. If it turns out to be rust free and mechanically sound, this would be a smart buy for someone seeking a lot of top down character for little money.
Along with the Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider, the Fiat 124 Spider is one of the most recognizable Italian roadsters. No surprise, then, that the 124 Spider was designed by Sergio Pininfarina and the Alfa was penned by his father, Batista. From 1983 to the end of the car's production in 1985, the 124 Spider was marketed by the design house responsible for it's existence, being called the Pininfarina Spider Azzura. It's not too hard to find 124 Spiders and the later Spider Azzuras in good shape, but this example for sale in Illinois has to be one of the best examples I've laid eyes on, having been recently restored.
Do not confuse this listing with any other spider on Ebay. This is a just completed July delivery from Roadster Salon, the premier Fiat Spider Restoration company in the US. It is a brand new, fully sorted, warantied example. Just turn the key and go. Since 1999, our sister company Roadster Salon, has been passionately restoring and rehabilitating Italian cars. This ultra low mile, rust free example is a turn key car, ready to be enjoyed. The Level 1 restoration took place over an four month period, with all costmetic and mechanical concerns lovingly addressed. The end result is nothing short of one of the most beautiful cars we have ever completed. Hundreds of man hours have been spent carefully maintaining all original touches from 1984. Please visit our roadstersalon web site to learn more about our passionate endeavors restoring these Italian works of art.
What is a Level One restoration? Firstly, our Spider restorations typically fall into two categories. Level 1, and Level 2. Roadster Salon carefully selects candidates for restoration that are already in good overall condition, and meet our critical standards. Cars that require complete top to bottom rehabilitation are set aside for parts use only. Level 1 cars must be re-painted in their original color, due to the cost of a proper color change.
Roadster Salon cars are disassembled before paint. Interiors are fully refurbished, including new leather apolstery, carpets, door panels and console. A new convertible top is professionally installed. Mechanical repairs are limited to safety and performance concerns, not full scale rebuilds. Wear items like tires, brakes, and shocks are always replaced. Other key items inspected and repaired/replaced are fuel system, cooling system, suspension, transmission, timing belt, and engine gaskets and seals. Engine compartments are tidy, but not fully detailed.
Level two restorations are much more costly. Generally, we take the level two approach only on 1985.5 Pininfarina spiders, which have very limited production versus the 1980-1985 cars. Paint work is more ambitious, with more extensive preparation and finish times. Paint cost is typically double the budgeted amount in a Level One restoration. Undetectable exterior and Interior color changes are possible. Interiors are replaced completely, and feature optional leather material upgrades and custom installation. Mechanical work is not limited only to items in need of obvious repair. Engines and transmissions are removed from the car and completely rebuilt. Undercarriage is fully detailed and painted to a show standard. Level two restorations typically can take longer tham a year to complete, and start at $30,000.
Pricing
Spiders built after 1982 were fully assembled in Italy by Pininfarina. No Fiat badges are on the vehicle, and the cars were produced in very limited numbers. Only the 1981-82 Fiat Spider Turbo is comparable in terms of value. Roadster Salon's Base price for a Level One restored 83-85 Pininfarina Spider is $18995, including leather and power windows and 14" alloys. The base price for a fuel injected 1980-1982 Fiat Spider is $15995, which reflects the difference in our purchase cost and standard equipment.
Cosmetic Impressions
Close inspection shows this car's finsh work is exceeds our high standards. All key cosmetic items have been either replaced or refurbished, per level 1 standard. Car has been refinished in its original color combination to remain true to the intent of the manufacurer, and keep the finished cost below $20K. One of the most breath taking cars we have ever completed. Tuxedo black over tan interior is a stunning contrast.
Mechanical Impressions
Car is a joy to drive, although test runs have been kept to a minimum due to the extremely low original mileage on the car. It can easily be shown and transported from event to event---or actually driven daily. This is one of the most outstanding combination of miles and condition you are likely to ever find. Five speed transmission is precise and shifts smoothly. All key aspects of the car perform as intended. All mechanical concerns have been addressed prior to delivery. A+
Market Analysis
We have been selling these cars for over ten years, and are well aware of there value. Let's face it--there are many of these around for cheap dollars in need of care. A private person could not duplicate this car (even doing the majority of the work themselves) for anywhere near our selling price. This is a terrific value. Own a true piece of automotive history by the same designer as Ferrari for the cost of a Toyota.
Even though it has the later crash bumpers, the black paintwork help those appendages blend in and the tan leather compliments the color perfectly. Average Pininfarina Spiders in good running order will generally run in the $7,000 to $11,000 range. At almost $19,000, this car is priced in the stratosphere. Is it worth it? One can't be sure. If you always wanted a new 124 or Pininfarina Spider, the chance may not come around again for quite some time. Then again, I'd rather have a Spider with a little bit of patina and mileage because this car is almost too nice to press into service.
Along with the Alfa Romeo Spider, the Fiat 124 Spider is one of the most popular Italian classics in the US. Nearly three quarters of its nearly twenty year long production run was sent to the US market. As a result, there is a plentiful supply of these roadsters available, but relatively few of its hardtop sibling, the 124 Sport Coupe. These coupes employed the Lampredi designed twin cam four cylinder engine that was featured in the roadsters and included advanced features such as four wheel disc brakes and a 5 speed gearbox. The AC was the first series of these coupes, followed by the BC and CC series. Production for all three series spanned from 1967 to 1975. This example for sale in Indianapolis is one of the best I've seen in quite a while.
Now a rarity on the American Road, a rust free 124 coupe such as this one is a hard item to locate! In fact this car was imported by a Marque Enthusiast from South America a few years back. This car is a true survivor, that while presentable and quite drivable as is, could bennefit from some restoration work. The Seats appear to have been redone in the correct and hard to find material, and the car runs and drives quite well but will need some electrical sorting. Really these are very minor things that can be addressed over time as one enjoys the car and becomes familiar with it. I doubt you will find a better 124 Coupe on the market today.
While these coupes are less common than the Spider, the best Spiders out there may command anywhere from $15,000 to $20,000. For the condition and mileage, around $10,000 to $15,000 could be considered a fair value for this tidy little coupe.
Along with the Alfa Romeo Spider, the Fiat 124 and 2000 Spider were some of the most iconic Italian roadsters from the 20th century. Having enjoyed a long 19 year production run, these cars outlasted their parent brand in the United States. This 1982 model represents the final year Fiats were sold new in the United States until the brand returned last year with the Nuova 500. For the car's final three years on sale in the US, it would be called the Pininfarina Spider; essentially the same car minus the Fiat badge. It isn't hard to find good 124 and 2000 Spiders these days; the later models with the larger, federally mandated bumpers being more common.
Body restored and engine rebuilt in 2004. Approximately 9,000 miles on the rebuilt engine. Engine: new head, bearings, piston rings, timing belt, tensioning bearing, fuel pump, water pump. Transmission: New clutch and throwout bearing. Body: Paint base coat clear coat. New convertable top, rechromed bumpers, roll bars, original wheels have been painted. Interior: New carpet, original seats, steering wheel.
Clean, mint condition 124 and 2000 Spiders hover in the $10,000 to $15,000 range these days, with later fuel injected models with the 5 speed manual bringing the better money. This restoration looks very complete, as the paint, interior and wheels look top notch. There's even a nice roll bar installed, which had me thinking for a minute. My father owned a 1968 124 Spider and he autocrossed it on a regular basis with some success. For the brave new owner willing to fit a set of competition tires on a second set of rims, this would prove to be a very worthy and unique entry in a local parking lot course near you.
