In 1998 I was looking for a project car. I posted an ad in the newspaper looking for either a 124 Spider or 850 Spider. A local, independent Fiat mechanic contacted me, indicating he had this car on his lot. The previous owner had brought it to the shop. It wouldn’t start or run, and the owner did not want to pay for the needed repairs, so he gave the car to the mechanic in exchange for the work he had already performed. I paid the mechanic $250 for it, towed it home, and began to restore it over many years. I don’t know the history of the car prior to 1998.
The car starts, runs and drives beautifully and has less than 2000 miles on the rebuilt engine. It has one small oil leak, but nothing significant. Odometer reads 43,078. It was in this range when I purchased the car. I do not know if it has turned over. Tires are like-new.
The body is in very good condition – straight, with minimal nicks in the paint. I had it taken down to bare metal and repainted the original factory color. A very small amount of surface rust has developed on the underside beneath the trunk area; please see photos. There is no rust anywhere else on the vehicle. At some point, prior to my owning the car, the area beneath the seats was impacted and the metal was damaged. It didn’t affect driving/handling performance or anything on the interior of the car, so I chose not to have it repaired at the time to save a little money while I was in college. I meant to have it done eventually, but never got around to it; please see photos. The windshield has a small crack in the bottom, right corner; see photos. I have a used replacement windshield that will be included with the sale of the car. The bumpers are in good, but unrestored condition; light pitting in front bumper.
The interior is in excellent condition. The door panels, seat covers, carpet kit and dashboard are new. The dashboard is a complete, new dashboard – not a dashboard cover. The convertible top is in great shape, but it still needs to have the wire cables run and new weather stripping attached to the frame around the door windows. Sale includes un-restored hard top.
Making the decision to sell this beautiful car has not been an easy one. But I have found over the last couple of years that the fun and excitement I once experienced in sourcing parts and making the repairs has diminished. I also recently bought a fixer-upper house that takes most of my time and resources, and the house only has a one car garage, and I’d like the garage space for my daily driver to keep it out of the sun and snow.
This is a fantastic little car that deserves to have someone who will be passionate about owning and caring for it. It always turns a lot of heads and garners many great comments, stares, waves and nods from people. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.
For more photos, please visit this link.
https://flic.kr/s/aHskyVXWEG
TERMS
The winning bidder is required to contact seller within 24 hours after the close of the auction to finalize the details of the transaction.
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required within 48 hours of the auction's close via PayPal. This deposit reserves the vehicle and removes it from the market.
If winning bidder does not contact seller and submit deposit within 48 hours of auction close, vehicle may be made available to the next highest bidder or another qualified buyer on a first come, first serve basis.
Seller has represented this vehicle to the best of his ability. It is the responsibility of the buyer to have thoroughly inspected the vehicle and to have satisfied himself or herself as to the condition and value and to bid based upon that judgement solely. The seller shall and will make every reasonable effort to disclose any known defects associated with this vehicle at the buyer's request prior to the close of sale.
Vehicle is sold "AS IS" and with no warranties expressed or implied. Seller assumes no responsibility for any repairs regardless of any oral statements about the vehicle.
Final or winning bid price does not include shipping. Winning bidder is responsible for pickup or shipping of vehicle. It is the purchaser's responsibility to provide for any state or local taxes and shipping expenses resulting from the sale.
Full payment in cash on pickup.
Buyer is responsible for checking their state’s emission standards prior to bidding.