Very clean, excellent running, super low mileage Spider ready to drive anywhere
Description
I purchased this car, this Summer, from a couple in NH who had found it in a dry barn, where it had been sitting for 20+ years. They were the second owner. They spent a lot of money on all new brakes, tires, tuning, filters, etc.
I had this car professionally checked.....ZERO rust underneath, zero rust on the body, must be one of the cleanest Fiats in existence. Body has a few small waves on top of one fender but is otherwise very straight. With what appears to be older gray paint.
All I needed to do was fit a new temp gauge sender (and all of the gauges work properly), installed a new heater valve, it had a new timing belt, had a basic tune up done, and installed a new modern stereo/CD with USB input. At that point, it not only ran well but incredibly fast (and, although that term really doesn't mean much IF my primary transport was an old 1300 VW...let me put this into perspective. It feels much faster than my 1965 Lotus Elan S2 s/e with a 120+hp Lotus twin cam and Webers). It really flies. MUCH MUCH faster than any other 124 I have ever owned and driven. Even my local Fiat guru commented on how quick it was.
Out of curiosity, I did a compression test....140-145 psi in every cylinder. No smoke, and the oil pressure gauge goes off instantly and stays off, even when hot and at a low idle) And, having owned a gutless 1979 (the slowest of the series), this 2 liter, fuel injected 124 is fast.
Top is in good condition but the plastic window is a bit faded (it can easily and inexpensively be replaced), has a nice set of premium Italian made alloy wheels, everything electrical works, exhaust is quiet, dash, seats, carpets, and door panels are all very good, heater works, same with wipers, washers, and everything else. And today, took it out on a 22 degree morning and within five minutes, it was nice and toasty inside.
What else an I add? My plans were to take this car to a local MAACO and have an inexpensive paint job in silver with a better shine. I think, with new paint and a new rear window, this would be a sweet, reliable, fun, and very quick Fiat.
Have owned a late model Alfa for years, in comparison, the Fiat transmission is much better, excellent synchromesh action, quiet, great ride and handling, parts are widely available and a third the price of Alfa parts, and any Fiat I have owned has been incredibly reliable (the key issue is to start with an excellent car, such as this one).
Lets face it, in their day, this Fiat was miles ahead of its competition....MGB, TR6, Porsche 914, MG Midget, Triumph Spitfire, Triumph TR7, etc. With a stylish body similar to a Ferrari, power assist four wheel disc brakes, free revving fuel injected twin cam engine, 5 speed transmission, top that goes up and down in seconds and a well located solid back axle with a Panhard rod. THE BIG PROBLEM is that 90% of these cars, in 2018, are absolute rust buckets. But not this one.
My reserve is WELL under $10,000 (sorry, this car is not for sale for a grand or two) and for that price, you can get a wonderful all year 'round classic that has true contemporary performance and use. And, as seen in the ALL original interior (even carpets), this car has simply not had much use over the past near forty years and has covered only 53,000 miles by two owners. And my company, that restores older English and Italian cars, can do window replacement, repaint (in any color) before delivery. And I can assist in shipping or transport anywhere.
I am selling the car 'cause I came across a really special supercharged MGB and have decided to replace the Fiat with the MG. The Fiat starts instantly, runs perfectly, drives wonderfully, can't find any rust anywhere (floors, chassis, sills, under doors, etc.), and hope it goes to a good home.
My terms are 20% deposit within 48 hours of sale and full payment in 7 days. I can store the car until a new owner is ready to take delivery (inside and insured), and reserve the right to end the auction at any time as the first reasonable offer....and the car is gone.
(by the way, build date is 12/80 hence this is really registered as a 1981)
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