1971 Fiat 124 BS Spider Racer

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● Road legal race and rally car

● Featured in an episode of Salvage Hunters

● Just a few hundred miles since a full strip down and rebuild

● Further work on finishing touches this year

● Ready to race or rally, with supporting paperwork

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

The modern interpretation of the Fiat 124 Spider and its Abarth derivation are no strangers to readers on PH. Here, though, we have one of the originals and not just in cooking spec, but kitted out as a racer, though also retaining its numberplates.

Designed and manufactured by Pininfarina back in the day, Fiat 124s were taken rallying with the help of Abarth in 1971 and, with some development, racked up a number of wins across Europe in period before being replaced by the Fiat 131 Abarth.

This example was reportedly a successful racer in the US prior to being imported in 2015 and has received the attention of TV’s Salvage Hunters who commissioned a bare metal respray and numerous upgrades to make it the race car that they dreamed of, while retaining road usability.

With a gorgeous-sounding Lampredi competition engine, not only does it have the necessary papers to compete in historic racing, it’s also been logbooked for stage rallying, making it quite the entertaining and versatile choice.

While a full-blown Abarth 124 will command mega money, this represents a more attainable take on the seventies Italian rally champ and is ready to race in a variety of disciplines. In the hands of its current owner, it’s been up the hill at Prescott and been out to a variety of classic car shows.

Where it goes next will be up to its new keeper, and we’re sure that it will continue to attract a huge amount of positive attention.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

● According to correspondence from Fiat confirming the vehicle’s heritage, it was built in May 1971

● Imported from the USA in 2015

● The subject of an episode of Series 7 of Salvage Hunters, it was treated to a bare metal restoration and upgraded with a custom roll cage, new gold Cromodora alloys, Sparco Rev bucket seats, Willans 4-point harnesses, plumbed-in and handheld fire extinguishers and a bespoke turned aluminium dashboard complete with Smiths digital gauges and a removable OMP racing steering wheel

● Since acquiring the car, the current owner has given the car a thorough going over and replaced the handbrake mechanism, windscreen wiper motor and mechanism and washer motor

● The electrical system has been thoroughly checked and serviced, including cleaning the fuse box contacts and replacing all the fuses and the lightweight racing alternator has been rebuilt with all new Denso internal parts

● Other upgrades include a new lightweight racing battery (original also supplied) and a track day fuel container/ filler which fits in the boot

● Under current ownership, the car has competed in a number of hill climbs at Prescott and appeared at various classic car shows

● Motorsport UK Category 1 Stage Rally Vehicle Passport

● Historic Sports Car Club Identity form

● Tax and MOT exempt but has a current MOT valid until 15 Nov 2024 with no advisories

● HPI clear

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Fully stripped out and freshly painted, with all the necessary safety equipment installed for competition use

● The roll cage is by Custom Cages, who also installed the seat runners for the Sparco Rev racing buckets

● Both the seats and Willans four-point harnesses are currently in date and ready for competing

● The dashboard is bespoke with a turned aluminium face housing Smiths gauges and a clearly labelled set of switches on the centre console

● An OMP racing wheel is fitted and has a removable via a quick-release fitting, to aid the driver’s entry and exit

● The brake bias is adjustable front to rear and the accelerator pedal is good and wide for ease of heel and toeing

● Both plumbed-in and handheld fire extinguishers are present, in case of an emergency

● Back in the boot, there’s a plastic lightweight foam filled fuel cell, with a Facet fuel pump and stainless steel braided lines

● Having seen limited use since the build, everything is in fine condition

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

● Resplendent in red with matt black bonnet and boot to match the black roof and, with roundels on the doors and gorgeous gold Cromodora wheels, it looks every inch the period racer

● The wheels are shod with new Toyo Proxes semi slick tyres

● A set of spare road wheels (black 8 spoke Sparco/Cromodora with good road tyres) are also supplied with car

● A full set of mud flaps provides the rally look but if the desire is there to head out to the stages, then it’s probably best to install a proper sump guard in place of the current undertray

● The decals add character but can easily be removed if desired as they have been applied with water-based paint

● The condition again reflects the light use that it’s seen since restoration and, while it has a few marks, as a competition car it’s very well presented

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

● Under the bonnet is a race tuned 1608cc Lampredi twin-cam competition engine (reportedly built by Italian race engine specialist Ellegi Motori) with twin downdraft Weber carbs, electronic ignition and a 4-branch manifold, leading to a stainless steel exhaust

● The specification also includes an aluminium radiator, an electric fan, silicone coolant hoses, an oil cooler, a race sump, an Odyssey lightweight battery, a lightweight high-power alternator and a high torque starter motor

● Drive is sent to the rear wheels via a rebuilt genuine Abarth close ratio gearbox with a competition paddle clutch, lightened flywheel and rebuilt limited slip rear differential

● The suspension features Leda adjustable shocks, Eibach springs, adjustable control arms and anti-roll bar and rose-jointed rear arms

● A full set of spare alternative track set up coil-overs are supplied with car

● The braking set up includes new brake callipers, drilled and grooved brake discs and EBC pads

● It reportedly sounds glorious and promises to be both fun and competitive

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

Period competition cars don’t come much more charming than this. Still in great shape following its restoration, it’s ready to be enjoyed on the road, track or rally stage.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Tiverton, Devon.