1968 FIAT 124

* please message for a link to 100 photos of the car *

I bought this lovely 124 AC in Bologna, Italy in 2017 after a long hunt for the right one. It has been an absolute joy on adventures near and far for the past 24,000 kilometers, but reluctantly, it's now time to find it a new home.

The car has had a thorough mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment over the years, with sensible upgrades, and I'll share some history on that below. It's a superb driver that I wouldn't hesitate to take cross-continent tomorrow. And it's quite pretty as the photos show, with just a bit of patina here and there which adds to the usability in my opinion.

Having lived its life in Rome and Bologna before I bought it, and having always kept it in a dehumidified garage myself, the car is quite tidy underneath too.

I first drove one of these coupes in 2015, and I fell in love with its combination of looks and driving dynamics. Sorta cliché to mention, but the Ferrari DNA is real, with a body by Boano and engine by Lampredi.

I immediately started hunting for a first series 'AC' car in a dark colour in the right condition. After two years of looking, this one popped up at a dealer in Bologna. Following an inspection, I snapped it up and drove it home to Germany (where I lived at the time).

If you've not driven one of these, they're easily the equal of a 105 series Alfa Romeo or a BMW 2002. And from my experience, the 124 is better than both in some ways. The famous twin cam engine is a joyous revvy thing; the 5-speed transmission shifts brilliantly; the 4-wheel servo assisted disc brakes are powerful; and the chassis and steering are a delight on an empty B road. Wrap this all in a very pretty shape, add a cosy, classy interior, and you have a pretty compelling car – especially for the price!

I run a small classic car consultancy called Analogue Motors, incidentally, and I ship vehicles regularly between European and North American destinations should you require assistance with that.

This 124 was taken back to primer and painted in its original dark green in Italy in 2016, and I have some photos from that job which I can share. It's not concours paint, but it presents really nicely for a usable driver. Also in Italy at that time the car received interior retrimming, and an engine rebuild thanks to an unhappy marriage of valve and piston.

More recently I've commissioned a cylinder head rebuild from respected specialists Middle Barton Garage, and have performed a long list of maintenance and subtle upgrades during my time with the car. Following a carb upgrade, I had a rolling road tune done, with the little 1438 dyno-ing at a very healthy 99bhp.

Please message me for a full speadsheet of the maintenance history of the car. I do my own work and am quite obsessive about it, so the records are extensive.

The most significant work items include:

• Rebuilt engine with 1st-overbore pistons (2016, Italy)

• Rebuilt cylinder head (2021, Middle Barton Garage)

• Rare rebuilt Weber 34 DMS carb (largest 'streetable' carb for this motor)

• Pertronix electronic points replacement

• Larger diameter downpipe-back exhaust

• Rolling road dyno tune (2022, Atspeed Classic Tuning, 99bhp recorded)

• Recored radiator and electric fan conversion

• Powerlite high-torque starter

• Upgraded alternator

• Bosch battery

• Steering box rebuilt (2021, Middle Barton Garage)

• New clutch and driveline seals (2021, Middle Barton Garage)

• Upgraded sealed bearing steering idler

• Powdercoated 14 x 6" Maserati Biturbo alloy wheels with Continental tyres

I like to maintain my classics so that they can be used for long trips at a moment's notice, so again, very happy to share the comprehensive log of work done to all of the major systems on the car.

I have been back and forth over the Alps and Dolomites several times in this 124. I've used it to chase the Mille Miglia for three days in Italy. I've driven it to cycling trips in the south of France, and to see F1 in Monaco. It has even had a few Nürburgring laps, and of course it's a regular in the field at Goodwood.

I'll miss the heck out of this car, but I'm sure the next owner will love it as much as I have.