1979 Fiat 124 Spider
Discussion
On a bit of a whim I recently bought this little Fiat. I was vaguely looking for something LHD but it was something of a coincidence that I saw (and posted onto a couple of threads) a C&C ad for a 124 Spider.
Pic from the ad.
I mailed the seller with an imaginative 'is it still available'-type line to discover that it had only just gone live but that someone had already made an asking price offer to buy it unseen. The seller was uncomfortable about selling to anyone who hadn't seen it, and this chap couldn't view until the following day, so I saw my chance. A kind PH-er (tobinen) said that it wasn't too far from him and that he could go and see it that evening; result. He viewed, in pretty poor weather, and did a video walk-round for me. All looked good, everything seemed to check out, and there were no obvious worries, so I offered full asking and transferred the cash.
The speed of action had been necessary I think. The seller mentioned that they'd had 18 requests to view, including two traders, so they were beginning to think they'd under-priced it. I think they might have done, but it was to my benefit and we got there first so I was chuffed. The next challenge was to get hold of it; the car was in Hampshire and I was in Luxembourg.
Rather obviously, the situation with COVID, quarantine requirements and limited flight options to UK all conspired to complicate matters, but a number of folk kindly offered various forms of assistance. A further complication was that the car came with a large number of parts so it was much more than just the car to move. In the end I used a very helpful chap called Alex, also a PH-er although I didn't discover that until after sticking the job on Shiply and booking him, to transport the car and as many of the spares as he could load. In a separate twist, Breadvan72 is going to see if he can get hold of the remaining parts as they may be useful for his 1973 124 Sport Coupe. Long story short, the excellent Alex from Lizard Logistics delivered the car last night, plus all the spares with the exception of the 2 spare engines and axle.
This was of course the first time I'd seen it, and the fading light made it a cursory look at best.
But, so far so good.
Pic from the ad.
I mailed the seller with an imaginative 'is it still available'-type line to discover that it had only just gone live but that someone had already made an asking price offer to buy it unseen. The seller was uncomfortable about selling to anyone who hadn't seen it, and this chap couldn't view until the following day, so I saw my chance. A kind PH-er (tobinen) said that it wasn't too far from him and that he could go and see it that evening; result. He viewed, in pretty poor weather, and did a video walk-round for me. All looked good, everything seemed to check out, and there were no obvious worries, so I offered full asking and transferred the cash.
The speed of action had been necessary I think. The seller mentioned that they'd had 18 requests to view, including two traders, so they were beginning to think they'd under-priced it. I think they might have done, but it was to my benefit and we got there first so I was chuffed. The next challenge was to get hold of it; the car was in Hampshire and I was in Luxembourg.
Rather obviously, the situation with COVID, quarantine requirements and limited flight options to UK all conspired to complicate matters, but a number of folk kindly offered various forms of assistance. A further complication was that the car came with a large number of parts so it was much more than just the car to move. In the end I used a very helpful chap called Alex, also a PH-er although I didn't discover that until after sticking the job on Shiply and booking him, to transport the car and as many of the spares as he could load. In a separate twist, Breadvan72 is going to see if he can get hold of the remaining parts as they may be useful for his 1973 124 Sport Coupe. Long story short, the excellent Alex from Lizard Logistics delivered the car last night, plus all the spares with the exception of the 2 spare engines and axle.
This was of course the first time I'd seen it, and the fading light made it a cursory look at best.
But, so far so good.
Today I thought I'd drive it the short distance into work so I could see it in daylight. It started on the third attempt and I only stalled it 3 times. It runs a little rough but I don't know when it was last serviced or used, so it might just need a bit of a blast.
Some of the interior trim need re-fitting, notably all that around the gear-stick and transmission tunnel.
The wipers gave a laconic 'can't-really-be-bothered' sort of gentle wave to (almost) remove the morning dew and I set off. It sounds like you'd expect an Italian (almost) sports car to sound and it burbled and farted its way in. The plastic rear window is opaque and impossible to see through, and the mirrors offer little in the way of practical rear view so I drove in my own little private bubble, oblivious (almost) to everything around me.
I parked-up at work in a 'Classics Dwarfed by Moderns' sort-of way (that's a Polo, not a Golf).
It got some favourable comments straight away, despite the strange sort-of hot/burning/vaguely frightening smell that I am sure wafted around me but, at last, the buttock-clenching first drive was completed without mishap.
Some of the interior trim need re-fitting, notably all that around the gear-stick and transmission tunnel.
The wipers gave a laconic 'can't-really-be-bothered' sort of gentle wave to (almost) remove the morning dew and I set off. It sounds like you'd expect an Italian (almost) sports car to sound and it burbled and farted its way in. The plastic rear window is opaque and impossible to see through, and the mirrors offer little in the way of practical rear view so I drove in my own little private bubble, oblivious (almost) to everything around me.
I parked-up at work in a 'Classics Dwarfed by Moderns' sort-of way (that's a Polo, not a Golf).
It got some favourable comments straight away, despite the strange sort-of hot/burning/vaguely frightening smell that I am sure wafted around me but, at last, the buttock-clenching first drive was completed without mishap.
John Locke said:
Emeye said:
Awesome looking car. When I was a little I remember my gran had a yellow FIAT 124 (or maybe a 128) but I was expecting a 124 to look like this one:
A friend used one of these as a minicab in the early 1970s; it coped surprisingly well.Dunk130TC said:
Great to see another joining the Spider club, although slightly concerned for your future sanity and finances.
What’s the spec? It looks a little Loyd Grossman with the US style plates as it looks to be a Euro car?
I don't know much about it yet. Obviously imported but I don't know from where, but sense that it's a Euro car rather than US. US style plates are naff and offensive. What’s the spec? It looks a little Loyd Grossman with the US style plates as it looks to be a Euro car?
I think it should have chrome bumpers. I really like the small rubber blocks at the front, but am less sure about the rear. I have the (new) chrome strips for the length of the car below the doors and will get them fitted at some stage.
Krikkit said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
As for engine shots, I haven't even lifted the bonnet yet!
It was more of a speculative request at some point in the future! 
Dunk130TC said:
I’ve a few bits on standby, there’s a plentiful supply from the US from Vick Auto and Midwest if you’re struggling.
Closer to you would be spiderpoint in Germany, or Middle Barton and Ricambio in the UK for service bits.
I’ve a Haynes lurking around if you need any info.
Many thanks. I know it isn't Haynes manual-type stuff but any idea on correct tyre pressures? Closer to you would be spiderpoint in Germany, or Middle Barton and Ricambio in the UK for service bits.
I’ve a Haynes lurking around if you need any info.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
BS9ider said:
I believe by 79 output was down to just over 80bhp... After 75 i think all Spiders are essentially US spec as Fiat manufactured for the export market, until Pininfarina took over full and final production in the early 80's. There were a couple of variants of US spec. The 49 state version and then the fully loaded CA emissions controlled spec.
80bhp 
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