Solid Well Cared For Survivor Car

1979 Fiat 124 Spider Description

Well kept and cared for 1979 Fiat Spider. Originally painted a cream color, the car appears to be finished in Fiat Amaranth red. It is unknown when the car was repainted. The paint shows some bumps on the trunk from impact inside. The passenger door has a surface rust spot just below the paint (low on the door) which is hardly noticeable.There are some small paint chips around the car but overall the car looks very presentable when cleaned and polished. The car rides on original 13 inch steel rims with chrome trim rings wearing recent Aspen Touring A/S 175/70-13 tires. Somerims show some paint chips and could be sandblasted and repainted.

Odometer reads 37,xxx and although it cannot be verified, the overall condition of the car appears more of a 37,000 mile car vs. 137,000 mile car. The interior is tan vinyl and the top is black canvas. The interior and top are in very good condition with no rips. The floor is covered in a gold colored carpet with black floor mats. An original owners manual is included.

There has been a lot of work done over the past 16 years that has been summarized in a spreadsheet by the previous owner. The timing belt, tensioner, water pump and hoses were replaced in 2013. New tires, alignment, battery, hand brake cable, thermostat, brake hoses, brake compensator, torsion bar grommets, rear brake calipers, rotors and pads all in 2013. Before that, wheel bearings/seals, front brakes, shocks and coils, front calipers, rotors, upper and lower control arms in 2012. New clutch cable, front brake hoses, tie rods, fuel pump, mechanical oil pressure gauge, transmission mount and recored radiator. The top and sun visors were replaced in 2003. There are no further repair records previous to 2003.

I have owned the car for 2 years and during my ownership have replaced the ignition switch and installed a short shifter (original goes with the sale). Also a Facet electric fuel pump has been installed in the trunk to boost fuel up to the mechanical pump. This modification has been successful in curing vapor lock under extreme hot weather conditions. The carb is a Weber (clone) DGES 38/38 with automatic choke. I have spent the entire time making the car reliable and fun to drive. The clock does not work. All other gauges work properly and the tach and speedo needles are smooth and responsive. Wipers, signals and lights work as they should. There is an electric fan behind the radiator which operates perfectly on a temperature sender switch. Glass is in very good condition. There is a convertible top cover but I never use it. There is a Pioneer AM/FM/CD player with 2 speakers in the rear which works well.

There are 2 areas of rust below each floor pan (drivers and passenger side). These are approximately fist sized and are not structural. Metal has been fastened over these rust spots, not cut out and replaced. Structurally, there is no rust to be concerned with. The rockers are solid and the shock towers look great. There are bumps and bruises to the under pan as you would expect in a low slung car. A reinforcing metal plate has been welded underneath to the front crossmember.

The 2 liter, four cylinder double overhead cam engine pulls strong and the transmission shifts smoothly and never pops out of gear. The engine was compression tested with readings ranging from 160 - 175. Clutch feels good however the pedal squeaks even after much greasing of the pedal shaft. The steering box was recently adjusted which tightened up the steering making it much better.

There is virtually nothing left to do with this car but drive and enjoy it. I would not be afraid to drive this car anywhere. I have many other pictures of the car that are not included with this auction but can be emailed to prospective buyers. Many are of the underside of the car taken with the car on jack stands. I can also take more pictures of any specific areas of interest.The FIAT 124 Spider is the last of the affordable sports cars out there today. If well cared for and maintained, the value of the car will only increase with time. Do not let this well sorted car pass you by. Buyer will not be disappointed.