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.
For custom plates have a nosey about in this thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
If not a standard width I'm sure you can get one made up by the JDM Plates fella in there no bother at all.
If it's a bit whiffy when hot then I'd have a good old nose around in the engine bay and see if there's any serious leaks - the last thing you'd want is an oil fire in warm weather before it's had professional attention. That said, old cars always give off some good smells
All that guff apart, what a lovely thing, I'm not afraid to say I'm rather jealous! I'd love to see some more pictures when you get them, including engine.
If not a standard width I'm sure you can get one made up by the JDM Plates fella in there no bother at all.
If it's a bit whiffy when hot then I'd have a good old nose around in the engine bay and see if there's any serious leaks - the last thing you'd want is an oil fire in warm weather before it's had professional attention. That said, old cars always give off some good smells
All that guff apart, what a lovely thing, I'm not afraid to say I'm rather jealous! I'd love to see some more pictures when you get them, including engine.
Che bella macchina, uomo fortunato.
You seem fully committed to cars for which one has to make a concerted effort with one's appearance prior to getting in and driving around the locality. There's no hiding in either of the vehicles you write about on here. Go and get a haircut and some vintage sunglasses.
I've yet to own an Italian car so will be following with interest CdG. My Dad did buy a Fiat Regata 85S from new however, so I get the gist.
You seem fully committed to cars for which one has to make a concerted effort with one's appearance prior to getting in and driving around the locality. There's no hiding in either of the vehicles you write about on here. Go and get a haircut and some vintage sunglasses.
I've yet to own an Italian car so will be following with interest CdG. My Dad did buy a Fiat Regata 85S from new however, so I get the gist.
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.CharlesdeGaulle said:
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.John Locke said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
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.Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff