Fiat 124 Spider

Launched in 1966 Turin Motor Show, the Fiat 124 Spider was such a huge success that it remained in production right up until 1985. The classically Italianate bodywork was styled and manufactured by Pininfarina, while the running gear and platform was based on the Fiat 124 Coupe but with a shorter wheelbase.

Power initially came from Fiat’s lovely free-revving 1.5-litre twin cam with an aluminium cylinder head designed by ex-Ferrari chief engineer, Aurelio Lampredi, although by 1979 this had grown to 2-litres in capacity. Suspension was by coil springs all round (independent double-wishbone front / Panhard rod-located 'live' axle rear) with four-wheel disc brakes and worm-and-roller steering.

With a very roomy cabin and features like an optional five-speed gearbox, intermittent wipers and a hood that could be raised in under twenty seconds, the Spider took many sales from the likes of MG and Triumph in America, where some 75% of all Spiders were sold – it was never officially available in the UK or in right-hand drive.

Dating from 1979, this 2-litre car was supplied new to America but then found its way to Saudi Arabia before coming to the UK in April 2000. The current registered keeper acquired the car in 2001 and decided to treat it to a very comprehensive overhaul which took a year to complete. Although the structure and bodywork was in excellent condition and needed very little work, the mechanical parts were fairly tired and have been largely renewed or refurbished throughout.

The asthmatic US-spec engine was replaced by a UK-sourced Argenta unit with a camshaft mounted distributor and electronic ignition with new hoses, water pump and radiator core. The gearbox was examined and found to be fine and does not jump out of any gears, while a new clutch assembly and stainless steel exhaust was also fitted. The braking system was fully rebuilt with new servos, master cylinder, callipers and hoses with fixed lines replaced in copper. New shocks and springs were fitted at each corner and the car was converted to right-hand drive using components from a Fiat 124 Coupe – even the windscreen wipers were converted to right-hand drive.

The black mohair hood is said to be watertight and in good condition apart from a slightly foggy rear screen and a tonneau is also included. Wheels are alloy items from a Lancia Delta with nearly new Pirelli P6000 tyres all round. The car comes with many invoices for works carried out plus all the old UK MOT certificates. With a long MOT and tax the car is now said to drive very well indeed and is ready for immediate use.