Seven Things I Have Learned From Owning a Vintage Fiat

"wisc47" (Andrew-Connor)
04/13/2014 at 13:27 • Filed to: None

I have to fess up to something: I love flawed things. It's why my girl isn't a supermodel (because I could totally date one if I wanted to), why I'm not sure what my dog is a mix of, and why I own a very old Italian car. Yet despite these "imperfections" they all make me a very happy, lucky person.

But this is a car site, so let's just focus on the Fiat. She's a cherry red, 1982 124 Sport Spider. She has about 101,000 miles, she was owned and restored by a former mechanic, and her name is Felicity. I've owned her for two years now, and in that time we've had ups, downs, and a lot of horizontal movement. But that is to be expected from owning a classic car. I knew, for the most part, what I was getting into when I bought her. There are, however, a few interesting things I could have only figured out by taking the plunge and buying a vintage car.

It Isn't Always a Headache

Going into the purchase this was the one thing that frightened me about owning an old car. I had wanted a vintage car for as long as I could remember, and I wanted an Italian car just as badly. Naturally, these two together aren't exactly a recipe for reliability, but I am still surprised at how well the little Fiat has held up over the course of two years and almost 3,000 miles.

It helps that this was once the plaything of a mechanic; he clearly kept it in good health. There isn't any rust, the engine has yet to overheat, and in all the time I've had it I only had to replace a leaky fuel line. There are some foibles, however. There have been times where it has refused to start, and then the next day will act as though nothing ever happened. The gas gauge will go from half full to empty if I hit a bump. I need to hit the dash a couple times to get the radio to work.

It May Inadvertently Become a Garage Queen

I know most car enthusiasts will see some article or classified for an old car that's carried to shows on trailers, kept away in a garage, or just simply never driven. The response is overwhelmingly, "If that were my car I would drive it all the time!" Indeed, cars should be driven as often as possible no matter how old they are, but things get a bit more complicated when you actually own an older car.

See, the car is in Wisconsin, which as it turns out, is covered in a thick layer of snow and salt for about half the year. Even the most foolhardy, steadfast, and downright stubborn gearhead wouldn't dare drive an old Italian car in that kind of weather. Even then, I live in the city now, so it really doesn't even pay to have a car; I just keep it as a luxury item. The point is that the car is kept in storage a lot more than it should be, but it at least means that I don't have to deal with this next point a lot…

Driving Is Half Fun, Half an Anxiety Attack

Look, driving the car is an absolute blast. It's light, it corners, the steering has the right amount of heft to it, and shifting gears is as rewarding as can be. The thing is, though, that because it's an old car, you become hypersensitive to other drivers around you.

"Oh god, what is this guy doing? Is he going to turn? He can see me right? I swear if that guy so much as comes within an inch of this car he will pay… he will pay, damn it!"

It might as well be the same case with anyone's prized ride, but when it's an older car you have to worry about the extra hassles that come with trying to repair it, as well as the idea of writing off your pride and joy; not to mention that you've already eschewed the entire concept of safety as a whole. Yes driving an old car is a hell of a lot of fun, but it's also a great way to send yourself into a bevy of anxiety attacks for pretty much no reason whatsoever.

It Won't Start On Fire

Italian cars, especially older Italian cars, are built with unspeakable passion; so much passion, in fact, that they might start on fire. That or it might be leaking fuel…

Anyway, mine hasn't caught on fire so far, which is pretty nice.

I Was Not Expecting To Get This Much Attention

When people see any car that isn't a Camry or an Accord, they tend to do a double take. This goes for newer, exotic cars and classic cars alike. The thing is, though, that when people see a Ferrari or Porsche they look and they get excited, and they'll usually take pictures. Such status symbols are rare and special, and they are often looked upon with smiles and enthusiasm.

Now take a relatively ordinary vintage car like mine, and people will still stop and look at you. However, it seems to me that they're looking because it's simply strange to see someone driving around in an older car. There aren't usually huge grins and camera-phones directed at you, just dull, blank stares that read, "Why the hell aren't you just driving a normal car?" It would be fine if I was expecting it, but it can be a little creepy.

That isn't to say my car doesn't get enthusiastic attention. It is always very rewarding to see people smile, or in some cases even shout to tell me they like my Fiat, but these people are generally car enthusiasts…usually older male enthusiasts. Of course, I do always appreciate it, so please stop and ask me about my car; I would love to tell you everything about it.

Horsepower Isn't The End All Above All

When I was just a couple years younger and I had just gotten my license, I was a bit of a speed freak. I got pulled over more than once for speed, and it was pretty stupid in hindsight. I'm glad that the Fiat came into my life because I found out that you really don't need a lot of horsepower to have fun; you just need a light car with a manual transmission and a capable chassis. It's much better to be able to enjoy yourself within the legal limit of speed than break the law, because then you will be having fun every moment you're driving.

Fiat Stands For "Fix It Again Tony"

Perhaps the most overwhelming thing I learned was what Fiat stands for, "Fix it again, Tony." I know this because every time I told somebody the car was a Fiat they would tell me that. It's funny because I thought Fiat always stood for "Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino," but hey, that's what a learning experience is all about, isn't it?

DISCUSSION (74)

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:33

As a fellow 124 owner, albeit only five months into ownership, I've found it's been a mix of joy, exhilaration and screaming, "DAMMIT, I COULD BE DRIVING A MIATA RIGHT NOW, INSTEAD OF FIXING YOU!!!" at her.

That being said, I did drive mine to Huntsville and back yesterday, with no drama at all, at Interstate speeds.

LeadfootYT > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:35

Always nice to hear an honest, frank report of classic car ownership, and in that vein, a certain section stood out to me:

"Indeed, cars should be driven as often as possible no matter how old they are, but things get a bit more complicated when you actually own an older car."

^This. That's been my experience with owning my E24 BMW, and why I now feel like I have a much better sense of classic car ownership - you can't always use it as a car, but when you treat it with care like any other vintage item and keep your expectations realistic (expectations which I'm happy to say my E24 far exceeds), it's brilliant.

ly2v8-Brian > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:36

Nice FIAT. I live in MN and to say this winter hasn't been a little bit trying is an understatement. Too bad there aren't more cheap little roadsters like that (don't chime in with "but Miata" I want choices). Old Euro cars have a nice raspy exhaust note that is easy to appreciate.

wisc47 > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 13:40

Congrats on the Fiat! I think I'm pretty lucky, managing to find a pretty hassle free one, but my plan is in fact to buy a Miata once she becomes to difficult to maintain (it'll be some day, I know). What tends to be the problem on yours?

JR1 > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:43

Something about owning a vintage car just makes it cooler than most. Old, beautiful, and visceral. As they say on Petrolicious drive tastefully.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:50

The previous owner not knowing what he was doing... Every single problem I've had can be traced to the previous owners altering the factory setup somehow.

Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2 > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 13:51

Great story and list of lessons. I bought my 2002 as my first car two years ago and have learned a great deal since. The It Isn't Always a Headache, Driving Is Half Fun, Half an Anxiety Attack, and Horsepower Isn't The End All Above All are the most relatable.

I'm frequently asked if the car is hard t deal with. No, (mine's German, not Italian, but I digress) primarily it's just hard to start when it's cold. When problems come about, they are usually very simple fixes. Driving an old car 100% makes you a better, more aware driver. I watch everyone's movements. Without decent brakes, let alone ABS, and terrible crash resistance, you're always watching those around you. And, the HP lesson is very true. When people get in my car I usually ask them to guess how much HP it has. I say a Mustang GT has 420, a Camry has 170-290ish. I get responses anywhere from 200 to 1000. Yes, these are obviously not car people. They are shocked to hear less than 100hp. I've never taken my car above 90. I only have a 4 speed. So, it's almost speeding ticket-proof. Almost, I have yet to get a ticket (knocking on wood). Speed doesn't really matter. When your revving to 6500 through 1st and 2nd, you might as well be Captain Kirk. It's a visceral experience. Owing a classic car is rewarding for those with patience and a yearning for knowledge.

wisc47 > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 14:01

Yikes. This is why I'm glad I bought it from a mechanic. I'm not the most mechanical person, in fact part of the reason I both this was to learn a bit, but I sure as hell am glad it was treated well. But do what you can to breathe life back into this machine! If you're ever having a hard time locating parts, this is a pretty good place to go to:

http://www.international-auto.com

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 14:05

I actually like AutoRicambi a little better, but a lot of that is the fact that both of the owners are Spider owners.

Also, O'Reilly's has a decent selection of the common maintenance stuff, but it helps that I live across town from their regional warehouse in Nashville.

wisc47 > Chuck 2(O=[][]=O)2
04/13/2014 at 14:06

Yes! Considering no airbags, no shoulder harnesses, and thin body panels, and the small size of the thing, I might as well be out on a motorcycle in terms of safety. I'm not sure the specific horsepower of mine, but knowing the stock amount and considering the upgraded air filter and exhaust it can't be much over 100hp, if that. And yes, I was surprised to see how many people don't use their freaking blinker.

wkiernan > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:17

I don't know about these other people. When I see a Porsche or a Ferrari I'm somewhere between, "gee that's kinda nice" and "hmf." But when I see a FIAT Spider I'm all goo goop goop de doo HE IS OUR HERO!

Shiftright > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:18

The general masses are generally ignorant and adhere to simplistic acronyms and exaggerated stereotypes, regardless of facts. I bought an Alfa GTV6 many years ago with considerable trepidation, and quickly realized that once I fixed the previous owner's mistakes, it was a very reliable daily driver, with an unkillable engine that loves to be thrashed.

wkiernan > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:19

Buy a cheap Miata now, and you'll have a great car for driving to the auto parts store and a solid ride-to-work, so you should be able to keep your beautiful, classic FIAT indefinitely.

jalop1991 > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:21

Are you current on your rust license payments?

472CID > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:28

2 and 3 rang super true for me and my more fun vehicles. As fun as they are they can sure be taxing to drive when you're unsure about their reliability. Living in a super wintery climate means you only get, at best, 60% of the time with your toys as someone in a sunnier climate.

The last one must get really annoying, like when people ask me if I have an extra million laying around (I work at a bank).

Doctor-G-and-the-wagen > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:33

I see you pay the Fiat Tax.

Guydoesstuff > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:36

I too am a Fiat 124 Enthusiast, I have a collected a few more websites and resources I should share.

http://www.midwest-bayless.com/storefrontprof…

http://mrfiat.com/

http://www.fiatplus.com/

http://www.vickauto.com/newstore/

http://www.allisonsautomotive.com/

International can be expensive when it comes to certain things, and other items they don't always have available. shopping around with these sites may help a little bit.

Old-Busted-Hotness > JR1
04/13/2014 at 15:39

It's cooler than most because it takes effort. Drive a Camcord: zero effort, nobody cares. If owning an old MG or Fiat was easy, everyone would do it.

NinetyQ > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 15:43

I'm a little ashamed to admit that even as a petrolhead, I would have never pegged that as an '82 Fiat. I might have gotten that it was a Fiat, but '82? But I suppose that's just because it was originally produced in '66 and continued production for so long.

MFEJAL grey because who knows... > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:00

Bellissima...

webmonkees > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:00

The neighbor has one of those in his little exotics collection. I've not seen it move much. I lucked out on buying a Mechanic's personal. (Not a fiat, but almost as quirky)

The only catch being is that fixes are so transparent that you'll have to get the manual out or discuss it on forums to figure it out.

I finally had some electrical issues 2 years after taking the keys, and had to start utterly over with all my toys. Using factory connectors from a next-gen and headlamp switch from the prior. It all fits.

ANY car can be a peach if it's taken care of. ANY car can be a monster if it's not.

"Finks It's A Toyota, sometimes. Then it remembers the motto "Frustrate, Insult And Terrorize."

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > wkiernan
04/13/2014 at 16:11

I daily a 2013 Mazda 3 with the Skyactiv-G and a manual, so... It's like a big, FWD Miata wagon. :)

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:16

Fiat: Failure Is A Tradition

Fiat: Feeble Italian Attempt at Transportation

How do you get spare parts for a Fiat?

Just follow another one around.

Sorry about this. It is a nice car. I like your wheels.

wisc47 > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder
04/13/2014 at 16:18

Hey, don't get me wrong here, I can sure as hell laugh at a good joke. Thank you for being more original than everyone else.

Slave2anMG > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:19

I Was Not Expecting To Get This Much Attention - 'struth. I drive this MG Midget. I get more looks of befuddlement, sneers but mostly looks of sheer joy when people see it. If it was a lemon yellow Humvee towing a pipe organ being played by Liberace I don't think I could get more attention. For those of us Of A Certain Age it takes us back to our youth. For younger people it's either extremely confusing (tiny cars don't register as cars to them apparently) or a complete rush to see one actually on the road. It's loud, it's tiny, it's not a museum piece but the sumbitch runs and runs well. Drive 'em...that's why they were built.

Kinja'd!!!

Coolhandluke > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 16:19

Great article, this really hit home. My obsession is a 67 fiat 850 spider.

Kind of.

The 850 cc fiat is gone in favor if a twin turbo subaru, stuck to a porsche 911 transaxle.

Half the time I'm yelling at it, "I could have had a miata!!!"

The other half I'm enjoying the states and the "what the heck is that thing" comments no miata will gather.

wisc47 > Slave2anMG
04/13/2014 at 16:22

Wonderful MG you have there. You'd certainly get a friendly honk and a wave from me.

Hectic > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:26

I stopped reading after 'Felicity'.

Coolhandluke > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:34

awesome article, I could really identify. My object of obsession is a 67 850 spider. Kind of. Instead of the 850 cc of Fiat power I have a 2 liters of twin turbo subaru power sitting out behind the rear wheels. Half the time I'm with the vehicle I'm screaming to myself, "I could have had a miata!" The other half of the time I'm enjoying the looks and comments no miata will ever get, and acceleration like no 850 should have.

NipperDawg > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:53

Except for the last part (I drive a Justy) I agree with everything you said. Whats worse is that the Justy seems to attract hipsters.

It is a blast to drive. It will be old enough to get collectors insurance in the fall. At the first snow flake he gets parked in the driveway until the first rain after the last snowflake. I put less then 2000 miles a year on him, it feels like more, but thats what my oil change records say.

I get a lot of mounted policemen in NYC asking me about the car (thats when you feel really really small, forget SUVs

With its 3 cyl goodness and the cvt (takes some getting used to the cvt to get power out of the car, but I can.

My next collectable one may be small convertable of some kind.

Monsterajr > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 16:54

"Even the most foolhardy, steadfast, and downright stubborn gearhead wouldn't dare drive an old Italian car in that kind of weather. " I used to be THAT gearhead. Mind you, this was around 86 and I owned a 79' Fiat X-1/9, my dad had a 74 Alfa GTV and my Mom was driving a Volvo 245 Wagon (brown) after crunching our bought from new 1980 Fiat Brava. My X was very good in the snow provided you had two five gallon pails of sand in the front trunk, but if the snow was deeper than 4 inches, I'd either borrow my mom's car or my dad's Alfa. His Alfa was his daily driver and he had a set of 4 dedicated snows so with a relatively even weight distribution the care was good in the snow. In later years I've had a GTV6 and a couple Milanos. The GTV6 was only ok in the snow, but that's only because I had summer tires on, but the Milano's with good all seasons were pretty good. I wasn't worried about rust because I'd usually hose out the underside of the car as soon as weather was ok. Miss having a "vintage car" regardless and would probably want all the creature comforts of my 12' Focus on those cold snowy days. Good luck to you and keep sharing the fun with us!

Kinja'd!!!

evil2win > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 17:01

That was a nice read. I've been driving Fiat spiders for the last eight years or so. Years ago I had a 96 Acura Integra with a slush-box that failed and I stated looking on craigslist for a new ride. At the time I was commuting 500 miles a week over mountain roads so I was thinking I should get something reliable. I was scrolling through the ads when I cam across an 81 Fiat spider with a newly rebuilt drive-line that had a broken shock tower, and the guy was only asking $600 for it. I bought it, welded up the shock tower and drove it for the next five years. where there problems? of course, but nothing I couldn't deal with. I only sold it because I found a 73 spider that had the body freshly painted, and newer upholstery. Sure it needed a new carburetor, and all the bushings in the front end replaced, but that stuff is easy, and the benefits of having a pre-smog car in California really make it worth it. Even here in California I garage it when it rains, only take it out in good weather, and my coworkers give me crap about putting a car cover on it in the parking lot at work, but dammit I want to keep it looking good as long as I can.

Kinja'd!!!

I've found driving this car around the most attention it brings is when I'm gassing up people will often tell me that they owned on back in college. On man who spoke with a thick Italian accent came over to admire the car and tole me about how he used to work for them. one older woman told about how her and her husband had one when her kids were little, and seeing mine reminder of all they fun they had driving it around when they were younger, and thanked me for just being there in that car at that moment. You do draw a certain amount of attention driving a vintage car that's for sure.

Matt White > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 17:09

as a fellow 124 driver I have to agree with your writeup.

Mark Hancheroff > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 17:37

My daily driver is a new Fiat 500L. A really nice commuter car so far. But my addiction is my 1976 Triumph Spitfire. And yes, everything in this article applies. I was lucky that i bought it from a friend who had the engine rebuilt (actually, replaced with a new engine, less than 10,000 miles.) But he didn't have time for the body and restoration. You get really good with Lucas Electrics after a while. and a Pop rivet gun and Epoxy resin work wonders on holes in the pan.

A ton of fun to drive!

Kinja'd!!!

Nunya Dambinness > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 17:39

So nothing like a Miata at all.

TheSpin > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 17:45

As the owner of a 40 year old Italian I could relate to all of those! Well, except the horsepower one...I have a sh*t ton of that. Honestly though, I don't use the power much because it has no modern safety equipment.

Love your car. I hope it forever continues to be more fun than frustration.

Coty > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 17:45

I had to spend an extra 10 minutes at a gas station last night because a guy was combing over my Chrysler. It's a good feeling. My friend who was waiting in my Ranger so we could leave wasn't as excited.

tapzz > Monsterajr
04/13/2014 at 18:01

Provided the chassis can do it, as you say, I wouldn't fear the snow itself so much – old Volvos and Saabs from the far north of Sweden are sought after, after all. It's the thought of salt eating away a classic alfa or fiat's delicate steel that'd stop me.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Slave2anMG
04/13/2014 at 18:19

That is awesome. I've always had a soft spot for tiny cars, especially the MGs, Triumphs and Fiats.

Bytemite > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 18:26

It is a FWD hatchback like...a bunch of other FWD hatchbacks. Saying a Mazda3 is similar to a miata is like saying a Corolla is like a big, FWD MR2

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > Bytemite
04/13/2014 at 18:32

Well, it has the same size wheels as an NC Miata... (Seriously, though... The Spider is a lot more fun than a Miata. Trust me, I've driven NA, NB and NC Miatas, and the Fiat is a lot more fun. It's also not that unreliable, despite the reputation.)

Dadu > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/13/2014 at 19:12

I was owned buy 1968 Austin Healey Sprite.....Instant gratification. you had to fix it before you drove it.....

natrat > tapzz
04/13/2014 at 19:14

I drove a 1800 carbed model and then an injected 2000. Like an idiot i slid the first one into a tree at 5 mph on an icy road and damn if that didnt total the car. The only way to start it in upstate ny winter was with the spray stuff into the carbs. The 2000 was much better but sadly it met its demise in some equally foolish way. Winter cars these are not.

Mark Hancheroff > Slave2anMG
04/13/2014 at 19:49

And when you drive with half the tonneau cover closed, it completely freaks them out. I love doing that.

ICantStandNewJalopnik > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 20:16

Hey! A fellow Wisconsinite. Good read! I enjoyed it. I will be watching for you cruising around in your machine. Since you said you live "in the city," I would think that would mean around the Milwaukee area. I work in Milwaukee, but live in Mequon. If you ever see a black, Gucci 500c driving around with the Inerno Notte (blacked out) package, that's either me or my wife.

I also have a red Focus ST which I would imagine others have as well. I just got the 500 last weekend from Bergstrom. I love it! Be careful out there. Some parts of Milwaukee have the worst drivers I've ever seen. Thanks again for the read!

Maxaxle > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 20:19

Kinja'd!!!

#1: Keep a fire extinguisher within arm's reach?

Slave2anMG > Mark Hancheroff
04/13/2014 at 21:07

Completely. Walk up to the car with the tonneau closed and you get the 'is that the top?' and 'does it have seats?' questions....

Slave2anMG > Coty
04/13/2014 at 21:09

I had a guy in an RX8 almost pee himself over my Midget...wanted his photo taken in it and everything. Happy to oblige...just spreading the joy of old sports cars....

Coty > Slave2anMG
04/13/2014 at 21:13

Only time I haven't liked it so far was yesterday when the guy in the C7 almost drove into my wagon because he was checking it out.

HiwattScott > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 23:01

Fun fact: Mazda copied the 124's outside door handles for the NA Miata.

wisc47 > ICantStandNewJalopnik
04/13/2014 at 23:08

I actually live in Madison now, as I am a student. I originally bought the car when I lived with my parents so it currently resides in my home town (Sheboygan County, just for the record), however I still get to drive it quite a bit as it isn't far from where I live now. My plan is to bring it here once I graduate and I have a steady job where I can afford underground parking.

ICantStandNewJalopnik > wisc47
04/13/2014 at 23:11

That's cool. Madison's a pretty city. There's some darn good driving to your west and northwest. I wish I lived closer to those roads. It sure will be nice once the temps pop back into the 70's and 80's. Have fun with your rig! It looks nice. I'm sure you'll learn a lot from it! Don't always go with the reliable choice. It's about what you like and what makes you happy.

MykePagan > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 02:47

Had a Fiat 124... Actually a Pininfarina Spyder 2000 (which is what the car was called for it's final two years imported to the USA after Fiat stopped selling here). It was remarkably reliable but for these three things:

* The hood latch broke regularly such that I ended up rigging an auxiliary release cable running down below the radiator

* if you drove through a puddle! or even in heavy rain! there was no telling which lights would work until the car dried off. Luckily, the high and low beams rarely ever went out at the same time, and the high beams were so weak that you could drive with them for hours and nobody ever flashed back in annoyance.

* But the item that made me sell the car after two years: rusty brake calipers that would freeze in the "grab" position. When it ended up that I was replacing a caliper every month or so, with calipers from a junkyard that were just as Italian and apparently pre-rusted so that the failed within four months... I realized I was on a permanent monthly brake replacement plan (and it was not cheap!). At that point I sold for a new Mitsubishi 3000GT

MykePagan > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 02:47

* The hood latch broke regularly such that I ended up rigging an auxiliary release cable running down below the radiator

stephenmcknight2011@hotmail.co.uk > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 03:57

the perils of driving classic cars passion over common sense, but who can explain the joys they cars give us for the period of time they work. i fell head over hell in love with the Ferrari Daytona and stride one day to own one.

Fiat remind me of Lotus, lot of trobule usually serious but worth every minute we invest in it without that time spent these great cars would disapppear all together.

Justin Langdon > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 08:08

I have a 78 124 that I've raced in LeMons and Chump car. The car was a basket case when I bought it. I put a new set of piston rings in it, all new gaskets and even with the clock already turned over once, that car has run strong in 4 events (including a full 24hr race at VIR). That little twin cam loves 6500 rpm and the gearbox is surprisingly robust... No punchline coming, I'm serious. It's a great little car.

I've seriously considered buying a road-worthy version because I've been so happy with it.

Justin Langdon > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 08:08

I've seriously considered buying a road-worthy version because I've been so happy with it.

Exit98 > HiwattScott
04/14/2014 at 09:03

Every Friday night I pick up our pizza at the local strip mall pizza shop. One beautiful spring evening I pull up to to fire lane in front of the shop and hop out of my lemon yellow 124 Spider. The shop is busy with customers but the young counter girl looks out the window and says "Wow, that's pretty, what is it?" I tell her its a Fiat Spider. Hearing my answer the owner, Alonzo, busy at the pizza oven, hustles over to take a look. He rushes around the counter and heads for the door, me in his wake. "Bellissimo!" he shouts as he walks around the car. Half kidding I say, "the keys are in it Alonzo, take it for a ride". To my surprises he jumps in and heads off down the parking lot, I can hear him shifting from first to second as he does a lap of the lot, pulling back up in front with a huge grin on his face. "Wonderful car, thank you so much" he says as he steps out. He wouldn't charge me for my pie that night, but I put a nice tip in the jar.

Stef Schrader > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/14/2014 at 09:30

Heh, these are so much better than a Miata. Well, they look cooler, anyway. And sound better.

Love these cars, though. They're a complete blast to drive.

Collin Maley > Slave2anMG
04/14/2014 at 09:40

"Built" would have been a better word. Either way, what a lovely car!

Collin Maley > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 09:42

The Miata's are a great hassle-free car. Bought mine as my first car, and so far the only thing I've needed to replace were an old plastic-head radiator and brakes. So much fun for only 100hp.

DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully > MykePagan
04/14/2014 at 09:43

Haven't seen number 1 yet,but to fix #2, I put a set of Cibie e-codes in mine, with Osram 65/70 bulbs, a 120A alternator and a relay harness.

For #3, I bought four new calipers.

Monsterajr > tapzz
04/14/2014 at 10:29

I agree, the salt was the biggest worry but my X was factory undercoated and had been totally redone and repaired by me. My Dad's Alfa was similar in that he bought it from someone who had it refurbed and had undercoated the car. All the mid 80's Alfas were factory undercoated though the GTV6 still had a few areas that were very prone to rust. We had a 73' Fiat Spider too previous to the GTV and it was carb'd. There was occasionally an issue with cold starts but never a no go. The GTV had a setting on the SPICA fuel injection for winter months to adjust for the cold.

wisc47 > Justin Langdon
04/14/2014 at 10:53

I love the twin cam engine, and with a custom exhaust it sounds pretty incredible. The transmission, from what I read, was pretty advanced for it's time, and it indeed shifts incredibly well. I can see how that chassis works well on the track, however it's pretty tightly sprung (at least on my car), so it can be kind of skittish on rough roads.

kasheed > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 11:56

"You know what FIAT stands for, don'cha?"

(Inaudible groan) "No, what."

"FIX IT AGAIN TONY HUR HUR HUR"

"Funny, that's something that 'Fucking Idiots Always Tell' me"

kerc // drives a mirage, so what? > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 13:35

I had a Spider 2000. Loved it to death, but it did spend quite a bit of time jacked up and being repaired. But when it was running, ah... So lovely. I might still get one eventually. One wonderful thing about it is that the mechanical work is actually quite simple, and parts are not hard to find (IAP to the rescue!).

FIATClubAmerica > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 14:12

Parts from IAP is good. Now join with other owners www.fiatclubamerica.com

Dave outside Omaha > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 15:06

I have a Fiat X1/9, a cousin to your car or a brother (or sister) and I love it. I love the whole "Fix it again, Tony" form of collective blindness because I got a super cool and crazy fun car for pocket change. If cared for, they are wonderful cars.

caraqueno > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 16:13

As the 20+ year owner of a Spider myself ('81 Turbo, "Pechi") I know how you feel, and I was happy to see this. I confess that I do sometimes dream of just getting an old Miata, but I don't think I could ever bear to get rid of my Spider. And it is certainly a luxury for me, too.

JEEPx19 > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 16:49

Gents (Both The Weatherman and wisc47) have you heard about the CC5C club that has formed in the Milwaukee area? I am a vintage FIAT owner (82 X1/9) and am one of two vintage FIAT's in our club. Its new, its fun and the people are great. We meet about once a month at the Local Studio (Bergstrom Milwaukee). TheWeatherman - give Brandon @ Bergstrom a call and he can hook you up with the info on our next meeting - or stop by our club page ( https://www.facebook.com/CC5Club ) All are welcome - wisc47, we'd welcome some "fresh vintage blood!!!" I was the first in the club with a vintage FIAT and we just had another join also with an X1/9. We have a packed schedule this summer, and there are some Madison members who trek from Madison for our get meetings.

tapzz > Monsterajr
04/14/2014 at 17:47

Thanks- it's good to know Alfas were getting better by the mid '80s with regard to rust proofing. In that sense, I always thought that the galvanised 156 was the first to have really banished that aspect.

RazorGP > wisc47
04/14/2014 at 17:59

I have seen one of these in my area. Sadly it was ether going on for restoration or getting crushed. It was all rust brown and had holes in the body work.

SuperJX > wisc47
04/15/2014 at 12:54

Glad you're enjoying your 124. Terrific platform to get into wrenching on stuff yourself if that's of interest. Got my '80 X1/9 for $100 as a non-runner in the mid-90s and get quality time with it every summer. IAP is a good resource for 124 and Alfa parts, but Matt at Midwest-Bayless has been a friend for as long as I've had my car. Great folks at Midwest and they're a huge resource for classic Italian parts. And for anyone looking into the X1/9, the http://xwebforums.org/ board is a great resource. My favorite acronym for FIAT is "Fun, Italian and Topless".

Mark Hancheroff > DancesWithRotors - Driving Insightfully
04/19/2014 at 23:00

This is Soooooooo true. I was lucky to get my Spitfire from a buddy, but the guy before him was a disaster. My buddy managed to get a new engine dropped in (Technically, a Factory Service Spare from a Triumph 1500 Front Drive) so it runs well, but he didn't have time for interior and body work. Or electrical. I pulled out a rats nest of wiring, cleaned the connectors, and suddenly, things start working better.

Imagine that.