Boosting its sporting image, Fiat graced the Spider 2000 with an optional turbocharger for model year 1981. This 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 Turbo in Berkeley, California seeks a new owner after recently losing its indoor storage location. Check out more pictures and details here on Craigslist where the $4000 asking price makes it yours. Though listed as a 1980, this specimen is almost certainly a 1981 as the turbo model began in ’81 and the prior unit in the Fiat Spider Registry falls in MY81. This car could show a build date in 1980; dealers typically offer next year’s models around October. Thanks to Henry R. for spotting this 1 of 700 Italian.
Someone stole the original Japanese-built IHI turbocharger, and it could probably be found in a high school parking lot within two miles of the Fiat’s location. The seller says you can buy one on eBay! Returning a turbo to the mix should be easy compared to making the 43 year-old Bosch L-Jetronic fuel injection system happy. The turbo added 18% to the 2.0L (122 cid) inline four-cylinder engine’s power, for a total of 120 HP, typical of conservative factory turbo systems in those days. For comparison, the 1981 Corvette made 190 HP and weighed 800 lb more (3200 vs 2400). Both cars hit 60 MPH from a standstill in the low eight second range. Thanks to Automobile-Catalog and CorvetteStory for some details.
The tan interior contrasts nicely with the brilliant red paint and black dash. The central tri-color boost gauge feature no numbers, splitting the dial into three segments of Boring, Fun, and Danger: white, green, and red, respectively. Despite this Fiat’s rarity, it would be interesting to see what a savvy engine builder could do with it, utilizing different pistons and injectors and tweaking the EFI to deliver modern 2.0 turbo HP (mid to upper 200s) while maintaining stock appearance.
I enjoyed riding in my dad’s non-turbo Spider in the ’70s. It seemed like a real driver’s car, perfect for tree-lined two-lanes, nimbly cornering at speeds that would upset the monstrous sedans and wagons of the day. How long before we’ll see this rare turbo Spider fetching ten times today’s asking price?
Nice project. Priced well for its condition. The main issue with these Fiats is rust. This one looks rust free. That’s a plus. I hope someone restores this.
What a great idea. Add something to a notoriously undependable vehicle that will result in it being even less reliable.
When I read, “engine is free” I thought, “whoopee they are giving away the engine”, but then my brain’s clutch finally engaged and I realized, the motor ain’t stuck, but it doesn’t run either. There’s a lot here, however. I like the Italian-homage turbo gauge, and it appears this unit never had a radio! I’ve always liked the 124/2000 Spyders and one of these would be a project I’d like to take on.
MAYBE NOT QUITE RUST FREE! a PICTURE SHOWING A MOIST BROWN BOTTOM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MAYBE IN NEED OF A NEW CAMBELT?
WORTH 4K++ MAYBE!
You can see what the salt air does in the engine bay, probably elsewhere also.This would be a noteworthy project but your are buying the “unknown” That has to be reflected in the price.
“It would be interesting to see what a savvy engine builder could do with it…”
Ah, where’s Al Consentino when you need him? His FAZA catalogue had all kinds of goodies for Fiat engines. His instructions allowed me to desmog my Lancia, improve breathing and performance and still pass State emissions inspection. The guy was thoroughly disorganized (as was the FAZA catalogue) but, he was an engine builder and tuning genius!
Fix It Again Tony!
Found in alota trash 😂
I have a 1981 Fiat Spider with Turbo. I love my car. Finding and tuning this Spider with Turbo may not be as easy as you may think. Good luck!
I had an ‘82 Turbo for a short time. Black with tan interior. Was in Tampa on business around 1990 and came across it. Had under 30K miles. Bought it and had it shipped back to Texas. Shortly afterwards I took it to a shop for the mandatory annual state safety inspection. When it was back in the shop I thought I could hear the engine being revved. When I got the car back it sounded different and I think the idiots over revved it and blew the head or exhaust gasket. I went back but of course they denied any wrongdoing. It was an extra car for me at a time I really couldn’t afford one- getting the engine fixed wasn’t in the budget so I sold it and broke even which I considered a win.
(F)ound (I)n (A)lot’a (T)rash 😂
Located in Berkeley, CA
I’m with the author on this one–leverage the bespoke manifolds (the expensive part) to build a custom turbo setup with modern engine management, for 200+ hp. Otherwise this is just a complex novelty of 1980s automotive history, considering that there are normally-aspirated twin-carb (ROW-spec) setups that produce 120 hp from this engine straight from the factory with a lot less complexity. Keep in mind that this turbo setup wasn’t developed by Fiat, per se, but rather by an American tuning firm at the behest of Fiat’s USA office. I’ve often wondered why they didn’t just develop USA emissions-compliant version of the factory supercharger setup, but I think I just answered my own question with the realization that the supercharger wasn’t introduced until a couple years *after* this USA-only third-party turbo.