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We had to mention this 1970 Fiat 850 Spider because it appears to be the car that is tucked in the corner of the barn full of Brits we featured back in January. The car requires a complete restoration and that may not make sense financially, but it is a dry Arizona car so it may be worth saving. Find it here on eBay where bidding is currently at $540 with no reserve. Thanks goes to Jim S. for sending this in.
A friend in college had one of these in Pittsburgh in 1971. Never could keep the rear end aligned on the cobblestones.
I had a green one,69, small side markers, fun car, handled like a go kart, but I heard they had bad rust problems, I sold mine in about 72 long before any rust problems could occure.
No Fiat makes financial sense. But every time it does start and run, it will give you more joy than you can ever buy. Fiats make people happy. And then sad again, but the happy is REALLY happy.
I WENT THROUGH A FIAT STAGE STARTING WITH AN XI9 THAT MY DAUGHTER LIKED WHEN ABOUT 4YRS OLD. WE USED TO GO TIPPING AROUND HOUSTON TX ON WEEKENDS.I SOLD IT WHEN THE DIVORCE JUDGE TOLD ME THE STATE WASN’T BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH ME AND THE EX.SO WHEN I GOT BACK TO NY I OWNED A COUPLE MORE AND DRIVING PAST A CARLOT ONE DAY AND SAW THIS BLACK SPIDER AND KNEW I HAD TO HAVE IT.GOT IT JUST IN TIME FOR A SUMMER VISIT FROM NOW NOW 14YR OLD DAUGHTER.. GREAT CARS WITH THE WORST ELECTRICAL SYSTEM EVER.
From the picture it doesn’t look so bad, but rust is a problem with them. Fiat : Fix it again today !!
Per Seth in Pittsburgh. I bought a Toyota V6 Camry that came from Pittsburgh for my daughter. No rust, low mileage, good interior. Price was very low for the apparent conditon. $1,100 later, after the front end was completely rebuilt, I called the previous owner. She said she sold it because the Toyota dealer told her it would cost $2,000 to fix and it wouldn’t last if she kept it in Pittsburgh. Salt, winters, cobblestones, pot-holes, manhole covers, perpetual street repairs, the only good streets are the ones used in Schenley Park for the Pittsburgh GP. As for the Fiat 850, a pure sunny day smile on your face car. Cooling system was reputed to be marginal along with the Marelli electrics.
GREAT CARS AND A LOT OF FUN BUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD DRIVE YOU TO DRINK
Somebody stole the engine…but there is a spare in the trunk. Sorry couldn’t resist
AMCFAN’s father bought a 124 Spyder new in 1974. Midnight Blue/Black topThe dealership was also a Pontiac/GMC. I believe dad started working out a deal on a 128 Sedan. Dad is a salesmans enemy. After three trips back to the dealer and just when he was about to sign he asked about the 124 Spyder. It was on the showroom floor. After he saw the figures he said OK I’ll take that. I believe $4800. I am thinking now it had to be a midlife thing. It was a fantastic car. I’ll never forget the ride home or the smell of that car. It was really quite the car. After about a year he removed the muffler and the exhaust routed in front of the passenger rear wheel. Man, that car sounded good. It would pop and crack when you shifted. He rolled about 65K miles. No problems ever. He sold it in 1981…just before I started to drive! Bummer. But I still have the cool tool kit!
When I was in high school, I bought one of these (not running) from a friend. My parents wouldn’t let me keep it so I had to return it. The guy then proceeded to slowly cut it into small pieces (like 4″ square) and throw it away in his trash cans over a period of six months. Why he did this, I will never know, but I have wanted one ever since then.