A thick coating of barn dust and a remote location can make almost any car or truck seem interesting. What’s particularly fascinating is when being discovered in utterly awful condition actually works to make a somewhat overlooked classic car or truck suddenly very interesting. That’s certainly the case with this 1974 Fiat Type 124 Spider found here on craigslist as part of a larger probate sale where apparently numerous classics were found in a barn on the property near San Diego.
Doesn’t it seem like the homely 124 Spider almost always ends up in this sort of sorry state? While there are certainly Italian car fans that love them, I would say the ratio of 124 Spiders that end up as wrecked hulks is far higher compared to those cars that are lovingly restored. It’s a shame they didn’t have one stronger redeeming characteristic, like being a true sports car or being impervious to rust – perhaps its fate would have been different here in the U.S.
Of course, one could argue it still possesses all of those qualities that make it a desirable sports model, particularly its attractive styling and connection to an era wherein open-air motoring in an Italian two-seater was a status symbol. However, cars like Alfa Romeo’s Graduate Spider tend to occupy that place in automotive culture, with the 124 relegated to a perpetual second place sitting. Speaking of sitting, this poor car has been stationary for quite a while.
As you can see in the photos, it’s hardly the only derelict project in the barn, and the seller has included a list of other vehicles being sold off as part of the probate proceedings. It’s obvious the past owner had grand plans to operate an orphanage of sorts for forgotten project cars but never got around to actually rescuing them. This seems like all the money for a non-running Fiat 124 Spider, but perhaps a package deal can be struck if there’s another vehicle on the list that intrigues you.
Just looking at the surroundings tells me there isn’t much worth anything in that barn or anywhere else in the area.
looks like a 63 Falcon other side of of the Fiat, could use some of the front sheet metal behind the grill, any idea of it’s status?
I think the barn dirt and dust would be worth more than the car.
I don’t see the blue truck behind it listed in the sale. That’s the only vehicle there I would be interested in. Almost everything there except for the Ranchero is 1960s and 1970s European fodder that I imagine would be nightmares in regards to finding parts for.
Wait, what? Is the author suggesting that a 124 Spider isn’t a “true sports car?”
Huh? Does it not have all the quintessential characteristics that define sports cars of that era?
(I can think of some “sports cars” of that era that are basically just posing, with their leaf spring suspensions, and/or body-on-frame construction, and/or drum brakes, and/or pushrod engines, and/or 4-speed transmissions, and/or piss-poor weight distribution, but a Fiat 124 comes with none of those compromises.)
And a series 2 E-Type. I wonder if there is an MGB to go with that windshield?
Looks like they pulled it outside so the recent 5 inches of rain in one day could wash off the 30 years of dust. Hope they opened some drain holes.
No need to open holes. If it is anything like the ’69 124 Spider that I had, the rust holes would be more than sufficient to drain a much heavier rainfall.
As an Italian car collector the first part of your story where you refer to the 124 sport spider as homely, made me grit my teeth.
The 124 sport spider is a wonderful little car with a DOHC engine, nimble handling, rugged reliability, probably the best convertible top ever made that can be put up or down with one hand while seated in the car, and it’s pretty darn good looking too.
It was far better than any of its competitors (most notably the MGB).
But yeah this one’s a goner.
Had one up to 138mph, once back in the 70’s. They could move.
Back in the 70s I was driving my 124 down I-90 in upstate NY when a fellow in a plain-jane Camaro decided he wanted to race. I quietly downshifted into 4th gear and when he went, I went too. He topped out at a touch over 100 mph and I pulled up next to him and shifted into 5th gear. The look on his face was priceless.
“A true sports car” your Hubertus is showing.
Woops hubris, lol
I’m wid da last 2 guys and
We can disagree & still B friends…
Located in Valley Center, CA (near Escondido)
On a quiet day, one can actually hear a Fiat rust….Fix It Again Tony.
All kidding aside, the Pininfarina design on the Fiat 124 is very pleasing to the eye. I believe the cylinder head is a Lampredi design. Having owned one in the past, I enjoyed the delicate steering effort and typical Italian driving position of arms extended straight out.
Homely, not a true sports car…? WUT?!
Opinionate much? The Pininfarina styling is arguably one of the best looking cars of the era. Not a sports car? DOHC engine with Ferrari parentage…They are a blast to drive, with an exhaust note that is pure music. Fix it Again Tony? Yeah. What’s your point?
I owned a ‘75 124 Spider for many years until it was lost in a fire. At that point, it had been given to my son-who took the insurance money and bought two more. I rest my case.
“It’s a shame they didn’t have one stronger redeeming characteristic, like being a true sports car”
A ridiculous statement.
Fiat was much better looking than the Alpha Romeo. Rode in one when I was a kid, fun and sporty.
C’mon. ALFA