- Seller: Alan S
- Location: New Britain, Connecticut
- Mileage: 110,871 Shown
- Chassis #: ZFAAS00B0B8187106
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 2.0-Liter Twin Cam 4-Cylinder
- Transmission: 5-Speed Manual
By the mid-1960s, the Italian coachbuilders perfected their art to the extent that they seemingly dropped their pencils and said, “We can’t do any better than this!” That’s an exaggeration, of course, but considering that both the Fiat 124 Spider (later the 2000) and the Alfa Romeo Duetto (later the Spider) enjoyed decades-long runs with few stylistic changes, one could safely make that assumption. Finding either in solid condition is uncommon but not impossible today, as this 1981 Fiat Spider 2000 can attest. It’s being offered right now in Connecticut as a Barn Finds Exclusive, so if you’ve found yourself wooed by Italian coachwork and have been searching for a practical sports car, make the seller an offer!
I, too, was drawn in by the lure of the Fiat Spider, but unfortunately, my home in the Wolverine State has eaten them all up. For example, about 15 years ago, with two thousand dollars cash in my pocket, I ventured to the Port Huron area near the Canadian border to inspect a ’75 124 Spider. It had a loose steering wheel, and it crab-walked down the dirt road that made up my short test drive. And the Italian steel had been superseded by the best American body filler money could buy. I drove home without a Fiat, but I still think that the Spider is a great-looking car. Anyone interested in this one won’t have to worry too much about rust; the floors and rocker panel pinch welds are factory-fresh. The seller had one of our professional photographers take all the pictures, and you can see that this Fiat is very solid, aside from some minor bubbling in one spot. It was most recently painted in 2018 when it also got a new canvas top.
Even more surprising is that this solid Spider is being sold by its original owner, who has driven it 110,871 miles. He says that regular valve adjustments have kept it running like new, and it’s been pampered its whole life. It was stored inside in the winter and is currently driven about 1,500 miles a year as a fun cruiser. The Fiat 124 was renamed the “Spider 2000” when the displacement was increased to 1995cc through a longer stroke in 1979. The 1981 models are fuel-injected and produce just over 100 horsepower, which is plenty for having a good time with the top down. The seller has accumulated lots of parts over the years and is including them with the car so that the next owner can keep it on the road where it belongs.
One thing I remember about my short test drive years ago was the angle of the steering wheel; everyone says that Italian sports cars require the driver to adapt to their seating position rather than the other way around, but I quickly got used to it. The interior in this one is immaculate, and that purposeful shift knob is connected to a five-speed manual, as it should be.
Finally, the tasteful color combination on this Fiat is a nice break from the ubiquitous red you so often see on Italian sports cars. Pininfarina’s styling certainly has held up over the years, and I can’t imagine a reason why any Fiat fan wouldn’t want to jump behind the wheel for a brisk cruise down your nearest and twistiest road. If that sounds like a good time to you, make the seller an offer and give this Fiat a new home.
Really great shape. Too bad about the rub strips on the sides.
Always liked those and have owned two. A wine red ‘77 and a rare ‘82 Turbo in black over tan. Came across the turbo in Tampa around 1990 when I was there on business. Had under 30K miles and was in decent but not pristine condition. Had it shipped back home to Houston. Shortly afterwards I took it to get the state safety sticker at a shop. From the waiting area I thought I could hear it revving back in the shop. After I got it back it had a lot of noise, I think they over revved it for some reason and blew the exhaust manifold gasket or maybe the head gasket. Went back but of course they denied doing anything. Couldn’t really afford it anyway as a second car so I sold it. Wish I would’ve held on and got it fixed as they’re rare and somewhat collectible now.
I had the 124 Spider in 1978. It was painted “ubiquitous red” lol. Chicks loved it, and I loved them.
CT Dave
They are rationally assembled which makes them easy to work on, no special tools etc.Much more sophisticated than the Brits: MG-TR etc
I swear you could do 90% of the repairs (ask me how I know) with two wrenches, a 10mm and a 13mm. I had a ’71 and a ’73. I have Fiat to thank for learning all the colors in Italian (electrical troubleshooting).
$22K, with a repaint, with new bubbling?
What price to reclaim youth? My ’74 was a Bright Yellow, early bumper model that took me all across the Midwest around 1980. Having previously owned a Spitfire and Sunbeam Alpine, the Fiat was the epitome of well-designed and fun reliability… things I had missed with it’s British contemporaries. Two years ago, I imported a Fiat Barchetta for the same reasons, (in addition to having A/C for those really hot days!).
I have a ’75 Spider that we restored a few years ago, white with black Cobra stripes and black top. I drive it a couple of times a week, it runs great, handles well and has brought home many trophies at our local car shows. These cars are fairly simple, easy to work on, replacement parts are available, and they look great going down the road, while Rigoletto plays on the radio.
Got to be one of the nicer examples of this car around. Don’t know if the price is where it should be but no doubt it’s a good car.
My friends and I all had sports cars going through college…MGs, TR6s, Spitfires, Fiats. My first was an 850 spider. Always wanted a 124 Spider. A couple of years ago I met a guy in Central Florida with 20 to 30 Fiats and Lancia’s in his back yard. We bought a 1985 Pinninfarina and a Lancia Beta Coupe from him. He later restored a 1981 Fiat Azzurro 2000 with Turbo, that we found and bought on BarnFinds. What a great car! The design and sleekness are beyond compare. These cars gather so many looks and attention. They’re definitely a fun little car to drive. To whoever buys this car enjoy!
Very nice example in a great color scheme. Price might be a bit optimistic, but I sincerely hope not.