We haven’t seen enough of Tom Tjaarda in these pages. Tjaarda was born in 1934 in Detroit; his father was Dutchman John Tjaarda, who styled the Lincoln Zephyr. Tom studied architecture while at university, but when he presented his thesis, it was a car design, not a building. His work won him an internship at Carrozzeria Ghia, and he moved to Italy permanently at age 24. During his working years, Tjaarda produced the Ferrari 330 GT 2+2, the DeTomaso Pantera, the Ferrari 365 California Spider, and the Fiat 124, among many others. The Fiat 124 – later sold as the 2000 – is a humble entry in Tjaarda’s resume, yet it ranks as one of the most approachable cars on the planet, with over 200,000 produced from 1966 to 1985. Here on craigslist is a 1980 Fiat 2000 Spider, professionally reconditioned by Milliken Coachworks in Lynnwood, Washington. It’s priced at $15,000, and it’s ready to motor home with you. Thanks to Curvette, who has a bad habit of finding cars that I like a lot in my vicinity! Joking – always appreciate you, Curvette.
The 124 arrived in several body styles – coupe, sedan, and convertible. The coupe and convertible were powered by a Lampredi-designed twin-cam four-cylinder. Displacement rose over the years, culminating in the 83 hp, 2.0-liter iteration offered in 1979. Midway through 1980, carburetors were replaced by Bosch fuel injection for California-delivered vehicles; the Bosch unit was optional in other states as well. Output increased to 102 hp. The same five-speed manual transmission was offered throughout, but a GM three-speed automatic (!) became available in 1979. The seller was using this car as his personal ride; it has new brakes, a new Panhard rod, new shocks and a new fuel tank. The radiator, water pump, and heater core were also replaced. The driveline was rebuilt, and the engine has a new timing belt and tensioners.
The interior is nearly above reproach. I don’t like the wrinkled upholstery on the passenger’s seat, but that is literally the only complaint I can issue. The instrument panel, door cards, carpets, even the tonneau look great. The trunk is in fine condition, with clean paint where it’s hard to keep paint clean! Fiats don’t always exhibit the best fitment of components, but this one is certainly satisfactory. The color combination lends the car a touch of elegance, too.
This car was resprayed a couple of years ago and still presents very well. While panel gaps are great in this photo, the hood is sitting slightly proud of its cavity on the passenger’s side in the top photo. Chasing that problem might not be worth it, but I’d fiddle with it for a few hours all the same, see if it won’t settle a bit better. These cars will sell anywhere from mid five figures to – if spectacular – tens of thousands. Generally, prices are rising slowly, so if you have your eye on one of these usable Italians, today’s example might be worth a visit.
This one is worth the price of admission. You can drive it without feeling guilty.
Agree. The buyer benefits from long term care by an owner who knows his way around these cars and worked for “free” because it was his own car.
Back in the early 80s my GF at the time had this exact model (color, top, interior) and it was a nice car to drive, a lot nicer than my best friend’s 1973 that he bought new, although quite similar in most respects (less power, carbureted, fewer amenities).
Michelle, look again at the hood from the straight-on front view. I think you ‘standing proud’ comment may just be the angle and shadow of the gap. From the front, the gaps look fine and even, including the front hood lip and the fender trim.
Also, I don’t know what ‘rebuilt driveline’ could mean. Since the drive line is the engine, transmission, shaft and differential, it doesn’t sound like all of that was rebuilt. I’m guessing that the universal joints were replaced and maybe the central doughnut rubber. I’d also want to ascertain if there is any hidden rust (for which these cars were well-known).
Nice version and maybe a little over priced.
Oh, and I suspect that the reason the right seat looks different than the left is that they recovered the driver’s seat, usually the one with the most egregious wear. No tears in the right seat bottom so left well enough alone…but it’s an obvious difference.
Powertrain would include everything from the engine to the driven axle(s), whereas drivetrain/driveline excludes the engine. But yeah, without seeing detailed receipts I wouldn’t expect they rebuilt the trans or diff, just the easier bits attached to them like you say, maybe the wheel bearings too.
Nice car, but hate the cow catcher bumpers. Better to buy the earlier car, with the small bumpers, which was a lot prettier than the later examples.
usta love these. Hada 1/2 doz (overa doz including all the lead-ups/early for the legacy) ‘50s – ‘70s as I learned to wrench ( 65/75) mod & sell… I wish Goldie’s (Italian exclusive yard) was still around ! Abarth wuz mah feren.
The first car my then girlfriend, now wife of almost 40 years, bought together was one of these. It was an 80 or 82 and we bought it in late 85 or early in 86. It was white and blue. Paid $1100.
Cool car but not without issues. Before long it needed a new top, some reupholstering, a fuel line (that ran along the floor of the cabin) replaced due to a leak and, finally, the synchronized between 1st and 2nd gear replaced. The synchronizer was the final straw and we traded it on a 5.0 Mustang LX shortly after we married.
On the positive side it always started and ran, looked great, and was a blast to drive.
I wouldn’t mind doing one again, especially now since it wouldn’t have to be a daily driver.
nice
Owned a couple of these, first back in 70,’s, then in 90’s. Traded a one previous owner 1966 Mustang for my last one. Mechanic at Mustang shop. License plate was EHTony. Fitting. Quick story on 1st one, drove hard in twisty roads in Eastern Oregon one day, big dropoffs. Next day 35 mph on straight urban street axel broke. Divine providence.
I like the turbo wheels. IMO they look the best of all the options.
Nice. Owned two, a ‘77 and a rare ‘82 turbo that I got around 1989 with 27K miles, black and tan. Took it for annual safety inspection and one of the jockeys was revving it and blew the head gasket. Couldn’t prove anything. Didn’t have the money to fix it so I sold it. Wish I didn’t. Always was impressed by the top design with the rear quarter windows that folded with the top, far better than MG or Triumph.