Here’s a rare opportunity for classic European car enthusiasts to take over a promising project, this 1968 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe is a rust-free Nevada car already well on its way to restoration. According to the seller, the body has been sanded, primed, blocked, and is now ready for finish prep and paint. Designed by Mario Boano, famed for his work on the Ferrari 250 GT Boano Coupe, this elegant Italian two-door offers both pedigree and potential. It’s listed for sale here on craigslist in Walnut Creek, California, with delivery available from Utah. Thanks for the tip T.J.!
These early Fiat 124 Coupes are often overlooked in favor of their convertible siblings, but the fixed-roof design by Boano gives the car a unique character. With clean proportions and distinctly European lines, the 124 Sport Coupe was well-respected in its day for offering a sophisticated package at an accessible price. The seller notes this example is missing its front bumper but includes most other parts.
The ad lists a sizable investment already made, $3,400 in body prep alone, which saves the next owner both time and money. If you’re serious about bringing this car to the next stage, it may be the perfect platform. The car is currently a roller, but the seller is offering several drivetrain and parts packages separately. These include a complete 1973 Fiat 124 engine and 5-speed manual transmission setup with driveshaft and shifter assembly for $1,200, an appealing upgrade over the original 4-speed. There are also multiple sets of wheels available, including Cheviot and Lancia-branded magnesium alloys, plus factory wheels and hubcaps, all offered at additional cost.
This setup gives buyers the flexibility to go full period-correct restoration, mild performance build, or even something more creative. While it’s not turnkey, it’s a solid foundation with an honest presentation and lots of extras available to help guide the direction of the project. You don’t often see Italian coupes from this era in rust-free condition, especially at a stage this far along in bodywork.
Whether you’re looking for a future concours entry or a vintage Euro driver with style, this Fiat 124 Sport Coupe is full of possibilities. What direction would you take it?
They never had a 4 spd.
Yes, they did, in ’67 and ’68.
Woulda’ been more worth the price if it was all together and running. Pile of parts, incomplete at that (see quote ‘most other parts’). If the seller dropped $3400 on exterior surface prep, that’s his problem. Anybody buying this thing has a spectacular amount of body work in front of them.
Dream on.
I had a recently departed friend who bought a new roadster/spider. He was an engineer for Ford Motor Company and a perfectionist. Once home with the new car, he stripped out the interior and various other parts and then drove it to the nearest undercoating shop. Where he told them that he was very picky and wanted the job done perfectly. He showed them how he wanted it done and ended up taking it back 3 more times until it was to his satisfaction. He then spent several days making sure all the drain holes were clear and open. He then meticulously reassembled the car. The car never saw rain, snow, sleet or any other kind of moisture other than being washed. And even then all areas that could possibly retain dirt, were flushed out and blown dry with compressed air. To say that he was anal about the car was putting it mildly. He did several mechanical upgrades to the engine and suspension so it was quick and fun to drive. And he did well with the car at autocross and track days. The car still rusted. Not as bad as .most Fiats. But he was greatly distressed and repaired the rust and sold the car.
I like these coupes and friends had several. They didn’t seem to rust as bad as the “drop top” cars.
All cars of that era suffered from rust. My 74 Fiat X1/9 spent its first two years as my daily driver, snow sleet and rain. I then gained an appreciation for a fine kept car and began storing it in the winters. Today that 50 year old car has zero rust. A bit of surface rust on the springs and suspension arms but compared to its main competitors the Porsche 914 Spitfire and 240Z this particular car is a real survivor, yes it can be done.
The car that beat the BMW 2002 in every comparison test.
Germanophiles would never believe it, but true.
The highly acclaimed (today) came in DEAD LAST in comparison to the Fiat and Alfa competition back in the day.
Asking $5,500
Any Boano design is timeless. The lines of this coupe, especially the two headlight earlier cars will ensure it never depreciates. That is the key factor of the resto process. You could put $20k into a nice Corvair, (I’ve done that) and have a beautiful car that will certainly wow kids at parades and local car shows for years to come. But once the Boomers who really knew and appreciated old Corvairs die off… the real collector base numbers, (and prices) will decline as well.
Each generation has exceptional designs, a ’39 Ford p/u, ’53 Regal Starliner, ’55 300SL, ’57 Nomad, ’61 XKE, ’63 Split Vette, ’65 911, ’66 Shelby, ’68 Charger, ’69 Camaro, ’71 Pantera, ’73 Dino GTS, on and on… These will continue to appreciate long after their original generation collectors are gone, simply because they are well-balanced and timeless designs. Some may disagree, and while this Fiat may never be a $million car, it will continue to be fun to drive, while it’s value should support and exceed restoration costs for years to come.
The “LANCIA # 82341678 8 SPOKE FPS” wheels mentioned in the ad would be the standard Lancia Beta aluminum alloys, not “magnesium” as described. I’ve read Cromodora (not FPS) made a different style of wheel for the Beta that was available in a rare magnesium-aluminum alloy variant, and Cromodora also made some of the 8-spoke Beta wheel, but none of those were Mg alloy, and the FPS version of that design is actually lighter than the ones made by Cromodora.
Dual overhead cam crossflow aluminum head, Weber carbureted all synchro transmission coil spring front and rear, alloy rims, 4-wheel power assisted disc brakes, likely ANZA exhaust, variable speed wipers, full instrument dash, arm rests on fully upholstered interior. wood steering wheel, and reasonable mileage. Compare THAT to its competition in 1968. My good friend, Lenny Celiberti WON 1ST in ITC championships in a 124 coupe against BMW, Datson’s, and similar era cars- later winning again in a 124 spyder. (And now points champion in a Maserati Bi-Turbo!!) The various acronyms given to FIAT were earned when the rubber band broke and bent all the valves. Resolved too late, and pulling out of the USA competing with muscle cars sealed its fate back then. Yet now a bargain for a fantastic Italian car!
My folks had an off-white ’69 124 Sport Coupe for the first few years of my life, later replaced with a blood-red ’71 that, to this day, is the one and only car my Dad says he’d give his left one to have back.