A classic barn find here! Located in Charlotte, North Carolina and listed here on eBay with an opening bid of $2,000 (with reserve not yet met), this Fiat 1200 convertible has been waiting to be rescued for 40 years! Taken off the road for a leaky top at 57k miles, this largely unmolested car has almost no rust and looks very complete. The seller has even loaded a collection of photos here in addition to the ones in the eBay listing. There’s no mention of engine condition in the auction, but I was able to find a parts specialist here that seems to have most of what you would need to perform a complete rebuild if necessary. The seller even thinks the paint could be brought back to “new condition,” I don’t know about that but I’ll bet it would be perfectly acceptable once cleaned and detailed. Let us know if you’re interested!
I can believe it was put away decades back and is a 57000 mile car. I can also believe that it might clean up to an OK driver level if you weren’t picky about what you were willing to drive, but it’s strange that there’s no information about the drivetrain. Does the engine turn over? Did the seller try to start it or even drain the fuel tank?
The seller sounds like he’s been through this before so it’s a red flag that there is extra information on door handles but nothing on the drivetrain. Every system and function will need to be gone through to make it roadworthy and you will need to get lucky to have all the electrics work without lots of troubleshooting.
It might be rare with only a few hundred made, but the body design isn’t one of the best to come out if Italy in the early ’60s. I think it’s a Vignale design, and those have always seemed boxy and plain to me. And with only 1200 cc it’s going to be a pretty modest ride at best.
I always see these and instantly think ‘Columbo’ (and yes, I know he drove a Peugeot). Like Dolphin said, must be the boxy and plain ‘what do I do with this’ design. Still love it though…
I am really drawn to this car. As is usually the case it is on the wrong coast to consider but I do have a couple questions about it. There is a spot of corrosion forward of the passenger side rear wheel that looks as if it goes beyond “surface” rust, although if that’s the only spot it shouldn’t be too bad. The spare tire well is amazing. But there is what appears to be a hole in the passenger side sill below the door. I’m not familiar with these cars but it looks like it might be part of the design. Anyone know what’s up there?
This is appears to be a standard 1200 Spider. I know a little bit as I owned a ’61 Spider O.S.C.A. That was a 1500S engine. They had 15″ wheels, foot rest and wood steering wheel with disk brakes on all corners……..yep…….disks on all corners in ’61.
These are very attractive in person. I also see a Max Hoffman sticker….now that’s rare.