Vehicle Description
Debuting in 1966, the Fiat 124 Spider was an affordable way to get
stunning Pininfarina coachwork at a very affordable price. Based on
rugged Fiat mechanicals, the diminutive 2+2 endured for nearly two
decades virtually unchanged. Towards the end, cars like this 1982
Spider were a last-ditch effort to keep the brand viable in the US,
and with the new model Fiats growing in popularity, these little
classics are suddenly becoming highly collectable pieces of Italian
carrozzeria.
Wearing a repainted coat of bright red paint, this little Italian
still draws stares and compliments, and the old stigma of the Fiat
brand is long gone, especially with the cute 500 now on sale in US
showrooms. Today, most folks see a wonderful vintage roadster in
the purest Italian style, and the Pininfarina design looks far more
expensive than it actually is. Most importantly, this car has never
been rusty, which is the death knell for many hand-built roadsters
of the era, and it appears that this one has always been a
treasured collectable based on the low miles alone. As a result, it
fits together as well as it did years ago, the doors close with a
precise-sounding 'thunk,' and it has an all-of-a-piece feeling
that's present only in nicely preserved original cars. With the
2000 Spider, you also get the exclusive Pininfarina badges on the
lower quarter panels, and while the bumpers were redesigned in the
'70s to comply with US crash standards, the result is far more
successful than, say, the MGB's rubber schnoz.
Slide behind the wheel and you're back in the '60s someplace in
Europe that's warm and has an oceanfront beach. The interior is
original and in remarkably good order, tan seat covers included,
again suggesting that this car has always been special to someone.
That dash is real wood, not some fake veneer, and Veglia
instruments show crisp markings and an elegant simplicity that was
a hallmark of the Italians. The original radio has been replaced by
a newer Alpine AM/FM/CD stereo head unit mounted low in the factory
dash slot. Two occasional seats in back provide room for packages
or maybe one or two passengers for very short trips, and there's a
matching tan convertible top that's stows in seconds. There's even
a usable trunk that belies the car's size and suggests that the
Italians knew how to travel.
The 2.0-liter fuel-injected motor is this car's factory original
equipment. The dual overhead camshaft makes it one of those
wonderful motors on which the Italians have built their passionate
reputation. It has a low-end power surge that just begs to be
revved, and you're rewarded for your aggression by a sweet exhaust
note. Of course, the best part is the motor that has a relatively
low 86,215 miles on the odometer. But, it wasn't just the engine
that made these Fiat Spiders great. These are tight handling cars
with well-balanced suspensions that love windy roads. They even
kept up with some of the most modern features by coming with a
five-speed manual transmission and four-wheel disc brakes. There's
nothing exotic underneath, and it is quite solid, which is always
nice to see in an Italian convertible. And to finish the look,
handsome alloy wheels are wrapped in 185/60/14 low-profile
radials.
A fun alternative to a British roadster, documented with its
original window sticker and owner's manual, this 1982 Fiat Spider
2000 is a sure-fire future collectable. Call today!