Although the Pick of the Day, a 1980 Fiat 2000 Spider, is nearly 40 years old, “Darn near everything is new (under 4,000 miles or less),” assures the private seller offer the car through an advertisement on ClassicCars.com.
“A gem,” the seller adds. “Several Fiat specialists know this car and will attest to this car’s condition and value.
“I’m not saying it’s Pebble Beach Concours but it’s damn nice and is a reliable driver. Turns heads and gets comments everywhere.”
Fiat upgraded its export roadster for the 1979 model year, offering a new twin-cam 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine with considerably more torque. The car also got a new hood, larger tail lamps and other updates. For 1980, that engine could be equipped with either a carburetor or fuel injection. Also new for ’80 was a padded steering wheel.
Regarding the car available here, recent work includes “all suspension components, A-arms, ball joints, tie rods, rear links, rebuilt rear end, new timing belt and idler, water pump, master cylinder and booster, braided steel brake lines, low amp/high torque starter and more.”
Also, “aftermarket progressive-coil lowered springs, top of line “yellow” Koni shocks, dual piston calipers, dual tip ANSA exhaust, VGC original leather, head rebuild, rare Chromadora wheels (one spare).”
In addition, the car comes with “many boxes of good parts,” including a spare windshield, front bumper, radiator and ignition switches.
The seller reports that the heater core and radio are not connected “but could function if desired. This was an Arizona car prior to my restoration and has only seen rain twice in the 16 years I’ve had it,” the seller assures. “To my knowledge, it has never seen salt. Is stored with a vapor barrier in winter but gets started and ‘run’ on the driveway at least once every month in the winter to keep things lubed.”
The car is located in Mount Gilead, Ohio, and is offered for $14,500.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
Sir.
Car has injestión or caburators.
How many total miles from new has.
Thanks.
I remember the Fiat Spiders from the 70’s, I believe they were 850 Spiders back then, rear engine. I was a mechanic at a independent shop and we specialized in "foreign" cars (which was kinda rare back then) we would bring in Fiats left & right that needed complete engine re-builds, usually broken piston rings. Rarely seen one that had more than 35k miles on it. We loved them because they were a constant source of income for the shop and they were very simple, we could do a complete engine rebuild in a day! Obviously, we didn’t consider them very reliable. Amazing how that’s forgotten as the years pass and their now considered somewhat collectable.
Cool, I have a 1981 TURBO (still turbo)
Many years ago (late 80’s?) I had a 74 Fiat 124 Spyder for a very brief time. To say that it was unreliable is putting it mildly! Since then I’ve never been a fan of any Italian cars. Although I love British cars, and they can be just as troublesome. Go figure!
Mike Paull. The 850 was an under powered rear engine car that has no connection to the 124 Spiders. The engine/tranny in these were bullet-proof. Same engine Lancia used to dominate rallying in the period. I had a ’70 that traveled 36 states in the U.S. and every province in Canada. If uninformed you should not be trashing cars you don’t understand. I’d trust any well maintained 124 Spider for any long trip or long term reliability.
Lets talk…i had a 76.