Conference terri::cars_uk

	I once had a Fiat 124 Special T, this was *not* the Spyder
but was the model they based the Lada on (ie two boxes, the smaller
one on top).  However, I did lust after the Spyder, which, I believe
had the same floor pan and drive chain but quite a pretty body.  The
124 that I had had the 1600 twin cam Fiat engine and went like 
manure off a teflon shovel.  It liked cornering a lot less than 
the straight (I once piroetted on a damp 90 degree left hander
with almost no provacation).  It also had a slight tendency to
chew spark plugs and the steering rack bolts used to regularly
loosen.

Dave

    .0�        o Are they still making them and, if not, when did they stop ?
    
    Fiat have stopped making the 124 spyder several years ago. Pininfarina
    have taken over and produced this car with increased quality (and
    price...). I'm not sure about the current situation but I think they
    have dropped it.
    
    .0�        o Was there a RHD 124 that might offer parts to convert a LHD
    .0�          Spyder to RHD ? A saloon maybe ?
    
    Mechanical parts (engine, gearbox, brakes, etc ...) should fit. The
    spyder was normally using the twin overhead camshaft 1600cc engine.
    Please note that almost any car from the Fiat family uses some sort of
    these parts.
    
    .0�        o What sort/size of engine(s) were involved ?
    
    1600 cc, twin overhead camshaft, very light and compact 4 cylinder.
    The spyder was used in a very developed form to compete in the world
    rally championship some years ago (and performed very well). 
    
    .0�        o Any ideas on price ?
    
    I'll look around. I think 50k FF (5K pnds) should be a maximum over here.
                                               

� The spyder was used in a very developed form to compete in the world
� rally championship some years ago (and performed very well). 

    Red... with a black bonnet ?

    Mr Arbarth perchance ???

   :o)

    Thanks...

    
    There was also the 1800cc Twin cam which I believe was a bit special.
    I had a 132 but put in the 1800 engine out of a 124.
    
    
    Tom.

    .3�   Red... with a black bonnet ?
    .3�    Mr Arbarth perchance ???
    
    ... and driven by Marku Alen ?

>
>        o Are they still making them and, if not, when did they stop ?
>

No. The last ones were made by Pininfarina in 1985. FIAT passed full 
production to Pinifarina in 1982 when they pulled out of the US market.
Pininfarina renamed it to the Pininfarina Spidereuropa (what a mouthfull).


>        o Was there a RHD 124 that might offer parts to convert a LHD
>          Spyder to RHD ? A saloon maybe ?

Neither FIAT nor Pininfarina produced a RHD model. However a specialist
company in the UK did conversions in the early 80's. If you're interested
I have the name at home somewhere.

>
>        o Any ideas on price ?

In Switzerland a good late model will probably go for over SFr. 20000.-
Thats about 7-8k pounds. I recently saw a red 1983 with 40000km in good
condition for Sfr. 23000.-

>
>        o What sort/size of engine(s) were involved ?
>
The original late 60's model had a 1400cc. Then came a 1600cc engine. Later 
models have a 2l twin-cam injection engine and there was even a turbo model.

>        o I recently saw (in the local WH Smiths reading library) a mag with
>          a big article on 124 Spyders. Anyone know what the mag was as I
>          didn't buy one, or can anyone offer a photocopy ?

That was 'Your Classic'. The author converted an American model to a pseudo
Abarth version. Let me know mail stop and I'll send you a copy.


I have a 1983 Pininfarina model and love it. Its a classic sports car not
having changed radically from its introduction over 20 yrs ago. It was a
very good car for money always being cheaper than its main competitor the
Alfa Spyder.

Mine is rated as having 123 ps (=bhp?) and has fairly ok performance but 
probably not you would expect from 123ps when comparing to the GTI mob.
A friend has an Alfa Spyder which is a bit quicker. 

Its heavy (>2200)lbs and solidly
built. Steering at low speeds and especially parking is heavy. The clutch
is also, by today's standards, heavy. Handling is good and understeers 
(but not too much) when pushed through corners. 
Mine is shod with Pirelli P6's and sticks to the road. Fuel consumption 
is good. I can run mine on lead-free (but it goes quicker on leaded).

American versions are basically the same as European models except for 
the tacky chrome trim. 

There's a good book comprising reviews of the 124 Coupe and Spider from 
the 60's up until '85. There's also an article on buying a used one. Let
me know and I'll copy it for you.

If you can get a good one buy it. Mine has actually appreciated since I 
bought it 5 years ago!

/Paul.
 

Hi,

I recently saw a beautiful black 124 (or Pininfarina) Spyder. It looked
like it was lower than mine. It also looked like it had something extra
under the bonnet and had Arbarth decals. What I particularly liked (apart
from the tan leather interior) were the wheels. They had a scorpion on the
hub cover. The same symbol was on the horn. Another difference were that 
the wheel arches were (covered with?) plastic. The car badge on the boot 
was also different. It was neither the Fiat nor Pininfarina badge. It sort
of looked like a two-tone blue sailing ship.

Anybody know about this version of the 124? I guess it might be the turbo 
version? How about the wheels? Is the scorpion symbol significant?



/Paul.

    Abarth's logo is a scorpion on a shield, the shield is (I think)
    red/yellow split diagonally.  The scorpion represents Abarths' birth
    sign (?).  I'm not an Abarth expert, I read that in this months (Oct)
    Classic and Sportscar.
    Was/is there a real Mr Abarth ?
    
    Steve.

>================================================================================
>Note 1826.8                         FIAT 124                              8 of 8
>WARNUT::RICE "Still here after all..."                 1 line   7-SEP-1993 13:31
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>                  -< Abarths logo is a Scorpion on a Shield >-
>
>    
That explains it then. Thanks.

/Paul.