Fiat 124 Spider

Another Italian icon is the Fiat 124 Spider.
50 years ago the 124 Spider came on the market. Its creator the noble master designer Pininfarina. The line: timeless and final. It serves the handsome the brave mid-size sedan 124 as a base. The Spider arrived so well that he stayed in the price lists for 20 years. Late models from the 80s, the Spidereuropa made by Pininfarina in their own right, often even got a cat and despite the classic car boom are also cheap to have in good condition. The engine had two overhead camshafts, which were driven by a toothed belt - for that time an uncommon solution. The transmission contained five speed levels and the handling inspired even athletic pilots. The initially only 1.4-liter engine soon grew to 1.6 and 1.8 liters, in the late 1970s even to two liters of displacement. In the mid-1980s, there was another increase in performance. Thanks to Roots compressor, the four-cylinder engine made a whopping 135 hp, which accelerated the 124 Spider to over 205 km / h.
Buyers, especially vintage beginners on a tight budget, better take a late model on the wish list. Of course, there are also rust problems here, but not as dramatic as the brand image suggests. If so, it likes to bloom in the splash area of ​​the wheels, the window frame, the mountings of the wheel suspensions, the sills and the end tips. Even if the gum is relatively easy to find, it is worthwhile for seekers a companion with a clue. Only an expert can distinguish between an imposter and neat substance. There are hardly any surprises under the hood. Especially not when the two-liter engine (with two camshafts and injection system L-Jetronic) is installed. The old gray cast iron mobilized with Kat 105 hp. The sport saves the engine, which it runs elastic and powerful. Too frequent sifting in the five-speed gearbox is not necessary since this it is not precise and accurate .The rear beam axle puts its veto against any ambitious approached curve, and the steering with a lot of play clarifies the true age. Relaxed cruising fits better. Then the spider roars hardy, and the sun floods the airy cockpit giving the driver this unforgettable and unique feeling of the sweet Dolce Vita and this is like a grand Italian diva easy to enjoy and hard to understand. Well retained Spiders are to get for about 10 grand not much for a true Italian grace.