1972 Fiat 124 Special Sedan ~ NO RESERVE!

1972 Fiat 124 Special ‘Berlina’

An Honest Old Fiat in Great Running Condition

124B 1084189

When did you last see one of these?!

As the car on which was based the all-time classic Fiat 124 Spyder, Spyder 2000 and 124 Sports coupe, these remarkable little sedans share the entertaining dynamics of the sports car models: Lively throttle response, balanced braking (four-wheel discs), and the delightfully precise steering that really define their indelible Italian character. Despite its unassuming looks, THIS IS A DRIVER’S CAR!

This example is equipped with an automatic transmission, which surprised us in that it actually suits the car quite well. Acceleration is snappy and it shifts pretty smoothly around town. To our amazement, it also feels very happy on an interstate. Like all the best Fiats, this car feels eager, makes sporty noises and gives the impression that it would be happy to sprint all day long. On a recent 150 mile highway trip, 65 mph cruising felt just right, the engine purring away happily, hour after hour, with no strain and a nice reserve of power.

The car rides very comfortably and cruises with nice stability. Steering is sharp and the car brakes smoothly, pulling just a little to the left (which we noticed only with hands off the wheel). The gauges all work, although the speedo “clicks” – it works fine, but may need attention down the road. All of the controls work, with the exception of the windshield washers, the radio, and the heater, which has been bypassed. It can be plumbed back in, but we do not know if the core is good or why it was bypassed. The blower motors blows, the horn honks and the wipers wipe. All of the lights work, right down to the courtesy lamps. Windows all wind up and down and the locks work.

Except for one re-paint, this car is very original: What you see is what you get. It can be enjoyed as-is, right now, as a scruffy/cute roustabout for tearing around town without worrying about where you park, or it’s a prime candidate for bringing back to a higher aesthetic state. We like the “goose shit green” paint shade very much. It’s the factory color, and screams “1972”! But it’s still a free country for now: You can paint the body however you’d like. The original trim and components all around make perfect reference points for an accurate restoration. The dash is in very good shape for its age, and hasn’t been destroyed by UV. The pretty wood veneer on the dash is beginning to flake, but it is not warped or water damaged, and can easily be saved rather than replaced – it has a nice patina. The headliner is in very nice condition: No tears and good stitching. As a whole, the interior needs very little. The carpets and most of the upholstery can be re-dyed to look really nice. The front seat bottoms need replacement (although the passenger side can probably be saved with simple re-stitching). The back seat is pretty darn good.

The body is generally solid. That bump on the front left fender makes all the other smaller dents and dings seem to almost disappear, so please look carefully at the photos: There is body work to do if you want a pretty car. Panel fit is pretty good all around, and everything opens and shuts easily. There is rust underneath, for sure, and it should be repaired at some point. It is surprisingly better than the usual case of an ancient Fiat. There are perforations in typical spots, but the unibody is solid and secure: This looks like a great platform for restoration. The undercoating looks very thick, and this surely helped things. We did our best to show it in some detail in other photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8a0g6nikonvt0z9/AAAVvsrggFfK0kXcWBXiuEEJa?dl=0

All the glass is great, and the windshield is free from any cracks or hazing. There is some minor, normal pitting, but it’s not enough to give a second thought.

Special points of note are the elegant little chrome bumpers (the big black battering rams fitted on the later cars were particularly heavy and heinous looking), and the rare, very desirable, factory option Cromodora magnesium wheels. These wheels are very tough to find in this condition today (original finish, no cracks, no corrosion). The naked wheels weigh about five pounds apiece – truly delightful Italian industrial art in cast metal. They are highly sought after for early Spyders and Sport coupes, but they seem to make a special exclamation on this four-door. The next owner can sell them for good money, but we sincerely hope they stay on this sedan.

The motor starts easily on the choke. It seems very ‘cold blooded’, but once it warms up the little motor’s sound is smooth and content, and it idles sweetly. The Weber carb gives snappy response, and is certainly a part of the character of a classic Fiat engine. Under the hood, everything is in good order: Fluids are clean and topped up. Coolant is said to have changed annually, and the car was regularly serviced. It was owned for the past twenty years by a fierce Fiat/Alfa enthusiast whose collection we have purchased. Thisparticular carheld a special place inthehearts of his familyand was his “most fun to drive”.

Some notes on the Fiat Tipo 124: Though rare now in the USA, these were good sellers here, even though Americans preferred the Spyder and Sport coupe models many time over the sedan.

The 124 was one of the final Fiats designed and engineered directly under the supervision of Dante Giacosa, one of Italy’s most talented, celabrated and prolific automotive designers. It was introduced at the zenith of a golden era in Fiat’s history, when the industrial giant was going from strength-to-strength, and the 124’s instant best-seller status in European markets added a big boost to Fiat becoming the biggest and most successful European car manufacturer in the late 60s into the 70s. The 124 and derivatives best sellers all over Europe, and were produced by the millions in factories all over the world, and even behind the iron curtain, where it lived on much longer as the redoubtable Lada (a classic in its own right in Russia and Eastern Europe). It’s combination of sober, modern design, clever artistry in engineering, performance and value made it European Car of the Year in 1967 (also in the UK and Holland).

It had that special feel, performance and “personality” that made Fiats of the 50, 60s and 70s so unique and well loved by keen drivers. The 124 must always be regarded not only as one of the very greatest Fiats of all time, but certainly one of the classic “Cars of the Century”. Its influence and popular legacy live on in being the inspiration for the newest 124 Spyder, to be on sale next year.

Questions? Please contact us through the eBay message board. We will answer inquiries quickly and honestly. We have much experience withFIATS and other Italian cars over the decades: We know them all, we love them all!

We have over 70more pictures of this vehicle: Chassis, motor, headliner, interior. https://www.dropbox.com/sh/8a0g6nikonvt0z9/AAAVvsrggFfK0kXcWBXiuEEJa?dl=0

The Fine Print:

GOOD LUCK!Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questionsBEFORE you bid.We willrespond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged inPlymouth, Minnesota 55441,aboutten minutesout ofdowntown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport.Inspections are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer, the Owner and the Selling Agents. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent; It's nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on eBay Motors by too manydead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". If the Buyer comes to pick up this vehicle and is in any way dissatisfied, he or she will have the Option ofwalking away from the Deal with Full Refund of the Deposit and any Payments made to the Seller.Otherwise, no warranty is expressed, implied or offered.Neither the Owner nor the Selling Agentscan or willtake any responsibilityfor this car after itleaves the premises.

PAYMENT:Buyer must make a$200 DEPOSITby PayPal within24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit willsecure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within24 hours willrisk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion ofthe Owner and Sellers.BALANCE MUST BE PAID within7 BUSINESS DAYS of saleby SECURE PAYMENT or CASH at PICK-UP.

TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged inPlymouth, Minnesota 55441,aboutten minutesout ofdowntown Minneapolis, or a half-hour from the airport. Wedo not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendorsto choose from offeringvehicle transport. If you like, we will be happy to recommend some "preferred" carriers with whom we have direct experience. ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE MADE BY THE BUYER, though we can recommend a freight forwarder if you like.

STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements,Seller can offer, free of charge, dry indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary. Sellercannotaccept any liability during this storageperiod.

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