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The Story Yes, this is the real deal, the holy grail--the rarest of rare Fiat Spiders. The 1985.5 Pininfarina Azzurra. As collectors may know, Fiat pulled out of the US market in 1982, only to return in 1983 with an upgraded spider--marketed independently by Malcom Bricklin and International Automobile Importers. Of the approximately 170,000 spiders built from 1968-1985, fewer than 6,400 were built from 83-85. Only 3500 found their way to the United States. To provide some perspective, this quantity is about half as many cars as Ferrari built during this same time frame. Today, only 1 in 40 Spiders on the road bear this distinction. Pininfarina Azzurra Spiders listed for nearly $18,000 in 1983--some $6000 more than the car it replaced a year earlier. The US dealer network was composed of former Fiat dealers as well as Maserati and Ferrari franchises. While part of the price increase was due to changes in market positioning, there were also changes in how the car was made. Essentially, these special cars were built by hand, entirely in the Pininfarina factory. Build quality and materials were far superior to the Fiat built version. The Azzurra had many improved features, including a revised interior with standard leather and power windows. IAI intended to build and import the spider to the US until the next wave of passive restraint requirements would force an end to production in the early 1990's. Early in 1985, Pininfarina decided to upgrade the Azzurra once again with over 100 improvements including rack and pinion steering, larger brakes and many other refinements. Unfortunately for Brickin and IAI, Pininfarina negotiated a contract with Cadillac to build 20,000 Allante convertibles a year. This windfall made it economically unfeasible to continue Azzurra production, and Pininfarina abruptly discontinued the Spider relationship with IAI in July 1985. Out of the 1000 or so produced, only 186 of these 1985.5 models made it to the US. According to estimates, only about 50 of these jewels are still in existence. Only a handful have been impeccably restored to Roadster Salon standards. The car pictured is one of our full restorations, and a winner of multiple National awards. Please contact a Roadster Salon sales person for more information. Also, details about the 1985.5 model can be found on . We have several of these coveted 85.5 chassis available. Pick your restoration level, claim your chassis and let's get started!
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