1972 Fiat 124 Spider, Nice Solid Early Car, 1608cc ~ NO RESERVE

1972 Fiat 124 Spider

VIN 124BS1 0051571, built 12/71

The '72 is considered by many Fiat connoisseurs (including departed Fiat mega-guru Chris Obert) to be the finest vintage Spider because of its mechanical specifications and detailing:Slender chrome bumpers, correct ride height for which the car was designed (for lower CG, better handling and a sportier look), and the free-revving 1608cc Weber carbureted 125-series engine with original free-flowing 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust header. This specification was phased out in 1973 for a newer "1600" with slightly less power and torque. Later models were equipped with smaller carbs, air-pumps or catalytic converts to meet federal standards, whereas the early cars are blissfully simple under the hood and easier to modify for more power without (illegally) compromising emission control equipment. There are several other nice design details that got 'tuned out' on the later models. Among these are the simple, smooth hood without "power bulges", elegant chromed door handles (which also work better than the later "flush" ones), slightly smaller chrome trimmed tail lights, and a metal mesh grille with cloisonné badge and air horns as standard equipment.

This car also has a set of five rare factory optional Cromodora "Dino" style genuine magnesium alloy wheels (and the even rarer hubcaps!) in nice condition. These are "true mags" that weigh even less than the expensive new reproduction ones; extremely light, and they lend the Spider an authentic and sophisticated period style shared with more exotic Italian brands.

I am offering this car for its titled owner, a good friend. I have known this car for the twenty years he has owned it. He is a co-founder of Wheels of Italy (dot com), and has helped direct their amazing car shows for over a decade...So yah, he has some credentials and some real knowledge when it comes to macchine Italiano. He is available to speak by phone with you to answer specific questions about his car, and if you will leave a phone number through the eBay message board, he will call you back. (We will NOT publish your number on eBay or share it with anyone!) Payment by the auction winner will be made directly to him, the titled owner. My part in hosting the auction for him is simply as a personal favor for my friend.

This Spider was recently resuscitated after sitting undriven for a couple of years. The owner did all of the work himself, in preparation for this auction, which included removing and cleaning the fuel tank, new rubber fuel lines, and thoroughly cleaning the carburetor...Cooling system was flushed and pressure tested, new water pump, new thermostat and new hoses installed...A tune-up included new coil, rotor, condenser and plugs...New battery...Fresh brake pads and brake system flushed...Fresh oil and filter...As an extra safeguard, and for the next owner's peace of mind, he also installed a new timing belt.

Car was repainted in its original factory shade at some point by a previous owner. There are typical chips, marks and a couple of small dings in the finish resulting from normal driving use. It is not even close to a concourse winner, but it looks nice enough to park with pride at your cars-and-coffee gatherings or other casual events. There is one small spot of rust bubbling through the left front fender bottom, behind the front wheel (see picture on photo link). While the car can by no means be called "rust free", overall it appears impressively solid in the body, floors, sills, valance panels, spare wheel well, door bottoms, shock towers, jacking points, crevices, and points where the suspension bolts on...The wheel arches (generally a good indicator) are especially impressive, with nice steel and no evidence of patches or repairs. This car has been garage kept for the past twenty years, never driven on snow, and used only in nice weather. If it continues to be used and stored with care, there should be no corrosion worries for years to come. I can personally attest that this car was driven an average of fewer than 150 miles per year for the past twenty years...Sharing garage space at different times with an Alfa GTV6, a Fiat 850 Spider, a Polski Fiat 125p pick up truck, and running the annual WOI car shows, the owner has always had his hands too full to drive it much! This is why he has decided to part with the Spider.

The interior is clean, comfortable, and in overall nice condition. Dash pad and console have typical cracks, the shift boot shows normal wear, and the wood panel around the shifter shows some delamination of its finish. Contrasting this are nice clean carpets with little wear, and excellent upholstery in the correct pattern and color. The door cards are non-standard, but they match the seats and were very nicely done with some padding that gives a 'de luxe' feel. The matching top boot is a really nice finishing touch. Sun visors are not installed, but a set will come with the car for anyone who wants to fit them. The glove box door is not securely attached. The wood panels on the instrument panel look great; they all match and have beautiful factory color and finish.

All exterior lighting works. On the dash, I've been told that the gas gauge light does not light up with the other instruments. The clock does not work (they never do, but they can be fitted with new quarts movement). Other gauges and controls work, with the exceptions of the blower motor (which worked when put into storage), the heater slider mechanism (which feels disconnected), and the driver's side window regulator -- the window can be raised and lowered by hand, and stays in place, but the crank does not work (parts for the window repair will be provided to the next owner). The wipers wipe. The air horns are loud and proud, delightfully shrill, and their compressor is properly oiled. A "modern" radio / CD stereo was installed twenty years ago, and the original factory fitted radio will also be provided with the car.

The top is probably the original equipment. Its rear window is still pretty clear, but there are significant separations of several inches along the stitching of the seams, and the top needs to be either sown up or replaced to be weatherproof (see pics). The windshield, on the other hand, is beautifully clean and clear; no cracks, noticeable chips, hazing or delamination.

Overall, this is a great Spider for a casual, daily-driver kind of experience: You wouldn't worry about actually using it, parking it downtown, or obsess about bird poop landing on it once in a while. It's the kind of car that is ready to be enjoyed and will respond well to a hands-on owner who wants to sweat the details to bring it to the next level. (Incidentally, the yellow Wheels of Italy emblem on the back is on magnetic backing and can be moved or removed at the next owner's discretion).

Car starts, drives and stops well, and it tracks straight. Panel fit is very good, with nice alignment along shut lines and no door sag. The motor lights up on the choke with a couple of stabs on the throttle, warms up to operating temp properly, and the electric cooling fan kicks in when the thermostat opens up -- just like it's supposed to. Under the hood is clean, orderly, and in "100% stock" condition. It is a solid car, with very little corrosion evident underneath.

Odometer reading of 27723 cannot be substantiated, but the old records indicate that it has almost certainly "clocked". If it is the original speedo unit (unknown), this would mean 127723 miles overall, of which the current owner has driven only 2399 in all his years of ownership.

The owner reports no glaring problems needing immediate attention. If he were keeping the car, he told me his short list for daily driving would include new tires (these have tread but they are old), new suspension bushings (originals are intact, but old), and rebuilding the Weber carb (which he thinks would offer more refined throttle response).

This is a nice opportunity for someone to get into a scarce earlier model Fiat Spider at a modest price. It has been maintained and cherished by an enthusiastic hands-on owner for the past twenty years. The later models have their devotees, but the "vintage" Spiders offer cleaner styling, better road manners, more potential for upgrading power, and a decidedly sportier personality -- "The Enthusiasts' Choice".

Oh, almost forgot: A stash of parts will go along with the car. This includes a spare gearbox in good condition (from a 60k mile car), extra cylinder head, extra carb, two sets of sun visors, engine gasket set, some extra lenses for lights, window regulator mechanism, factory tool kit (in the original case!), an OEM muffler, OEM radio, Haynes manual, misc. manuals and books...+++ whatever else he thinks needs to stay with the car.

The owner has confidently decided to start the bidding low (with No Reserve) and he will let the market decide this car's value. HIGH BID BUYS THIS CAR NEXT WEEK

Pictures tell the story best: 100 DETAILED PICTURES, warts and all, and many underside shots...Flickr link: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmHQjq47

And Now, If You're Serious About Bidding, Please Read....

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 questions BEFORE you bid. We will respond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged in Robbinsdale, Minnesota 55422, about ten minutes outside of downtown Minneapolis.Inspections are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS:Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer and the Owner. 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 many dead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". No warranty is expressed, implied or offered. Owner cannot and will take any responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises.

PAYMENT:Buyer must make a $200 DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at the Discretion of the Owner. BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 48 hours of sale by SECURE PAYMENT. Clear Minnesota title for this motor vehicle will be conveyed to Buyer after secure funds are received by Seller. Accepting US FUNDS via WIRE TRANSFER, CERTIFIED BANK CHECK, or CASH at PICK-UP. NOTE: We cannot accept the entire payment through PayPal unless Buyer pays the P/P fees as well. NOTE: DEPOSIT is a COMMITMENT to BUY. Its function is to seal the deal for both Buyer and Seller, and is NON-REFUNDABLE except under exceptional conditions granted by Seller's sole discretion.

TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged in Robbinsdale, Minnesota 55422, about ten minutes out of downtown Minneapolis. We do not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendors to choose from offering vehicle transport. We will work with any transport company you choose, and we will take photos for you of your car being loaded (both for posterity and for peace of mind!) ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE ARRANGED 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. Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period; our due diligence will be to take every reasonable precaution to keep the vehicle sheltered, dry and safe.

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