Faults:

Carb problems all the time, generator had to be rebuilt twice, starter twice, head gaskets twice, caught fire twice. Oh, and in the winter, the pipes going to the heater would always freeze up.

General Comments:

This was my college car, and I loved it! It handled great, but was a bit twitchy if you pushed it too hard in a turn; spun it out a few times. Was way underpowered, but never had problems keeping up with traffic. I would spend the week driving her, and the weekend fixing her.

Had a bad habit of vibrating out the idle needle valves, carb adjustment screws, if you didn't LockTite them. (Made for some fun times waiting with the girlfriend until my dad showed up with spare parts).

She was a '67 without the side markers, had the headlight covers, and as far I'm concerned, was one of the best looking sports cars ever made. She even had an early version of daytime driving lights; if you switched the toggle to the center position, only the headlights came on, no taillights. Great for hiding from the police!

Great gas mileage! 45+ MPG and she sat so low, she would fit under parking lot gates so she saved me tons on parking fees.

I bought another '67 in 2009 and may have her on the road in 2011, if I can find the parts. Getting hard to find now.

General Comments:

My first car. Loved it. Lost my virginity in it. When it died and they towed it to the yard, I cried like a child.

Faults:

Intermittent electrical problem with the battery. Not bad for a 40 plus year old car.

One oil seal on timing case.

General Comments:

This little car handles great and can take corners with precision and predictability. Sure, it is a bit (well actually very) slow on the acceleration, but boy does that little engine want to rev up and do its business. Like every other Italian car I have owned, it is fantastic in the mountains, and the more curves and narrower the roads, the better it performs.

The styling is right on. Younger people assume it is some type of old Porsche design. It's too bad the flush headlamp lenses had to go for US standards. I believe this was the last year for the simple bumpers and the round marker lights. It has a great cabin layout for a small car and the boot retracts easily. The Italianate driving position may not suit everybody.

Faults:

Great and reliable little car, a mini Ferrari in all but performance at 6000 ft altitude.

The only problem I had was cylinder head gasket at about 60,000 miles. Normal; proactive maintenance essential. I changed the engine oil every 1500 miles. Oil is much cheaper than engine parts.

General Comments:

Loved this car, went on many long trips in excess of 300 miles. Entered it in a few sprints and hill climbs, but not really serious competition.

Handled well, reasonable speed (about 90 mph tops).

Engine revved freely to 7000 rpm.

Had a tendency for a "light" front end on wet roads with a low fuel load.

Limited luggage space.

Would love to find another one to bring back to a good state of repair to use.

Faults:

Oversteered a lot near 0.8g. Spun it sideways a few times when pushed, but controllable *abrupt. Like a wild go kart.

Halfshaft popped out of tranny several times.

Alternator/generator died at 48K.

Got over 35mpg hwy CA to NJ 2/72 kept log.

Vinyl interior oil film on windows when hot.

Engine seized at about 55,000.

General Comments:

My first car $1560 used at a BMW dealer when the best BMW was $5500.

Lowered it even more (Abarth) & wider alums 6" & Veith tires 13x165x70? Rubbed once in a while, so banged out the fender.

Made a nose spoiler 7" @ 45deg 3"+inches off ground.

Konis added-FIRM Top speed 101mph passenger wt =260.

Was a fun car to zip around like a madman in. Lucky to be alive from age 17-20. Almost made it in back seat.

2x3' area.

Economy is no value for a car in hwy accidents and this would car would fold up on you. It is a dainty car and life is too short.

1971 Datsun 510 sedan in '74 for $1200 (ventura CA)