1972 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Italian charmer

Faults:

Needed lots of jobs... mainly welding - not surprising for a 40 year old Fiat!

General Comments:

A very attractive looking car. Understated elegant design with the lovely and lively twin cam engine, mated to a very slick 5 speed box. Goes at quite a pace, and with discs all round and stiff (on this car) suspension, it handles very well.

Vision is very good, and the interior is pure '60s Italian charm. It's noisy, but who cares when you're listening to the music made by that wonderful twin cam!

Downsides are the typically Italian driving position; I like it personally, but others may not. Relatively (25 MPG) high fuel consumption and rust, rust, rust, and more rust! If you can find a rust free car or are willing to put in the work though, this car is a real joy to drive, or to stand and stare at!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 21st July, 2012

1971 Fiat 124 Spider 2.0 twin cam

Summary:

A unique money vampire

Faults:

Engine blew.

Gearbox lost 4th.

Rust.

General Comments:

A unique and somewhat beautiful car. When I am rich I will get a more reliable version of this car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th January, 2001

26th Mar 2001, 01:24

1971 Spiders do not have 2litre engines as standard. You should really point out that you have upgraded it.

3rd Sep 2002, 15:05

I've been owning a 1971 124 spider (a BS1 / 1608 cc in fact) for more than 10 years now. The first years were spent on an extensive restoration of the car. My experience is that when this is done properly and the car receives regular maintenance (especially on the ignition, the timing belt and valve adjustment), it proves to be an unexpectedly reliable car. The only thing to keep in mind is that spiders don't like rain. Treat your spider with love and care and you'll be rewarded with lots of reliable, topless driving entertainment.

Peter - the Netherlands.

28th Dec 2008, 11:32

I'm reading these with great nostalgia. I bought a yellow 1971 Spyder in 1977 out in Colorado, and drove it all over the front range and back to New Hampshire, until 1982. Second gear synchro died so a transmission rebuild was needed. Then a valve job, for which I removed and replaced the head myself. But it was finally done in by serious rot, especially on NH salty winter roads. Evidently Fiat were never great at metallurgy. Probably a Miata is the logical successor to this car, but I've gone BMW.

20th Sep 2009, 19:57

I have owned a 1973 Fiat Spider for 12 years. 2 head gaskets, 2 master cylinders, 1 complete brake job, 1 new top, interior redone 1 time, rear end gears once. Love it more all the time. They were built to love and repair as needed.

6th Feb 2010, 06:21

Any car is only as good as the mechanic maintaining it. I have a cherry 1971, 62,000 on the clock. It's been in the family the entire time and has never seen harsh weather. This year it had the entire front end and brake systems rebuilt by AFST member mechanics. It's as venerable as it ever was, and I'm quite sure it's one on the best spiders in the world.