Some Information, Please

[Sheila]

My son bought a 1973 Fiat 850 Spider with a 900 cc engine a few years ago with the intention of restoring it. Hah! Well, he's been at school in Texas since then, and that little car has been in the driveway untouched by human hands since then. I really want to get it out of the driveway, but have no idea what it might be worth.
It's red, and the body is really not too bad for the age of the car - some rust patches. It shows 55,000-plus miles, and the steering wheel, gauges, dashboard, windshield, visors, rearview mirror, side mirrors, seats (think there is only one small rip along the seam in one of the seats) all look ok. It has a black convertible top, but I don't know what condition that is in.
It looks as though it has "most" of the necessary engine parts - - but does not run. The title is good, and it has four tires, condition unknown.
My guess is it would have to be advertised only as a restoration project, but don't have a clue about the asking price. My son's description was an encouraging "everything needs to be replaced."
I checked one classic-car site and a 73 850 Spider was described as being "very rare" and pretty much nonexistent now in all of Italy! (I was impressed, but don't know whether any prospective buyers would be.) I found one site nearby (we're in No. Virginia) called DCFiats.org in D.C. and asked this question there, but nobody has gotten back to me. I found your site on their site and when I saw so many recent (and enthusiastic) postings on this site, I thought I'd give it a try.
Any information anyone would be willing to give me would be much appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

[78spyderturbo]

You might want to look at ebay to get a base of what it is worth.
Let me know how much you want for it?
Maybe you can send me a picture to acmaurici66@yahoo.com Good luck.

[Danno]

Well, I'm not the guy to give you a more specific answer, but there is an 850 on ebay and they guy is asking 9,000 for it. That guy is DELUSIONAL. To get a good answer pictures would be necessary, but I'd guess as a starting point you're looking in the 1500-2500 range if it's mostly complete, but needs some restoration.

[spiderrey]

my guess would be below a thousand, i think they are way less valuable then the 124 spider from what ive seen. except maybe for the 67 with the covered lights. my son picked up a green 73 project for 300.

[mbouse]

unless you know for sure that the undercarriage is strong and rust free, the engine, and rest of the drive train is 100% intact and in running condition, and basically all the trim pieces are with the vehicle....

i'm looking at under $1000 also. to my knowledge, the '73 had a one year only dash board, meaning parts are hard to find for this dash. if the dash is missing or broken components, that adds to the restoration cost of the next owner.

i tend to look at what i would need to invest in the car to a) bring it up to safe driving condition b) bring it further up to acceptable operating condition c) bring it up to high quality driving standards. the more i have to invest to do these three things out of my pocket, the less i am willing to pay for the base vehicle. once i reach $4000, I better be leaving the second stage and proceeding quickly to the third stage, or i will never recoup my investment in reselling the car. if i cannot sell it for what i have invested in total, i'm not gonna be happy.

ever price a paint job? I am guessing you could get quotes for that '73 that exceed $3,000. that doesn't leave me a whole lotta room to get the rest of the car to clean, comfortable driving condition.

since this one is not running, that deducts considerably from its selling price. if the undercarriage is "punky" or plain old rusted out, there aren't $500 worth of parts left for the novice to sell piece by piece.

[kristoj]

According to the most recent edition of the "Cars That Matter 5" price guide, an 850 in number 4 condition is worth $3,900. However, based on your description, your car would be a number 5 at best (the guide does not provide prices for non-running or parts cars). The general rating system for collectable cars is from 1-6 with 1 being perfect condition as it left the factory and 6 being a parts car. If a number 4 car is worth $3,900, I would guess that yours would be south of $2,000. You may want to begin asking $1,200 to $1,500 and see where it goes.

I agree with the previous post, though, that you need to carefully document any structural rust issues under the car as this will significantly affect the value of the car.

[ga.spyder]

I am not an expert on the 850 ,but Mike B.'s post makes sense for almost any non running car w/ issues.The fact that has parts ,that are on that year only means trouble finding parts ,or a lot of fabrication.Post some pix and the more knowledgable Fiat people could give you a pretty good idea re. pricing.I see running examples that need work going for under 2000, so Im sure you are looking at under 1000. Craig

[Sheila]

Thank you all very much for all the great input. I certainly know a heck of a lot more about this subject than I did when I posted my first email.

I did take pictures, but can't seem to get them to travel from the camera to this site. My daughter should be home at about 5P, so I'll ask her to do it. I'm sure it will help in getting a better idea of the true condition of the car.

The condition of the undercarriage was certainly a good point, but we don't have the equipment to lift the car up. Maybe we could jack it up with two jacks - first the back end, then the front end - ? It's so low to the ground that a mirror taped to a long stick probably wouldn't accomplish anything.

It's such a sweet little car, it would actually hurt me to see it go to someone as a donor car. I worked for the federal govt. my whole career and had an 850 Spider when I was posted to Rome many long years ago. I loved that car, but had to practically give it away when I was transferred. I also had several Triumph Spitfires - one a TR3 which was an old lady when I was a young one - and a very old Singer - anyone ever heard of that one? - when I was in Hong Kong. Isn't it funny how you never look back fondly on all the station wagons and minivans you've owned, but remember, love, and miss every old sportscar you were ever lucky enough to drive for a while? I'm getting a little bit off the subject here, though, aren't I?

Well, back to business: again, thanks very much for all your help and I'll try to post some pictures later today.

[mbouse]

i am not an 850 expert, far from it. however, i did some research last year on a '73. the number one issue for the new buyer will be finding parts. for this car, usually the only parts sources are other cars just like it....salvage.

it seems that the battery box and the luggage compartment ahead of the battery box are substantially prone to rusting. are these areas solid, or can you poke an ice pick thru the sheet metal? or maybe, as in the case ofthe vehicle someone was attempting to sell to me....can you see the ground?

if you do not know the condition of the vehicle, do not proceed with the next step AND don't stick any body part under the car. jack the car up from each of its normal four jacking points, and grab that same ice pick and see if you can poke any holes in the undercarriage. also, watch the car as you jack it up; does it sag anywhere as you jack it up?

does the interior smell of dank, sodden carpet? not good. does it smell like old newspapers and dust? OK, and expected, considering what you have already described.

Pictures will help, but not be the end all. actual visual inspection will be the best bet. and in the end, the "value" or "worth" will be dependant on finding a willing buyer. a #4 that sells for over $3,000 is dependant on actually finding someone willing to fork over $3k for a non-running 35 year old foreign car that is no way supported by the manufacturer. My experience with 850's is that the true lovers of this pretty, but slow vehicle are few and far between. I seriously doubt you have a #4 vehicle.

[Sheila]

We haven't been able to get the photos of the car onto this post. I did, however, manage to add four of them to my Craigslist ad if anyone wants to look at them there. It's in the Washington, D.C., Cars and Trucks Section under 1973 Rare Fiat Spider Convertible.

I have four more photos that I know I can attach to an email, so if anyone who knows how to get photos from an email onto this post and is willing to give me an email address, I'll send them on to you.

Thanks again.

[So Cal Mark]

Sheila
post your pics to an image sharing site like photobucket or shutterfly. Then copy the image url and insert it into your post or paste the link