Is there a market for the auto tranny?

[familyman]

I am planning to swap my automatic for a 5-speed, and I'm wondering if there's any market for a good automatic transmission, or should I just consider it a boat anchor?

[AndyVAS]

Very little market. As they are GM units, most any transmission shop can rebuild it for cheap. That said, some people like having an exact match spare sitting in the garage.

[chrisg]

they aren't bad units functionally if you want to drive a twin cam & not have to shift gears. By that I mean they seem rather well-matched to the engine/driveline & being GM originated they should have practical ease in terms of perhaps finding vac modules/rebuild kits or even friendly service from an otherwise not-Fiat friendly shop. all that said, out of curiosity, where are you located?

My take is that despite the rather positive review I just gave, I would esteem their value based on weight & the current market for mixed scrap metal.

[aevansgatech]

I'm also wondering what the market is for the auto cars. I have absolutely loved having my '84 Automatic and it is an exceptional cruiser in every respect. I am a manual enthusiast, so I get it, but I also feel Classic cars with autos get an unfair bad rap. I find I get every bit of joy from the Auto Spider that I get from manual Spiders.

[chrisg]

market for the automatic transmission rather free-standing & market for a 124 with an automatic are two different topics though. I get the auto car/cruising aspect & as I said, it works rather nicely on these cars. How many DIYers who are skilled (or crazy) to embark on a swap like that would want to do a swap? small number, I'd guess...I was actually considering that for a car for my wife at one point & then I decided, meh, when the times comes I'll get her a new 124 instead or something like that. And, how often does someone need one of these as a replacement? dunno, that one, but I'd say THAT would be the market who would pay anything like real money for one.

[mscafide]

Very good box.

Back in the old days (70's) I worked part time at a Fiat dealership in the parts department for benefits far beyond my meager pay.

They had rental 131 rental loaners that were automatic for ten bucks a day. Friday to Monday was one day. So we rented one on a Friday and took it to Blackhawk Farms race track for an Alfa Club Autocross on Sunday. We drove the snot out of it with several runs each for three of us. You could manually select each gear and hold it past redline and it would stay there until you changed it. Second fastest time of day (not me). The GM box is great.

BTW, we drove it with the A/C on.

Mike

[chrisg]

I can easily imagine that! I had an auto Brava that I bought for my dad to drive for a bit years ago & I've had two (one in the late 1990s, one currently) auto 124 sedans.

where is this one located?

[familyman]

I am located in the NW corner of Arkansas. I've driven both the auto and the 5-speed. I agree that the auto is well matched to the engine's characteristics but I still like to shift that wonderful silky-smooth 5 speed. I also like having the console free of the big bump required for the automatic selector lever.

As far as the value of intact cars goes, I would think that a 5 speed is more valuable than an automatic car, but who knows? I do know that Fiat sold more 79's than any other year model, mostly because that was the first year the automatic was offered.

I think I'm hearing that the auto is only worth scrap metal.

[chrisg]

I'd expect it probably is about that unless you have wonderful timing or vast space & marketing capabilities where you can have it poised & ready when a running auto in a nice car goes down & a nationwide APB for a good auto box goes out. Having said that, it's a shame that I am sort of next door in TN (albeit the other side of it) because as long as I have the auto box in my sedan I'd not be opposed to having a spare. And who knows, maybe I'd end up finding an awesome Chevette or mail Jeep some time in the future that needs a transmission - ha!

[azruss]

a good portion of 124 owners and future owners are members of the geriatric set. I think this demographic is growing. Many members of this group don't have the ability to drive a stick anymore due to medical reasons. My wife is one of these. A lot of the hot rod crowd use automatics for this very reason. It might take you some time to find a buyer, but the internet provides an inexpensive way to get the word out.

[familyman]

Good point, azruss.

[spidernut]

I have had both auto and stick Spiders. In California traffic, I'll take the automatic any day over the manual. On a winding road, I'll take the manual any day over the automatic.

Value? I've seen them offered up for $30. They don't have much value unless your auto trans went out...then they're worth a lot more! Regarding the automatic cars, I get criticism only from the younger crowd when people see my automatic. The older the onlooker, the more they like the automatic. Most older owners want something to cruise around in, not something to race.

[chrisg]

well, if you ever happen to be traveling east on I-40 through Knoxville & have room for the auto box, hit me up & I'd probably buy it from you as a spare.

Also, a "kit" with console, pedal box, etc. would probably make it more desirable for someone if you were truly interested in max marketing.