Hoping to become part of the family!

[polskipolak13]

Hello all,

I came across a 75 Fiat Spider Abarth and looking and hoping for some feedback when I go check it out. Pardon the ignorance, I don't know much, if anything, about Fiats. What are some things I should look for? How do I tell if it's actually an Abarth version? Thanks for any input

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Sorry I couldn't get the image option to work, above are the links to some pictures.

I couldn't get much off of the VIN, it's 124CS1 0092284.

Thank you!

-Mike

[JohnMc]

https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile ... p-4-spider

https://www.sportscarmarket.com/profile ... sel-182624

I would not think it is a Rally - but I have never seen one. I don't know of a Fiat Abarth 124 other than Rally - but I certainly could be wrong. Others might want to chime in - I don't mind being called out, been a while (miss the attention of my ex-wife).

Looks like a regular 124 with some badges and stripes etc added - I like it, but a race car it is not. I do understand that the Rally's came with independent rear suspension.

You can search this site or even www.bringatrailer.com and read the comments that people ask about before buying one of these. Rust is not their friend. But all cars have idiosyncrasies.

I do love the Fiat 124's and have had three over the years - with my first one being a 1969 in 1972 when I was a freshman. The styling is great, have not had the top up in 3 years (don't drive it in winter) I like the handling and the top speed of about 95 to 100 mph keeps me out of jail.

[zachmac]

IMO it looks like a regular 124 with some stripes and badges stuck on. Not an Abarth. Price accordingly.

[spidernut]

It is definitely NOT a real Abarth. This should help:

Fiat Spider Abarth
Body style 2-door spider with FIXED HARDTOP

HISTORY: The Fiat Abarth 124 Rally is a street legal rally version of the 124 Sport Spider sold to the masses, known also as "124 Abarth Stradale", introduced in November 1972. Its main purpose was to receive FIA homologation in the special grand touring cars (group 4) racing class, and replace the 1.6-litre Fiat Sport Spider rally cars which were presently being campaigned. At the time 124 had already won the 1972 European Rally Championship at the hands of Raffaele Pinto and Gino Macaluso. The 124 Rally was added to the Sport Spider range, which included the 1600 and 1800 models; the first 500 examples produced were earmarked for the domestic Italian market.

Among the most notable modifications over the standard spider there were INDEPENDENT REAR SUSPENSION, engine upgrades, lightweight body panels, and a RIGID HARD TOP.

In place of the usual rear solid axle, there is INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION FROM LOWER WISHBONES, the original trailing arms, an upper strut and an anti-roll bar. At the front, a radius rod on each side was added to the standard double wishbones.

The transmission is the all-synchronised five-speed optional on the other Sport Spider models, and brakes are discs on all four corners. Despite the 20 kg four-point roll bar fitted, curb weight is 938 kg (2,068 lb), roughly 25 kg (55 lb) less than the regular 1.8-litre Sport Spider.

Engine bonnet, boot lid and the fixed hard top are fiberglass, painted matt black, the rear window is perspex and the doors aluminium. Front and rear bumpers were deleted and replaced by simple rubber bumperettes. A single matte black wing mirror was fitted. Matte black wheel arch extensions house 185/70 VR 13 Pirelli CN 36 tyres on 5.5 J × 13" four-spoke alloy wheels. Inside centre console, rear occasional seats, and glovebox lid were eliminated; while new features were anodised aluminium dashboard trim, a small three-spoke leather-covered Abarth steering wheel, and Recaro corduroy-and-leather bucket seats as an extra-cost option.

The car carries Fiat badging front and rear, Abarth badges and "Fiat Abarth" scripts on the front wings, and Abarth wheel centre caps. Only three paint colours were available: Corsa red, white, and light blue.

Fiat Abarth 124 Rally, specifications and comparison[11][13]
Fiat Abarth 124 Rally Fiat 124 Sport Spider 1800
Engine 1,756 cc DOHC inline-four
Carburettors 2x twin-choke Weber 44 IDF 1x twin-choke Weber 34 DMS
Power 128 PS DIN (94 kW; 126 hp) at 6,200 rpm 118 PS DIN (87 kW; 116 hp) at 6,000 rpm
Torque 16.2 kg⋅m (159 N⋅m; 117 lb⋅ft) at 5,200 rpm 15.6 kg⋅m (153 N⋅m; 113 lb⋅ft) at 4,000 rpm
Wheelbase 2,280 mm (89.8 in) 2,280 mm (89.8 in)
Length 3,914 mm (154.1 in) 3,971 mm (156.3 in)
Width 1,630 mm (64.2 in) 1,613 mm (63.5 in)
Track
front–rear 1,413–1,400 mm (55.6–55.1 in) 1,346–1,316 mm (53.0–51.8 in)
Kerb weight
incl. 75 kg driver[14] 938 kg (2,068 lb) 960 kg (2,116 lb)
Top speed over 190 km/h (118 mph) 185 km/h (115 mph

[spidernut]

Also, the photos appear to be a late 78 chassis that had the large chrome bumpers. It is definitely a 79+ hood that has been boogered to fit. The prop spring is not mounted as stock.

The Abarth was a 72.

[polskipolak13]

Thank you all for the replies! Went to go check it out yesterday, the dang trunk wouldn't open so we couldn't get it started since the battery was dead. She's asking $4,500, it's in ok shape, would definitely need a paint job, but it does have most if not all of the original paperwork.

It appeared that the body was fiberglass, is that correct?

[scrapironchef]

It appears to one of those not so rare Genuine Abarth Wannabees.

[JohnMc]

The body of a Fiat 124 spider is not fiberglass. Now there are some add on wheel flares that are. There can be a fiberglass hood that someone added. You can look them up at the Fiat vendors. Look up Fiat 124 parts on internet.

IMHO i would not buy if it you cannot drive it - unless you price accordingly.
A cheap paint job is $1400 to $2k - maybe there are better ones that someone had done a lot more with. Usually cheaper to buy one restored than to try to restore one yourself - but if you do it you know how it was done.

[joelittel]

$4500 might be a bit high for a nonstarter in okay shape.

But based on the look of this car I’d guess that someone was putting money into it recently judging by the cosmetic upgrades.

If it truly is a dead battery keeping it from running the price isn’t too bad.

[RRoller123]

Yet.... No one selling a car would let something as minor as a dead battery stop it from running......?

[aj81spider]

If you want the car, negotiate a price contingent on him getting a battery and the car starting. If the car starts you pay him for the battery and the sale goes through at the price negotiated. If the car doesn't start you walk away (or negotiate a lower price).

[joelittel]

Yet.... No one selling a car would let something as minor as a dead battery stop it from running......?

I suspect the guy who built the car up is no longer in the picture.

[rdv]

Hi there,
Simple formula:
An Abarth got a chassisno beginning with 124CSA..
Your shown car is a normal 75 Fiat 124 Spider like the VIN plate says: 124CS1..
In Europa we call it: Abarth Replica!

Good luck to you, bye
Ralf

[JohnMc]

If they do not have them you will need to get the timing belt cover and the timing pointer. Both can be purchased from the suppliers - just saw them on Midwest Bayless site.
The reason I bring this up is that my car did not have them so had to purchase. Really needed to time the car.
I am guessing that the 1.8 engine is an interference engine - want to know the age/mileage of the timing belt. Change if any question (they are really cheap and not difficult - but then would need timing).
I presume you are in a state that does not require smog checks. If you are in one - it seemly would not pass.
Here in CA it is my understanding that you are required to have some fashion of bumpers. No idea on your state. I believe that you can put in those small bumpers that many vendors sell - Vicks Fiat sells them. Or maybe I am not seeing them.
Looks like nice radiator and also did some electrical relays - probably for headlights.
I personally like the stripes.