Spider with potential on BaT

[Redline]

It has a nice 124 Abarth Stradale vibe to it.

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/1979-f ... ider-2000/

I'm interested to see where it tops out.

[joelittel]

I've been interested in this too. I believe it has hit 3k already.

The write-up indicates the same type of maintenance / modifications that many of us on this site have done to our cars, so this auction should be an excellent indication of true market value.

[RJ80]

Hey guys,

The car for sale is my own. I'm sorry to see it go since I'm so attached to it, but after six years I have to make way for other projects. There are just too many cars I'd like to own in this uncertain life and the 124 is the one I've owned longer than any other so far. Our own Mark Allison has done much of the work on my car (including installing his hot street cams) and I'm forever grateful to have such a great person and mechanic within an hour of where I live.

This forum has been invaluable to me as I've owned the car and slowly built it into what it is today. It's gone from being a somewhat tired boulevard cruiser to a great performing vintage sports car -- I've participated in two vintage road rallies, one was 1000k miles including the 500 mile trek to the start and the other was 330 miles. The car kept up in the twisties with cars worth many multiples of what this one is and didn't falter for a moment. It even helped a stranded 124 Spider by loaning it a distributor rotor.

The current bid is $4000 and my reserve is just hundreds more. The reserve is less than half what I've spent including the initial purchase price. These cars are labors of love, not investments. I'm hoping it brings at least an extra thousand over the reserve to minimize my losses, but we'll see. I believe a solid Spider such as this with strong service history, desirable upgrades, good paint, and a record of reliable long-distance running should be a $6000-$7000 car all day long. Especially considering the wheels and hardtop are worth $1500 on their own. In the end, the market will speak. Heck, a nice but non-running MG Midget sold for over $7k on BaT the other week -- anyone who's driven a 124 Spider and a Midget will know the Fiat is twice the car.

Most important is that it goes to a good home and my feeling is that by listing it on BaT, it will. This car deserves to be driven and enjoyed. Can't help but feel that I saved it.

This is a bittersweet auction, to be sure.
Rory

[So Cal Mark]

sorry to see that you're selling it. I hope it stays in So Cal with a new devoted owner

[RJ80]

Well, the car sold this afternoon to a new home in New York, which means it will be leaving California for the first time in its 36-year life. Final bid was $7650 which I'm very happy with. I attribute some of that price to the rare wheels and hardtop.

[So Cal Mark]

congrats, I hope you'll continue to cover Fiats in your writing

[RJ80]

Definitely will, Mark. The next project is my 1967 Fiat 850 Coupe.

[So Cal Mark]

we're going to do some performance parts for the 850 in the near future!

[RJ80]

Cant wait to see them!