Is it worth it?

[Jontheconnman]

I have a 1969 fiat 850 spider that I just recently purchased for pretty cheep. The car is all there, 100%. Today i pulled it out of the weeds and the Motor is seized, rag Top is trashed, floor pans are rusted and there is some bondo work throughout. This car has been sitting in a field for at least 15 years. Is it going to be worth my time and money to fix this car or look for a new spider?

[lglade]

If you do all the work yourself, and if you need only minimal new parts, then you'll be lucky to break even. If you farm out a lot of work to professionals, then you'll lose your a**. That can change in a very short period of time, but the reality is that the values just aren't quite there yet to support doing these projects for a profit.

[mscafide]

I don't think so. Sell any usable parts.

Mike

[Jontheconnman]

The car isn't to build and sell, it's for me personally, my first build. I absolutley love the look of this car. but if it doesn't hold value I don't want to be disappointed in the end that I put all this money and time into a car that's not worth anything. It needs a lot of love.

[RRoller123]

It sounds like it would not be a sound decision, from a financial standpoint. From your description it will cost way more to bring it back than a good one would cost to purchase.

[Odoyle]

In short, your better off looking for a better starting point. Just examing some of the strucutral differences between my 77 and 79, I can see several places where the 79 chassis has been improved. Where are located?

[Jontheconnman]

I'm located about 40 miles outside of oklahoma city. In stillwater oklahoma. However the car hasn't made it here yet, it's sitting at a shop about 1.5 hrs away still.

[TX82FIAT]

Since it is sitting at a shop you might want to ask them (the shop) if they want it and just sign the title over to them for minimal consideration. The fact that the shop is 90 minutes away is of concern and can only cost more time and money. Also, is this a shop that wants to do the work on the car (possible conflict)? If so, consider letting them tell you that value is and how they can fix it. Then turn the table on them and ask them to put up cash to buy it since your money is green just like theirs.

[baltobernie]

There are far fewer parts available for the 850 Spider than the 124. Scarcity = $. I agree with you that the 850 Spider is a cool car, we have a few in our local club. In stock trim, however, the car is seriously underpowered for today's roads and drivers. Just my $0.02

[Jontheconnman]

I appreciate everyone's honest opinion. It Kinda sucks though, I was hoping for a little bit of a different turn out. But. That's why I asked. keep the comments rolling, I do appreciate the input

[TX82FIAT]

Don't want to put a negative spin on it with my "leave it be commentary" previously. I agree there is some money to be made parting out the car. However, I view that as chasing money. At some point the car will need to be towed unless you work out a deal with the shop where it is parked. If your intent is still to restore a classic then you will have two cars at your premises. The one you are restoring and the one yo are parting out. This may be a huge benefit if you buy another 850 with a solid body that needs work. If car is towed to your place to strip parts and sell you will do a lot of work pulling, cleaning and sending pats all over the place. At the end of this sales process with a carcass of a car taking up space at your place you will still need to have it disposed of somehow. If you have space or a barn to store the car as well as a forgiving wife then parting it out is not so bad.

Me, I'd sell it and chalk the loss up to learning. I'd then buy the best affordable example of the car I want in running condition with minimal rust. From there I'd start to put money into a batter car, my guess is all that will be less expensive, more enjoyable and take up less space.

[SP3]

Just examing some of the strucutral differences between my 77 and 79, I can see several places where the 79 chassis has been improved.

he's got an 850 not a 124.

[SP3]

When I got mine, it was either I save it (attempt to) or it was going to scrap. I bought it hoping it was salvageable but, knowing it likely wasn't from experience roughly 20 years earlier with my best friend's.

The further I dug into it, the more rot I found. Floors are easy enough to repair. Once the cross brace is gone though, it gets more difficult and expensive. Look at that first. Mine even had holes above the footboxes.

If you really want an 850, and yours isn't worth repairing, keep it anyway. Once you find a better starting point, you have some amount of spares already sitting there, pair for. Toward the end, when you have a much smaller list of needs, sell any extra parts off to keep the funding coming.

Keep in mind, over the last few years, more and more 850s have gone the part-out route and things don't go for what they used to. You'll have to determine how much time/effort is worthwhile in selling. Ebay takes 10% on the final value, 10% on the shipping charged, paypal takes their cut......

[Nanonevol]

I found your 850:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1971-Fiat-850/2 ... Ciid%253A1

[DieselSpider]

Here is one in fairly good shape:

https://tampa.craigslist.org/pnl/cto/d/ ... 97258.html