Just because it's Italian doesn't mean it has to break the bank, and for every Ferrari ever imagined, designed and sold, it was cars like the Fiat 128 that were paying the bills. Sure, they're not particularly glamorous and many have stories about their less than stellar reliability, but perhaps in large part because of the nature of the 128, few remain in great condition today - especially in the U.S. Today's 1974 bucks that tradition, though:
Year: 1974
Model: 128
Engine: 1.3 liter inline-4
Transmission: 4-speed manual
Mileage: 11,827 mi
Price: Reserve Auction
CLICK FOR DETAILS:1974 Fiat 128
THIS FIAT WAS PURCHASED ON EBAY FROM AN ESTATE SALE IN ARIZONA. THE ORIGINAL OWNER DROVE THE CAR FOR 10 YEARS BEFORE HE PASSED AWAY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE CAR WAS PUT INTO COVERED STORAGE FOR THE NEXT 28 YEARS UNTIL IT WAS PURCHASED. AS A RESULT THE CAR DOES NOT HAVE A SPECK OF RUST ON IT. TOTALLY RUST FREE! TO SAY THAT ABOUT A VINTAGE FIAT IS REMARKABLE.
THE ONLY THINGS TO REALLY TAKE A BEATING FROM SUCH LONG STORAGE IN DRY DESERT AIR WAS THE INTERIOR....THE SEATING, CARPET, PANELING, AND SOME UNUSED COMPONENTS OF .THE ENGINE, SUCH AS THE CARBURETOR, DISTRIBUTOR, AND WIRING. FOR THIS REASON NUMEROUS ITEMS WERE REPLACED OR RENEWED.
THE LIST INCLUDES: NEW SEATS, NEW CARPETS, NEW PANELING, NEW EXTERIOR PAINT JOB, NEW CARBURETOR, NEW DISTRIBUTOR, NEW BATTERY, NEW ENGINE WIRING, NEW STARTER MOTOR, NEW FUEL PUMP, NEW BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER, NEW BRAKE CALIPERS, NEW STEERING RACK, NEW AXLE BOOTS OUTER AND INNER, NEW ALIGNMENT, NEW HORNS, NEW SPARK PLUGS, PLUG WIRES, AIR FILTER, AND OIL FILTER TO MAKE FOR A NEAT PERFECT RESTORATION.
THIS CAR IS MEANT FOR THE SERIOUS FIAT 128 ENTHUSIAST ONLY. HAPPY BIDDING!
Certainly, this is the best condition 128 we've seen in some time; with a restoration it looks great and ready to roll. I love the color combination, and while certainly this isn't the most desirable Fiat it's admirable that it is in this condition. While the supercars get the headlines, I've found that often enthusiasts get excited to see a mint condition economy car from back in the day. This is an affordable way to get into classic Italian motoring, and I bet more people would love to see you roll up to a show in this than a Ferrari 348!
-Carter
That’s amazing: I’ve seen maybe two 128s in the last decade, and sure as heck they didn’t look like that.
I was given one just like this, in this DaVinci green, but could never keep it running correctly. Much preferred my 124 Special TC sedan, also in DaVinci, also a ’74, despite the 128 being considerably more modern.
What a find, and what a great final price. Even with shipping from CA to Buffalo NY, it would have been a great collectable.
My college car was a bright green over tan 850 Spider. In the early 1970s there were three dealerships in Buffalo, and Fiats were very popular. I added a set of “Bobcor” wheels (with lots of negative camber in the back), and an ANSA exhaust – it was a lot of fun. It was only when I traded it for a new ’77 Celica did I realize that Japanese cars would never have a soul like the Fiat had. Haven’t driven a rice-burner since then.