In a perfect world, the 164 LS would exist only in the domain of white-haired men over 70 who wear scarves like a priest's stole over their overcoat and enjoy classical music with their drives. In reality, the 164 LS is adored by dorks like us who wish they gave off that aura.
We will ignore our stubborn insistence on manual transmissions for the sake of this example, because other than the auto trans, it is a perfect 164 LS spec to us. A 1994 model would be non-EGR, which makes service slightly easier. The green exterior over tan interior is one of our favorite color combinations, and anyone who hasn't experienced the leather on a 164 owes it themselves to check it out - it's seriously nice leather for a mass-produced sedan. Euro headlights and the wood steering wheel are nice (expensive) additions that we really like to see.
At one point, we owned a GTV-6. Black on black cloth, ridiculous 17" wheels, transaxle and DeDion sitting next to the car, rusty but no rot. Bought at a decent price, but never got around to getting it on the road. Part of that was a lack of commitment to making new hydraulic lines, and part of it was the fact that we needed garage space, having sacrificed work and storage space to that GTV-6 and an Alfetta project for too long. Our Milano Verde, with its acquired taste styling, checks many of the same boxes as a GTV-6, but as a friend with five GTV-6's will tell you, the sense of occasion is much stronger in the Giugiaro coupe version of the Alfa transaxle platform.
The GTV-6 was offered in the US from 1981 to 1985, with the 84-85 cars being most desirable to most due to their incorporation of many Milano upgrades. Those later cars got thicker Milano sway bars, longer sway bars to match the Milano (meaning heavy duty Milano bars can be swapped in), and the isostatic shift linkage from the Milano. They also featured the same 4.10 rear end as the 84-85 cars. In contrast, this 1982 model would utilize Alfetta torsion bars and sway bars and a 3.42 rear axle ratio. The seats are Alfetta-style, which is not necessarily a bad thing, as they are quite stylish, if a little bit less supportive.
Ferraris can be tough to pull off. Ferrari tributes? The Fiero conversions are beyond reproach. But, how do we feel when things get closer to home? Last week, we saw an Alfa Romeo Milano Verde with a "Friends of Ferrari" plaque on the dashboard, and it just seemed excessive. Today's Abarth 695 Tribute Ferrari? It's a lot if you own a Ferrari, and it's a lot if you don't.
The Fiat Coupé fits squarely in the center of one of our favorite categories of European cars, but we don't really have a good name for it. The Audi TT, Alfa Romeo Brera, and to some extent, the BMW Z3 all join the Coupé in a group of small coupes and roadsters that place a major emphasis on style without feeling a need to maximize performance.
We've said it before, and we think it bears repeating: most driving on the street is substantially below the grip limit of a given vehicle, and most street driving inputs do not require perfect body control or steering feel. A car designed to perform well in everyday driving can be more satisfying to drive on the street than a car set up for ultimate performance. So, we really find nothing wrong with these styling statement coupes, where some turbo lag and uncontrolled body motion might accompany more aggressive driving.
We are not serious drivers here at CICFS. We enjoy driving on the track enough to visit once a year, and for us that is plenty. It seems that every spring when the Alfa Romeo Owners' Club track day is approaching, we have some sort of tricky issue with our Milano that has us rushing to get the car track-ready. And every time that happens, we joke about just bringing the Maserati to the track.
Now, one of these years when the tires on the Maser are due for replacement, we'll make it onto the track. We're in no rush though. The Coupe is an odd car to bin into any single category. It's certainly not a sports car, lacks the power of a muscle car, and it doesn't ride well enough to be a useful GT. It's probably best described as a sports sedan with two doors, then. In any case, it doesn't beg to be driven fast, but with the willing V8 underhood and the beefy manual transaxle between the rear seats, it would certainly be enjoyable to drive at speed.
The typical eBay hunt for Alfas starts by sorting from old to new, and often, sorting by manual transmissions only as well. Automatics are acceptable in two circumstances - with Milanos, because an automatic rear transaxle is too weird to ignore, and on 164s, because according to many, they fit the character of the car very well. Not our first choice, but we can how some might enjoy it. Now, when scrolling through the prospects, there is a distinctive split between 1995 and 2016 where Alfa pulled away from the North American market. It's right at that split that we find the most special 164, the 164 Q.
The 164 platform makes no case for itself on paper - FWD, mid-size, shared with Fiat, Saab, and Lancia - and yet on the road it is one of the most engaging sedans we've driven. Power is available early in all models, the steering is direct and responsive, and the ride is firm but capable of handling potholes. The 164Q improves on the basis of the 164 with a 232bhp 24V version of the Busso V6 and electronically controlled dampers. The dampers we could do without - they're getting difficult to source these days - but the extra maintenance requirements of the 24V V6 are justified by the impressive acceleration. Merging onto the interstate in a 24V 164, you will be tempted to wring out 3rd, if not 4th gear.
We've seen it before with Trabants and Isettas and it's no different here with the Piaggio Ape: austerity transportation, which is associated with hard times for those for whom it was the only transportation available, is so much more appealing viewed through rose-tinted glasses. Simple, thoughtful designs require only small updates over the years, which is why the 1990 Ape bears a great resemblance to the 1964 original cab-model.
The Ape 50 could take on a ~400lb payload, and to this day can be found moving bread and pizza around narrow European streets. Another common use is in the municipal vehicle setting - transporting garbage, road repair workers, and more. In developing markets, the Ape find even further uses.
The Ferrari 456 is one of the cars that doesn't appear too often on this site out of what is admittedly a conflict of interest. Despite the fact that we aren't in a position to make a move on any of these late 90s 2+2s, we still try to avoid drumming up any interest in them, with the hopes of keeping the values sane for the day when we do finally make a move on one. And if we were to move in on one? It would be identical to this example.
Finished in a reserved Blu Pozzi deep blue paint, this Ferrari 456M GT is loud on the inside with its light blue Poltrona Frau leather interior. No shields adorn the fenders, and the wheel center cap shields are painted to match the wheels rather than stand out. It's a 456 first, and a Ferrari second, as far as we are concerned.
Our 1984 VW GTI is still unmatched among all of the cars we've owned. A German hot hatch in a sharp Giugiaro suit, ours was a US model built in Pennsylvania. We drove it clear across the country with a 90hp under the hood and a trunk full of tools.
We aim to keep on theme with the whole Italian car thing, so instead of sharing a GTI, let's take a look at this 1980 Autobianchi A112 Abarth. A supermini with more in common with the VW Polo than the Golf GTI, the A112 relies on a 70hp 1050cc four to hurl it down the road.
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Year: 1980 Model: Autobianchi A112 Abarth Engine: 1050cc 4-cylinder Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 19,398 Price: $24,999 Location: San Lorenzo, CA
I'm selling my 1983 Autobianchi Abarth with only 19000km (11000 miles)! This car is still like new! These car had great success from 1971-86 in Hill Climbs and Rallies. This example is the last and most desirable series A112 produced. It has a 5-speed manual gearbox. Power was increased from 58hp stock to 70hp stock in the Abarth trim as shown. The car has a special Ferrari ANSA muffler exhaust system and special, rare Campagnolo alloy wheels made famous on Lamborghinis and other super cars of the day. This car runs exceptionally well and is very peppy and quick and a joy to drive. This car has it's original engine and is matching numbers. The black, original paint looks great and there is absolutely zero rust or corrosion anywhere. It has always been stored in an indoor collection that was inland and away from the ocean. The upholstery is all-original and in exceptional condition for being almost 40 years old. There are no rips, tears or stains and it has never been smoked in which is extremely rare for an Italian car! The car was brought in to Long Beach, CA from Italy in 2018 as a Fiat since these car were never offered in the United States. This car is sold with a clean, Montana title and is currently located in the San Francisco Bay Area in California. The glass is all-original, the rubber and plastics are in near perfect condition. The tires are new and a recent tune-up was just preformed. It has won "Best In Show" at several local car shows. This car needs nothing but a new owner. A beautiful example to add to your collection. I can assist with shipping worldwide from the Port of Oakland and it is able to re-enter Europe with no problem being that it has already been cleared through customs less than two years ago. It's only $1300 to Rotterdam and about the same on an open carrier to the East Coast. This is your chance to own and extremely rare and collectible car. One that you will probably never see again in the states. There are a lot more pictures available on request of this beautiful Italian machine! Please take a minute to click on the video links and see this car in action! This is an AS-IS sale with NO Warranty expressed or implied. Good luck and thanks for looking!
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US buyers will have their work cut out for them when it comes to servicing, even if they take it upon themselves to keep the vehicle on the road. The lack of Autobianchi parts in the US will hurt to begin with, but the Abarth-specific parts will really prove difficult to source.
We can't get on board with the price, though we haven't driven one, so what do we know? Sound and fury of the Abarth grade aren't readily available in the US, so maybe the seller is onto something. For those deterred by the large ask, nabbing a clean MK1 GTI wouldn't be the largest betrayal of classic Italian enthusiasm.
633cc to move 6 passengers; 105.5cc and not even 4hp per passenger. Good for a top speed of 57mph. The problem is, steady state motoring requires substantially less power than getting up to speed. Yes, the Multipla will cruise along at 57mph, but expect to invest ~45 seconds to reach that speed.
We're open to the adventure. Cars today provide a surplus of power that is useful for getting up to speed on an onramp or making a quick turn in front of traffic. It's fun to drive a car with some extra power, and the horsepower rating surely helps move cars from the dealer lots. But, postwar cars in Italy used just enough raw material to meet the performance requirements. We are trying to avoid looking at a difficult economic period with rose-tinted glasses, as we imagine many folks from this time period didn't romanticize the austerity, but here we are, marveling at how little power it really takes to move a car down the road.
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Year: 1957 Model: Fiat 600 Multipla Engine: 633cc 4-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed manual Mileage: 22,432 mi Price: $26,500 Location: Glendale, CA
This vehicle has a clear Arizona title. If you need to get a CA title for this vehicle, I can help you with that for an additional fee.
1957 FIAT 600 MULTIPLA
The Fiat 600 (Italian: Seicento, pronounced [sitnto]) is a rear-engine, water-cooled city car, manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1955 to 1969 - offered in two-door sedan and four-door mini-MPV body styles. The Fiat 600 Multipla was a four-door MPV based on the Fiat 600's drivetrain and Fiat 1100 front suspensions, that sat up to six people in a footprint just 50 cm (19.7 in) longer than the original Mini Cooper and on the same 2 m (78.7 in) wheelbase as the 600 saloon.
HERE WE HAVE A VERY CLEAN AND ORIGINAL FIAT 600 MULTIPLA WITH 22,432 ORIGINAL MILES. THIS MULTIPLA IS A NUMBERS MATCHING CAR AND EVERYTHING IS ORIGINAL EXCEPT FOR THE EXTERIOR PAINT THAT WAS DONE A FEW YEARS AGO. BODY IS VERY SOLID AND STRAIGHT WITH NO RUST OR BONDO. UNDERCARRIAGE IS DRY AND CLEAN. ORIGINAL GLASS AND CHROME ARE GREAT. THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION, ARE VERY HEALTHY AND UNTOUCHED. THIS FIAT MULTIPLA RUNS STRONG, SHIFTS AND STOPS GREAT. THE INTERIOR IS COMPLETE AND LOOKS GREAT. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A FIAT 600 MULTIPLA THAT HAS NOT BEEN MESSED WITH HERE IS YOUR CHANCE
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This sure seems to be a dry and straight survivor, with low mileage to boot. Mechanically basic, it shouldn't be a challenge to maintain either. While the smaller Fiats utilized air to cool their engines, the water-cooled 4-cylinder in this Multipla shouldn't struggle too much to shed heat under load, lack of airflow to the rear-mounted radiator notwithstanding.
We'd love to see someone buy this thing and drive the wheels off of it. Load it up with passengers and putt around town. Shuttle to the junkyard and load up on Italian spares. Drop the kids off at school. The simplicity and lack of frills juxtapose nicely with the funky color palette, oddball styling, and classic Italian attitude. Quite the sweet spot, if you ask us.
