Tag Archives: Fiat

Fiat

1965 Fiat 500 Jolly

Designed with resort towns in mind, the Fiat Jolly was built by Ghia in limited numbers as a response to a request by Fiat chairman, Gianni Agnelli. He wanted a small, lightweight car which he could transport on his boat for use in port towns and cities. With a chopped roof and wicker seats, it was rather remarkable that the Jolly cost almost double the price of a new 500. As a result, these cars were mainly popular with the jet set; a short list of Jolly owners included Aristottle Onassis, Yul Brenner, John Wayne, Grace Kelly and Mae West. Even US President Lyndon Johnson owned one. While they are purely a car with one purpose in mind, they have become quite collectable in recent times and always draw a crowd at auctions. This Jolly for sale in California was recently sold at Bonhams and Butterfields and has benefitted from a full restoration.

1965 Fiat 500 Jolly

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FIAT's Nuova 500, introduced in 1957, would prove to be an outstanding success for the company with some 2.9 million built. It spawned numerous variants, from sporting versions by Abarth to the ahead-of-its-time Giardiniera people carrier. Alternatives to the original were offered by many of Italy's finest carrozzeria, the best known of these being Ghia's stylish Jolly beach car, which transformed the 500 from basic transport to conspicuous indicator of wealth.

The origins of the Jolly can be traced to Fiat's own Chairman, playboy Gianni Agnelli, who wanted a tender for his yacht 'Agneta'. He commissioned Ghia to remove the remove the roof and doors and add a folding surrey top and wicker seats. Naturally, when Agnelli was seen driving his creation at popular Mediterranean ports, it became a must-have automotive accessory; famous Jolly owners included Aristotle Onassis, Grace Kelly and even Mae West. As redolent of la dolce vita Italy as the immortal Vespa scooter, the Jolly was quintessentially Italian. A small number of Jollies were based on the extended platform Giardiniera estate version of the 500, with the engine under the boot floor, affording a generous luggage area to carry your Louis Vuitton suitcases.

We acquired this Jolly Giardiniera from a broker who bought the car through Bonhams and Butterfields. According to them, the car was purchased in Italy by a Californian Italian ex-patriot and was thoroughly restored there over the past several years. Photos documenting the restoration show the Jolly completely stripped for paint in the attractive ivory color it wears today. Mechanical systems were refurbished as needed, including a rebuild of the engine and transmission.

The Giardiniera was in Italy as recently as November 2011, at which time it was certified in Torino by the Carrozzeria Ghia Club Italia; the homologation certificate and plaque is included. Additionally, in 2011 the Jolly was registered with the Registro Storico Fiat, and issued a plaque bearing its number in the Fiat Registry. An appraisal report in the file dated August 2012 describes the car as "performing with no operational malfunctions".

This exceptionally rare Giardiniera retains the Jolly's hallmark wicker seats and surrey fringe top, with the greater usability of the more practical Giardiniera body style – a model perfectly suited for that St. Barths beach house – or even on the decks of your yacht!

Offered with a California Title, I initially bought the car to use for a promotional event in Santa Barbara. While I buy and sell a high volume of European classics, I’m admittedly far from being an expert in Italian marques and I recommend that buyers do their own due diligence before bidding or purchasing on any car we have to offer. I’ll gladly forward all of the documentation that we have on the car upon request and welcome in-person inspections.

A Fiat Jolly will typically bring somewhere between $25,000 and $45,000 at auction. Given the documentation and condition, I'd suspect this car will wind up fetching somewhere around $35,000 for a high bid. These are perfect cars for someone wanting a little runabout for the beach who may not need full on four-wheel drive like that other popular beach car, the Jeep Wrangler. While it might seem pricey for a 500, you'd be hard pressed to garner this much attention with even a Ferrari or Lamborghini. Everyone will want to know what it is, so be ready with a little history lesson if you happen to be an owner of one of these vehicles.

-Paul

Fiat, Modern Classic

1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo

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Fiat was going through a bit of a renaissance in the 1990s, but few folks in the US were aware of this, given the company exited the market in 1982. While the decade didn't start off well, with two top executives in the company arrested for political corruption in 1992, the model lineup saw some characterful new models in the way of the Multipla MPV, Barchetta roadster and this car, the wedge shaped Coupe. Introduced in 1993, this was a departure from the more rounded, organic shapes emerging at the time. The car was penned by Chris Bangle, and the controversial BMW designs to come shine through in this car. Twin cam, four cylinder engines in 1.8 and 2.0 liter form were available, with turbocharging an option on the 2.0 liter engine. There was also a five cylinder engine available, also a 2.0 liter powerplant, that could be had normally aspirated or turbocharged, each engine featuring 20 valves.

This Coupe for sale in Ontario, Canada would more than likely cause headaches if would be US buyers tried to register it in their home state, but for Canadian buyers and those who might find a loophole in US regulations, it's a tempting and rare piece for anyone this side of the Atlantic.

1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo

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1996 Fiat Coupe 16V Turbo. One of a handful privately imported to North America. Currently registered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Qualifies for Hagerty Collector's Car Insurance Program. Premium is less that $200 per year. Perfect condition inside and out.

VIN number is ZFA175000P0029556

Ebay listing does not allow me to enter non North American VINs. See the photo for yourself.

US Buyers: Please check with your local DMV to see what it takes to register this vehicle in your state. I have clear Canadian, Province of Ontario Title in my name which I will provide with the sale. It is up to you to have it registered in your state.
Transport of the vehicle to Niagara Falls / Buffalo, NY US border can be arranged at an additional cost.

I like this Coupe, especially in yellow. It has a very late '90s flair about it and is as visually arresting as some of the most outrageous Ferraris. Given the rarity, the seller is certainly trying to make a mint, as $12,000 for a front-drive coupe from the period with almost 70,000 miles is a bit pricey. But, for someone who wants sharp styling from the house of Pininfarina styling on the cheap and a conversation piece, this is not a bad choice.

-Paul

Fiat

1966 Fiat 500 Moretti

Founded in 1925, the Moretti Motor Company was involved with the manufacturing of motorcycles and microcars over the years, along with some commercial vehicles during World War II. They would eventually stop producing cars of their own design in the 1950s, instead focusing on derivatives of popular Fiat models of the time. Other than the stubby wheelbase and the name, you would be hard pressed to figure out this 500 Moretti shares its architecture with the Cinquecento, the vehicle which put Italy on wheels after WWII.

1966 Fiat 500 Moretti

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Extremely rare car built by Moretti based on Fiat 500. Completely original. Two owners since new. Original matching engine. Sold new in Turin. Original registration plate and papers. Ready to enjoy on the road!

Less than 50 of these little couples were said to have ever been built, which is not surprising given Moretti's modest output when it came to other models. With no reserve, there is a lot of bidding interest, which is not surprising given this car's rarity. A 500 Moretti in similar condition sold at RM Auctions in 2006 for $7,150. Have values moved on much? Given the return of the Fiat 500 to the US market, along with what vintage Cinquecentos are selling for these days, I'd suspect this car will bring a bit more. It might not reach the levels of certain Abarth models, but if someone wanted to go vintage rallying, this would be amazing little piece to show up in.

-Paul

Fiat

1970 Fiat 850 Spider

It might be the middle of winter for us East Coasters out there, but if you're thinking about a convertible for the summer, this is the time to buy. If you want a lot of fun on a budget, the Fiat 850 is a great choice for those seeking al fresco motoring. Based on rear-engined, Fiat 850 mechanicals, the 850 Spider had styling by Bertone that set it apart from its larger 124 Spider sibling. This 850 Spider for sale in New York is an original car except for the new convertible top that was recently installed.

1970 Fiat 850 Spider

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They are Only Origianl Once! 1970 Fiat 850 Spider Bertone Edition Convertible. Imported by Fiat Roosevelt Motors Inc. Sold New by Fiat Free World of Manhattan

Two owners, garage kept
63,269 original miles,
Original paint, original interior
Original window sticker, original owner manual
4 cyl, 4-speed transmission
Everything works, never in an accident
Normal expectations of original paint with nicks scratches
Fun to drive
New top installed
Two new window regulators already installed
Doors sag, door latches need adjustment
Air cleaner repainted
Lower front both fenders metal breaks
New Interstate battery
Paint is believed to be original as I see no over spray anywhere
Small minor dent passenger rear quarter

Look at the pictures carefully, for a northeast Fiat it is solid. There are areas in the floor sheet metal with rust on either side see the pictures. Really NOT TOO BAD for a Fiat of this year and it is in original condition. This sporty two-seater Fiat was designed and built by Bertone, the same Italian company that has built cars for Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Fiat, Lamborghini, Mercedes Benz, and many more!

For an 850 Spider out of New York, this has survived remarkably well. I really like the fact that this looks like an honest car, rust showing where you'd suspect, but not being too out of control. The asking price for this car isn't way over the top, but if you could have the seller knock about $1,000 off, it would be a good deal for summer motoring on the cheap.

-Paul

Uncategorized

1953 Cisitalia 33DF Voloradente

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Known for being one of the first seven automotive designs honored by New York's Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Cisitalia 202 has long since epitomized the pinnacle of Italian design. It was also a revolutionary exercise in style, as the fenders, headlights and hood were all integrated into one smooth, flowing shape. While the 202 is the most well known of the Cisitalias, its successor wasn't as famous. Based on Fiat 1100 mechanicals, the 33DF Voloradente, or "low flying" in Italian, was capable of a 105 mph top speed, which was quite a feat for a four cylinder engine at the time. About fourteen or fifteen of these cars were ever produced, with five of them being aluminum bodied. This 33DF for sale in The Netherlands is one of those five.

1953 Cisitalia 33DF Voloradente

This car was driven by the 1971 Monte Carlo Rally champion for about 20 years. Only 5 of these aluminum versions were made. When Cisitalia intended to create a successor to their immensely successful 202 series Berlinetta it was not difficult to decide to use the brilliant Fiat 1100 ‘103’ series running gear as a basis for their new concept car. This reliable engine has a rich postwar automotive racing history as it was used in several small capacity competition classes: in saloon car racing and rallying the Fiat 1100 TV showed great potential, in GT and sports car racing it was often the basis of many Italian racing specials constructed by Stanguellini, Cisitalia, Nardi, Moretti and others. Even in the illustrious Formula Junior category it was the technology of choice as applied by Stanguellini, Volpini, Taraschi, OSCA and many other Italian racing car constructors!

As early as 1953 Cisitalia presented this 33DF Volo Radente, which means in translation more or less a 'sharp flight.' It was intended as a ‘Berlinetta da Corsa’ in the small capacity class of the early and mid fifties. Probably not more than 20 examples of various versions were constructed over the years. The responsible designer was Aldo Brovarone. With its small capacity engine it did 170 km/hr, an amazing performance for a comfortable coupe with an engine based on an 1100 cc four cylinder unit! But it was not only the speed that put it in a class of its own, also the brakes and suspension excelled assuring a perfect balance with a very sporty and almost unbeatable road behavior in its class, fully supporting the special name ‘Volo Radente’! The coachwork was quite advanced in 1953 giving ample space and lots of light inside the car using unusually large windows. Some interesting design features of the early Abarth 205/A Berlinetta were incorporated, like the large wrap around rear window, most unusual at that time. The luxurious appointed interior gave the driver and the passenger a feeling of sporty luxury, synonymous for the high quality associated with Cisitalia.

The racy 33DF was followed by the 35DF and finally the more luxurious and less sporty appointed 36 DF of which only a few examples were built before Cisitalia ceased production. Chassis number 00510 has a 1084 cc engine with two downdraft Weber carburetors, linked to the strong Fiat 4 speed gearbox with sporty floor shift. Valves, pistons, camshaft and porting have been reworked. The coachwork is made of all aluminum and also designed by Brovarone. The car is on alloy rimmed Borrani wire wheels and equipped with specially made alloy ventilated drum brakes.

The history of 00510 is fully known since its ‘birth’ and already as early as 1972 the well known 'Automotoclub Storico Italiano' (ASI) registered the car as a historical vehicle. On the early ASI papers the car is described with a total weight of 880 kg, including petrol and spare wheel. At that time it was owned by Felice Marchese of Voghera, Italy, the Rally Monte Carlo winner of 1971. Still on its original ‘black plate’ Italian number plates 326073 Mi chassis number 00510 is one of the very few surviving examples of this historically significant car.

Over the many years of its life it was entered in rally and hill climb competition. Sundry photos and documents show the car as early as 1976 in major Italian and Swiss historic events. The car performed extremely well, often making the magazine and even newspapers headlines. Quite a few original newspaper clippings witness this. Known drivers are Introzzi, Ganoglio and the mentioned Felice Marchese. Mr. Marchese owned the car for several decades, actually until his death. Later the car was the property of Gabriella Marchese and/or the son.

In recent years the car underwent a thorough body-off restoration in Italy. With the preservation of the original details the car was restored with great care and can now be considered to be one of the very few remaining 33DF’s in the world, ready for about any historic automobile event in the world, including the Mille Miglia where it will be a serious contender, feeling perfectly at home on the straights and on the twisty mountain roads! Asking price €190,000

Any time a manufacturer gets one of its cars exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, you know it's going to reflect favorably on the brand. Add into that the rarity factor we have going on here, and you have a car worth more than some of the priciest Abarths out there. This very Cisitalia was sold last year at Retromobile for €148,920 and was curiously advertised then as a 1954 model. It appears from my research that in fact it is a 1954 model according to the serial number and that the seller has misadvertised the vehicle. In less than one year, could such an obscure classic appreciate more than €50,000? In this market, probably not.

-Paul

Fiat

1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato

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While they are small, the Abarth 750 Zagato "Double Bubble" coupe is rather mighty. These cars collected numerous victories on the track, everywhere from the famed Mille Miglia to the 12 Hours of Sebring. While its 750cc inline four cylinder engine with 48 horsepower might not seem like much, its lightweight and diminutive size more than made up for it. This 750 Zagato for sale in Connecticut has a race history behind it and wouldn't be a car you'd be afraid to use regularly in vintage racing.

1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato

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1959 Fiat Abarth 750 Zagato Double Bubble Coupe. Runs and drives well. Has an extensive VSCCA race history. She has a Race Car paint job. Looks good from a distance, but nothing flash up close. Ideal for the track. I love these door handles.
Push the button, pull the handle. VSCCA Safety Inspection (scrutineering) Stickers. One for every race. A couple of things to note:

1. The seats are period, but not original. They come up on eBay occasionally.
2. The engine is correct, but not matching number. Not uncommon for a race car.

The paint is ideal for an old race car. The floors are original and in very good condition. Optional auxiliary radiator.

As we mentioned with the last Abarth 750 featured, good examples will run you around $80,000 to $100,000. Since this one is a bit rough, but nonetheless complete, I'd suspect somewhere between $65,000 to $75,000 might be a good estimate for its worth. As it sits, the patina on this car is great and a departure from the over restored examples you tend to see at auction. Let's hope the new owner keeps on racing it as originally intended.

-Paul

Fiat

1982 Fiat Spider 2000

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We've featured a lot of Alfa Romeo Spiders in the past few months, so I felt it was about time to take a look at that other popular Italian roadster, the Fiat 124 Spider. This car had an equally long life, lasting in production from 1966 to 1985. Fiat would not have another roadster in their lineup until the Barchetta came along in 1995. This 1982 Spider for sale in Georgia looks decidedly rich in with its dark green paintwork over tan interior.

1982 Fiat Spider 2000

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Beautifully restored, dark green metallic, 5-speed, 1982 Fiat Spider 2000 Pininfarina with only 97,250 miles! Gorgeous Italian roadster ready to be driven and enjoyed.

If you would love to have a great little roadster for some top down, sun in your face, wind in your hair motoring then the Fiat Spider is an excellent choice! Produced almost exclusively for the North American market, although sold occasionally in some European Countries, the Fiat 124/Spider is becoming a very sought after roadster among car enthusiasts looking for an affordable collectible sports car that can be driven and enjoyed as well as make a great investment. Designed by Italian stylist and coach builder Pininfarina the Fiat 124/Spider rivaled the MGB and Alfa Spyder as the worlds longest running sports car. In 1982 Pininfarina, who had always assembled the bodies since production began in 1966, took over sole responsibility for the entire assembly, distribution and marketing of the car. 1982 was the last year that wore the Fiat Badge. Many collectors I have spoken with have indicated that the most desirable models are the fuel injected models which began in 1980.

This particular 1982 Fiat Spider 2000 has lived a very pampered life and is believed to have had just 3 owners prior to us. We were told the car was originally owned by some folks from Alabama who moved to Kentucky and owned the car until 2004. At that time the car had about 75,000 miles on it. It was sold to a Fiat and Lancia enthusiast in West Virginia in 2004. This gentleman decided to do what he called a Level 1 restoration in 2005. I spoke with him and he said the body was virtually rust free and was completely stripped down and treated to a very high quality, professional paint job in the original color. The interior and top were completely redone and the drivetrain was gone through and rebuilt where needed.

According to him he spent close to $20,000 during the restoration process and what resulted was a show winning, spectacular little Fiat Spider 2000. He told me the local Fiat/Lancia club asked him to stop bringing it to the shows after a few years so that someone else could win first place. He drove and enjoyed the car for about 7 years before selling it to the 3rd owner who was from Canada but also lived in Florida part of the year where he stored this Fiat. He had several cars in Florida and while he had plenty of fun with the car during his one year of ownership, he decided it was time to let it go to the next lucky owner....maybe you! The Fiat now has just under 98,700 miles on it and while it is not perfect, it still turns plenty of heads and is an absolute blast to drive. chances are it will still take home its share of trophies if that is what you enjoy. I will do my best to provide enough large images, a video of the car running, and an honest description to allow you to decide if this great little Fiat Spider 2000 belongs in your garage. What a great way to bring in 2013, a great investment in a classic sports car that you can truly drive and enjoy!

As I mentioned this Spider was treated to a very extensive restoration about 8 years ago and it has held up beautifully. I took the pictures of this roadster on 2 different days, so you will notice that in some of the pics you can see the glittering green metallic body as it sparkles in the bright sun, and in others it takes on a deeper dark green tone on an overcast day. The body on this Fiat is completely rust free and rock solid. I believe it has all of its original body panels and I do not see any evidence of any accidents or body work. Body panels are very straight and the body panel fit appears as good as factory fit. Bumpers, chrome trim and rubber looks excellent overall with only minor signs of aging. The paint has held up beautifully and other then a few tiny chips that have been touched up it is still very show worthy!

The level one restoration that was performed 8 years ago also included a complete restoration of the tan interior and convertible top. A brand new, high quality canvas top was installed and still looks almost brand new. Rear window is still very clear with just a few small marks on it. I recommend you the drop top whenever possible and it is a simple and quick, one person, operation. Once down the tan boot cover goes on easily. The tan leather interior is a beautiful compliment to the dark green metallic exterior. Door panels and seat covers are in fantastic condition with one small mark on the passenger seat. The wood dash and console trim was changed to a very cool looking tiger eye wood look. The dash pad is in great shape overall with just 2 small cracks by the defroster vents which is quite common. The original steering wheel is showing some wear and age to the chrome spokes but still presents itself well. An aftermarket Am/Fm/CD stereo was neatly added and a cd changer is located in the trunk with speakers mounted in the kick panels. All of the gauges, lights and turn signals appear to be working correctly with the exception of the oil pressure gauge which is not currently working.

I had the pleasure of driving this sweet Fiat roadster about 30 miles recently and can testify that it truly drives as good as it looks and is also just as fun to drive as it is to look at! Hopefully you will agree that this is a sweet looking 1982 Fiat Spider 2000! If you live in a warm climate then you will be able to drop the top and enjoy this roadster the day it arrives. If not, you can store this beauty away this winter and be ready for that first day of spring with an amazing little convertible. Either way you will be making a great choice and investment for 2013!

My father owned a 1968 124 Spider before I was born and even years later when I was growing up, I'd hear horror stories about that car and its electrical problems. That's not enough to deter me from one of these machines, though. I'd probably opt for an Alfa Romeo Spider first, but the 124 runs a close second when it comes to which affordable Italian roadster I'd pick for my stable. The best 124 Spiders of this vintage might bring $14,000 to $17,000. Solid drivers with no mechanical faults and decent cosmetics hover in the $8,000 to $12,000 range. As such, this car will probably bring somewhere around $10,000 to $12,000, if the reserve is reasonable.

-Paul

Fiat

1971 Fiat 124S Estate

The Fiat 124 is one of the icons in Fiat history, immortalized as a car that put much of the developing world on wheels via licensure to companies such as FSO, Lada and Tofas. Millions of these compact sedans were produced by Fiat from 1966 to 1974, with many more to follow via the companies to whom the design was licensed. While most of the 124s made were four-door sedans, Fiat did produce an estate version for those in need of a bit more utility. These versions are nearly gone from the US landscape, so this 124S estate for sale in California is a pleasant surprise, especially as it is used daily by its owner.

1971 Fiat 124S Estate

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Alright Fiat freaks! Here's a super rare, vintage 1971 124 wagon, or if we were in Europe, an estate. Has all the options checked above plus new clutch disc, pressure plate and bearing, good tires, custom LED tail lights (repairable originals included with good lenses), 10 foot paint, mileage is unknown due to speedo not working. All lights are functional and the two speed heater works well too. However, the controls don't seem to deliver warmth, possibly a loose cable. Rust free, accident free, smoke free, pet free, dolphin safe (lol).

I drive this car daily and its a blast. Thumbs up all day long. I have noticed, however, the brake master cylinder getting air, so it will need to be replaced. Has new DMV registration, doesn't need to be smogged, ever (in CA). I was planning to swap to a 2.0 liter twin cam, twin weber and 5-speed into it. But, alas, my financial situation forces the sale. I'm already regretting this but it has to be done.

At almost $10,000, I tend to doubt this Fiat will move quickly, even considering how rare it is. If it was a show quality car, I might be able to see it, but this car has had some modifications and has been repainted at some point down the line, as evidenced from the differing color in the door jambs and under the hood. That being said, this is probably a $4,000 to $6,000 car at the maximum.

-Paul

Fiat

1970 Fiat 850 Spider

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Since we're talking about cheap motoring thrills this weekend at CICFS, how about this Fiat 850 Spider? Overshadowed by its larger sibling, the 124 Spider and eclipsed in popularity by the Alfa Romeo 105/115 Spider, the 850 does have its merits. Based on the Fiat 850 which was itself an evolution of the Fiat 600, the 850 Spider offers a unique driving experience with its rear engine layout and diminutive size. This car for sale in Oregon is good quality driver that you wouldn't be afraid to use and enjoy on a regular basis.

1970 Fiat 850 Spider

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Very nice car. Purchased in San Diego in 2005, trailered to Portland OR. Driven daily for the first couple of years, but lately its been driven only in the summer and garaged all winter. Newly-plated Abarth header and muffler give it a nice throaty sound. Factory hardtop was taken down to metal and painted. A new hew headliner was installed at a local upholstery shop. New dashboard installed and dash rewired, but within a month it developed two cracks (pictured). Very reliable daily driver. New tires and battery, rebuilt carburetor, new master cylinder. Handles nicely. Maintained in Portland by a local shop whose owner used to race vintage Fiats.

Miscellaneous maintenance and improvements made over the last few years. Two spots of rust on the body, each about two inches in diameter. I had the trunk lid taken down to metal, a rust spot removed, then repainted. But it came back within a year. There is also a small bubble of paint at the bottom of the passenger door (pictured). Also, each seat has a two-inch separation of a seam (pictured). Entire bottom edge of car has undercoating treatment. Selling because I have too many vehicles and am self-funding a new business.

Fiat 850 Spiders in good nick will average between $5,000 and $10,000, so at $5,000, this is not a bad deal for what you are getting. While it has some flaws, they are mainly cosmetic and nothing that would be too difficult or expensive to fix. I've never paid much attention to these rear engined runabouts, but I think it's about time that enthusiasts wake up to just how much Italian fun a little bit of money can buy them.

-Paul

Fiat, Revisit

1983 Fiat Ritmo 130TC Abarth – REVISIT

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The Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC we featured in the summer is back up for sale with no reserve. While it is rare, I doubt the sale price will come close to the $23,500 the owner was seeking a few months ago:

1983 Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC on eBay - REVISIT

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The below post originally appeared on our site July 2, 2012:

Hot hatches were all the rage in the 1980s and Fiat's answer to the GTI was a series of hot Ritmos (known as the Strada in the US) tuned by Abarth. The final evolution in the Ritmo Abarth saga, the 130TC, packed a 2.0 liter twin cam, dual carb four cylinder engine capable of 128 horsepower. We've featured two 130TCs here at CICFS already, but this is the first one that has appeared on US shores, making it attractive for Abarth fans who want something just a little different than the 500 Abarth currently being offered by the company today.

1983 Fiat Ritmo 130TC Abarth

Fiat Ritmo Abarth 130TC (2 liters), 5-speed. VIN : ZFA138A0002968221. 1983 model, 69,000 miles, very good condition. No dents or dings, see pictures. Like new! Had no major accidents, original Recaro seats (optional). Perfect interior, all original. Two owners from new. Drives fantastic. Top speed 195 km/h (121 mph). 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph): 7.6 seconds. The car has a Florida title, imported from Europe in 2012.

In 1984 Fiat released the final production model of the Ritmo, the 130 TC Abarth. The car is based on the Ritmo 2 body, but contains exciting modifications. Abarth modifications to suspension and engine gave this car ample quantities of both acceleration and handling. The 125TC (130TC predecessor based on Ritmo 1 shell) won the 1982 Italian Group A Championship. The Ritmo 130TC was with Group N rallying in mind, and when released in 1984, was the quickest production hatch available.

The Ritmo 130TC was produced between 1984 - 1988 , developed 130 bhp at 5900 rpm, and could sprint to 100kmh in just under 8 seconds. This car had a very firm ride that some people would have found uncomfortable. The optional Recaro seats look the business but lack lumbar and under thigh support. They do offer good lateral support while cornering . One cannot help but wonder what the 131 Rally's 16 valve head may have added to this already impressive equation.

The last 130TC we featured for sale was priced at about $11,000, and that was located in Italy. Is $23,500 the price of unobtanium these days? For this Fiat, I doubt it. While it is certainly in good shape and quite possibly the only example of its kind in the US, that doesn't necessitate such a huge markup. It seems the seller is hoping to recoup the shipping and importation costs while making a tidy profit. With a market for a car this small, this price is just way too out of the ballpark.

-Paul