Tag Archives: Pininfarina

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

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

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The end of the 105/115 Series Alfa Romeo Spider came in 1994. This was a rather somber occasion, not just because it marked the end of a production run spanning four decades, but Alfa Romeo's exit from the US market would come one year later. For its final year, Alfa Romeo introduced the CE, or Commemorative Edition, of which only 190 were produced. Included in the package was a special badge on the nose, CE badging on the rear, gold center caps on the wheels and burl wood interior trim. These CE Spiders don't come up for sale all too often, so this one on offer in Florida represents an opportunity to get the Spider in its ultimate form.

1994 Alfa Romeo Spider Commemorative Edition

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This is an absolutely beautiful, Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce CE, Folio Green. The car is number 164 of 190 produced for 1994 the last year Alfa Spiders were imported into the usa. These special models have serialized dash plaques, gold wheel cap centers, wood shift knobs and wood door panels. The Commemorative Edition are becoming very collectable and almost impossible to find. Just think about this, there were thousands of spiders produced every year before 1994 but only 190 the final year. I believe this is the only CE advertised for sale in the entire USA.

The rear window and top are perfect, as is the tan top boot cover. All of the accessories work, including the air conditioning. Just under 57,000 miles. Books and manuals present. Drives absolutely perfect. No shakes, rattles or anything else out of the ordinary. Paint is exceptional Interior is as nice as the exterior. Tan leather and suede seats are near perfect. All of the gauges work as they should. No warning lights. Mechanically, the car is outstanding . It starts immediately warm or cold. Valve train is quiet with no excessive ticking. Oil pressure is good. No smoking whatsoever. The car revs freely and feels good as you row through the gears. which change easily with no grinding or hang ups in any gear. All 4 wheels are unmarred and the tires have 90% tread left. Car has the original Alfa Romeo radio.

The series 4 spiders (1991-1994) are the last and arguably the best produced. If you are looking for a truly special Alfa Spider look no further this is the car that will give its new owner much joy with stunning looks, fun to drive characteristics and will surely appreciate over time. Whether you are driving through winding roads or down to the beach motoring pleasure awaits you. I also have 2 low mileage 1991 spiders for sale a red/tan and silver/tan.

Prices for good, Series 4 Spiders seem to be creeping up slowly, and the CE will certainly be a favorite of many collectors for years to come. At almost $20,000, I think we are shooting for the moon here a bit. If this car had under 40,000 miles we might edge close to that figure, but as is, we're probably somewhere around $15,000 in terms of a realistic number to place on this car.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1986 Ferrari 328GTS

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Similar to the Countach we featured yesterday, the 1970s begat some Italian sports cars that became icons of the 1980s. Along with cut sweatshirts, Italo Disco and Nintendo, the Ferrari 328GTS defined an era of fast living. Introduced in 1986, this was a revision of the 308 with a 3.2 liter V8 pumping out 270 horsepower. Most 328s you see are painted in Rosso Corsa, so this 328GTS for sale in Florida painted in Azzuro Blue stands out a bit.

1986 Ferrari 328GTS

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Unfortunately, the seller doesn't provide much detail about this car other than basic specs. Prices for the 328GTS tend to range from $30,000 to $50,000. At this asking price, I'd expect a bit more color on the provenance of this car, namely what servicing has been carried out, as almost 50,000 on a Ferrari of this vintage is no mean feat. Also, the color may do it no favors when it comes to resale value, as collectors tend to prefer the usual black, red or yellow. Still, it's always neat to see these popular sports cars in a color other than red.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto

The 1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto featured at the beginning of December has been relisted with a Buy it Now price of $33,000. Previously, the car had not met its reserve at $25,300:

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto on eBay - REVISIT

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The below post originally appeared on our site December 10, 2012:

As time progresses, new cars appear more and more similar, losing a lot of their character that made them instantly recognizable years ago. When talking about character, few manufacturers have successfully expressed emotion through design more successfully than Alfa Romeo. One of their most celebrated designs is the 105/115 Series Spider, and this is where that car got its start, with the Duetto. Impossibly beautiful, this Duetto for sale in Seattle looks stunning in blue with the two tone black and tan interior.

1968 Alfa Romeo 1300 Junior Spider Duetto

The Alfa Romeo Spider (105/115 series) is a roadster produced by the Italian manufacturer Alfa Romeo from 1966 to 1993. Widely regarded as a design classic, it remained in production for almost three decades with only minor aesthetic and mechanical changes. The three first series were assembled by Pininfarina in Grugliasco and the fourth series in San Giorgio Canavese. The last Spider was produced in April 1993, it was also the last rear wheel drive Alfa Romeo produced before Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was introduced.

The Italian firm of Pininfarina was responsible for the design of the body; in fact, the Duetto was the last project with which founder Battista "Pinin" Farina was personally associated. Franco Martinengo was the Design Director at Pininfarina at that time. Pininfarina were also responsible for the manufacture of the vehicle's monocoque construction (designed with the relatively new principles of crumple zones incorporated into the front and rear).

A new Spider 1300 Junior, with a 1290 cc engine producing 89 hp (66 kW), was introduced in 1968. The Junior version had black-coloured lower front bumper Due to its round (or long) tail, the Series 1 Spider is sometimes known by the nickname of "Osso di Seppia" - Italian for "cuttlefish bone". This particular car was similar to the model featured in the 1967 movie The Graduate, driven by Ben(Dustin Hoffman), the character.

Our beautiful Duetto 1300 Junior has been restored with new deep blue paint, new black top and interior. The interior upholstery was wonderfully done with great fitment and all floor mats are fitted well. The rear trunk mat is in great shape as well as spare tire and jack. The car runs and drives beautifully. The brakes are solid and transmission shifts well. It has just been gone through by Italian car Master Jim Simpson. A few of the exterior trim pieces have a small ding and there are a couple of rock chips in the windshield, but failing that, this car is near concours as a driver quality car. Solid as a rock, the underside is as clean as the interior and paint. It drives as well as it looks. You will be hard pressed to find a nicer, more complete example of the hard to find Duetto.

Duettos of this caliber are typically bringing between $25,000 and $30,000 these days. If this one could be had for under $30,000, it would be well bought.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1999 Ferrari F550 Maranello

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It's true, we just featured an F550 Maranello on Christmas Day, but I can never get enough of this grand touring machine from the town where it gets its name. This silver F550 for sale in California is pushing 40,000 miles and is being sold at a price that is getting closer and closer to reality for some collectors.

1999 Ferrari F550 Maranello

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1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello. Argento Nurburgring (Silver Metallic) with Black Power Daytona Seats. Scuderia Shields, red brake calipers, 6-Disc CD changer, remote keyless entry, Tubi exhaust (smog legal), two California owners, books, tools and full records (back to new). Excellent service history. Major Service Including Timing Belts and New Brakes 47 Miles Ago (August 2012). No accidents, clean Carfax.

Notes: As you probably know, the interiors of this model do not age well. The dash in this car was redone once. It is in good shape today, but has some shrinkage above the gauge binnacle and on the passenger air bag cover. The interior switches, which get sticky, have been fixed or replaced as needed. Overall, the interior shows some wear and is a 7 out of 10. For this era of Ferrari, that's pretty good.

The fact that this car has had a recent service is huge and goes a long way towards justifying the seller's price. I like these F550s in silver, but a red leather interior would make a car like this pop more, even if it already has a V12 and impressive performance figures.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1998 Ferrari F550 Maranello

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What better a vehicle to feature for Christmas than a red Ferrari? Of all the Ferraris from the last twenty years, the F550 is the one that I would want to see under my tree for the holidays, offering modern performance in a classic front-engined, rear-drive setup. In classic Rosso Corsa, this F550 for sale in California has done 20,000 miles and is a stunning example of a period in Ferrari's history that saw the sun set on traditional manual gearboxes.

1998 Ferrari F550 Maranello

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1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello, perfect around town, ferocious roaring between towns.

1998 Ferrari 550 Maranello. Finished in classic Rosso Corsa over Tan hides, the 550 Maranello has been driven only 20,838 pampered miles! It has had two previous owners, However the first owner never drove it (100 miles when sold). It is in excellent condition inside and out! Books, keys and service records on hand! If you are looking for a lovely 550 Maranello to add to your stable, your search ends here! This Ferrari has the right color and has been well-maintained.

THE BODY AND TRIM

The body oozes pure sex! Silky smooth sleek lines! All of the body panels are in excellent shape. The tires are relatively new. the glass an all trim is in perfect shape. There is some small rock chips in the front end which is expected of a car this low to the ground. keep in mind in 1998, clear protective film wasn't the miracle protector it is now.

THE INTERIOR

The interior is quintessential Ferrari, gorgeous Tan leather Hides, rich carpeting. These cars are notorious for the leather dashes shrinking. As such the leather dash has all been redone. Dials are huge and instantly readable! The seats are supple and in excellent condition. Drilled foot pedals, shift knob is an aluminum ball on a chromed stalk and a stainless steel shift gate.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

Ferocious power, and that lusty V-12 keeps pouring it on from each shift until red line in any gear. It is also two cars in one. In softer, sedate hands, it tools around town, breathing gently in its first four gears. It's light on the clutch, easy to shift; the steering is powered and well-balanced, and only tiptoes are needed for braking. She is a tame horse. Want spirited driving? Push the car and let it know who's the boss. Then it becomes a bronco spirited, vital and very, very quick.

The range of around $60,000 to $85,000 is the sweet spot for asking prices of F550 Maranellos. If this car's servicing is up to date, this isn't a bad value when it comes to an F550, but as we all know, these are not cheap cars to maintain. If the car is in need of a service, then a bit of negotiating will have to take place. At these prices, I would wager to say this is about as cheap as F550s will get for quite some time, as collectors will start to yearn for the more visceral, modern classics from Ferrari with this V12 coupe squarely in their sights.

-Paul

Maserati, Modern Classic

2005 Maserati Quattroporte

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If you've got roughly $35,000 to spend for a luxury sedan, many options await. If you're looking for a new car, BMW just redesigned their 3 series, Cadillac has a new small sedan, the ATS and there's the good old standby, the Mercedes-Benz C class. If you are boring, you can buy a Lexus ES350. But if you want to get something that's bespoke and will have people talking at the country club, you can stretch your dollars more in the used market and buy this: a Maserati Quattroporte. With its Ferrari 4.2 liter V8 engine, no one will miss hearing you when you arrive while you are ensconced in the comfort of the finest Italian leather. This Quattroporte for sale in Texas has a done a little over 30,000 miles and is the perfect accessory if you want to play the role of mafia hit man.

2005 Maserati Quattroporte

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2005 Maserati Quattroporte. 30,000 miles, 4.2 liter V8, 400 horsepower. $116k original MSRP! 100% Carfax/Autocheck Certified. 100% ready. Front & rear heated seats, power sunshade, DuoSelect transmission, optioned with Cuoio Sella Leather Package. Factory equipped w/ Skyhook Active Suspension. This is a well maintained and serviced vehicle. It is part of a 3-car collection we are selling for a client of ours.

I love the Quattroporte. One of my good friends bought one earlier this year and enjoys it thoroughly. It has just made me want one even more. While $32,500 seems like good value for this caliber of vehicle, keep in mind the clutch replacements for the automated manual gearbox come more often than on a regular transmission and will cost you several thousands of dollars. Even still, for me, it would be worth it knowing first hand what a aural and tactile sensation this car is to drive.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q

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California is a state known for its car culture. No matter your fancy, it's a great place to go looking for classic and modern cars on the used market. Just last week, we featured a low mileage Alfa Romeo 164LS for sale in Pleasanton. Today, here is the sportier Q version of the 164, a clean, one owner example for sale in Pleasant Hill that is allegedly one of the last of its kind to be sold here in the US.

1995 Alfa Romeo 164Q

ALFA LOVERS - this is a one of a kind! MUST SEE! One of the last five 164Q imported in the US (1995), with ONLY 88,300 miles, mostly highway! I've been the sole owner since, kept the car ALWAYS in garage, very well maintained and serviced with all records. Currently with: NEW tires with allignment, NEW battery, NEW fuel line, NEW fog lights, new muffler, clear smog check, fully serviced (all fuels) with clear title in hand. NEVER in an accident. Immaculate interior, seats like new, (can count on one hand how many times people set in back). NEVER smoking inside. Smells like a new car still! Exterior in great condition with only a minor scratch on rear bumper. The car looks great and runs GREAT! It is truly a one of a kind - destined to be a classic in the Alfa line and Alfa world! Must sell due to changes in commute and relocation. ONLY very interested buyers please! Form of payment: cashier's check or money order.

The 164LS we featured last week sold for $9,999. This 164Q has almost the same mileage with a price about $2,000 more. Whether or not you favor the sportier Q over the luxury LS version is a matter of taste. Both this car and the LS have 5-speed manual transmission, which is important for enthusiasts. I prefer the Q. With a little bit of negotiation room, I'd say this car is priced right for someone looking to savor one of Alfa's last forays into mainstream US sales.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

1983 Ferrari 512BBi

The march towards a mid-engined, 12 cylinder Ferrari was a slow one, but after Enzo Ferrari came under increased pressure from racing competition in the 1960s, he eventually warmed to the idea with the mid-engined Dino race cars, the street versions of the Dino that entered series production and the rear engined, V12 powered P and LM race cars. With the introduction of the 512BB, or Berlinetta Boxer, at the Turin Motor Show in 1971, Ferrari shot an arrow across the bow of Lamborghini and their Miura, the original mid-engined supercar. The BB would go on sale in 1973 and was powered by a longitudally mounted flat 12 engine that produced 380 horsepower, a heady number for the time.

None of these BBs were ever sold new in the US, as Enzo Ferrari didn't think it was worth the bother to federalize them. Luckily, some of these stunning cars made it over. This particular example, however, wasn't one of them. It is for sale in Luxembourg and painted in a rather uncommon shade a black, a hue which matches its sharp, ready to pounce looks.

1983 Ferrari 512BBi

It was not an easy task for Ferrari to replace the mythical Daytona in the early 70s. Begun in 1969 the “BB” project focused all of the best knowledge available at the factory to be putted into the design from what was aimed to be the ultimate sports car. The first prototype was shown in 1971, it was an extremely modern car compared to the period production. Many technical solution directly came from the track such as the flat 12 engine as the ones used in F1 or sport prototypes. The first “365 Berlinetta Boxer” were delivered in late 73 and in 1976 the car was renamed 512 BB to rebirth the famous le Mans cars’ name capacity being increased from 4.4 to 5.0 liter.

Finally in 1981 the fuel injected version 512 BBi was introduced and gained very much in terms of building quality, road holding (Michelin TRX tyres) and reliability. It was a stressless car easy to drive in the daily traffic, a big improvement to the previous carburated ones. From the supercars of the 70s and early 80s, the BB was the quickest and best driving one, only 1007 fuel injected versions were built.

This rare 1983 black Boxer is in exceptional original condition having never been repainted and always maintained to the highest level. It was delivered in US but soon came back to Europe in the early 90s as the owner was looking for a mint black BB. It comes with an interesting history file, books and tools and it recently received an important service including a new clutch. The car drives magnificently and is still lovely to drive at high speed on highways.

Price: €135,000

At $176,000 USD equivalent, this BB is a bit on the high side in terms of value. While they were a top performer at Ferrari in the day, the similar looking 308 that came along later can be had for much less, offers adequate performance and is cheaper to maintain. True, the BB offers more speed, but for most enthusiasts, the 308 would do just fine. This year, a 1983 BBi sold at RM Auctions for $112,750. Given that these cars weren't sold here new, it adds to their obscurity and seems to affect values a bit. Since this car is for sale in Europe, collectors might be willing to pony up more cash, but I'm not sure it would bring the premium being asked here.

-Paul

Ferrari, Modern Classic

2000 Ferrari 456GTA

The 1990s saw the return of front engined, V12 touring machines to the US market from the house of the Prancing Horse. The Ferrari 456GT was the first front-engined V12 to be officially sold in the US in over two decades. Introduced in 1992, this was a dramatic looking coupe with a 5.5 liter engine producing 436 horsepower. In 1996, in what was considered blasphemy by purists, an automatic transmission became available. This four speed gearbox was designed with help of FF Developments, a company later bought by Ricardo Engineering. Only 403 were produced with this transmission, but it signaled a changing era at Ferrari where a foot operated clutch would become a thing of the past. This low mileage 456GTA for sale in California is on offer for a fraction of its original cost.

2000 Ferrari 456GTA

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2000 Ferrari 456 Automatic. Low 10k miles, excellent inside and out. Recent major service completed. This low mile Black/Tan Ferrari 456 is among the nicest of this model to be found anywhere today. With low low miles (10,873), both interior and exterior in excellent condition, if you have been looking for a low mile fantastic example of the 456, here is your car. Featuring the automatic transmission, Black exterior paint, Tan leather hides, power seats, Cavalino floor mats, stereo, tools and four piece set of Ferrari 456 luggage all included at the price of $69,000.

If you ever wanted a front engined V12 Ferrari from the 1990s and early 2000s, now is the time to pounce. While maintenance costs are never a cheap proposition with these cars, I tend to think we've reached close to the bottom when it comes to nice, unmolested examples of these stunning coupes. While I'd prefer a manual transmission, I'd almost hate to admit that I wouldn't mind having this automatic 456 in my garage. In basic black, it's simply stunning and would be an interesting alternative in which to arrive in at that special black tie event.

-Paul