Tag Archives: sedan

Fiat

1972 Fiat 124 Sedan

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If you count all the variations of the Fiat 124 that were ever produced, including all the licensed vehicles such as Ladas, Seats, Murats and the like, the production total comes to over 20 million vehicles. So how come we don't see any of these on US roads today? Well, rust proofing wasn't what it once was, and since these were sold here early in the production run under the Fiat badge, it's not hard to guess why they are scarce. This 124 Sedan for sale in Southern California is a pretty honest example of a car that went on to become a ubiquitous mode of transportation in emerging markets.

1972 Fiat 124 Sedan

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Have you ever been so smitted by a car that you fell in love? That is the type of feeling you can get from a clean vintage car. This little gem has been lovingly cared for by a gentleman known in collector circuits as a lover of fine Italian cars. Generations of people in many countries grew up with this car or similar cars with different names like the Russian Lada or Zhuguli. In fact, many folks first learned how to drive in or had a very successful date with a young lady in one. The Italians know what I am talking about.

The reaction drawn from vintage Fiats is something that has to be experienced. People of all walks of life seem drawn to them from children and old folks as well as young ladies. Great beach cruiser. These cars are very rare these days, in fact almost impossible to find in an automatic. This example has been cared for by the same collector for over 10 years. The previous owner before was a certified and well known car mechanic. He has more than a dozen cars and drives this one in Beverly Hills, California almost daily.

The current owner is only selling because he is making some room for some more cars. This one has had all of the maintenance done including new head gasket and full brake job. Decent tires and a very clean original dash board. The seats could use some redoing but he decided to leave them as they were because they are not terrible, just a little ripped in places. She has chrome European bumpers and everything is in working order with current registration and a clean title. The VIN number is 124A1129029. For more information or to make an offer please contact Jeff at 949-910-1206.

We feature a lot of flashy sports cars and sumptuous luxury sedans here at CICFS, but it's refreshing to see an honest, vintage family sedan such as this with all its flaws readily visible. The automatic transmission might hold this car back a bit for the more sporting enthusiast, but for something different to get around town in, you couldn't go wrong with this car. Back in June 2011, one of these with a manual gearbox went unsold, not meeting its reserve at $3,800. Have these 124 Sedans appreciated much in that time? Probably not. I'd suspect somewhere around $3,000 to $3,500 would take it. Any more, and you are getting into territory where more interesting Italian iron can be had.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD

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One of the things that both the Italians and French are good at, besides making love, cooking and fine wine is manufacturing desirable small cars. When tasked with designing and selling executive-sized sedans, this is where both countries come up short. As interesting as their offerings have been at times, they never really took off, with exception of the Citroën DS. One very forgotten executive sedan from Alfa Romeo is the 6. These were not huge sellers, with only a shade over 12,000 produced from 1979 to 1986. As a result, examples which survive to this day are in extremely rare company.

They were well equipped cars, however, featuring rear-wheel drive, with power steering, power windows, electric mirrors and central locking, along with a limited slip differential as standard. Minor styling tweaks came along for 1983, along with this car’s engine, the 2.5 liter VM 5 cylinder turbodiesel. This particular 6 that is for sale in Spain has the five cylinder turbo diesel engine which was related to the diesel engine that Jeep offered in their Cherokee for certain overseas markets. This 2.5 liter, overhead valve engine pumped out 103 horsepower and produced a respectable 177 lb ft. of torque. It's not the optimal choice for enthusiasts, but with cars these rare, beggars can't be choosers.

1985 Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD

Alfa Romeo 6 2.5 TD, fabulous limited edition! Brand new car that belongs to a private collection. Always garaged. Sold only by lack of space.

At €8,000 (~ $10,500 USD), this is not a cheap '80s Alfa. I’m not sure if I would be the type of person to pay for such nostalgia and one must consider that parts must be awfully difficult to source for a vehicle built in such small numbers with a near non-existent following. The diesel engine does add a bit of durability into the package and hopefully this car can find a good home where it can be preserved as one of the last of its kind.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo

1958 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sedan

The Alfa Romeo 1900 was a series of firsts for Alfa Romeo. In addition to being the first all new postwar vehicle, it was also the first to be built on an assembly line and the first Alfa to employ unibody construction. Marketed as a family car with a racing heritage, the 1900 employed a 1.9 liter, twin cam four cylinder engine which produced 90 horsepower. An impressive figure, considering some American cars of the day were using engines two and three times larger that struggled to produce much more power.

This particular 1900 was bought new in South Africa and brought over to the United States only recently, in the hands of the original owner. This Alfa has an impressive story for such an ordinary car and would be a standout at almost any car show one could think of.

1958 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sedan

1958 Alfa Romeo 1900 Super Sedan, s/n AR1900*19202*, Engine no. AR1306*19685*
Silver Blue Metallic with Grey/Green Interior. The 1900 was Alfa Romeo’s first all new postwar model and featured a number of innovative features including unit chassis, and dual overhead cam inline-4 with hemispherical combustion chambers and an aluminum alloy cylinder head. The majority of 1900’s produced were sedan models as offered here, while a minority of the total production numbers were coachbuilt cars by Touring, Ghia, and Zagato.

This particular car is a charmingly undisturbed, exceptional tight example showing just 53,325 original miles. It was sold new to South Africa, and remained with its first owner until 2008, importing in to the United States (Arizona) when he immigrated. During 2010, in the hands of the current owner, the car successfully completed the California Mille Miglia.

Best described as a largely unrestored, ‘exceptionally nice driver’ example, this car will be particularly appealing to the Italian car enthusiast whom values the coherent feel of a low mileage, unrestored car. Unbelievably cool, and eligible for numerous premier events, this 1900 makes a wonderful diversification for any Italian car collection. $89,500

At first I did a double take over the price of this car. These are surely rare cars in the United States and to find an original, preserved example is near impossible. But closing in on $100,000 for a 1950s four cylinder Alfa Romeo sedan? Even with the most ardent Alfa enthusiasts, I have a hard time seeing a car like this break $40,000 to $50,000, with a price of around $30,000 as a more realistic, yet still optimistic value. Barring that issue, this is a really nice example of where it all started for Alfa-Romeo post World War II.

-Paul

Alfa Romeo, Modern Classic

1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta

The Alfa Romeo Alfetta was the successor to the Alfa Romeo 1750/2000 Berlina, and if any car had big shoes to fill, it was this one. The 1750 was a popular sight on Italian roads in the late 1960s and early 1970s, and served Italian police faithfully. The 2000, while less common, had a 2 liter twin cam four cylinder that was equipped with dual carburetors (mechanical fuel injection taking place of the carburetors for the US market). When the Alfetta arrived, it harkened a split in the upper reaches of the Alfa lineup. The Alfetta served as the more middle range vehicle, while the Alfa 6, a very rare sight these days, took the flagship role.

Here is a well-cared for 1979 Alfetta for sale in Rhode Island for a reasonable $5,500.

1979 Alfa Romeo Alfetta on Hemmings Motor News

A very nice rust free California Alfa. Well serviced/kept. Stainless Euro bumpers fitted. BBS and factory alloys. Very fun to drive. $5,500 obo

These Alfettas have never been hugely popular with collectors and Alfisti alike, but they are an inexpensive way into Italian car ownership versus the more desirable GTV coupes. The slimmer Euro bumpers are certainly a nice touch and with a little adjustment to the front wheels' offset, you would have a nice, unique alternative to the more popular BMW 320i of the same vintage.

-Paul