Fiat’s 124 Spider had an enviable lifetime, with some 120,000 built in 18 years. Created in 1966 with a Pininfarina-designed and -built spider (cabriolet) body on the 124 chassis, it was a worthy successor to Fiat’s 1100, 1200 and 1500 Spiders built from 1957 to ’67, of which there are various examples in this collection as evidence. Its twin cam engine and five-speed transmission set it apart from the archetypal British MGs and Triumphs that were its nominal competition. Despite the fact that the Spider’s engine had grown to 1,438 to 1,995 cc, by 1980 its developed brake horsepower had dropped to 80 in carbureted form. Fiat were not the only company to be affected by these conflicting requirements of air quality and fuel economy, as engine modifications to lower tailpipe emissions resulted in less power, yet more thirst. One solution to the conundrum was the turbocharger. The turbo provided a burst of energy when really needed – at heavy throttle – while allowing economical running at lower speeds. So for 1978 the turbocharger came surging back to the marketplace, championed by some import manufacturers, prominent among them Saab. Fiat teamed with Legend Industries in New Jersey for the Turbo Spider. A Borg-Warner turbo unit was used, providing 6 psi of boost and bumping horsepower up to 115. The turbo kicked in at a modest 3,500 rpm, which minimized the characteristic turbo lag that plagued some other cars. Visually the cars were all but unchanged, subtle Turbo decals and a boost gauge in place of the clock being the only clues. Some 700 were built for 1981 and ’82. A logical foil to the earlier Fiat Spiders in the collection, this 81 Turbo shows how a great concept can last so long and is a natural fit in the group. In fact the owners father had never liked the spider and so instead they had had a 128 sport coupe. The desire to own one was harbored until August 1987 when they saw one advertised in the New York Times and had to have it. At the time, although a good original example, such as they were looking for, the car still wore its metallic bronze paint, which did not appeal. The car was therefore sent to their favored bodywork company, Born Again Classic Ltd. of Ronkonkoma, NY and completely repainted in a period factory color, Verde Scuro. At the same time the car was re-trimmed in beige leather. Invoices on file for this work and subsequent maintenance are for in excess of $15,000. Since that time its use has been a relatively modest 10,000 over the course of the next two decades and consequently it remains in extremely tidy order, the owners report it to drive beautifully and be very powerful.
Fiat’s 124 Spider had an enviable lifetime, with some 120,000 built in 18 years. Created in 1966 with a Pininfarina-designed and -built spider (cabriolet) body on the 124 chassis, it was a worthy successor to Fiat’s 1100, 1200 and 1500 Spiders built from 1957 to ’67, of which there are various examples in this collection as evidence. Its twin cam engine and five-speed transmission set it apart from the archetypal British MGs and Triumphs that were its nominal competition. Despite the fact that the Spider’s engine had grown to 1,438 to 1,995 cc, by 1980 its developed brake horsepower had dropped to 80 in carbureted form. Fiat were not the only company to be affected by these conflicting requirements of air quality and fuel economy, as engine modifications to lower tailpipe emissions resulted in less power, yet more thirst. One solution to the conundrum was the turbocharger. The turbo provided a burst of energy when really needed – at heavy throttle – while allowing economical running at lower speeds. So for 1978 the turbocharger came surging back to the marketplace, championed by some import manufacturers, prominent among them Saab. Fiat teamed with Legend Industries in New Jersey for the Turbo Spider. A Borg-Warner turbo unit was used, providing 6 psi of boost and bumping horsepower up to 115. The turbo kicked in at a modest 3,500 rpm, which minimized the characteristic turbo lag that plagued some other cars. Visually the cars were all but unchanged, subtle Turbo decals and a boost gauge in place of the clock being the only clues. Some 700 were built for 1981 and ’82. A logical foil to the earlier Fiat Spiders in the collection, this 81 Turbo shows how a great concept can last so long and is a natural fit in the group. In fact the owners father had never liked the spider and so instead they had had a 128 sport coupe. The desire to own one was harbored until August 1987 when they saw one advertised in the New York Times and had to have it. At the time, although a good original example, such as they were looking for, the car still wore its metallic bronze paint, which did not appeal. The car was therefore sent to their favored bodywork company, Born Again Classic Ltd. of Ronkonkoma, NY and completely repainted in a period factory color, Verde Scuro. At the same time the car was re-trimmed in beige leather. Invoices on file for this work and subsequent maintenance are for in excess of $15,000. Since that time its use has been a relatively modest 10,000 over the course of the next two decades and consequently it remains in extremely tidy order, the owners report it to drive beautifully and be very powerful.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
