Archive for the ‘Feature’ Category

Fiat Day – 1979 Fiat Spider 2000

January 30, 2014

Number nine on the Sports & Exotic Car roadster list is the Fiat 124 spider. As with its Alfa cousin (brother-from-another-designer?), this Pininfarina/Tjaarda designed car is an underappreciated classic. While there are tangible differences between the Fiat and Alfa (Alfa uses a fancy cast aluminum hood release, for example), on a higher level these are both competent, comfortable roadsters with excellent, raspy twincam fours and five speed transmissions, as well as easy-to-use tops. You can find this 1979 Fiat Spider 2000 (which, by its chassis code, is actually a 132) in Amherst, NH for $4000.

1979 Fiat 124 Spider left side

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Dodici – 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce

January 29, 2014

The twelfth car on the Sports & Exotic Car list is the Alfa Romeo Spider (Duetto to S4), with a hair under 128,000 produced over its long lifespan. Most popular in the United States, in part thanks to one movie (Fletch with Chevy Chase… oh wait). Interestingly enough, they’re still appearing in movies, with a silver Quadrifoglio appearing in The Wolf of Wall Street. However, in spite of their longevity and success, they’re still one of the most under-appreciated classic sports cars available, which equates to some great values for us. While an auction setting always leaves some question as to the final price, you can find this 1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce for sale in Oroville, CA with a starting bid of $5 and only 3 days left to go.

1976 Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce right front

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Hitting Bottom – 1980 Maserati Quattroporte

January 28, 2014

This car has clearly hit the bottom of its value curve, with even a condition 4 car coming in at $8200. With klassy wire wheels, wrinkled wood trim, and some rust, it’s seen better days. However, the seller’s statement of “in the barn for 13 years”, without shouting BARN FIND!!, squares with the results on the BAR smog check history page, which show the last attempt at passing smog in 2000. Would the original owner be shocked to see where his prize ended up, or say it’s what that piece of bleep deserves? You can find
this 1980 Maserati Quattroporte for sale in Watsonville, CA for a mere $2500!

1980 Maserati Quattroporte left front

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