Posts Tagged ‘Fiat’

124 Times Two – 1973 Fiat 124 Wagon and 1972 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe

May 30, 2016

In recent years, VW seems to have cornered the market for affordable cars that are also fun to drive and reasonably attractive. But 40-50 years ago, that ball was solidly in Fiat’s hand, with their 124 series of sedan, wagon, coupe, and spider offering driving fun for all. In North America, there were different levels of driving fun with the 124, starting with the sedan and wagon, which were equipped with a 1438cc overhead valve engine giving 69-74hp and moving up to a 1592cc twin cam in 1973, giving a more fun 95hp. Further up, the coupe and the spider started with a 1438cc twin cam, moved on to 1592cc and 1608cc, then the 1756cc and finally the 1920cc twin cam. So basically, it is anyone’s guess what engine is in any of the surviving 124s, like this 1973 Fiat 124 wagon for sale for $2300 in Tigard, OR.

1973 Fiat 124 Wagon right front

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Small Sport – 1974 Fiat 128

May 13, 2016

Against its other competitors of the time – Golf/Polo, Renault 5 – the Fiat 128 always seems the sporting pick of the bunch. Yes, it’s not terribly fast, and it’s not the most solidly built, but it’s probably the most fun, engaging drive. And sure, you could write that off to the nonsense that every Italian car is part Ferrari – they aren’t, which you’d know if you’d ever driven a Lancia Beta sedan – but in the case of the 128, it does seem to have more spark than your average 1970s econobox. Aside from great handling and a lively engine, they also have some of the most comfortable seats of the time. With that, let’s check out this 1974 Fiat 128 for sale for $1500 in Bois D’Arc, France MO. Thanks to reader Eli, the seller of the car, for this submission.

1974 Fiat 128 right front

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For Real? – 1970 Fiat 850 Spider

April 5, 2016

Basic sports cars are truly about the most bang for the buck – Midgets, Sprites, 700s, Spitfires and 850s all share enthusiastic (if not powerful) engines, sharp and often Italian styling, commonly have a removable top, and will do quite a bit of what the big-boy Bs, TR6s, Spiders and more will do on a fraction of the fuel. With attrition over the last 40 years, it’s not so common to find a running example for a low price of entry, which means you should take a look at this 1970 Fiat 850 Spider for sale for $900 in Sebastopol, CA.

1970 Fiat 850 Spider 3 left front

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