Posts Tagged ‘italian’

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Tasteful Upgrades – 1984 Bertone X1/9

April 3, 2010

Every time I see one of these, I think about how much fun it would be to drive one. Owning one, maybe a bit more challenging (comments?). But I also think about how the scaffolding-style bumpers they added in 1975, and the battering-ram style ones they went to in about 1979, would be way nicer if they made like a tree. Ideally, it would have a bit more power, and be smog test exempt, while we’re dreaming. At any rate, with even a base model, you could try your hand at auto-crossing, have a blast on country roads without coming near breaking the law, and telling MR2 drivers what’s what.

Anyway, as far as our dreaming was concerned, this car hits two out of three on the wishlist. In a smart two-tone silver and grey, it’s been upgraded with the more minimalist 1974-style bumpers, and has the more powerful 1500 engine. At $3000, it’s listed in Columbia, TN (near Nashville).

1984 Bertone X1/9 right

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Slow & sporty – 1966 Fiat 850 coupe

March 16, 2010

Inspired by a Fiat 128 SL I saw street-parked in San Francisco Friday night, I decided to look for one of the more unusual Fiats we got here in the US market. In fact, I’ve never featured a Fiat 850 of any type, even though the spiders are still pretty available, because they mostly come in restored (and pricey) or basket-case form. While these might not be the best daily-driver vintage car (unlike their bigger brothers in the 124 series), they are certainly a fine choice for the multi-marque vintage car rallies gaining in popularity recently.

The 850 coupe, with its 843cc engine putting out 47hp, will not tear up the tarmac, but if you consider some comparable cars (engine-size-wise), making it slightly less powerful (but not necessarily slower) than a Spitfire or a Midget, and much more powerful than a bugeye Sprite. In spite of its elegant styling and sporty engine, the 850 is valued lower by the market than its British competitors, so you’re getting more car for the money. As you can see on this 850 coupe, listed in Deforest, WI (near Madison) for $2500, the Italians designed some of the best-looking small cars of their time.

1966 Fiat 850 coupe left

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You say Zegato, I say Zogata – 1981 Lancia Beta Zagato 2000

March 12, 2010

Maybe some of you have followed my experiences with my Lancia Beta sedan… as with many older cars, it’s sat for some time and, as a consequence, had (and has) various needs. So you might ask (and I wouldn’t be offended!), why on earth would you be looking at Lancia Betas? Did you not learn your lesson? Well, yes and no. I learned that the carburetted cars are more trouble-prone if not maintained, and that the fuel-injected cars suffered less from application of smog equipment. I also learned that EFI as installed on these cars makes for smoother running and easier cold-starting, and that the last of the Betas imported to the US came with a better-looking, tidier grill (which might show this car to actually be a 1982 model).

All that said, my sedan is actually fun, in an oddball kind of way. It also has a comfortable ride and a nice interior… it’s kind of like an Italian interpretation of a Mercedes or a Volvo. And for a car of its size, weight, and ride, it corners, brakes, and handles really well. So that brings us to today’s car…. a 1981 Beta Zagato with a 2-liter fuel-injected engine. Same ride, same handling, same brakes, more power. And the top goes down. What’s not to like? For the low, low price of $1000 (probably less if you show up with a neat stack of $100s), you can find this Beta in Roseville, CA, near Sacramento.

1981 Lancia Beta Zagato front

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