Saleofcar.com :Fiat

Fiat Other (1980)
for sale

Price: US $4,500.00

Description:

Nothing beats driving a classic Italian sports car with the roof down and the wind in your hair on a nice warm summer evening!
A little history on the car
This rust free Spider was originally a California car that I purchased in April 2005 from a private seller in San Diego (I still have the CA title-see picture in listing). I spent the next few months getting her roadworthy, fixing a few things that didn't work and replacing missing or broken parts. Over the next 2 years I carried out a rolling restoration which was completed in May 2007. It was off the road for about a year while the exterior was restored and painted in its original Avorio Safari color. The transmission was refurbished and suspension and brake work was done. The odometer currently reads 146, 590 BUT at 135, 000k the engine was replaced with a 50, 000k engine. Since then the car has done about 11, 000 miles, so in total the engine has about 61, 000 on it and the transmission about 4, 000 miles. Hence the stated mileage of 61, 000 in the listing.
I have kept most bills since my ownership and also have several from the previous owner. Connecticut does not issue or require titles for cars over 25 years old BUT I retained the original CA title as I know some states may require one to resister.
The car has been driven and maintained regularly since it's restoration and has been stored continuously in a dry garage.
General condition
With 10 being perfect and 0 being a basket case I would rate this gorgeous 1980 Spider a solid 8 that presents itself very very well. The body is very straight and true with no dents or scratches and the basecoat/clear coat paint work is glossy and smooth. The cabin and trunk floors are solid and rust free. The 2.0 liter twin cam injected engine runs smoothly, pulls well with great acceleration, does not smoke, returns about 25 mpg and does not drip any fluids. The engine bay is very clean and tidy. The suspension and steering are both in great order. The all round servo assisted disc brakes and e-brake work perfectly and I recently changed the front calibers and pads. The car shifts smoothly and all 5 gears work perfectly. The battery was replaced about a month ago. All the exterior lights work perfectly. Aside for 2-3 small chips the only imperfection in the body is a small bubble on the right rear quarter (see picture in listing), this has not got any larger since I first noticed it a few years ago. In the seam between the top of the quarters and the deck panel there is some cracking of the seam sealer (see picture in listing) but this has not rusted. Overall the car drives smoothly and quietly without any annoying rattles or noises and tracks straight under heavy acceleration or hard braking.
The interior is in burgundy vinyl and is in great condition but not perfect. The dash is 100% crack free, all the gauges and warning lights work and the wood is in excellent crack free condition. All of the controls work as they should including the heater, fan, wipers, lights, horn, hazards, lighter and interior light (and trunk light). The spare tire is perfect and has never been used. The jack and some tools are present. The glove box opens freely and locks. The carpets are a little faded in a couple of spots but these are hidden by floor mats. The seats are in excellent shape with the exception on the base of the driver's seat that has a few cracks in it (see picture in listing). The car does however come with a replacement (used) set of OEM seat covers. The seat belts are in good working order and the seats themselves are supportive, incline and move freely on their tracks. All the glass is clean and free from large chips and scratches. The windows wind up and down as they should and the doors open and close solidly and are rattle free.
The vinyl top is clean and free of splits, holes and tears, the rear window is clear and has not yellowed but does have a few minor marks on it (see picture in listing). The top frame is solid and opens smoothly. Opening the top is a one man operation and can be done in less than 5 seconds! When the top is down there is a burgundy boot that neatly conceals the top and its frame. The often missing soft top ties are present.
What's not stock
I removed the ugly OEM bumpers that weight about 60 lbs. each and replaced them with Abarth style over riders. I think this gives the car a cleaner sportier look and saves about 120 lbs. which of course improves the car's overall performance and handling.
The OEM front bumpers held the turn/marker lights so with the bumpers removed I replaced these lights with aftermarket units that look factory original.
The wheels were replaced with Superlite Performance alloys that are shod with new Hankook Optimo 185/65/R14 tires that have less than 1000 miles on them.
There is a small spoiler fitted to the lower front valance
The original air filter and box was replaced with a K&N unit to give the engine a few more HP, however I still have the original unit if the buyer wants to revert back to stock.
The stainless steel rear muffler is of a large bore than stock.
In the trunk I made closeout panels for the left and right side, these tidy up the trunk and prevent items from sliding around and denting the quarter panels. They look like original equipment, match the trunk interior perfectly and are very easy to remove to gain access to the jack and tool bag. I have added pictures in the listing.
There is a kill switch on the underside of the dash which is a theft deterrent, it works but I never use it!
What doesn't work
Everything works on the Spider with the exception of the aftermarket fog lights that I fitted several years ago. If desired these can easily be removed and are installed discretely behind the front grille and set back a few inches.
The clock works and keeps good time BUT the small knob used to set the time does not. So to set the time I remove the fuse (located just above and to the left of the driver's knee) to stop the clock and then put it back to start it at the correct time! No big deal as I only have to do so twice a year.
I've been an eBay member for over ten years and if you have a few minutes please check out my 100% positive feedback. If you need to see more pictures please message me with your email address. Thank you for looking.
The car is located in Hebron Connecticut (mid way between New York City and Boston). Payment via PayPal with a $500 non refundable deposit due within 24 hours of auction end. I ask bidders with zero feedback to please send message of serious intent. The car is available for inspection by appointment, message me to make the arrangements. I will hold the car for up to a month to allow buyer to arrange transportation and or pick up at buyer's expense.

_{update: 2015-05-31}