1981 FIAT 124 Spider Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Overview: These little cars were never very powerful, but with the exception of the truly exotic cars, handling capabilities were far superior to most other sports cars of their time. When the EPA began to require emission controls, in the late 70's, the horsepower was further reduced and sales dropped off sharply. Fiat began to consider pulling out of the US. In an attempt to try to save the Fiat brand in the US, the importer, Fiat USA, Inc., worked with Legend Industries to install turbo chargers on several late '81 and early '82 cars, after they reached the United States. Boost was limited to only 6 psi to avoid damaging the engine, which was not designed to be used with a turbo. Even at a modest 6 psi, the turbo really awakened the little two liter four cylinder engine. Even with the extra power, sales were not good and eventually Fiat stopped importing to the US at the end of 1982. Pininfarina, the coach builder, was also having financial difficulty at the time. When Fiat told Pininfarina to stop building the Spider bodies it came as very bad news indeed. Pininfarina made a deal with Fiat to purchase mechanicals from them, and continued to build Spider bodies. The “new” car was called the “Pininfarina Spider” and was sold in the US from 1983 to 1985. So, instead of Fiat buying bodies from Pininfarina, Pininfarina began buying everything else from Fiat. Same car, different brand. Rarity: Only approximately 700 Spider 2000 Turbo models were made. These turbo models proved to be somewhat unreliable, and many of these cars were “de-trubo-ed”, leaving them as normal “Fuel Injected” cars. With the turbo failures, and the normal number of mechanical failures and accidents associated with a car nearly three decades old, there are very few of these still running and in their original mechanical condition. Handling: Truly amazing. Four wheel drifts are easy and balanced. It tends to push just a little, unless you are accelerating. Easy to carry a lot of speed through turns. Acceleration: Pretty good... by 1981 standards. It's not a Ferrari, but with the turbo it easily outruns “stock” spiders. By 2009 standards, it really doesn't accelerate all that well. I wouldn't stand a chance against most teenagers in Honda Civics, and I have been roasted by at least one V6 Ford mini van. Let me get that van on a twisty mountain road and “Soccer Mom” won't even see my tail lights for long. ;) Restoration: The car was in pretty good shape when I got it, but like most cars this age, it has some needs. I have already replaced the top, which was really bad. I haven't spent spent much on the car yet, and I hope to keep the cost to a minimum. What it needs; Transmission: 4th gear is shot and 3rd is going. I have a replacement trans that needs to be installed, and I have all new clutch parts. Brakes: Needs a new left front caliper. The original caliper sticks if the car sits for more than a week. Engine: Has an oil leak that I haven't been able to find. The leak is buried under a bunch of stuff I will need to disassemble to find the drip. I hope it isn't the turbo... $$$ Everything else is good. :) Interior: Needs to have the new seat covers properly installed, some lose leather re-attached, and the shifter boot replaced. It already has new carpets and mats. Paint & Body: Has some surface rust and needs paint, but all the original trim and information stickers are in place, including the information stickers from Legend Industries about the turbo. Sep 26, 2009