Deal of the Day

This car was featured a few years ago in a Top Gear ‘greatest driving road’ spoof:

http://greatestroadinca.blogspot.com/

 

There are extensive pictures of the car posted on EBay & Fiatspider.com – it is undoubtedly a California car with very VERY minimal rust – but it’s got an old sunbaked dash & top.  He offered it for 4k on the message boards, it’ll be interesting to see what it goes for…

 

From the ad:

 

1976 Fiat 124 Spider

 

102,535 miles

1800cc 4-cylinder engine (1.8L)

5-speed

15" Panasport wheels

Kumho Ecsta tires

 

SMOG PASSED 3/24/12 (certificate is good for 90 days)

 

I bought this car when it had approximately 95k miles on it in February 2010. I purchased it from a friend who'd been given the car in 2004 by his grandparents who purchased new in 1976. The car was a Northern California car and garaged most of its life. The prior owner brought it to San Luis Obispo where it was also garaged. I brought it to Venice where it had covered outdoor parking. I have recently moved downtown and unfortunately this car no longer fits with my lifestyle nor am I able to drive it often enough.

 

The car is an excellent "driver" and can be driven daily in its current condition; there is nothing that needs to be done to it in order to drive it daily or long distances. It starts perfectly and runs smoothly. It is not a show car but it is in good shape for its age. The paint is in good condition and imperfections are noticeable up close but not from more than 10 feet away. The gauges all function properly except for the clock, and the mileage is accurate. I personally witnessed the odometer roll over from 99,999 miles to 00,000. The current mileage reading of 02,535 is actually 102,535. The original driver's seat was replaced by the prior owner. Both seats (as well as the "rear seat") are in good condition and have no large rips or tears (see photos for details). All lighting (headlights, turn signals, tail lights, brakes, reverse lights) is functional. I have safely driven the car in all weather conditions that exist in Los Angeles, as well as back and forth from San Francisco twice without any issues. The small tear in the top near the rear window has not been an issue in the rain.

 

The car has cosmetic and minor mechanical issues typical of a 36-year old Fiat and would certainly benefit from a full restoration. The condition of the vehicle is documented extensively in the photos and below. The car will be sold as-is, where-is, and is available for inspections and test drives in downtown LA on evenings and weekends. You are welcome to bring your mechanic with you but I do not have time to coordinate taking the car to any shops -- the car is not in perfect condition and any buyer should expect that the car will need regular maintenance above that of a new car.

 

Here is what I have done on the vehicle during my ownership:

- oil changes approximately every 3k miles (next is due at 105,000 miles)

- replaced exhaust gasket

- replaced valve cover gasket

- extensive brake work; new pads, rotors, calipers and stainless steel brake lines

- replaced all rubber sections of fuel lines

- replaced several vacuum hoses that were old/cracked

- replaced fuel filters, front and rear

- replaced coolant overflow tank (and complete coolant flush)

- replaced spare tire

 

Modifications by prior owners:

- the stock tube bumpers were removed and are not in my possession

- original driver's seat was replaced

- original wheels were replaced with 15" Panasports (original wheels are not in my possession)

 

The current issues on the car of which I am aware are:

- the front passenger side turn signal is missing its housing

- the lower-right section of the rear window is coming apart from the top (see photos)

- the dealer-installed 8-track deck is not currently functioning and the passenger-side speaker is missing

- fifth gear syncro is poor but functional, I try to rev-match to around 3000 rpms in order to get a smooth shift into 5th gear

- right-rear brake caliper needs to be adjusted. there is a slow leak but as long as the fluid level is maintained, the brakes are fully functional

- several other minor cosmetic issues as depicted in the photos

 

Again, none of the above prevent the car from being driven safely in its current condition.