1972 Fiat Other

903cc

Manual

100GBS10115836

This Fiat 850 Spider is a great opportunity for a collector who is willing to put the time and effort in. Why, what makes this 850 so special? In the world of small displacement European sports cars this is a rare bird. A one owner, (documented, you will be #2), low mileage, driven for four years, (by a lady, I'm not joking!), and put in a barn in 1976. My friends pulled it from that barn in the fall of 2011, stored for 35 years! Overall Condition; 100% original and complete, original paint with no signs of any accident damage. It will need a full restoration. Body Condition; 850's rust like no tomorrow, so let's be very clear, so nobody gets upset. Although not rust free, (look at sill shot), it is 100% solid on the critical areas of the 850. The X brace is perfect, the floors are rust free. The front trunk floor is just starting to separate at the front seam. The battery box is the best I have ever seen in an unrestored car, and I have owned 18 Fiat 850's over the years. The solid battery box is evidence of inside storage over all those years, no rain water and leaves, etc. The body work needed is limited to small external patch panels and normal minor dent/scratch repairs. I would recommend you try and save the original paint to the largest extent possible, it will buff and compound well. The front hood and hinge panel are rust free, and the vin number stamped in the hood matches the car, further evidence of originality. The top is original, the rear window is dull and browning, but a skilled shop could probably remove that window and save the top. I have not tried to move the top, this is as found. Mechanical Condition; Who knows why it was stored 30yrs ago? It rolls and steers easily, transmission goes into all gears, the engine bay is complete, but I have made no attempt to start it or even turn the motor over. As the car is original, the wiring harness is untouched, I would expect electrical issues to be minimal. Wheels & Tires; When collected the car had it's original Michelin X tires, none of them would hold air! The stock wheels needed a sand blasting and painting before getting tires on them. I found 4 good used tires and mounted them on better steel wheels, three of those are 124 spider NOS steel wheels. You will get the original steel wheels and hubcaps with the car, and the ones on the car now. Interior Condition: Outstanding original condition, a real plus, as most of it is hard to find. The dash has no damage, the door panels and rear package area are all in great shape. The rubber floor mats are perfect, the best originals I have even seen. This is no doubt why the floors are so solid. All door and window seals are original. All switches and gauges are correct, the ignition key is missing, but a locksmith can cut a key. Document trail; Purchased new 8/72 from a Fiat dealer in RI, by Mary Fountain of Southbridge, MA. In this era MA issued transferable registrations, not titles, which is what you will get. I have the first registration, and then the second registration, both in Mary's name, all that changed was her address. After the second registration expired the car was stored away, I have no idea why. Interestingly I have insurance payment history on the car, and the agency that issued it was a family business of Miss Fountain. The car also has the original owners manual, Fiat dealer directory, and Fiat DrivingTips owner self help guide. The books are not in great shape, but they are part of the cars history. Conditions of sale; $500 deposit via pay-pal, balance in cash at collection/delivery. I will deliver for free within a 100 miles of my home in Chapel Hill, TN. Zip 37034. If you would like me to deliver further, please contact me BEFORE bidding, so we can agree on the delivery fee. I'm not a trucker, so I can't spend days on the road! Car must be paid for in full before delivery, and the delivery fee also paid in cash, thanks. What else would you like to know? Please let me know, I will respond quickly, thanks. Oh, the best part, NO RESERVE!