1980 Fiat Spider

2000 Convertible

4 - Cyl.

Manual

124CSO*00173401

Gasoline

Up for auction is a very clean, beautiful, fuel-injected 1980 Fiat Spider in near perfect condition. It has been meticulously maintained and serviced by my local Fiat tech (Turin Sportscars (http://turinsportscars.com) specializing in Fiat/Lancia repair/service for nearly 30 years) since I bought it. It's been kept covered/stored in a heated storage facility during the winters. I have driven it to numerous West Michigan FLU events (Fiat Lancia Unlimited) and the members in the club can attest to the condition of this car. It has never been driven during the winter, and only once was driven in the rain to my knowledge. I am the third owner of this car. The original owner had it rust-proofed and undercoated and there is no visible rust or pitting to the paint or wheel wells. There's a bit of surface rust on the exterior of the exhaust pipe and gas tank (see photo). Believe it or not, this is the original paint. I have taken very good care of it and wax/shine it regularly. Someone asked if the paint is original. There is no overspray on any rubber parts or chrome to indicate a refinish. The stickers in the engine area are intact and cover the painted surface, and the sticker in the trunk covers this paint, leading me to believe it is original. The guy I bought it from only owned it for a year, and he bought it from an older lady who didn't drive it much. He told me the paint was original on the car and she told him it was original. There was one repair done to the rear left quarter panel. A small ding was popped out and it was repainted to match. There are 64000 original miles on the car as of listing the car for sale. It currently has Pirelli 13" P44's mounted on the original steel wheels and the tread still has a lot of life left. The engine is strong, transmission is strong, and the car does not overheat. Engine fan kicks on when sit should. The car does not have a lien on it and the title is clear and in my name. If you buy a Spider on eBay, prepare to spend thousands getting it into this condition. I have spent thousands over the past 3 years getting it into near perfect condition. My tech said this is the best-looking most complete, fully-functioning Spider he has ever worked on. If you are looking for a Spider that you won't have to do anything to for awhile, this is the one you want. Everything that needed servicing or fixing has been fixed and whenever possible using only NOS components that my Fiat tech still has in stock, including: 1) NOS carpet in the trunk 2 years ago 2) NOS stainless wheel surrounds this year (old ones had some slight scratches so I bought some new ones - old ones are more correct for the car and will be included in the auction) 4) NOS shocks late last Fall 5) Front end completely gone over last Fall with numerous arms and bushings replaced, practically the entire front steering components. 6) Clutch cable replaced last Fall 7) Transmission support replaced with NOS part last summer 8) Full alignment last Fall 9) Replaced side and hood emblems with enamel emblems 2 years ago 10) NOS gearshift knob - I think I have the original one but it's identical and the leather is cracked 11) Gearshift was clacking so my tech repacked it with NOS components last summer - now it's perfect and shifts smoothly 12) Replaced the rear view mirror with NOS mirror 2 years ago 13) Replaced the convertible top with high-quality cloth top 3 years ago 14) Replaced the cassette deck with a $2500 Alpine CD/MP3 stereo system 3 years ago. My tech said it is the best sound system he's heard in any Spider. 15) Transmission seal replaced last summer. 16) Replaced the clock with a NOS clock without a cloudy lens. 17) Replaced the starter with a NOS starter that has lots of power last Fall. 18) Replaced the battery last summer 19) Re-oiled the electric motors for the power windows so they work better/faster 20) Installed a NOS front air spoiler - missing from the car when I bought it. 21) Repainted the steering wheel using original silver paint. Reconditioned the leather steering wheel so it's smooth and free of any nicks/bumps 22) Brake pads and rotors replaced last summer 23) Numerous other things I can't recall at the moment but I can check with my tech and update the auction. What it has that most Spiders don't have: 1) Original upgraded leather option including leather seats, leather steering wheel (extremely rare - most on a Spider are rubber), leather across the dash, leather center column, leather door handles, leather shift grip. 2) Extremely rare and original Ardesia Metallic (dark silver/blue) paint - a very rare color for this year 3) Upgraded pro-audio stereo system with Alpine CD, MP3 deck (with cable to hook up an iPod in glovebox), detachable faceplate, Boston Acoustics 8" subwoofer (in trunk), Precision Power amp (in trunk), 1.0 Farad Capacitor (to absorb power spikes when the bass kicks in), Boston Acoustics Pro Series 6.5 woofers/tweeters/crossovers behind the map holders (you can't see them, but you will hear them and they very highly rated on Carreview.com). System has excellent stereo imaging, even with the top down and is very loud and clear with no noticeable distortion. Deck EQ has been acoustically set up with a microphone to match the interior of the car. 4) Everything on the car is nearly stock. Anything that was worn or in need of repair was replaced with NOS components 5) Tan corn-row carpeting and rubber floor mats are in excellent condition and very clean 6) Power windows - very rare on a Spider - and they work smoothly!!! 7) Tan vinyl and leather interior is much nicer looking than what came on most stock Spiders of the period. Most came with an orangish tan vinyl interior. This one is a lighter tan, very rare, and in very good shape. The convertible top boot cover is also original and matches the interior. 8) Original dash with no cracks in it. We don't get hot summers up here in Michigan and it has not been left outside to get hot during the summer months. How does it drive? 1) Like a go-kart, straight as an arrow. No play in the steering at all. My tech said it would be impossible to make the steering any better, and I believe him. 2) Shifting is effortless, with no slippage in any gears whatsoever. 3) Braking is perfect with no pulling left or right. What else does it come with? 1) The original owners manual 2) The keys - One for the trunk, one for the ignition, one for the antenna, and a Fiat logo keychain 3) The original factory radio and speakers (in a cardboard box) 4) Spare set of chrome surrounds for the metal wheels 5) Original jack and spare tire in trunk 6) Extra floor mats to protect the original corn-row carpeting from wear 7) Original antenna 8) 4 extra center caps for the wheels 9) Extra piece of chrome trim for the passenger window 10) Extra set of keys 11) Brand new form-fitting dust cover for the car Any issues at all? 1) It's a 1980 car, over 30 years old, based on a 60's body design. It's going to have problems, but right now there is nothing functionally wrong with it (to my knowledge) 2) There is a very small scratch on the front hood that has been touched up. 3) Leather seats have some very light cracking and a wear mark on the passenger seat that is not as tan as the rest of the seat. Seats are still very clean and leather is soft. New owner might opt to buy some seat covers to further protect the leather from sun damage as the leather is now 30+ years old. 4) A few scratches under the rear trunk hood near the paint code label (see last photo). 5) I don't have the key to the glove compartment - never came with the car 6) Hairline crack in the left rear red signal light - very small and hardly noticeable 7) Slight wear to the paint on the base of the door mirror, I assume from someone putting their hand on the mirror while driving. 8) Passenger door does not lock using the key from the outside, but it does unlock using the key. It can be locked by pushing down the handle on the inside of the car. 9) Plastic around the seatbelt connectors is cracked, typical of older Spiders 10) Small 3mm cut in the boot cover that covers the convertible top. Not noticeable and easily repairable. 11) The little plastic trunk light cover got bumped and fell off. I have it in the glovebox, but have not gotten around to having it reinstalled. Why am I selling? We don't get many sunny days in Michigan and the winters are very long. I only drive it on weekends and the occasional weeknight, maybe 20 times a year. It makes no sense for me to take up the garage space with a car I don't drive much. I've got two kids to put through college and they need cars as well so unfortunately the Spider has to go. Where is it located? I'm in Kalamazoo / Portage, Michigan, near the intersection of 131 and I-94. If you're in the area, you're welcome to come see it. I'm 100% confident that the high bidder could fly in to the local airport KZO, pick up this car, and drive it anywhere in the USA or Canada without any concern. What are the auction terms? Car is sold as-is, with no warranty expressed or implied. High bidder understands that once the car leaves my hands it's their responsibility for any and all repairs and/or issues with the car. High bidder is responsible for arranging vehicle transportation and for all fees associated with transportation. I sold a similar red 1980 Fiat Spider 5 years ago for $11,000. It was not as rare as this one, and had the vinyl interior and I didn't trust it like I trust this car. Other cars on eBay have recently sold in the $11,000 range and they weren't as nice and clean as this one. NOTE: I reserve the right to pull the car from the auction at any time as it is being offered up for sale locally.