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Highlights

Fantastic build sheet, with plenty of high-performance upgrades
Race and historic rally ready, with supporting HSCC documents and Motorsport passport as well as being fully road legal with current MOT
Equally at home on continental trips or local shows with the roof down
Extensive (removable) race safety equipment inc bucket seats and rollcage
Full interior and exterior respray in classic Abarth colours
Previous competition success prior to being featured on TV show

The Appeal

In its early days, the Pininfarina-designed 124 Spider offered a superb balance of spirited performance, characterful handling, and signature Italian styling. It then didn’t take long for the 124 with more than a little help from tuning house Abarth to follow its Italian brethren in the world of motorsports, where it would go on to see considerable success in rallying.

As the years have passed, the 124 Spider continues to receive high praise for its engaging driving characteristics, with many motorists continually opting to race the Italian Cabriolet. Amongst these passionate motorsport enthusiasts with a flair for the exotic, is a previous owner, who began the car’s motorsport transformation after importing the rust-free car from the sunshine states of USA. After seeing notable racing success with that owner, the vehicle was then treated to its share of TV screen time, receiving even more upgrades to suit the track.

Now, under current ownership the vehicle stands as arguably one of the finer-prepared Italian racers in today’s market, presenting a fantastic opportunity for any motoring enthusiast looking to compete on track/rally or simply to enjoy the performance of this fantastic sounding Lampredi twin cam tribute to the Abarth 124 Spider. It has a dual personality; in “road” trim with classic sports seats on adjustable runners and the roof down it is perfect for touring the continent (as on a recent 1000mile round trip to Le Mans) or bolt in the custom-built roll-cage and bucket seats (takes about 45mins) and you are ready to go racing!

The HSCC Identity form and Motorsport UK passport along with current MOT and £0 Road Tax mean that this car is eligible for many classic car track and rally events which it can driven straight to and back.

The History and Paperwork

2 former keepers noted
Extensive previous restoration/preparation
Included within the paperwork:
V5C document
Motorsport UK vehicle passport
HSCC documentation for competition participation
Correspondence from Fiat confirming the vehicle’s heritage
Ready for race or rally use in race trim
Ready for shows or touring in road trim

According to official correspondence with Fiat’s homologation department, this Fiat 124 BS Spider was originally built in Fiat’s Rivalta plant in May 1971. The vehicle was no doubt thoroughly enjoyed over the years that followed before a previous keeper decided this mighty Italian cabriolet was destined for the chequered flag after being imported from USA in around 2015 and transformed the car into a top performance track car.

The full race spec 1608cc competition engine was built by the highly respected Italian Twin Cam specialist Ellegi Motori and is an incredible high revving piece of Italian engineering designed by ex-Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi. After considerable racing success, the track-prepared Fiat was then featured on an episode of “A classic car TV show”, in which it underwent a further transformation.

Perhaps the most notable changes from its previous track form were a top quality respray both inside and out, the installation of a new custom cage and safety components, adding up to a full cosmetic makeover. No stranger to podium finishes, this truly handsome racer now presents a fantastic opportunity to jump right into classic race or rally events, where it will no doubt continue to perform like a champion for its next lucky owner.

The Condition

Multi-point removable custom roll cage
Weld-in seat rail mounts that fit both road or race seats
Sparco Rev bucket seats/or the Classic seats on adjustable rails
Willans 4-point harnesses
Plumbed-in extinguisher system
Handheld fire extinguisher
Bespoke dashboard, and custom aluminium centre console
Smiths digital gauges
New door cards
Never welded
Stripped to a bare shell, and painted both inside and outside Rosso Corsa paintwork
Fully stone-chipped
New mohair soft top
Features new headlights, tail lights, and side lights
13' by 6'Cromodora alloy wheels, with Toyo Proxes tyres

In keeping with the thorough nature of the TV show rebuild this Fiat 124 Spider was fully stripped down to a bare shell and received fresh paint both outside, and within the interior. As the photos reflect, the vehicle is in red and offers a very good finish. In addition to fresh paintwork at considerable expense, this mighty little Fiat also received a full coat of stone chip underneath, ensuring further longevity for years to come. To accompany the new paintwork, the vehicle was also fitted with a host of new exterior components, including a new mohair soft top.

As you would perhaps expect, the mohair still looks absolutely fantastic and shows no notable signs of wear & tear. In addition to the roof, the vehicle also received brand-new headlights, tail lights, and side lights, all of which present themselves brilliantly today. Offering a superb level of contrast against the red paintwork is a set of new alloy wheels, finished in gold. The wheels are 14x6, present themselves very well, and come wrapped in a set of road legal Toyo Proxes semi-slick tyres.

Overall, the exterior of this 124 Spider is in fantastic condition and reflects a very high level of craftsmanship, this will undoubtedly be one of the most handsome race cars within the paddock. It should also be noted that the sign writing shown on the vehicle in some photos has now been professionally removed and the numberplates replaced with period correct black and silvers.

Upon opening the doors to this 124, you’re greeted with a solely performance-oriented interior, with utmost attention to safety. For starters, the latest spec multi-point custom roll cage, which was professionally installed by Custom Cages themselves. The highly regarded team at Custom Cages was also responsible for installing the latest spec weld-in seat rails, upon which directly sit Sparo Rev bucket seats when in race trim, or the adjustable rails for the classic road seats.

Having seen minimal use like the rest of the interior, the Sparco seats are in fantastic condition and are sure to be a welcome aid through the corners on the track or the equally immaculate classic seats on adjustable rails are comfortable for a long cruise.

Holding you in place, a re Williams 4-point harnesses, complete with Hans device compatibility. Rounding out the safety components is an onboard fully plumbed-in extinguisher system, with both internal and external trigger points. Facing forwards, you’re treated to a sleek bespoke dashboard, which comes fitted with a new dash top, and adorned with classic style electronic Smiths digital gauges set in race style turned aluminium panels. You’ll also notice a custom built one piece aluminium centre console, and a removable 3-spoke OMP Racing steering wheel.

The interior of this Fiat 124 Spider truly is a fantastic environment to find oneself in. All components throughout the cabin are in near-new condition, with no noteworthy signs of wear, or damage.

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The Mechanics

Fully race tuned 1608cc competition engine, built by the highly regarded Italian Twin Cam specialist Ellegi Motori
2x Twin Downdraft Weber IDF40 carburettors (just serviced)
Electronic ignition
4-branch manifold, paired with a custom stainless steel exhaust
Rebuilt Abarth close ratio 5 speed gearbox
Abarth “winged” sump
Competition paddle clutch, with a lightened flywheel
LSD rear differential, with new 4:4 CWP and bearings
Aluminium radiator, new electric fan & silicone coolant hoses
Oil cooler with braided pipes
New Odyssey lightweight race battery
New lightweight high-power alternator (Denso internals)
High torque starter motor
Plastic lightweight fuel cell, with a Facet fuel pump (plus track fuel can)
Leda adjustable shocks, with Eibach springs
Adjustable rose jointed control arms and anti-roll bar
Rose jointed radius armbushes
New brake calipers, with EBC drilled & grooved brake discs and pads
Replacement handbrake lever
Dash adjustable pedal box (no servo)
Braided brake lines
New Windscreen wiper mechanism and motor
New Fusebox/fuses and GPS speed sensor

As the above list suggests, great attention to detail and considerable expense have been paid to ensure this 124 performs at the top of its game. The star of the drivetrain is, of course, the fully tuned 1608cc competition engine hiding under the bonnet.

The powerplant is accompanied by a rebuilt Abarth close ratio gearbox, a competition paddle clutch, lightened flywheel, and a recently rebuilt LSD with a new 4:4 CWP and new bearings and seals.

The twin Weber carbs have also received attention being rebuilt with new accelerator
diaphragms, float needles and seals.

Buyers will be pleased to know that in addition to boasting a fantastic spec list, this Fiat 124 is said to perform exactly as it should, with no known faults whatsoever and having done a 1000mile shakedown to Le Mans (June 2024), and attended numerous car shows and hill climbs. This is a vehicle that is more than ready to hit road or the track

BEFORE YOU BUY

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