1982 Fiat Spider 2000 Abarth - All Show And No Go? Lets Find Out...

The Fiat Spider has always been last on my list of analog British and Italian Sports Coupes but I think the tables have turned. Take away the terrible chrome/rubber bumpers and the game is changed.
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[@944terry]

Once you get it above 5000 rpm then the 2 litre engine shines you were driving it like a british car. Take it to red line in every gear the next one will come in at around 4000 just where the power band begins!

[@recyclespinning9839]

I think the new Fiat 124 missed the design on the car. This body style is amazing. They should have made the exact body, possibly with a bumper restyle only .

[@pereldh5741]

Try a drive in an Abarth instead! Great rally cars. These US engines are really strangled & lack the power of the original euro-cars with normal compression. Even more strange not even the Spidereuropa got the proper 2.0 - it could only be found in the Argenta 2000ie/120ie which boasted 122hp/175Nm. This actually also sat in the Lancia Beta cars (albeit FWD). But whats with ”dont bother w the seat belts” thats just ignorant. I just crashed hard in my ’85 Fiat and what saved me? The seat belt.

[@recyclespinning9839]

The real abarth had a fully independent suspension built for rallying from what I read. Did very well. Unfortunately there's only a few and probably cost a lot and sitting in some rich guys garage..

[@Schlipperschlopper]

According to the federal law HESCHLAVVO, it is already prohibited in Switzerland to drive combustion engines on mountain passes from 2025. In France, the SCHLABOUBVE regulates that fossil vehicles producing fine dust are banned in all cities from 2025 The BABVVO in Germany will ban exhaust pollution control from 2027 and this will happen, nor will the European ban on tires and brakes due to fine dust.

[@peterp8911]

Parts are easier to find than you believe. Check out Vicks Auto Sports, AutoRicambi, Midwest-Bayliss, Spider Roadster, Mr. Fiat, C Obert & Co., which are all US vendors that have new and used parts.

[@adrianoagliardi1450]

Bellissima ! Un'opera d'arte italiana ! ✌️🇮🇹🧑‍🎄💫

[@Andreasb0ss1]

I'm finishing a 124 in Abarth color scheme. Yep, beautiful and Fun. 1 correction, there are 3 U.S. vendors for ALL Parts. Actually really easy to get ALL parts new or recond. So do not fear jumping into a solid bodied 124. Mine was stored for 32 years and just turned 55K. Handy but not at all mechanic, I restored it with the help of Midwest Bayless + EldestBuilds at the university of KZbin. Thanks for the Video/endorsement.

[@AddictedMotors]

Nice!

[@IFORBIDANYDATACOLLECTIONTOALL]

Currently doing the same. Found a 79 with no rust, 75k, fumo grigio paint, and bought it for $1400. I even have the original title from the dealer. Been sitting in her barn for 24 years. I am extremely blessed to have such an incredible project

[@patrickheck6829]

I just discovered your video. Superb ! Gorgeous car. I own a 1976 Spider. I intend to convert it to the pre 1975 classic chrome bumpers. Where did you find your square front indicator lights ?? Enjoy your machine ! P

[@Kstxrd]

Why did the British build a 1.8 liter motor? To keep up with an Italian 1.5.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

Yes and no. MGB 1800 is a lump that properly serviced has a long life. Bullet proof and easily and cheaply upgraded. Even an early MGA 1500 can be made to go fast and unlike the FIAT, reliability is a possibility. I like and have owned FIATS, I'll stick with MGs. Currently a 63 B.

[@Kstxrd]

@@jeffhildreth9244 I owned both MGBs and the 124 Spider. The Fiat was a vastly superior car. I sold Fiat, Lancia, MG, Triumph, Rover and Jaguar cars out of the same dealership for many years. The Fiat cars were far and away better cars than anything that came out of England.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@Kstxrd Hi, I worked for British Motors of Monterey Calif 1968-1972. I spun wrenches and then was Asst Ser Mgr. We were the dealer for Rolls, Bentley, Jag, Aston Martin, Austin, Lotus, Jensen, Jensen Healey, Mini, Morris, MG etc. We had 12 mechanics and 14 lines of Brit cars plus De Tomaso. The FIAT Ferrari dealer was across the street. Measured only by the tow trucks, the FIAT dealer won the prize, a car on a hook daily was not uncommon. I really like the FIATS, between my brother and I we had 5. I preferred my 124 Sport Coupe. It may have had some technical advances such as 4 wheel disc brakes, overhead cam etc, but my opinion varies from yours in that I did not SELL Brit iron, I worked on it. The MGB was/is a pure joy. The FIAT is a fine car but a different feeling and experience, I just prefer the B or my MGC GT. If I had my choice of FIATS I would prefer a Double Bubble ABARTH 750 , or an X 19 highly modified. Happy New Year.

[@Kstxrd]

@@jeffhildreth9244 I was the sales manager for European Motors in Tacoma, WA from 1971 until 1983 which sold the automobiles I mentioned above. My experience was that the Italian cars were much more reliable than anything coming out of Great Briton. The joke was you needed to buy 2 Jaguars in order to drive one as the other would always be in the shop for repairs. I hated selling TR7s because I knew I was going to piss someone off...they were horrible cars. I remember driving a brand new MGB Special Edition home one night and as I was leaving the garage going into my house I heard a crashing noise coming from the MGB. The rearview mirror had fallen off and hit the stick shift and shattered. This was typical British build quality at that time.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@Kstxrd There is no denying that the quality of Brit cars took a dump in the Leyland years. TR7 was a pathetic auto and failed on three counts: Design Material Workmanship. Anyone who owned one is due reparations for their inconvenience and expense. My experience with Italian cars was pre 74. PS my father was asst Superintendent of Parks in Tacoma in the early 50s. We lived on Stadium Heights, 1002 North L. built in 1900. My mother was born in Tacoma. My Great Grand Father emigrated from Bohemia, Austria to Tacoma in 1885. jjhldrethstudios daught calm

[@Joseph-ro3el]

Where did you get the front lip spoiler?

[@kennethpole2439]

what exhaust system?

[@DougsCars]

Not first! Also, that’s always looked just right. Sounds right, too.

[@AddictedMotors]

A seat that I can barely sit in.

[@DougsCars]

@@AddictedMotors I'm sure I'm too wide.

[@michaelisaacson9735]

You so short-shifted that car even for a standard cam. That engines loves redline. And, saying that the seat belts won't do anything to save you is unsafe bullshit. I put one hard into a telephone pole. Pushed a huge rock back, pushed the pole back and broke it in half, walked out with a tiny scratch on one knee. Wear your damn belts!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

In the mid 70s I owned a 1968 124 Sport Coupe, fantastic car and I miss it. I like the 124 FIATS very much. However, I much prefer MGs which I have owned since 1964...ny favorites are the Bs and Cs. I currently have a 63 B. It has everything the Spyder has and more, and less. Parts are easy to get and cheap by comparison. Easy to work on. The ride is outstanding and upgrades are easy to do without compromising heritage.

[@thelifeofguyon]

I'm alllllll about that look.

[@AddictedMotors]

and it scoots!

[@IndyWare124]

Can't go wrong with the Abarth look.

[@GForceVRX]

It’s such a hot looking car

[@fantasticallyfranklin1157]

Whoa