13 Jul 01
The Fiat 124 Spider is the most commercially successful Italian sports car ever. It was Fiat's MGB really - but far more sophisticated. With a belt-drive, twin-cam engine under the bonnet, it was a spirited and sweet performer, while well-located, coil-sprung rear suspension and four-wheel disc brakes gave it handling and refinement way beyond that of its British competitors. The handsome body was by Pininfarina and had enduring appeal, even when ugly Federal safety bumpers were hung on it in the mid '70s for North America, which was always the model's biggest market. Five gears were initially optional, later standard, and there was even an automatic.
Engine size grew over the years, first to 1608 cc in 1969, then to 1756 cc in 1972, with a new 1592 cc 1600 base model. A 2.0-litre engine was standard across the board from '79 as Fiat tried to counter power-strangling emissions regulations. Injection was introduced in 1980. The ultimate version was the supercharged VX, with 135 bhp.
Production ceased in 1985, later variants being marketed as Pininfarina rather than Fiat Spiders. At the time, we never had them in RHD in the UK, but specialists such as DTR of Mortlake in West London have since brought dozens from the States and converted them.
