I'm warming up to the idea of an Italian car in the stable. I've never owned any Italian vehicle so this is new territory to me. I've always liked the looks of the Fiat 124, particularly the earlier ones.
I understand that there was a special limited edition Arbath 124 version. I would imagine they are quite rare and I'll guess a lot more expensive than the normal production cars?
What about making a 124 Arbath replica? Any thoughts?
I'd say DO IT! You can pick up a decent 124 for $2-3k, just take the hood off, get it painted Satin Black, take the bumpers off, and get some big fogs and an ANSA muffler... Call it a day!
Go for it; they're only Italian Clunkers! Yeah, and with rippied-off Alfa junkomotors, and bodied formed with tinworm larve!
(Have setup blockage between me and computer screen.)
Ok, my fun is over. Looking for a genuine factory version would be both a bit difficult and really $$ for one in good condition.
A replica. Why not. Finding a clean, not-too rusted body is probably going to be the hardest problem. A set of Webers, headers, strong cam, and wonderful noises you will hear approaching redline.
Is this for the wife's classic desires?
In reply to triumph5:
Yup. I don't think it would be a hard sell.
Yup, DO IT!
I got this one last summer here local in GA in mostly this condition (I've only done minor $ work to it) for $1k and it's not rusted out, it's been undercoated, and the paint is from a previous resto. Yes it runs and drives. Yes deals are out there, I spent 8 months looking before this one popped up. Put WTB adds in Craigslist, if you include "don't mind a project, doesn't need to be perfect" you'd be surprised what turns up and who contacts you.
I thought so. Doing the old end run around to make the person think they came up with the idea on their own....
In reply to triumph5:
Hehehehe. You must also be married,
The Abarth versions were rally cars. I don't think they were sold here officially. They look awesome though.
My favorite Abarth is the X1/9. They only made 5 to 7 depending upon who you believe, but also came with the same twin cam motor found in the 124. Also built as rally cars, they were faster than the Stratos on the few stages they entered, and were quickly dropped to concentrate on the 131 and not upstage the Stratos.
In reply to racerdave600:
If I'm not mistaken, they were twin cam motors but actually had 4 valves per cylinder instead of the 124's 2 but did use a 124's 1600 block bored out to 1800cc's...
and I agree, they were the shiznit, I almost got an X1/9 to do something like this with
I like the 124 enough that I would have one if I had the space. The bad thing is the last three I've seen were either dead in the road or on the side of the road. There is really nice red one driving around Spartanburg every once in a while that if I ever run into the owner, I'm going to ask if he wants to trade for a Spitfire.
There are a few genuine 124 Abarths in the country, but they will be far, far out of the GRM price range. Very rare car, highly collectible in Europe. The biggest difference in them is they have an independent rear suspension.
If it's just the look you're after, then a replica is the way to go. Depends on how serious you want to be about making one. I had collected a lot of the parts to put one together but sold it all when I got tired of moving all my parts from place to place. The hood, cowl and deck lid get painted matte black. You'll need the Pininfarina hardtop (not easy to find, but they exist). The low back racing bucket seats can be had reasonably close from Corbeau or GTS. The Abarth bumperettes have been made off and on over the years; I don't know if anyone is currently producing them. Abarth CD30 wheels, of course (I think these are in production again). To be accurate, you need to ditch the center console and remove the glovebox door. BMW E30 interior roof handles can be used for door pulls. The emblems are all reproduced. A proper twin tip muffler. Some rubber hood latches. Twin IDF Webers if you're really ambitious.
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