1967 FIAT 124 Spider AS

When you look for a 1960s Italian sports car, open and with a design from one of the most prestigious design houses, traditionally it requires a very well-padded bank account if the dream is to be realized. The Fiat 124 Spider ticks all the boxes at a somewhat more down-to-earth price compared to its Dino siblings, not to mention the costly Spiders from Maranello and Modena. When Fiat presented the 124 Spider in 1966, it was the beginning of one of the most successful open sports cars from Italy. With lines drawn by Tom Tjaarda at Pininfarina (also known for the De Tomaso Pantera) the start was good. The engine was a treat designed by former Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi. The 4-cylinder in-line engine with 2 overhead camshafts driven by belt, was unusually modern at the time. The displacement increased steadily over the years from 1400cc to 1600, then 1800 to finish with 2000cc. Add to this disc brakes on all 4 wheels and a 5-speed gearbox, the recipe for a classic sports car. It was a well-designed engine with quite significant tuning potential and when Abarth came along in 1971, they developed the car in collaboration with Fiat for rally use. The Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye achieved many victories in rallying in the following years and the same engine was then extensively used in some extremely potent Lancia rally cars, both with and without supercharging from compressors and turbochargers respectively (and both at the same time!). In fact, the engine is the most winning engine design in Rally history, which testifies to its huge potential. The early AS models are considered by many to be the most elegant. The narrow bumpers, the simple lines and the light expression are in beautiful contrast to the later versions, which over the years were affected by the boring use of plastic details of the 70s and 80s. The first series (often referred to as AS) is, in the opinion of many, the purest interpretation of Tom Tjaarda's original design.

The car on offer here simply appears as an example out of the ordinary. The car has undergone a complete restoration, nothing spared, where it has been completely disassembled, sandblasted and rebuilt with great care. The result is a Fiat 124 Spider, which in every detail appears with a finish and quality that is rarely encountered.

The paint is in the beautiful Giallo Positano, which suits the elegant lines of the model exceptionally well. Together with the delicious interior - brand new of course - the car appears both typical of the period and unusually inviting. When a restoration is carried out at this level, it is not just about new parts or glossy paint. It is about the overall impression. The body fit, details, finish and overall feel of the car indicate that considerable resources and many hours of work have been invested to bring the car back to the condition it deserves. And in this case, far too much has been invested, we have to admit.

For the collector or enthusiast looking for an early Fiat 124 Spider without compromise, this is a rare and attractive offer.