1972 Fiat 124 Spider 1600 review from North America
"Classic sports car with LOTS of potential!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
One of the previous owners put the dumb 132AC (1592cc) engine in which, when the timing belt came loose on the previous owner, snapped both valve heads off on the #4 cylinder. I bought a "new" 20 year old 125BC (1608cc) engine to replace the non-original, piece-o-crap 132AC.
The valve cover and cylinder head gaskets leak (not too bad considering age), and the transmission (5-speed) needs new seals.
I replaced all of the gaskets and seals on the engine and transmission, rebuilt the carburetor, and made everything nice and shiny. It all works great now!
The only other major problem left to take care of is body cancer. There is a 3 inch wide hole to the left of the drive's seat, a hole (puncture maybe, not rust) in the floorboard, and the suspension to body connecting points are rusted (HAZARD!).
General comments?
This car is seriously fun to drive!
When I rebuild the engine (how many thousands of miles later?), I plan on making it a 14:1 C/R, hot cam, 500cfm, tunnel ram, race car. Theoretically, that should make around 230HP and 210ft.lb.
Check out www.rotrex.eu.com for superchargers with 98% efficiency!!
With a Rotrex supercharger, that Fiat engine (125BC) would make 250HP on a street setup and pump gas on 1.6L!!!
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  | Excellent Value for money |
| An Italian Classic |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Yes |
| First year of ownership | 2003 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2003 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.6L 125BC.040 Manual |
| Performance marks | 8/10 |
| Reliability marks | 7/10 |
| Comfort marks | 8/10 |
| Dealer Service marks | |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 6/10 |
| Distance when acquired | 0 miles |
| Most recent distance | 0 miles |
| Date of Entry | 1st June, 2003 |