I had my '80 Fiat Spider 2000 from May '89 to June '04. I was the 3rd owner and personally knew the 2nd owner as well as the history of the car. I put roughly 100K kms on it, got married twice in it, one respray, one clutch and tranny, a partial engine rebuild, countless radiator rebuilds, 2 water pumps, one timing belt, 2 convertible tops, 3 sets of tires.... I literally grew up with this car, and for a period of time (during my divorce in '95) it was the only thing that put a smile on my face. This may sound insane, but I had far more fun in my Fiat that I do in my Ferrari. Needless to say, my (2nd) wife and I both regretted having sold it. But my 308 keeps my hands (and my heart) rather busy, and I hadn't been using my Fiat regularly during the last 2 years. As well, owning 2 sports cars can become costly. Here's a few pics from the day that I sold it. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I've got a '70 Giannini 500 TV. I have had it on display at Concorso Italiano in Monterey a couple times. It gets more looks and comments than the 308...go figure! Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
I am the 2nd owner of a 1984 Pininfarina. This happens to be the second Fiat that I have owned. Prior to this I owned a 1988 Bertone. This little spider had a complete interior restoration with minor mechanical work. I use it as a daily driver and it has 87,000 miles on it. What a fun car Evan Statman Fiat Florida Inc. http://www.fiatflorida.com
I love driving my new '75 FIAT 500, with its 2 cyl and 17 bhp. Not a fast machine... but a lot of fun nevertheless! My Diablo has been collecting a bit of dust these past few weeks... Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone remember Abarth and Campagnolo wheel ads by 'FAZA' run by Al Cosentino from as far back as the 70's? What ever happened to him and does he still have any parts worth checking into for either Fiats or Ferraris? thanks rt
I last spoke with Al Cosentino a bit over a year ago. We talked briefly about some wheels, then he spun off into outer space. You can NOT get a straight answer from him. Too bad, he's a very knowledgable guy. Look at his ads on ebay. "Ground control to Major Al !!!!"
I had the "Bible" according to Al. About the size of the of the New Haven Yellow pages! Bought a 75/35 cam, springs, Webers etc for my 79 X1/9 from them. They briefly had a shop in Southampton, N.Y where they installed my springs for me. Kinda shoddy work, they closed it not long after. Always wanted a totally tricked out X with the snorkel or the Dallara bodywork. Al is a character for sure.
coupla linkies for ya. http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?p=134609494 http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=12159&messageid=1071162506 http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=12159&messageid=1098359165
To answer the original post, count me in. Running & presentable: 76, 80 & 82 spiders. In process of ground up restorations: '72 124 coupe & another '82 spider that will be on the show fiel of ItalianCarFest in 2005. -Jerry Lee Phillips north Texas 817 521-4400
Wow: speaking of al cosentino, check out this sweet abarth lancia of his... http://www.melanconfamily.com/faza/images/DSCN0784.jpg http://www.melanconfamily.com/faza/images/DSCN0783.jpg http://www.melanconfamily.com/faza/images/DSCN0780.jpg I have to go clean up now. Wow.
Thanks for the compliments on the car guys, it's so nice. We were vacationing in Sicily in the late 90's when we saw it on the way back to my dad's town. The car got here a few months after we returned. I got a chance to go to his house about a year ago....I couldn't believe it when he told me to follow him there. When we went into his garage my mought about hit the floor when I saw his cars and parts. I really wish I had a camera phone then.
I have a 1974 124 Spider that I bought in 1976. I'm prepping it for paint now and it should be ready in the spring. If anyone in the Philadelphia area is into FIATs and wants to chat, give me a call at 610 328 4000, ext 551. Bob Z.
My brother had a 131 sedan that he got for free. Ran for a couple of years until the timing belt broke. My tire guy is a real Fiat nut. He has a Dino 2000 Coupe, a 600 Multipla ('58, I think), and a couple of X1/9's, among others.
No joke, I was laughing nonstop for 30 minutes after reading your post. It is too bad he has gone off the deep end, I guess old age does that. I only dealt with Al once, I purchased his quad exhaust system for my X1/9, it was total junk and didn't last 6 months. I had heard from many other X1/9 owners that bought his full race cams that the cams were made from a soft steel, the lobes ended up wearing out prematurely and required frequent valve adjustments to maintain proper clearances, but the lifts would degrade over time. Want junk.
Not a classic... but I still own a '99 Fiat Bravo GT... with 314.000km (195.100miles) on the odo as a daily driver. Nice car that I always liked to drive, but the mileage is starting to caus troubles. Will normally be replaced by an Alfa Romeo 156 this year.
I have owned this Dino Coupe for 3 years. My first Italian Exotic was a Fiat Dino Coupe and Fiat Dino Spider. I sold both and got into Ferraris for 13 years. I have owned 76 308, 79 308, 83 308, 72 365C4, 72 Lambo Espada, and 59 Abarth Record Monza. I also own a 60 Alfa Veloce Spider. I enjoy working on the cars, but once done I sell them and experience a different one. My Alfa is for sale also. It's had a lot of work done on it. I have receipts for both cars. http://webpages.charter.net/rcguerra/dinopic.htm http://webpages.charter.net/rcguerra/alfapic.htm Rich 805-929-6519 hm 805-550-8608 cell Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Yep, my 308's little sister is a 500 that I've owned since 1978 and will NEVER part with. It was rebuilt around 1982 with Abarth 695 barrels, pistons, head, cam. carby etc etc. Has Cromodora mags,Abarth steering wheel, Alqautti (sp?) sump. It's about to go in for a full back to metal body job and will be repsrayed to match the big car exactly. By the way, the plates are consecutive but the 308 comes AFTER the Bambino which indicates my affections. I love my 308 but it is a stock standard car that money could replace, but the Bambino was built for me and is unique (in Australia at least) and virtually irreplacable. Big kids are impressed by the 308 but little kids invariably prefer the Bambino. I've also had 128 sedan (written off by ex-husband & yes that was a big part of the reason he had to go!), X1/9 (wish I'd never sold), 131 (had to be sold for lack of space). BTW, I edit the local FIAT club mag so if anyone would like to email me any interesting FIAT stuff, please do!
I think you've won Albert! F40/Dino/Panda combo is pretty unbeatable (not to mention SOOOOO cool! Anyone interested in lots of great photos of FIATs at Mt Panorama (famous Aus track) see www.tonypix.fotopic.net
Karen any chance of Pics of th 500?Engine bay especially if possible.A good friend of mine is currently rebuilding/restoring one with Abarth parts.He also owns another 500 with suicide doors that he will respray after the first one is done.He also has a immaculate 850 coupe.He would reaaly appreciate the pics.Another good friend of mine has two bambino's as well.Totally restored and one of them is a cabriolet.He uses them as wedding cars for page boys and girls.Thanks in advance
wow, wicked photoset. thanks. some great X's in there, drooool. here's another 35 pics of the event... FIAT al Monte.
