1979 Fiat 124 spider (1966-1985)

1979 Fiat Spider 2000 2.0-liter inline-four and five-speed manual

This 1979 Fiat Spider 2000 was restored by the previous owner in the fall of 2022. Work included overhauling its 2.0-liter inline-four and five-speed manual transmission, servicing its brakes and Weber carburetors, and installing LED lighting in addition to refreshing and repainting the body. The car has a tan soft top over tan upholstery, and it features Wilwood front disc brakes, adjustable Koni shock absorbers, Panasport-style 15″ wheels, a 2.25″ stainless-steel exhaust system, and a Bluetooth-capable CD stereo with a USB port. The rocker panels were removed, refinished, and covered with paint protection film by the previous owner and replacement mirrors were fitted along with LED bulbs in the front and rear, which were wired through a separate fused relay circuit. Rota 15″ wheels are mounted with 205/50 Nitto NT05 tires that show 2015 production date codes. The suspension is modified with lowering springs, adjustable Koni Sport dampers, and aftermarket stabilizer bars. The brake system features braided stainless-steel lines as well as Wilwood front calipers and rotors. Work on the car included replacing the front wheel bearings, servicing the brakes with DOT3 synthetic fluid, and installing Porterfield R4-S rear brake pads. The front bucket seats are trimmed in tan vinyl over dark carpets, and the interior has a Bluetooth-capable Sony stereo as well as a heating system that was installed by the previous owner along with replacement weatherstripping and window seals. The rear bench was also removed in favor of a shelf for speakers and a fire extinguisher. A leather-wrapped steering wheel frames the instrument cluster, which has a Bosch oil pressure gauge fitted in place of a clock. The 2.0-liter inline-four was overhauled by the previous owner with a ported and polished cylinder head, 10:1 compression-ratio pistons, performance camshafts with adjustable sprockets, and a 123ignition electronic distributor. The camshaft timing and valve clearances were adjusted; the Weber 45mm IDF carburetors were refurbished; NGK BPR6ES spark plugs were gapped .032”; and the timing belt was replaced with its tensioner. A four-into-two-into-one exhaust header and a 2.25″ stainless-steel exhaust system with oxygen-sensor bungs were also installed and fifth-gear components were replaced before the transmission was resealed and filled with Redline MT-90 gear oil.

Key details
Interior: Tan vinyl
Transmission: 5 Speed Manual
VIN / chassis: 124CS20147543

Offered by Paramount Classic Cars & Trucks, 3030 Falling Creek Rd, Hickory, NC 28601. Taxes, title and fees not included.

Photos courtesy of Paramount Classic Cars.