AngelsFiatWorld - 68 Spider bodywork

In August 1997, answered an ad reading "Two Fiat 124 Spiders - $700 for both". Having the room for only one, had to choose between a 74 with straight body, good paint, average interior, running 1.8L, good trans & tires or the 68 with rusted, dented, peeling exterior, incomplete interior, failing trans, slipping clutch, noisy diff & 1438. At an even $350 apiece, the choice was obvious - the trashed out 68.

It had been sitting in an open shed for seven years, waiting for rescue. After replacing crumbled fuel lines, topping up the oil & water, duct taping the gas tank fill hose, tossing in a battery & airing up the tires, drove it, top down, the 8 miles home, popping out of gear constantly. Arrived safely in the driveway idling at 2000 rpm, reeking & dripping stale gas, radiator boiling over and clutch smoking.

To the objections of wife & kids and even the neighbor's dog (lifted a leg on left rear tire), drove into the garage for the work to begin.

For 16 months, nights and weekends, the work progressed for 1,200 hours until completed in Jan 1999. Among the items restored or rebuilt were the body, interior, engine, transmission, brakes, suspension and electrical systems. A series of articles will eventually be presented on this website describing in detail each of those systems renovated.

This '68 124 Spider is the third Fiat restoration project tackled over the years. The first, a '71 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe, the second, a '72 124 Coupe. In addition, have kept alive a couple of Fiat 131 Mirafioris (beautiful flower), all now long gone. Doesn't include a variety of Datsun 510's, a '69 AMX, some Fords and other less notable mentions.

This Spider is now driven daily, weather permitting. Why go through all this effort if not to enjoy it ? - pete angel

Crunched, rusted, nicked, dinged & 4 different colors. Hard to see beyond all that, but the frame is sound and all the parts were there except tail lights. Notice the body filler and fit of hood. This is typical of the overall condition of this unhappy looking Spider.