Fiat 124 Coupe
Don’t be as stupid as I was!
By: The Motormensch
There are some fine points to rebuilding a car that I hope to impart to amateurs who are willing to blow their wad on an emotional choice. First of all – STOP! Stop and take stock of what you are about to do before you click the “Buy” selection on ebay, or at least think about what you are about to undertake.
I was in my early 20s and in college when I made my fateful mistake. Given my age and educational level – of course I knew everything. My uncle owned wrecking yards and I grew up working for him. So, I knew cars. Friends and I rebuilt carburetors, transmissions and suspensions, so I knew cars. I had built up everything from scooters to hotrods with guys who knew what they were doing – so I knew cars.
Truth be told, I didn’t know a GODDAMNED thing about cars!
There she was, a Ferrari red, rare 1972 Fiat 124 Coupe with a straight body sitting in my uncle’s wrecking yard. It had a “near new” 1600 CC dual overhead cam 4 which the former owner used to replace the weaker 1400 CC unit. It had nearly no exhaust as everything from the header back was rusted away. Still, when it fired up – the rasp of the Italian 4 banger was awesome. The interior was in good shape and it had brand new looking carpet.
My friend had a similar idea but opted for a 1976 VW Super Beatle. This was the way to go for a beginner, but I knew it all and was no “beginner”! Besides, a bug verses a hot Italian number? There was no denying how good my car looked and all I needed was a book or two on how to fix a few odds and ends.
How hard could it be?
I had about $5,000 savings in the bank just begging to be blown on a cool toy. So, I bought it for $500 bucks and borrowed one of my uncle’s garages. Man, a cool and unique Italian car with a back seat to impress the girls as I carved the canyons! All I had to do is clean it up and replace a few things.
Six months later: I sold the car back to my uncle in pieces for $250 and a negative balance in my savings account. My Fiat turned into a 1992 Chevrolet pick-up truck. Strangely, this is the same truck I vowed to replace with my Ferrari red Fiat that would be fully restored.
Apparently, the rusted out exhaust system and the completely rusted out floorboards that were covered up by the new carpet should have been my first clue that something was wrong. The frayed, crispy wiring and leaky gaskets should have been my next clue. When I took it for its first spin (after buying it), I noticed the driver’s seat felt loose. It turned out later that all the seat brackets were nearly rusted off.
Before I began work, even my father – who knew his older cars – warned me that I was getting in way over my head. But I knew it all and would show them all. I mean, it was a cool looking car. Sure, it needed work, but I could slowly replace bits and pieces that needed it. Way cooler than a VW Bug!
Italian cars are like Italian food: sweet to look at and taste, but not very good for you.
Once I began dissembling the Fiat, I realized that nearly every part was corroded and many bits (nothing important, just nuts and bolts made specifically for that car) were ruined and I simply tossed. I torched out the severely rusted bits and was left with next to no body. I wasn’t worried, there were plenty of Fiat 124 convertibles out there and I could pick and choose – right?
No.
The 125 Coupe shared few components with the 124 convertible. In fact, it was a completely different car. Apparently, the gaskets and timing belt alone ran me much more than what I paid for the car. A ‘donor’ 124 Coupe was difficult to find and once I did, it was worse off than the one I purchased.
Then came the wiring… Did I mention that this was an Italian car? The only instructions I had on hand were written in Italian and this was before the internet so translation was slow and painful. The wiring harness came from Italy and cost me 3 times what I was expecting. The local repair books only covered the damn convertible! I never got it to turn over and somehow reversed the ground. Once, the dual Weber carburetors shot out flames! And that was as close as I came to reviving the engine.
In desperation and with less than half of my original budget left, I began calling Italian garages. Some laughed; one offered his prayers, a few referred me to super expensive Italian garages than cater to Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Many would only work on one element like the engine or brakes. Not one would even replace a bolt for under 2 grand.
Feeling sorry for me, my father offered to have his friend Jon come to the garage and see if there was any hope. Jon professionally restored cars and understood what it was to look at a pile of parts and see if there was any potential. It took him less than 5 minutes to shake his head and look at me before saying, “What the hell were you thinking jackass?”
Weeks turned to months and I got nowhere with the Fiat. One nice mechanic offered to buy some of the new parts I had acquired. When he saw my pile of parts, he asked me why I didn’t start with something less complicated, like the fricken’ Space Shuttle.
By this time, I was no longer smiling at these jabs.
Defeated, I relented and added further insult to my injury when I saw my friend’s immaculate Bug about a year later. It was beefed up and handled like a discount Porsche. He took his time and researched every element of what he could do BEFORE he even bought the car. He was smart enough to know his limitations and priced everything with provisions for unforeseeable occurrences. He spent less than I did.
That was back in 92’ and I think his son drives it now.
As for me, when asked about my first attempt at restoring a car, I reply, “I didn’t know anything about cars.” Leave it to the experts BEFORE you make a mistake. Be realistic and go to shows and competitions where you might find someone who is willing to impart some expertise. If you insist on doing it alone, have a few people lined up who might be able to help BEFORE you wind up with a pile of parts.
And for god sakes, unless you really know what you’re doing, stay away from exotic cars!
