Fiat 124 Wagon

[diplomatico]

Hello,
my interest in Fiats also includes some interesting models like a Fiat 124 Wagon I found recently. According to the owner, the car just needs a fluid change and a few other things to make it run. I am interested in it and wanted to ask for opinions, advice, information on this kind of cars. This is the information I got from the owner:

-smog pump is removed
-car was converted to electronic ignition.
-the car was repainted some years ago.
-engine was rebuilt due to a failed timing belt from the previous owner.
-automatic transmission works well. These transmissions are General Motors 180 and are bullet-proof and are easy to service and obtain parts for. (the same transmissions as in Chevy S10 and some Alfa spiders)

Here are a few pictures










Now, I have a few questions for the more knowledgeable people in here:
-How rare is this car? as far as I know, these wagons where not as popular as the Spiders
-What's it worth in its present condition?
-How good is this car with an automatic transmission?

I would greatly appreciate any thoughts on the car,
thank you,
Abel

[vandor]

Hi Abel,

The wagon is very rare in the US. The Russian made Lada variant is pretty common in Eastern Europe, tho.

I fixed one of these up for a friend, and he loves it. His was an automatic too. Although not liked by most Fiat folk, it drives just fine. Likely would be more fun with a 4 or 5 speed (originally they only came with 4 speeds).

That car looks mostly original, which is a plus, and of course has some rust, which is expected. I would think that even tho these cars are not well known, there are still enough nutcase Fiat aficionados that would want it, so it's value would be similar to a Spider, around $3000, maybe. It's just hard to say when so few change hands.
I know of a verrrrry nice stock 124 sedan that changed hands about a year ago for ~$4500.

[diplomatico]

yes, that's what I have heard. Very few of these are around, but the automatic transmission and the rust in the usual areas seems to be worse than it appears. The owner is asking $5000 for it which I think is a bit higher given that the are some issues to be addressed. The smog pump was removed and will need replacement and as well as one of the seats. I didn't get to see the underside of the car, but I am hesitant to go for it at that price. Would you happen to know where I should go to find a 124 sedan like the one you mentioned?
thanks for your comments,
Abel

[vandor]

> The owner is asking $5000

Another guy that thinks that rare = valuable.

>The smog pump was removed and will need replacement

No need to replace it.

> Would you happen to know where I should go to find a 124 sedan like the one you mentioned?

Just keep your eyes open on eBay, Craigslist, and Fiat related webpages.

[2ndwind]

I can't help but think this IS a rare care in the US but there is a reason for that: "Under-desirability"

I have owned two "82 spiders, one 5spd, one auto. Although the automatic was plenty peppy the 5spd is more fun. The automatic also came in the Chevette and is bulletproof. I accidentally threw one into reverse at 70 mi/hr. After some squealing tires, it never missed a beat.

I'm curious what year this wagon is. My car was FI with 104 hp. The wagon is carbed and had a smog pump, '74-'79? the hp. rating is likely lower and it is surely a heavier car, therefore slower. To me this would be a novelty car. I wouldn't pay more than $800. But hey, I look for motivated sellers.

[diplomatico]

yes, the car is indeed rare as I have never heard of it here in the US. They were/are very popular in Italy (Fiat) and Spain (Seat) and I have been longing to get my hands, ideally, on a sedan, but a wagon looks interesting enough.
If it helps, this is the information the seller provided me with.
I found more information about the car online and I think this is a 1974 model with a 1.6L engine and around 70hp
http://www.automobile-catalog.com/auta_perf1.php
Thanks for the advice,

Abel

"There are some blemished areas and took shots of the apparent rust. The mileage shown in the photo is correct. The car could be in full service with a fluid change. The tires are a little weather-checked & will need replacement at some point.

As you can see in the photo, the smog pump is removed, but those parts are available. I have also converted it to electronic ignition. I had the car repainted in the original color soon after I bought it.

I bought the car from a friend’s wife. My friend is an Italian car mechanic with a shop. He has serviced the car since the late 1980’s. My friend rebuilt the motor due to a failed timing belt from the previous owner. When he and his wife owned the car, they had toured the west on a 3000 mile trip. They had originally obtained the car with 40,000 miles.
I bought the car in Spokane, Wa & immediately drove it home on a 1200 mile trip.
The driver’s seat has vinyl that has deteriorated and I have put the sheepskin on it for better wear. The stuffing is fine, just the vinyl is shot on the seat portion.
The headliner is in good shape, as it was replaced in the 1990’s, the door panels nice and only piece missing is the driver door handle is missing the chrome plastic escutcheon, which are available.
The dash has never been cut for a radio and is completely intact.

[rlux4]

Steve, a guy in the group from central California joins with a 124 wagon when they caravan up to the Oregon camp out events. He's very popular because he usually ends up carrying a load of Fiat parts for people to sell and trade. I looked at one here in Lancaster, Ca. for a member a while back that was for sale. It was in good shape body-wise, no rust. The paint was shot, but it fired right up and ran smoothly. The seller was asking $1200. The guy I looked at the car for took a pass on it. I wished at the time I'd had the extra money to buy it.
Ron

[Fi8spider]

What a rare find, an auto TC!
How often do these come up for sale nowdays? Hardly!

Very desirable, very cool, sweet color, lovin the roof racks and a very worthy model for a ground up resto.

Convert it to manual and you will definately devalue it, I'd be aiming at keeping it all original, but that's just me and in no way am I suggesting that that is what you should do, you do what you want though it would be a shame to see it converted to manual.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm quite certain that the auto had a different final drive ratio to the manual sedan.

[diplomatico]

I am all about keeping these cars as original as possible, but, according to what I have heard, the automatic transmission is less powerful than the manual. I looked for more information on this model and the Wagon automatic has 1592 cc engine with 76 hp whereas the manual version has a 1197 cc engine producing 59 hp. So, you are absolutely right. Thanks for the clarification.
Now, given the state of the car, how much would anybody be willing to pay for it, given that needs some repairs?
cheers,
Abel

[vandor]

>according to what I have heard, the automatic transmission is less powerful than the manual.

Not really.

> I looked for more information on this model and the Wagon automatic has 1592 cc engine with 76 hp whereas the manual >version has a 1197 cc engine producing 59 hp.

The 1197cc only came in the US in the late 60s. All 1974 124 Sedans/Wagons had the 1592cc TC. 72-73 had the 1438cc pushrod engine. You seem to be mixing info on Euro and US spec cars.

I would like to mention that the dashboard in this car seems to be in good shape, which is invaluable, as new ones are nonexistent, and it will cost $1200 to have one restored. The rest of the interior looks decent too, which would save a ton of money when fixing up the car.