Italy is known for their coupes and Fiat has been making them for over 50 years. The Fiat 124 Coupe is one such example made through the late sixties and early seventies, a great time for coupes and roadsters. The Fiat 124 Coupe was continually developed through its life time with the first generation AC models being highly revered by enthusiasts all over the world.
The is Italian classic was designed by Mario Boano who also designed the Ferrari 250 GT. The engineering of this the coupe also has Ferrari flavour with the four cylinder twin overhead cam engine designed by ex Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi.
This spritely Italian coupe was ahead of its time back in 1966 with all round disc brakes as standard and double wishbone suspension allowing the lightweight coupe to handle phenomenally. The Fiat 124 Coupe was also the first mass produced car to have a toothed timing chain instead of the usual chain drive.
Today due to all Italian cars Achilles heel, being corrosion the Fiat 124 Coupe is a rarity with as little as 250 left in the UK.
Buyers Guide
Looking to purchase a Fiat 124 Coupe? Ensure you’re not buying a ‘dud’ with our buyer’s guide.
Your main priority with a Fiat 124 Coupe is the body shell with corrosion being so prolific on the little coupe it is important you find one that has either been restored well or maintained well. The main areas when it comes to rust are scuttle and windscreen surround, wheel arches, doors and hinges, front valance, and of course sills carry a lot of the Fiats stress when cornering so make sure they are not corroded as this will weaken the car and compromise stability.
Check wheels by giving them a shake to see if they feel loose which could indicate wheel bearing or ball joint replacement.
If coolant levels have been left to fall too low this can affect the head gasket causing leaks, listen out for the fan starting and stopping once the car has warmed up to ensure its working correctly. Fiat 124 Coupes can suffer with hard water deposits so if you live in a hard water area used distilled water in the car. Inside the car check for leaks or stains on the carpet under the heater matrix due to a faulty heater also check heater sliders and pipe valves as they tend to corrode.
Mechanically keep oil and filters regularly changed with the cam-belt replaced every 25 thousand miles. The twin cam engine will last a long time with regular servicing so bare this in mind.
Make sure you check all switch gear inside the car to make sure everything is working correctly and make sure you test drive the car and listen for any vibration or whining.
The car should also come with full documented history and thoroughly examine this before making a purchase, good luck!
Specification
| Years Produced | 1966 - 1975 |
| Performance | 0 - 60mph 10.5 sec/Top Speed 115mph |
| Power & Torque | 118 bhp / 113 lb ft |
| Engine | 1438 cc four cylinder 8 valves |
| Drive-train | Front engine RWD |
| Transmission | Four/Five speed manual |
| Weight | 980 kg |
Valuation
| Launch | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concourse | £1,298.00 | £3,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £6,000.00 | £8,000.00 | £10,000.00 | £15,000.00 |
| Excellent | £1,500.00 | £3,000.00 | £4,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £7,000.00 | £10,000.00 | |
| Good | £1,000.00 | £2,000.00 | £2,500.00 | £3,000.00 | £5,000.00 | £7,000.00 | |
| Fair | £500.00 | £1,000.00 | £1,500.00 | £2,000.00 | £3,000.00 | £5,000.00 |
Interesting Fact
The Fiat 124 won European car of the year back in 1967 and was the first Fiat to do so. Since then the Fiat 500 has also won the accolade in 2008.
Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director Says:
“Car makers Fiat have been in the industry for over a hundred years now so they know a thing or two about car design and manufacture, with coupes and roadsters being their forte through the sixties with such excellent examples through that era who wouldn’t want to own a classic Fiat.”
