The new Fiat 124 S pider can be seen as a spiritual successor to the classic 00 Fiat Spider. It is no secret, however, that the new car is really a new skin Mazda MX-5 Miata powered by the same engine as the current Fiat 500 Abarth. The only really new parts to Fiat are exterior panels. This is not a bad thing that the new Miata seems to be quite amazing in every way.
The question, despite the advice of Jack, is whether the Abarth engine and some suspension settings give the 124 Spider much coveted Italian style, the Fiat sales figures desperately need and passion and drama that we all love so much. For better or worse, its been a bit absent from the Miata over the years.
To answer this question, and discover the secret ingredients in this Italian sauce, I recently spent some time in the classic roadster Fiat.
spider because of its history of US sales convoluted, was known as the Fiat 124 Sport Spider Fiat 00 Spider Pininfar ina Spider Azzura. It was sold in the US between 1968 and 1985, with relatively minor modifications, such as increased engine displacement and fuel injection switch, all in the name of satisfying the EPA. Similarly, as was the case for many others was in the 1970s, its bumper increased from tidal Stocky. In total, over 170,000 units were sold in the United States of nearly 0,000 units sold worldwide.
The 1981 Fiat 00 Spider pictured here belongs to a colleague of mine who has received as a birthday present 50th of his wife. The car is near stock factory with some minor improvements: it has been repainted, the seats were re-upholstered, and bumper have been swapped for old style pieces. The owner is not a car guy complete nut-job and do not obsess about the car too, but it leads on each sunny day it can.
This Fiat came with the DOHC 2.0-liter engine under its long hood emblematic. With fuel injection Bosch L-Jetronic, it produced an impressive (for that control period ridiculous emissions) 102 horsepower. The original eng ine was relatively trouble for its owner. They are known to last and replacements are inexpensive. The guy running a Fiat 131 Mirafiori in 24 Hours of Lemons can not say the same thing, so maybe (probably?), There is simply not suitable for racing endurance, despite the rich history of the rally model.
Lance of the five-speed transmission are long enough, but finding the right equipment is never a problem. The soft clutch grabs a little high, but it is easy to get used to. There is no power steering; it is not necessary. Manual control constantly reminds the driver to keep both hands on the wheel correctly. In acute angles, the driver must take the big wheel in the desired direction and not just by chance they spin.
The interior is as charming as it is different ergonomic modern cars. The provision of large gauges, the position of the shiftier and even the steering wheel angle, which has been replaced here by a unit Nardi is just perfect for a sports car. Even the location of the ashtray (remem ber when cars were those?) Just south of the joystick is ideal for those who like to smoke while motoring. Things get risky with heating controls, which are located around the handbrake lever. In the middle of the dashboard are three idiots lights the United States Department of Transportation required: brake, oxygen sensor, and seat belts. True wood interior and genuine leather, the smell of which quickly invades any coolant or oil you may have whiffed outside the car.
The view from the drivers seat is very different from any modern roadster. The low beltline makes the driver feel as if hes sitting more on the car than in it. The pillars of thin and short windshield and lack of any kind of protection of the roll behind the drivers head felt exposed and it takes getting used to. Taller drivers will find the top of hilarious low windshield, but feel surprisingly comfortable inside. The navigation system is located in the glove box and is made from paper. The radio sounds goo d when the car is parked, but you should be listening to the wonderful, if slightly raspy, sounding engine in motion. Looking every modern CUV or truck seem larger than before.
What makes this, and just about every classic sports cars, special is the mechanical link to the driver. The speedometer vibrates slightly disproportionately to speed, revealing that he is connected to gears of the transmission and not an electronic sensor. Slam on the brakes and your body will know if the road is slightly tilted to the right. Shift points are best determined by sound signs and vibration and not looking at the speedometer. No matter how slow or fast you are driving, the conduct of the concentration of applications for spider. Perhaps the means to end distracted driving force everyone to drive old cars?
side assisted steering, the spider does not seem very different to drive than many new cars. Despite being a sports car, it is rather slow and it would not dare new minivans run with it. Mix in a corner and the little roadster feels very confident, mainly because of its modern tires, but there is a feeling of approaching a limit suddenly and without warning. Young drivers should be reminded that there is no ABS, ESC, TCS, or any other sequence of letters that could save their ass in oh shit! moment. Respecting this car and you smile.
Whether or not the new Fiat 124 is a replacement worthy of the iconic roadster remains unanswered. It is based on one of the best sports cars on the market, which should make it big on the right of the door. Or maybe not. What makes this old 124 Spider is so perfect that, like many other Italian cars, it is imperfect. The engine of the new 124 Spider is made in Italy and the car has its own suspension tuning and style, but only time will tell if this enough to really give this new Fiat topless soul and identity.
[Images: © 2016 Kamil Kaluski/The Truth About Cars]
Kamil Kaluski is the East Coast Editor for Hooniver se.com . His ramblings on the eastern cars, $ 500 runners, and other miscellaneous car things can be found there.
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