1978 Fiat 124 Spider - Fun, reliable convertible! Get ready for Spring!

1978 Fiat 124 Spider Spider Description:

I am selling my 1978 Fiat 124 Spider. I have owned this car for the last 20 years or so. I have have restored it to show condition. It has won many awards including Best in Class at Fiat Freak Out a few years ago. The car runs great. I belong to our local Fiat Car Club, and we go on driving trips every year. Most recently we drove through the Texas Hill Country a couple of months ago. I have also driven the car to National Fiat Club events to Tennessee, North Carolina, etc. It has 81k original miles.
The dash board has been signed by the designer Tom Tjaarda of Pininfarina at the Italian Car Fest in 2006.
I have totally gone through this car and preformed a rolling restoration. I started with the drive-train and did or had done the following work. I take very good care of this engine as you can see in the photos. I have taken a few things off or updated them. You will noticed I replace the air filter cover with one of the original hub caps. I still have most if not all of the original parts.
Also please note that I am an individual, not a car dealer or salesperson. I did take some of the photos at a Fiat dealership not long ago when I was there buying a new 124 Spider.
The Engine and Drive-Train
-------------------------------------
Head: Totally rebuilt
Alternator: Replaced
Ignition: Converted from points to electronic ignition, extremely reliable
Exhaust: Converted to 4-2-1 exhaust manifold, replaced entire exhaust piping. Running magna-flo clone (sounds awesome)
Radiator: Cored and rebuilt
Transmission: Rebuilt about 2 years ago, new flex disc
Wheel: Have about 5000 miles on them
Fuel: Converted to electric fuel pump
Wheel Bearings: Replaced
Cooling Fan: Replace with bigger, quieter, after-market
Optima Battery (2 years ago)
and more...
Most Recent Work (within the last few weeks) includes...
-------------------------------------
New gear-reduction starter
New timing belt
New water pump
New plugs and wires
New brake master cylinder
New brake cylinders (1) other three were changed about 2 years ago.
New brake flex hoses
New coolant hoses
and more...
The Interior
-------------------------------------
I took the entire cockpit apart. Rust-proofed the tub and had all upholstery redone. To beat the Texas heat, I went back with a nice, sturdy canvas which is much cooler than vinyl or leather. Had the front and rear seats, door panels, rear panels and shift boot reupholstered. I have also added a nice cover to the center console. I removed the radio console and added the aftermarket a/c in the center to distribute the cold air better than those passenger-side under-dash units. However one of the fittings broke and the system has been open for a while.
The Exterior
-------------------------------------
The car has never been wrecked! I had the old paint stripped down to bear metal and repainted with base/clear coat high quality auto paint. Then a simple, elegant pinstripe. I removed everything from the car before paint. all chrome was removed, all lights, license plate holders, upholstery, even the gas tank. So nothing was taped up and painted around, everything was painted.
The Not-So-Nice
-------------------------------------
Everything is very nice with this car except for one rust area near the driver's side rear wheel. This car has spent most of it's live in the garage. See the photos. I can take the car back to the body shop where it was painted and have the rust repaired and a top quality buffing, if you would like. However it will cost an extra $1200 (his price, not mine).
The other problem area is the chrome bumpers. I had them re-chromed when the car was painted, but they is starting to peel. Stainless steel replacements are available for about $600 each. Or many people like to run without bumpers (not recommended), or with bumper-ettes.
Let me know if you would like to see more photos, would like to take it for a spin, or have any other questions.
This is a cash only, in-person only, kind of transaction. Please do not say that you would like to send a cashier's check and have someone or a shipping company pick up the car, or any of that other scam-type stuff. The car is for sale for CASH ONLY, from the person buying the car ONLY!
I have the clean title in my name.