1984 Pininfarina Spidereuropa Volumex

1995cc Supercharged Inline 4-Cylinder Engine
Weber Carburetor
133bhp at 5,600rpm
5-Speed Manual Transmission
Upper and Lower A-Arm Front and Solid Axle Suspension with Coil Springs
Four-Wheel Disc Brakes

*One of the ultimate Fiat 124 Spider variants; very rare in North America
*European-delivery model with Abarth-tuned supercharged engine and suspension
*Among the most powerful roadgoing Spiders
*Very nice overall condition

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

Fiat was one of the leading manufacturers of affordable Italian thrills in the postwar era. Among their offerings was a sleek and attractive Spider born from the platform of the dependable 124 sedan. The Spider boasted unique styling by the talented Tom Tjaarda for Pininfarina, and a four-cylinder engine designed by none other than Aurelio Lampredi, the former Ferrari engine maestro, that was one of the first mass-production twin-cam engines built by any automaker. Power was delivered through an especially efficient five-speed manual gearbox, to wheels backed by excellent four-wheel disc brakes. The result was an outstanding sports car that, for the buyer's dollar, offered unbeatable performance and adroit handling.

Numerous versions of the 124 Spider were produced over a run that was impressive for its span – extending under Fiat's auspices from 1966 until 1981, then under the direct care and badging of coachbuilder Pininfarina as the Azzurro, for North America, and the Spidereuropa for other markets, until 1985.

One of the most scarce 124 Spider variants on American shores is the Volumex, a supercharged variant offered by Pininfarina for two years at the end of production, featuring every performance accessory that they had used over the years, as well as Abarth suspension and internal engine components to ensure that it would have handling even more nimble than a stock Spider. The Volumex was, for reasons unknown, sold only in Europe and more specifically only in Germany, at a price some 35 percent higher than the standard fuel-injected model. Perhaps unsurprisingly, this powerful Spider was rare even when new. With 133bhp, it could achieve a top speed of nearly 120mph, no surprising from something with the Abarth scorpion on it!

The Volumex offered here is one of those rarities and is in splendid overall condition. Its current owner imported it from Germany two years ago, shortly after it had been completely restored in a nut-and-bolt effort, which the owner reports as having been photo-documented. According to the owner it is one of only three in North America, two of which, ironically, are in Arizona. He notes that its unusual Weber carburetor has been rebuilt using a repair kit out of Germany, and the car has been fitted with a primer switch that turns the fuel pump on to fill the carburetor bowl before the engine cranks over – so that the Spider starts immediately. With power windows and other luxury accessories, it is not only quick but genuinely comfortable, and is an outstanding sports car in all regards.

Surely a rare find, this is among the most interesting Fiat Spiders to have ever come to an American auction, and undoubtedly one of the fastest as well.