The Fiat 124 Spider stands as one of the most enduring Italian sports cars ever created, combining elegant design with accessible performance. This two-seater convertible captured hearts from its 1966 debut through to its modern resurrection in 2016, building a loyal following across generations.
What made the 124 Spider special wasn’t raw power or cutting-edge technology. Instead, it offered something more valuable: the pure pleasure of open-top motoring wrapped in Pininfarina’s timeless styling. The original ran for nearly two decades, whilst the modern version proved that classic proportions and driver engagement never go out of fashion.
The story spans five decades, two distinct generations, and a remarkable partnership with Mazda that brought the nameplate back to life. From Turin’s design studios to British roads and American highways, the 124 Spider carved out a unique space in automotive history that continues to resonate with driving enthusiasts today.
Table of Contents
The Birth of an Italian Icon
The Fiat 124 Spider emerged during the golden age of affordable sports cars, when European manufacturers competed to create stylish, driver-focused machines that ordinary people could actually afford. This wasn’t a supercar for the wealthy few but a genuine sports car for the masses, bringing Italian flair to driveways across the world.
Pininfarina’s Design Masterpiece
Turin’s legendary design house Pininfarina created the 124 Spider’s stunning bodywork in 1966, crafting lines that would barely age over the following decades. The brief was clear: design a two-seater convertible that could compete with British rivals whilst maintaining a distinctly Italian character.
Pininfarina delivered elegance without ostentation. The long bonnet and short rear deck created classic sports car proportions, whilst the gently curved flanks avoided the angular aggression of contemporary designs. Chrome bumpers, distinctive side vents, and a simple grille gave the car recognisable character without unnecessary decoration.
The convertible roof mechanism was refreshingly straightforward, folding manually behind the seats. This simplicity meant less weight and fewer things to break, an approach modern supercars have ironically returned to decades later. The cabin prioritised the driver with clear instrumentation and well-placed controls, though creature comforts remained basic by today’s standards.
Engineering the First Generation
Beneath that beautiful bodywork sat relatively conventional mechanicals, which proved to be a strength rather than a weakness. The original 1966 model used a 1.4-litre twin-cam engine producing 90bhp, modest by any measure but sufficient given the car’s light weight.
The four-cylinder engine featured overhead camshafts and aluminium construction, which were advanced specifications for affordable cars of that era. It breathed through twin carburettors and could rev freely, encouraging drivers to explore the upper reaches of the rev range. The engine note wasn’t particularly exotic but had an eager, mechanical quality that suited the car’s character.
Four-wheel independent suspension represented another step above competitors still using live rear axles. Double wishbones at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear gave the 124 Spider handling that matched its sporting appearance. The ride remained reasonably comfortable, too, making the car practical for daily use rather than just weekend blasts.
Entering the American Market
The United States became the 124 Spider’s spiritual home when imports began in 1968, two years after European sales started. American buyers embraced the Italian styling and open-air driving experience, quickly making the US the largest market for Pininfarina’s creation.
Federal regulations required modifications for the American market. Larger bumpers appeared to meet impact standards, whilst emissions equipment slightly reduced power output. These changes compromised the original design’s purity somewhat, but American buyers seemed willing to accept the trade-offs for Italian style.
Pricing positioned the 124 Spider below British rivals like the MG MGB and Triumph TR6, making it an attractive proposition. The Italian badge carried exotic connotations, yet the car remained affordable for middle-class buyers seeking something more interesting than a family saloon. This combination of accessibility and aspiration proved irresistible.
The Original Series Variations
The 124 Spider evolved through several distinct series during its original production run, each bringing improvements and addressing weaknesses identified in earlier versions. These changes kept the car competitive as rivals introduced updated models and buyer expectations shifted.
The AS series ran from 1966 to 1969, establishing the basic template with that 1.4-litre engine. Build quality during these early years could be inconsistent, and rust protection remained inadequate, issues that would plague Italian cars for decades. However, the fundamental design was sound enough to support further development.
In 1969, the BS series introduced a larger 1.6-litre engine producing 110 bhp, addressing complaints about performance. This engine suited the car better, providing enough power to match the chassis’ capabilities without overwhelming them. Five-speed gearboxes became standard, improving motorway cruising and fuel economy.
Milestones That Shaped the Legend
The Fiat 124 Spider’s journey included several turning points that defined its character and secured its place in automotive history. These weren’t all positive moments, but each contributed to the car’s enduring appeal and helped build the passionate community that surrounds classic examples today.
Racing Success and Rally Heritage
Competition programmes validated the 124 Spider’s sporting credentials, taking the basic roadster and proving it could handle serious motorsport demands. Fiat and Abarth developed rally versions that competed successfully in events worldwide, demonstrating that the pretty Italian convertible had substance beneath its style.
The Abarth Rally versions featured extensively modified engines producing up to 170bhp, double the output of standard cars. Wider wheel arches covered competition tyres, whilst stripped interiors and safety equipment transformed the civilised roadster into a purposeful competition machine. These cars bore only a passing resemblance to showroom models.
Rally success came in events ranging from European championship rounds to gruelling long-distance rallies. The 124 Spider’s lightweight construction and nimble handling suited twisty stages, though reliability sometimes let teams down. These competition cars built the Spider’s sporting reputation, attracting enthusiast buyers who wanted a connection to motorsport success.
Pininfarina Takes Control
An unusual arrangement saw Pininfarina begin manufacturing the 124 Spider themselves in 1982, taking over production from Fiat, which wanted to focus on mainstream models. This transition marked a significant shift, with the design house becoming both creator and builder of the car they’d styled sixteen years earlier.
Pininfarina continued production for three more years, introducing subtle improvements and addressing quality issues that had plagued earlier examples. Build quality improved noticeably during this period, though by then the basic design was showing its age against newer rivals. The cars built during Pininfarina’s stewardship are now considered the best of the original generation.
This manufacturing arrangement was commercially motivated rather than enthusiast-driven. Fiat no longer saw sufficient profit in the ageing Spider, but Pininfarina recognised continuing demand, particularly in America, where the car retained a devoted following. The design house’s reputation ensured production standards remained high during these final years.
The Long Production Gap
Production ended completely in 1985, leaving a void in the affordable Italian sports car market that would last thirty-one years. This extended absence made the 124 Spider’s eventual return all the more significant, proving that good design outlasts temporary market conditions.
Several factors contributed to the decision to cease production. Changing safety regulations made continuing the ageing design increasingly difficult, whilst Japanese rivals offered more modern alternatives. The 124 Spider had become a period piece, charming but outdated in an era obsessed with new technology and aerodynamic styling.
During these wilderness years, the 124 Spider transitioned from used car to classic. Values bottomed out during the 1990s when rust and neglect claimed many examples, before enthusiasts began recognising the car’s significance. Well-maintained survivors became collectable, particularly original early cars and final Pininfarina-built models.
The Mazda Partnership
Fiat’s decision to revive the 124 Spider name in 2016 surprised many observers, but the partnership with Mazda that made it possible was genuinely inspired. Rather than designing a new sports car from scratch, Fiat adapted Mazda’s proven MX-5 platform, saving development costs whilst ensuring reliability.
This collaboration allowed both companies to leverage their strengths. Mazda provided the engineering foundation and manufacturing capability, whilst Fiat contributed Italian design flair and a turbocharged engine with a different character to Mazda’s naturally aspirated unit. The arrangement made financial sense in a market where small sports cars struggle to turn a profit.
Critics initially dismissed the new 124 Spider as merely a rebadged MX-5, missing the point entirely. Significant differences in styling, powertrain, and suspension tuning created distinct characters despite shared underpinnings. The 124 Spider felt more relaxed and torquey, trading the Mazda’s rev-happy nature for stronger low-end response.
Current Developments and Market Position
The Fiat 124 Spider is in an uncertain position as manufacturers shift their focus toward electrification and SUVs. Production continues, but the car’s long-term future remains unclear, making current models potentially the last chance to own a new Italian roadster from a mainstream manufacturer.
Production Status and Availability
Mazda’s Hiroshima factory continues building the 124 Spider alongside its MX-5 sibling, though production volumes remain modest compared to mainstream Fiat models. This low-volume approach means the Spider will never be common, maintaining a degree of exclusivity that suits its character.
UK buyers face limited dealer inventory as Fiat prioritises other models in its range. The 500 electric city car receives far more attention and resources, reflecting market realities where small SUVs and electric vehicles dominate manufacturer strategies. Sports cars have become niche products surviving on passion rather than profit.
Special editions have kept the range fresh, with anniversary models and styling packages offering visual differentiation. These limited runs create urgency among enthusiasts while giving existing owners something to aspire to. The strategy works because the basic car remains fundamentally appealing rather than needing constant reinvention.
Pricing has remained relatively stable, making the 124 Spider a reasonable value in the sports car segment. Comparable alternatives cost significantly more or sacrifice the Italian styling that defines the Spider’s appeal. This value proposition helps maintain sales despite the car’s advancing age in a market obsessed with the latest technology.
The Electrification Question
Fiat’s parent company, Stellantis, has committed to electrifying its range, raising questions about whether an electric 124 Spider could emerge. The engineering challenges are significant, as batteries add weight that fundamentally contradicts sports car philosophy. An electric Spider would need completely different packaging, potentially losing the current car’s lightweight agility.
Battery weight concentrates low in the chassis, which could actually improve handling balance. However, the extra mass still blunts acceleration and reduces the connection between driver and machine, which makes lightweight sports cars special. Modern electric powertrains offer instant torque but lack the mechanical engagement of combustion engines.
Cost represents another barrier, as developing a bespoke electric sports car platform seems economically questionable. The current arrangement with Mazda works because development costs are shared, but Mazda shows little interest in electrifying the MX-5. Without that partnership, Fiat would need to fund development alone for a car selling in small numbers.
More likely, the 124 Spider nameplate will disappear again once current production ends. Fiat may eventually offer another sports car, but it will probably be electric, expensive, and fundamentally different from the affordable roadster tradition. The current car represents the end of an era rather than a bridge to the future.
Used Market and Values
Classic 124 Spiders from the original generation have become firmly established as collectables, with well-preserved examples commanding strong prices. The combination of Pininfarina styling and increasing rarity drives values, particularly for rust-free cars with documented history. Early AS series cars and final Pininfarina-built models attract premium prices.
Rust remains the primary enemy of original Spiders, with sills, floors, and rear arches particularly vulnerable. Many cars received poor repairs over the years, making genuinely solid examples increasingly rare. Restoration costs can exceed car values, so a thorough inspection is essential before purchasing. Enthusiasts recommend bringing experienced Spider owners when viewing potential purchases.
Modern 124 Spiders have depreciated significantly from new, making them attractive used purchases. Three-year-old examples cost half their original price, offering tremendous value for buyers accepting some wear. The Mazda mechanical foundation ensures reliability, reducing the gambling element present with some Italian cars.
Service costs remain reasonable, with Mazda parts interchangeable for many components. Independent specialists understand the car thoroughly, offering alternatives to main dealer pricing. Insurance companies view the 124 Spider favourably too, recognising its sensible performance and mature buyer demographic. Running costs are entirely manageable for a sports car.
Competition and Market Context
The affordable sports car segment has contracted dramatically, with the 124 Spider and Mazda MX-5 representing almost the only new options under thirty thousand pounds. This limited choice means buyers seeking open-top driving enjoyment have few alternatives, protecting the Spider from direct competition.
Used markets offer more variety, with alternatives including BMW Z4, Mercedes SLK, and Audi TT Roadster models. These German cars provide more power and technology but lack the lightweight purity that defines the 124 Spider’s character. They appeal to different buyers seeking comfort and status rather than driving engagement.
Hot hatchbacks have captured some of the enthusiast audience that might previously have chosen sports cars. Models like the Ford Fiesta ST and Volkswagen Golf GTI offer strong performance and practicality, making them sensible choices for buyers who need one car for everything. The 124 Spider requires commitment to the sports car lifestyle, accepting its compromises for driving pleasure.
Motorcycle sales are increasingly cutting into the sports car market, too, as riders seek the pure performance and engagement that modern cars often lack. A capable motorcycle costs far less than any sports car, whilst delivering more extreme experiences. The 124 Spider’s appeal lies in offering accessible thrills without motorcycle risks or discomforts.
The Grand Tour Effect
The 124 Spider’s appearance on The Grand Tour significantly boosted public awareness, introducing the car to audiences who might never visit showrooms. Jeremy Clarkson’s generally positive assessment carried weight with viewers, validating the car’s approach of offering character rather than chasing specification sheets.
The show highlighted the 124 Spider’s turbocharged engine as a key differentiator from the Mazda MX-5, noting how the extra torque suited relaxed driving better than the Mazda’s rev-hungry nature. This resonated with older viewers who remembered when cars offered torque rather than requiring constant gear changes to access power.
Styling received particular praise, with the presenters acknowledging that the Fiat looked more special than its Japanese sibling. The aggressive front end and subtle Italian touches created a visual distinction that justified choosing the Spider over the mechanically similar Mazda. For buyers considering both cars, this validated paying extra for the Italian badge.
Sales increased noticeably following the episode’s broadcast, particularly among the programme’s core demographic of middle-aged enthusiasts. Dealerships reported more enquiries and test drive requests, translating to actual purchases. Television exposure still influences buying decisions despite declining viewership, especially for niche products like sports cars.
Memorable Variants Through the Decades
Certain 124 Spider variants have achieved special status among collectors and enthusiasts, representing either significant technical advances or limited production runs that make them particularly desirable. These memorable models command premium prices and generate intense interest when examples come to market.
The Original AS Series
First-year 1966 models hold special appeal as the purest expression of Pininfarina’s original vision, before regulations and market demands forced compromises. These early cars featured chrome bumpers, simple interiors, and lightweight construction that later versions couldn’t match. Finding unmolested examples has become increasingly difficult.
The 1.4-litre engine in these early cars feels modest by modern standards but suits the lightweight chassis perfectly. These Spiders encourage smooth, flowing driving rather than brutal acceleration, teaching skills that modern performance cars often obscure. Driving one provides insight into 1960s sports car philosophy when engagement mattered more than outright speed.
Build quality varied considerably during these early years as Fiat worked through production challenges. Some cars suffered electrical gremlins and rust issues from new, establishing Italian car stereotypes that persist today. However, well-maintained examples demonstrate the design’s fundamental soundness beneath those quality control problems.
Collectors specifically seek AS series cars with original specifications, as many received modifications over decades of ownership. Original chrome work, correct interior trim, and matching numbers components add significant value. Documentation proving history becomes crucial, as recreating originality proves expensive and difficult.
The Spider 2000
The final naturally aspirated version before fuel injection arrived represented the peak of original Spider development. These cars incorporated decades of improvements whilst retaining the mechanical simplicity that makes them maintainable today. Many enthusiasts consider the Spider 2000 the best driver’s car among original models.
The 2.0-litre engine provided adequate power despite emissions equipment, offering torque across a wide rev range. Five-speed gearboxes and improved suspension tuning made these cars more refined than earlier versions without sacrificing character. They achieved maturity, addressing weaknesses whilst preserving the qualities that made the Spider special.
Interior quality improved markedly in these later cars, with better materials and improved assembly. Rust protection remained inadequate by modern standards but showed improvement over earlier examples. These practical enhancements made the Spider 2000 genuinely usable as daily transport rather than just a weekend toy.
Availability remains better than that of earlier models because more survived the crusher. Values remain affordable compared to early AS series cars, making them accessible entry points for enthusiasts wanting original Spider ownership. Parts availability stays reasonable, too, supporting active use rather than static collection.
Pininfarina-Built Final Years
The cars manufactured by Pininfarina after Fiat relinquished production hold special significance, as do the last original Spiders built. Special badging identified these models, marking them as products of the design house that created the car nearly two decades earlier. This historical connection adds appeal beyond mere specifications.
Build quality reached its highest point during these final years, as Pininfarina’s reputation demanded maintaining standards. Paint application improved, interior assembly tightened, and overall finishing matched luxury car levels. These cars demonstrated what the Spider could be when built carefully rather than rushed through high-volume production.
Performance remained modest, as emissions regulations continued strangling output. However, these final cars drove better than specifications suggested, with everything working harmoniously. The chassis balance, steering response, and control weights achieved maturity that earlier cars only hinted at. Age brought wisdom to the Spider’s character.
Collectors particularly value surviving Pininfarina-built Spiders, especially examples retaining original specification. The combination of historical significance, improved build quality, and relative rarity makes them desirable acquisitions. Finding unmolested examples requires patience, as many received modifications or suffered neglect before their significance was recognised.
The Abarth Performance Model
The modern Abarth version brings serious performance to the 124 Spider formula, adding 30bhp and numerous chassis upgrades. The 170bhp output might seem modest, but the lightweight chassis makes this adequate for genuinely quick progress. More importantly, the Abarth delivers accessible performance without requiring track driving to appreciate.
Mechanical changes include a limited-slip differential, uprated Brembo brakes, and sports suspension with KONI dampers. These components transform the driving experience, giving the car precision and confidence that the softer standard models lack. The Abarth tackles demanding roads with composure, encouraging committed driving.
Styling changes make the Abarth immediately identifiable, with an aggressive front bumper, quad exhaust tips, and distinctive badging. Some find these modifications excessive, preferring the standard car’s subtlety. However, the Abarth avoids boy-racer territory, maintaining Italian style whilst signalling its enhanced performance.
Pricing positioned the Abarth between mainstream hot hatchbacks and genuine performance cars, creating value for enthusiasts wanting sports car engagement without supercar costs. Used values have dropped significantly, making the Abarth a tremendous value on the second-hand market. Finding well-maintained examples requires searching, as some owners pushed these cars hard.
The S-Design Special Edition
The 2018 S-Design special edition offered visual distinction without the Abarth’s performance focus, appealing to buyers wanting something special for everyday driving. Limited production created desirability, whilst styling upgrades provided differentiation from standard models. The S-Design succeeded in offering exclusivity without requiring performance car compromises.
Podio Blue and Modena Red paint options looked spectacular, particularly with the roof down under the summer sun. These colours celebrated Italian automotive heritage whilst standing out from conservative choices dominating roads. Interior upgrades included contrast stitching and upgraded trim materials, as well as lifting cabin ambience above base specifications.
Mechanically, the S-Design remained identical to standard Lusso models, prioritising comfort over outright performance. This suited buyers wanting style without the Abarth’s firmer ride and higher running costs. The turbocharged engine provided adequate performance for relaxed driving, making the S-Design ideal for long-distance touring.
Used S-Design models offer strong value, as special edition premiums evaporate quickly in the second-hand market. Buyers get distinctive styling and upgraded specifications at near-standard prices, making them intelligent purchases for enthusiasts. Finding examples in the striking Podio Blue proves challenging, as production numbers remained genuinely limited.
Conclusion
The Fiat 124 Spider’s enduring appeal rests on timeless design and driving engagement that modern cars often sacrifice in pursuit of performance numbers. From Pininfarina’s original 1966 creation through to the current Mazda-based resurrection, the Spider has consistently prioritised driver enjoyment over specification sheet dominance. Whether you’re drawn to original classics requiring weekend maintenance or prefer the modern version’s reliability, the 124 Spider delivers the simple satisfaction of driving for pleasure rather than mere transportation.