1985 Pininfarina Europa Spider
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Highlights
- Italian styling
- Fantastic condition throughout
- Well maintained, low mileage 2-litre twin-cam engine
- Rare and sought after model
The Appeal
If exclusivity is an item on the wishlist, then the rarity of this gorgeous little Italian sports car will certainly tick that box. Released in 1966 as the Fiat 124 Spider, it proved to be a hit, particularly with American customers, with its simple mechanicals, light weight and beautiful Italian styling winning over just about everyone. Such was its success, that in 1982, Pininfarina themselves took over production of the car and continued to produce it for a further 3 years, resulting in the car you see here. You won't see many cars wearing the famous 'F' badge front and center, so despite being a continuation, this variant itself , is very rare indeed.
This sleek and stylish Italian sports car embodies many of the desirable performance attributes we love all rapped up in a beautiful body - a twin-cam engine, fuel injection, five-speed gearbox, rear-wheel drive, four-wheel disc brakes, and a wonderfully easy to use soft-top. What more could you want? This example you see here has enjoyed a pampered life, with a good service history to back up its low mileage and mechanically in excellent health.
With the sun making more frequent appearances and those temperatures climbing up, a beautiful Italian open top is the perfect tool to enjoy those summer days. For that brief, you'll struggle to find something more exclusive for the money and if that wasn't enough - just look at it!
With the sun making more frequent appearances and those temperatures climbing up, a beautiful Italian open top is the perfect tool to enjoy those summer days. For that brief, you'll struggle to find something more exclusive for the money and if that wasn't enough - just look at it!
The History and Paperwork
- Imported from Germany in 1998
- Sold and maintained by DTR European Sports Cars Ltd, Surrey
- MOT valid until November 2022
This stunning Pininfarina appears to have been sold ‘new’ in 1989 at a German dealership having been a display piece for four years. This explains why it has a designated ‘G’ plate from 1989, as the DVLA only recognise the date when it was first registered in another country.
A European specification car, it was imported into the UK in 1998 by a private individual and has since been maintained by Italian car specialists DTR European Sports Cars Ltd, Coulsdon, Surrey, who then re-sold it on behalf of the first owner. Three further owners subsequently bought and sold this Pininfarina through DTR.
The current owner also purchased it from DTR on the 16th November 2017 with 100,327 Kms on the clock. He has kept it in a heated garage and enjoyed the driving experience, but due to lack of use, has decided to sell.
The V5 is present with the current MOT, which is valid until the 1st November 2022, and the car tax is on Sorn. The original Pininfarina handbook and two sets of keys come with the car along with numerous invoices for servicing by DTR.
The Interior
- Stylish and comfortable
- Luisi wood rimmed steering wheel
- Re-trimmed leather seats
Being a drivers car, the simple design of the interior is perfectly set up for a comfortable and spirited drive. You are greeted by a gorgeous Luisi wood-rimmed 3-spoke steering wheel and Veglia instrumentation.
Reassuringly, an immobiliser is installed and the owner assures us that all the electrical equipment and switchgear operates as it should. A smartphone compatible Pioneer sound system has also been added.
New tan leather seat covers were fitted in 2013 and replace the original vinyl ones. The door cards, rear space, carpets, fixtures and fittings are all good, and other than a couple of sun-splits on the dash top (see photo), the entire interior is very presentable.
A spacious and fully carpeted boot features at the rear and contains a Blaupunkt CD changer, usable spare wheel, jack and battery.
The Exterior
- Gleaming Rosso Rubino paintwork
- Exquisite Italian design details
- Perfect Mohair hood
This beautiful Italian bodywork is very straight and has clearly been restored at some stage (although we don’t have any details). The metallic Rosso Rubino paintwork has a deep and even shine, and other than a few minor stone chips, is excellent.
To the owners knowledge, the body has never been welded, although we did notice that the lower sill areas may need some attention in the future. From what we can see, the chassis and floor appears solid and undersealed. The ‘A’-pillars, door bottoms, wheel arches and valances all look very good.
Stylish flush-mounted door handles (as fitted to Ferrari’s and Alfa’s) help with the look of the sleek side profile. The quarter-light mounted door mirrors, glass, lighting, chrome trim and bumpers are fine with just some minor surface corrosion on the underside of the bumpers.
A new mohair hood was installed in 2013 and is still in fantastic condition and very easy to erect.
15” Ronal alloy wheels are currently fitted with Continental 185/55 R15 tyres all round. Original refurbished 14” Cromodora wheels with brand new Pirelli tyres will also come with the car.
The Mechanics
- 2-litre twin-cam performance
- Fastidiously maintained
- Last lubrication service, October 2021
The glorious twin-cam is a minimum prerequisite for any Italian sports car, and this 1,981cc twin-cam is no exception. It sounds great and according to factory specifications, this peppy 4-cylinder engine produces around 105bhp @5,500 rpm, accelerates from 0-60 in 9.4 seconds with a top speed of approximately 180Km/h (112mph).
The Pininfarina badged cars did away with carbs’ and utilise Bosch fuel injection - ideal for regular or touring use. The 5-speed manual gearbox undoubtedly helps too.
In 2013, the engine was running a little smokey when warm, and so DTR were entrusted to renew the valves, guides and seals. A new cam belt and head gasket were duly fitted along with a new water pump and tensioner bearing, etc. A new clutch is also believed to have been installed at the same time.
We also understand that the brakes and suspension were overhauled in 2013 and it was equipped with another new cam belt when the current owner purchased it in 2017. A new fuel pump and full set of tyres were also added and the brakes were improved in 2018.
The last lubrication service was carried out by DTR on the 15th October 2021 at 5,481km (see photo of invoice). The owner tells us that this Italian beauty accelerates well, is easy to drive and has a great exhaust note.
Summary
With the introduction of the Mazda-based Fiat 124 Spider, interest and values for the original Spider are now on the increase.
Having been maintained to a high standard by a reputable Italian sports car specialist, this highly desirable and collectable Pininfarina Europa Spider should be a joy to drive and will undoubtedly stand out from the crowd.
Notice to bidders
Although every care is taken to ensure this listing is as factual and transparent as possible, all details within the listing are subject to the information provided to us by the seller. Car & Classic does not take responsibility for any information missing from the listing. Please ensure you are satisfied with the vehicle description and all information provided before placing a bid.
As is normal for most auctions, this vehicle is sold as seen, and therefore the Sale of Goods Act 1979 does not apply. All bids are legally binding once placed. Any winning bidder who withdraws from a sale, is subject to our bidders fee charge. Please see our FAQs and T&C's for further information. Viewings of vehicles are encouraged, but entirely at the seller's discretion.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1985
- Make Pininfarina
- Model Europa Spider
- Colour Red
- Odometer 105,654 Kilometres
- Engine size 1981
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Location Sussex
- Country United Kingdom
31
bids
- Mo•••• £20,000 19/05/22
- du•••• £19,750 19/05/22
- Mo•••• £19,500 19/05/22
- du•••• £19,250 19/05/22
- Mo•••• £19,000 19/05/22
- du•••• £18,750 19/05/22
- Mo•••• £18,500 19/05/22
- xa•••• £17,500 19/05/22
- Li•••• £17,250 19/05/22
- xa•••• £17,000 19/05/22
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