Description
Stunning and rare 1985 Pininfarina Spider Europa in gleaming Rosso Amaryllis
Excellent overall condition.
A very popular car wherever it goes! Recent winner at Yorkshire Classic Show.
Wonderful deep glossy paint colour.
Superb Ronal alloy wheels and Luisi wood rimmed steering wheel. Very rare original Cromodora alloys and steering wheel also available and in excellent condition.
Tan leather seats offset the paintwork superbly and are in excellent condition.
Fuel injected 2 litre twin cam engine starts on the button every time.
Disc brakes and 5 speed gearbox make it an easy car to enjoy a cruise in.
Dry stored - no known rust issues.
Tan mohair roof in good condition.
During the summer months we use the car regularly and it has always been reliable and a joy to us and others who see it.
Background:
The elegant and pretty Fiat 124 Spider was produced from 1966 through to 1982. It was designed by Tom Tjaarda, working at the legendary Pininfarina studio where he was also responsible for the Ferrari 365 California, Ferrari 330 GT, De Tomaso Pantera and 63’ Corvette amongst many others.
From 1983 to 1985 Pininfarina manufactured the car themselves as the Spider Europa at their own factory in Turin. They made around 100 changes to the outgoing Fiat model.
The ‘F’ badge on the car is a rare sight! We are so often asked “what is it?” when people look around the car and admire it. You are almost guaranteed to end up in a friendly conversation whenever you park this car up in public, it just seems to make people smile and want to talk about it.
There are many famous Pininfarina designed cars (Ferrari, Lancia, Alfa Romeo etc) but this is the only time Pininfarina has ever been an official manufacturer… with the exception of the recent 2023 Battista hypercar.
The F stands for ‘Farina’ after founder Battista Farina. (‘Pinin’ means small and was Battista’s nickname).
The very final cars produced in the second half of 1985 (known as 85. 5 Spiders) had further changes. This is one of those final cars, of which just 1200 were produced. Left hand drive only, they were never sold in UK.
The engine is the legendary Lampredi Twin Cam. It was produced in various iterations from 1966 all the way through to 2000 and is the most successful engine in World Rally Motorsport history.
History:
Originally manufactured in 1985
Remained in showroom until first registered in Germany in 1989 (hence 'G' registration)
Imported to UK in 1998
VIN plate confirms this is a Pininfarina manufactured car
Good history file, lots of maintenance at well known specialist DTR
Original Pininfarina handbook present
MOT history to support mileage
Interior:
Seats retrimmed in 2013 with tan leather which remain in excellent condition
Roof also retrimmed with tan mohair at this time
3 spoke wood rimmed wheel and Veglia dials.
Original leather 3 spoke Momo wheel also available and in excellent condition.
Wood veneer dash in great condition.
Overall the interior is in excellent condition with just two sun splits to the centre of the dashboard top.
Original carpets present and in good condition.
Storage box behind front seats (a Pininfarina car feature which replaced the tiny rear seats in the Fiat 124).
2 sets of keys.
Immobiliser fitted by steering wheel.
Exterior:
The gleaming Rosso Amaryllis paint gets many comments. The car has been previously restored and now remains in superb condition with no sign of rust and just some very minor chips to the door edges and literally one or two very small chips elsewhere.
Stunning 15" Ronal wheels (Continental 185/ 55 tyres) a perfect match to the cars lines and slightly flared arches.
Very rare factory 14" Cromodora alloy wheels on brand new Pirelli tyres also available.
Simple to operate hood in tan looks fabulous both up and down. Original tan vinyl tonneau cover.
Mechanically:
Significant work done in 2013 means the car remains in excellent order today given how few miles it has been driven:
Cylinder head rebuild, new valves, guides and seals, head skimmed. New cam belt, head gasket, new water pump and tensioner bearing,
new clutch.
Brakes and suspension were also overhauled in 2013 and it was equipped with another new cam belt in 2017.
New fuel pump and the brakes were improved in 2018.
Last MOT pass with no advisories.
Fresh oil service and MOT will be done prior to sale.
Summary:
A stunning and rare car with a unique position in the legendary Pininfarina history that is ready to go and enjoy. We've thoroughly enjoyed taking this to a number of car shows in our time with it and it never fails to kickstart friendly conversations and smiles.
