The Fiat 124 1st series was engineered years ahead of its time, with remarkably modern handling even today. 

They were fitted with a free revving engine and slick 5 speed gearbox, coupled with independent suspension and a monocoque shell. The coupe body suits the pretty cars dimensions well, as does the metallic blue paint work.

The last owner, a Dutch engineer, spent several years completing a bare metal restoration, the car was stripped to a shell and completely rebuilt so is now virtually a new car again.

This Fiat was first registered in the South of France in 1969, and stayed in that country until a few years ago when it was bought by a Dutch engineer who spend several years restoring the car to the condition we see today, only completing the work in 2021.

It was stripped to a bare shell and a small amount of welding was done the door skins - it’s not thought any more was needed - and it was given a full paint job in metallic blue. 

The engine and gearbox were rebuilt and new suspension springs and shocks, complete brake system and many more components replaced, documented by the sheaf of receipts and shown in the photos of the built. 

The engine was described as barely run in when it was put up for sale by the restorer, when the current owner snapped it up having wanted one for many years. 

He tells us it didn’t disappoint, living up to all his dreams but having been offered another dream car, a difficult decision has had to be made!

It is thought the interior was reused as it was in such good condition. The car only has 34,000 Km (21,000 miles) on the clock, and the condition of the cabin backs that up. 

The black vinyl bucket seats with their neat pleated centres look like new, the black carpets show almost no wear and the door cards with their oh-so Italian diagonal detailing are nice and flat with no curled edges or damage.

The wooden insert around the instrument panel looks good, it has a couple of small cracks in the surface but they are quite hard to see as they follow the grain. 

It has a wood (or wood effect) two spoke sports steering wheel with a lovely rim, metal spokes and a clear badge in the centre, although this has cracks. There is a modern radio, retro styled to fit in, seat belts are installed and the back seats are just about a usable size, and the headlining is excellent.

In the boot all is in very good shape, there is a spare alloy, original tool kit and a new electric aerial.

Outside the car is in fantastic condition, with hardly any flies in the ointment of perfection. 

Having undergone a complete strip down and bare metal respray only a few miles ago the panels and paint are in excellent shape. From the pictures we believe new metal was only needed in the door skins.

It has factory alloy wheels, these are not curbed but one has flaking paint, and all have recent tyres with deep tread.

The bright work is very good all around the car, like the interior much of this was reused. There are some scratches on the rear bumper and very light pitting on the mirrors, but the front bumper, stainless window trim and light bezels are excellent. 

It has LED reversing light bulbs fitted for easy parking.

Mechanically the car has been fully rebuilt, the engine and gearbox stripped and built back up, the suspension has all new springs, shocks and bushes and the brakes new calipers, disks, pads and pipes.

Having been taken back to component level it has been meticulously rebuilt using original where suitable or new parts throughout. 

It was completed about a year ago and has driven far enough for the Fiat to be run in and shaken down, and the owner tells us it runs and drives very well.

Under the car, the chassis has been under sealed and looks excellent.

With all the work that has been done, this 124 Coupe looks and drives almost like new. 

It is in superb condition throughout having had past expense lavished on it, it may be a cliche but this car really is ready to use.