Restored Spider 2000 with numerous upgrades. Fuel injected 2.0, 5-speed, Wilwood disc brakes, LED lighting, powerful stereo. Extensive restoration, runs and drives great. A car you couldn’t afford to restore, ready to enjoy!

The best kinds of cars to buy are those where someone else has already done all the hard work. Even better when it’s a car like the Fiat Spider 2000, where the restoration costs will exceed the value by several orders of magnitude. So when we spotted this very nicely done white-over-red roadster, we knew that it was a labor of love. Looking it over, the tub is completely solid and doesn’t look to have ever been damaged or patched—a rarity among the rust-prone Italians. That means it lived somewhere warm. Then there’s the paint job, which is quite good—not perfect, but very good. Classic white with a red interior and some subtle tape stripes along the rockers give it a racy appearance without looking like it's trying too hard. Doors fit nicely and close well, the hood latches without the need for a heavy slam, and all the weather seals are new so it seals up reasonably well (no, it’ll never be like a modern car, sorry). The vintage Italian styling has held up beautifully and the car has a trim, well-proportioned look that stands out today. Nice chrome bumpers with correct rubber overriders, a trunk-mounted luggage rack, and new lenses all around give it a crisp, well-detailed look and it’s worth noting that all the exterior lighting, including the headlights, are LEDs for safety.

The red interior is the ideal complement to the white bodywork, giving it a sporting look that will never go out of fashion. Both bucket seats were reupholstered, the carpets were replaced, the door cards are new, and even the dash pad looks like it has been freshened. For a little car, there’s plenty of space in there once you’re behind the wheel, and while the wheel angle looks extreme, it actually works rather well. That’s a real wood dashboard, filled with fully operational round gauges from Veglia, with the secondary controls are scattered around the cockpit in typical Italian fashion. A newer Sony AM/FM/CD/USB/iPod stereo head unit slots neatly into the dash with speakers stashed throughout the interior for decent sound even with the top down. The rear package shelf was upholstered to resemble a back seat, but it’s really only for children and short trips, but it’s certainly nicely done. Overhead there’s a matching red canvas convertible top that you can stow from the driver’s seat with a little practice, and it fits underneath the original red boot which is the only part of the interior showing its age. The trunk is remarkably spacious and includes a correct mat and the remote battery box.

The 2.0 liter DOHC inline-4 received Bosch fuel injection in 1980, bolstering both its horsepower and torque curves. It’ll never be mistaken for a big block V8, but it starts easily and is eager to rev, making it a lot of fun to run it through the gears. In the featherweight Spider, performance is spirited and it once again proves the old adage that it’s more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Examining the engine bay, you’ll find a big aluminum radiator up front with factory electric fans, color-matched silicone coolant hoses, and an electronic ignition system. It’s a little grumpy when it’s cold but once warmed up it’s a delight to run it through the gears of the 5-speed manual transmission, which has light throws and easy clutch action. The suspension doesn’t break any new ground, but offers a nice combination of performance and comfort, and it’s bolstered by new shocks and springs at both ends. You’ll note the floors are rock solid, there are no issues in the rockers, and the catalytic converter has been removed for more performance (please check your local regulations for licensing). The original front disc brakes have been replaced by Wilwood calipers and dimpled rotors, as well as stainless steel flex lines, so braking performance is impressive. 15-inch alloy wheels were powdercoated charcoal gray and fitted with fat 195/55/15 performance radials to give it the perfect stance.

Extras include the owner’s manuals in their original folder, as well as some spare oil filters.

This is a really likeable little car. It’s energetic and fun to drive, economical to own, and easy to service. There’s huge parts support and a club that has all the answers. And most importantly, someone else has already spent all the money to make it one of the best we’ve ever seen. Look at the car then look at the price and give us a call.

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.