1962 Fiat 1200 VT Spider

Exclusivity isn’t everything, but sometimes you need a car that can hang with the fancy $50k+ crowd of ’50s Vettes, ’60s Benz SL Coupes, Big Healeys, Porsche 356, and Shelby Cobras…at least in the parking lot. This next thing might not be able to keep up with anything faster than a Beetle on the highway, but it exudes a sense of charm and stateliness of the best European sports cars from the 1960s…and it just looks like it costs a lot more than $20k. A lot more. Find this 1962 Fiat 1200 VT Spider offered for $22,000 in Deerfield Beach, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

From the seller:

1962 Fiat 1200 VT Spider
VIN: 118G014296
condition: excellent
cylinders: 4 cylinders
drive: rwd
fuel: gas
odometer: 42000
paint color: custom
size: mid-size
title status: clean
transmission: manual
type: convertible
The 1962 Fiat 1200 VT (“Vetture Speciali”- Special Cars) called the 1200 Spider in export markets has amazing similarities to Ferrari’s 250 GT PF Cabriolet of the same. Available at a fraction of the cost, the popularity of the 1200 Spider skyrocketed with sports car enthusiasts.

Powering the 1200 Cabriolet was an overhead-valve 1,221cc four-cylinder engine that sported a 72 x 75mm bore and stroke, 8.25:1 compression, and a two-barrel Weber 36DCD downdraft carburetor; in this form, it made 55hp at 5,300 RPM and 60-lbs.ft. of torque at 3,000 RPM, enough to push the 2,030-pound car close to 90 MPH.

The 1200 Cabriolet was replaced in 1963 and by the 1500 Cabriolet; in 1968, the 124 Spider would take up the mantle of Fiat’s traditional two-seat convertible.

This two-seater, internally considered Series 143, featured a unit-body that was designed and built by the artisans at Pinin Farina; the “Vetture Speciali” (Special Cars) badges on the 1961 example indicate this car’s hand-built nature and special brightwork trim. Floor shifter for the four-speed manual, rollup door windows and a folding soft top that disappeared into a devoted well behind the seats for a smooth appearance. The practical and commodious trunk hid the spare tire and tool kit under the door.

With a very Ferrari looking Pininfarina body this Fiat model was certainly memorable little sports cars. The car featured here, located in Deerfield Beach, Florida, has been loved and cared for. Certainly, well preserved, it has nevertheless received a “thorough mechanical and cosmetic refurbishment” to leave it looking pretty much as new. The engine was tuned up and the outside everything has been refinished or reconditioned. Finished in copper over the beige interior, it looks stunning.

This special Fiat Spider represents a sound financial investment while providing classic Pininfarina styling and Italian panache and performance.

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