WHEELER DEALERS

[LaserBra2000]

WHEELER DEALERS
FIAT 124
Season 21 • Episode 1
Motortrend App

Mike finds a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider 'survivor' car. It's all original but the driving experience leaves a lot to be desired. Mike gets crafty on the interior while Ant fixes a leaky differential, replaces a carrier bearing and axle seals.

[Boris61]

Just watched this episode. Very well done! They made a ~$6k “profit” on a nice“survivor” car they bought for $4.8k and sold for $12k. Interior had the usual cracked dashboard, weathered instrument panel, torn shifter boot, split seat covers, fogged gauges. They showed how to address all of these issues. Mechanically the car was quite good. Ant replaced the speedometer drive, carrier bearing and axle/diff seals. I learned a few tricks I wish I’d known before. Especially how to bench test differential backlash and preload bearing. Highly recommended!

[MattVAS]

It is an interesting episode.

I will say that I'm not saying, but I'm saying, maybe just maybe they did more than the show said. Maybe just maybe they spent more than the show said they did on parts. Maybe just maybe those NOS seat upholstery were NOT NOS.

But I certainly wouldn't know anything about any of this.

[Jgersman]

what happened to the taillight? I wish the engine needed some work, would have been more educational. Not one of the better episodes unfortunately but thanks for doing a 124.

[tonym]

Agree that it would have been nice to see some engine work, particularly those nasty valve clearances. But I loved seeing how much fun they had driving it. We all know that feeling!

[chrisg]

It is an interesting episode.

I will say that I'm not saying, but I'm saying, maybe just maybe they did more than the show said. Maybe just maybe they spent more than the show said they did on parts. Maybe just maybe those NOS seat upholstery were NOT NOS.

But I certainly wouldn't know anything about any of this.

nice to have "not" confirmed

I was mildly curious whether all the other stuff (massively clean transmission, new brakes, new rear suspension bushings, just on the obvious) and the fact that the basic engine bay work anyone should expect (timing belt, carb check/rebuild, valve check/adjust, tune-up parts) was skipped or if it was done before they bought it. I mean, obviously it was done before the bits were filmed, but what I was curious about is whether they "paid" 4800 for a car that needed a little bit of everything or for one that had all of the annoying little stuff dealt with & only needed the driveline work & interior cosmetics. THAT is the pricepoint I thought would be interesting, not the final sale price. If someone is going to pay $12k for a car that looks nice, but still needs a whole lot of rubber & paper parts checked/changed/fiddled with & hasn't been repainted, let me share my home address & I can supply you with 1, 2, 3, maybe a half dozen examples.

Still, it was good TV (which is damning with faint praise of course) and done with respect for the car, which is nice. The work that was covered provided some nice insight on how to approach (especially the porto-power/bumper gig) and, as I've already said elsewhere, did as much to sell the idea of having a lift as it did having a Fiat 124.

Who else cringed at the idea of simply reaching back to lift/lower the top?

[Slartibartfaster]

Yes to cringing at reaching back to raise the top, and every time they just dropped into the drivers seat.
On the whole it was better than I expected and I was glad to see it priced decently.

They should drop the "selling-on at a profit" deceit. What's wrong with just being honest about the time and money (and tool budget)?

[baltobernie]

They should drop the "selling-on at a profit" deceit. What's wrong with just being honest about the time and money (and tool budget)?

+1

And the tail lamp lens? If indeed it was a 1971 (the presenters stated several different dates during the episode), then that lens is still broken. 1971 rear lamps are unique, as many of you know. These kind of things they never talk about in such programs.

[abelclasico]

...as many of these shows nowadays, it is hard to know what is being scripted and what is not.
Mike seemed to be confused about the model year, saying 71 and then 73....and then again, 71 when he sold it.
Nevertheless, an entertaining show.....although I still prefer Ed China,
cheers,
Abel