Italian Vert: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider

When you think of classic affordable roadsters, you'll first think of the ubiquitous Mazda MX-5 Miata...but it is far too new and common, I'm talking about cars like the MGB, Alfa-Romeo Spider, Datsun Fairlady/Sports 1600...but there's another option in this genre that is often overlooked, still fairly plentiful, and worth consideration as a respectable alternative (if you don't have a healthy fear of rust). We are referring to the Fiat 124 Spider, which was designed by Dutch-American legend Tom Tjaarda and built in a remarkable multiple decade production lifespan starting in 1966 and ending in 1985.  The later ones have big rubber bumpers, raised ride height, and more safety weight...but they also have less rust. Find this 1978 Fiat 124 Spider offered for $8,500 in Fountain Hills, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Happy Columbus Day: 2013 Fiat 500C Abarth

We continue DT's Columbus Day/Canadian Thanksgiving celebration with this next Italian import, which is a Fiat:  The 2012 release of the Fiat 500 for the US market was actually a success from a sales perspective..but despite the "Eye-tal-yon" heritage, this thing was assembled in Meh-he-co, which probably isn't a bad thing, because I have to guess that Mexican build quality is gonna be superior to Italian build quality over the long run.  Anyway, this 500 is no normal 500, it is the 500C version AND it is upgraded with Scorpion venom to the Abarth spec, which means 160 horsepower and 170 ft-lbs of front tire shredding torque from the 1.4 liter Multi-Air 4-banger mated to a 5-speed shift-it-yourself transmission. Find this 2013 Fiat 500C Abarth offered for $9000 in Long Beach, CA via craigslist.

Slow Is The New Fast: 1976 Fiat X1/9

I had a friend who was a fellow speed junkie/car guy, but he swore up and down (actually, he swore a lot...probably too much...and drank like aaaanyway... I digress) that the most fun he ever had in a car was when he owned a Fiat X1/9.  The little 1.3 liter engine pushed out something less than 75 horsepower, but you had to use each and every single one of those squirrels in cages to keep up with traffic and it was a blast.  I'm not so convinced...but I'd give it a try for this price. Find this 1976 Fiat X1/9 here on eBay offered for $2995 buy-it-now located in Antioch, CA with 5 days to go.

Italian Style: 1973 Fiat 124 Sport Spider

This next car reminds me of a time when classic European sports cars were sold for less than $5k on Autotrader print magazines found at your local 7-11 market (Autotrader stopped printing the English language version of their classifieds in 2013)...and unfortunately I've got to think that this car is either (A) already gone or (B) a scammers lure meant to catch a big fish.  Either way, I'm not biting.  But maybe I should? Find this 1973 Fiat 124 Sport Spider offered for $3750 in Santa Cruz, CA via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Forza Fiat! 1980 Fiat Strada / Ritmo

Sometimes a car jumps out of the page because it has sweet/wicked wheels (think Saab Inca Alloys), which this next car does...but what really jumps out is the coolness of the door handles...and it isn't often that a door pull is exciting. Leave it to the Italians, I guess. Find this 1980 Fiat Strada / Ritmo offered for $7,500 in West Hollywood, CA via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

FIat Abarth Munday: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

Our next feature on this most festive holiday known around the globe as Fiat Munday's is another Fiat, but this one is wasn't assembled by someone named Gianni in Italy, but more than likely built by Jan in Poland or Juan in Mexico...which is not to say it isn't a better car...but would fettuccine made by Jan or Juan be as scrumptious?  Find this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay offered for $8000 buy-it-now or make-offer in Wilmington, NC.

Fiat Munday: 1972 Fiat 500 Lusso

If the marketing wanks at Hallmark are able to make up fake holidays, then we here at DT are equally qualified to create opportunities for commerce and profit.  Therefore, I declare today, the day after Mother's Day to be henceforth known furthermore as "Fiat Munday".  And YES, the spelling is "Munday" to differentiate it from all of the mundane Monday holidays out in the world. This first feature on Fiat Munday is a 1972 Fiat 500 offered for $8000 in Overland Park, KS via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!

Italian Style: 1981 Lancia Beta Coupe

This next car comes as a tip from Matt C who puts it eloquently when he writes: I realize saying it's an '80s Italian car with sketchy electronics may be redundant, but this is sketchier than most. Still, could be a good deal for someone who's not afraid of rewiring and has a lot of time on his hands. Find this 1981 Lancia Beta Coupe offered for $1800 somewhere near Atlanta, GA via craigslist.

OTAS 820 Giannini: 1969 Lombardi Grand Prix

Italian week is wrapping up over here on DT and I can't believe we haven't posted any cars that were held in place by old pieces of firewood...because nothing says "Italian" like scrap wood wheel chocks.  And nothing says awesome like a rare Fiat 850 based thing that has styling by Giuseppe Rinaldi and something around 100 produced. Find this 1969 Lombardi Grand Prix offered for $5000 in Yuicaipa, CA via craigslist. Tip from Zach. 

Premier Padmini: 1969 Fiat 1100 Delight

Italian Week on Daily Turismo continues with this next beast: Nothing says Italian like a Fiat that was built somewhere near Bombay, India...whoops...I guess it is called Mumbai now and the car was called the Premier Padmini, but would a Fiat 1100 by another other name be as slow?  Sure.  Find this 1969 Fiat 1100 Delight offered for something from $5000 to $7500 in Houston, TX via craigslist. Tip from Zach.

Italian Stallion: 1969 Fiat 850 Sport Coupe

The cost of entry into the "cool" car club is getting ridiculous these days, and I'm not just talking about Ferraris, Porsches, Supras, but even simple 1st gen Mustangs in great shape are pricy, BUT, you can still find interesting cars in good shape that just aren't that "desirable" for whatever reason. You've just got to be creative.  Find this 1969 Fiat 850 Sport Coupe offered for $14,500 near Phoenix, AZ via craigslist. Tip from FuelTruck.

Panoramic Decapitation..Whoa? 1964 Autobianchi Bianchina Panoramica Decappottabile

In the world of "cute" cars there aren't many cars that can challenge the original Mini for being both adorable and functional in a variety of styles...but the original Fiat 500 comes close and it was available in a number of configurations, like this Panoramica Decappottabile...which I don't think was a real factory designation but sounds cool.  Find this 1964 Autobianchi Bianchini Panoramica Decappottabile offered for $7000 in Sausalito, CA via craigslist.

Super Ultra Uber Compact: 1975 Baldi Frog

Zut alors, how dare you call me a baldy Frog, you...you...dirty E-talian...oh...no.  Zis, is not something you call me, a Frenchman, zis is sometheeng you call your voiture? Oh la la. Cette is not a car. Zis is someting zee cat coughed up after it eight some weeds.  Get zis toy off my lawn and please do not return.  Find this 1975 Baldi Frog here on eBay offered for $14,000 buy-it-now located in Oceanside, NY.

Rice Crispy Exhaust: 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth

One of the problems with driving a fast factory sports car (like a newish Corvette, M3, 911..etc) is that random people want to race you...which leaves you with the conundrum of winning these on-ramp derbys and looking like a rich buy-your-way-into-first-douche and losing your license as you murder innocent strangers in a fiery crash....so the best alternative is just to drive like a dowager in your fancy sports car confident that its Nurburgring track time is better than the next guy's.  Alternatively you could buy a sleeper V8 powered Chevette, but then you need to convince those new Vette owners to race against you instead of driving like grandpa, and you still won't win the race because your wheels fall off and you still end up in jail after crashing into a crowd of nuns waiting for the bus.  So...what you really need is a car that looks like it is fast, sounds like it is fast, makes you feel good about mashing the loud pedal, but is really slow and you barely exceed the speed limit.  You need the automotive equivalent of a Harley...like this 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth here on eBay bidding for $8,100 reserve-not-met with $10,500 buy-it-now located in White Plains, NY.

Hope Springs Infernal? 1970 Fiat Siata Spring

This next car comes as a tip from Eloquaint who writes: Who needs a Miata when you can have something that will kill you in a crash, has half the power and is much less reliable to boot?  Yes, that is indeed a good question and the answer is...anybody who wants something that is different.  Find this 1970 Fiat Siata Spring offered for $3,500 in Fauquier County, VA via craigslist.

We are familiare: 1973 Fiat 124 Wagon

Welcome to Wagon Wednesday, can I take your order?  Small, Italian wagon with 5 doors?  Dual overhead cam engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi? Manual transmission?  Oxidized paint, almost brown in color?  Minimal rust and dents?  For not a lot of cash?  Find this 1973 Fiat 124 Wagon for sale in the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, WA for $3,800 via craigslist.

Supercharged Maus: 1948 Fiat Topolino

The name Topolino means little mouse in Italian and is actually what they call Mickey Mouse in Italy.  The Topolino was named because the early versions have head lights that sprouted from the fenders like Mickey Mouse ears.  And this next one has an awesome set of whisker-headers to complete the mouse look.  Find this 1948 Fiat Topolino offered for $15,000 in Miami, FL via craigslist. Tip from Rock On!