Sports cars may not be the first thing you think of when you hear the name Fiat
. Sure, some versions of the 500
are sporty, but they aren’t sports cars per se. While mostly known for vehicles that are cute, compact, and economical, Fiat has made a few sports cars—most notably the 124 Spider
. Fiat has been around in one form or another since 1900 and has mostly produced compact cars that have been huge successes on the European market. But there are a few entries that have fallen in the sports car category throughout the beloved Italian automaker’s long run.
Take a quick tour down the sportier side of Fiat’s history with Jerry
, the car insurance comparison shopping pro and automotive super app
. We’ll take a look at some sporty Fiats of the past, and how to get great car insurance for any make or model today. Does Fiat make sports cars?
Fiat’s rust and maintenance issues are a long-running classic joke (Fix It Again, Tony), but Fiat has also made some beautifully iconic cars. Though Fiat doesn’t currently offer a new sports car, the quintessentially Italian automaker has made a few noteworthy sports entries in its history.
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1968 Fiat 124 Spider
The sporty convertible 124 Spider was introduced to the world in 1966 at the Turin Motor Show and made its American debut two years later. A product of the carefree 60s, this little Spider was one that you wanted around. Clean, sparse lines and elegant Italian design made the Spider as visually appealing as it was fun to drive.
The 124 Spider had a four-cylinder, 1.4-liter engine that could produce 95 horsepower and room for five passengers. The design was courtesy of powerhouse Italian designer Pininfarina, who also worked with Ferrari. It featured a five-speed transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, and a soft top that could easily be opened from the driver’s seat.
Current prices for a 1968 Fiat 124 Spider range from $7,700 to up to $36,100 for a fully-restored model.
2016 Fiat 124 Spider
Everything old is new again. Fiat introduced a 50th-anniversary version of the classic 124 Spider in 2016. This updated version was made between 2016 and 2020 and was frequently compared with the Mazda MX-5 Miata
. The new Spider came with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produced 160 horsepower. The six-speed transmission was available in automatic or manual, and the car’s light weight lent it great fuel economy.
Three trim levels were available, with the top-of-the-line Abarth offering the most sporty features like upgraded brakes and specific suspension tuning. The 2020 Fiat 124 had a starting MSRP of $26,885, and Car and Driver rated it a 9/10 that year. Today, a used 2020 model costs around $22,000 depending on trim level and features.
1966-1973 Fiat Dino
The Fiat Dino was a two-door coupe sports car made between 1966 and 1973 notable for its Ferrari engine. Made with a 2.0 or 2.4-liter V6 engine and a five-speed manual transmission, Fiat claimed that the Dino could produce up to 180 horsepower.
They were available as both a coupe and a convertible, and today they’re collector’s items. 1968 Dinos in good condition have recently sold for around $50,000, with fully restored or feature-heavy ones going for as much as six figures. It’s the closest that a lot of us might ever get to owning a Ferrari.
A brief history of Fiat
Fiat was founded in Turin, Italy between 1899 and 1900 as the Fabbrica Italiana Automobili Torino, and opened its first factory in the US in 1908. From little city cars to a record-breaking Grand Prix race car with a 22-liter biplane engine in it, Fiat has never shied away from boldly embracing the unorthodox with a smile.
Innovative and economical, Fiats have been a huge success on the European market for over 100 years. Their popularity in the U.S. soared after WWII, especially among the younger generation who wanted a compact, affordable, stylish car in which to navigate city life.
Fiat withdrew from the U.S. market in the early 1980s but returned with a bang in 2011 with the introduction of the redesigned Fiat Cinquecento
series. Over 1 million Fiat 500 vehicles have been sold in more than 100 countries, and it’s safe to say that the little Italian cars are truly a global icon. How to save money on Fiat insurance
Classic and collectible cars often need special kinds of insurance protection, as they’re way more than just your standard used car. With insurance super app Jerry
, you can use the latest tech to get coverage for your vintage wheels in a matter of seconds
. Jerry rapidly searches for competitive quotes from over 55 top providers, and all you’ll need to do is pick the one that fits you best. Signing up for your new policy is a breeze, and can be taken care of entirely through the app. If you have any questions, Jerry’s team of insurance experts is available to help. You can even get assistance in canceling your old policy!
The average Jerry shopper saves over $800 a year, which let’s be honest—if you own a vintage Fiat, you’re probably going to want to put it right in the mechanic fund.
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