Project Abarthvx
This is the story of the construction of my tribute to the Pininfarina Spidereuropa Abarth
(click here to view all Abarthvx project photos as a gallery)
1. History
As already noted Pininfarina showed the prototype of a new Abarth version of the Fiat 124 Spider in April of 1982 at the Salone Internazionale dell''Automobile di Torino. The production version of this car would come in 2 series later in 1984 (200 cars) and 1985 (300 cars). However this initial prototype was unique in that it came in the traditional Abarth red color.
2. Restoration
AbarthVX starting point
A good solid car but sadly not the right color
AbarthVX naked
Minor rust repair
Proper preparation for a color change
AbarthVX proper color
Euro VOLUMEX body conversion:
Round front marker light / front Pinin side emblem
No rear marker / no rear Pinin side emblem
Rear of car Spider 2000 indent removed
AbarthVX on the rotisserie
Old undercoating removed
Coated with POR-15
Scuffed, cleaned & masked
Abarth VX undercoated
Raptor Liner
Sprayed with a Schutz spray gun
4 liter kit just enough to do 2 coats
Results in about 2mm thick coating
3. Mechanical
Rear suspension installed (2023-08)
Bilstein shocks (as per VX)
Progressive rate lowering springs
Plated short lateral rod (as per VX)
Wheel studs (as per VX)
Fiat 132 rear diff (as per VX)
Shock, short lateral & panhard rod mounts modified for 124
AVT Torsen & 10/41 ring & pinion
Front suspension installed (2023-09)
Bilstein shocks (as per VX)
Progressive rate lowering springs
TBD - anti-roll bar
Wheel studs (as per VX)
Larger hubs (as per VX)
Taller spindles (as per VX)
Shorter bumpstop (as per VX)
Same this side
Rack and Pinion (R&P) steering installed (2023-09)
Photos to come
Braking system installed (2023-10)
274mm ventilated front disc (as per VX)
Caliper mounting bracket (as per VX)
Brembo caliper (fixed mounting with single 48mm piston each side) (as per VX)
Same this side
Rear brakes
Standard 124 handbrake setup
Standard 124 rear brake compensator, discs and pads
Rear calipers with 38mm piston (as per VX)
Siblings - A work in progress ...
