Fiat 131 build

[Ranger850]

Idk much about fiats, and I know that after all this work you definitely wont.. BUT.. is this a car you could sell when it's done and make money on it? Or are you gonna be well upside down on it.

All that metal work looks beyond awesome.

He would have to sell it for $20k to break even. After all that work, I wouldn't sell it just to make my money back.

 

[Blmpkn]

He would have to sell it for $20k to break even. After all that work, I wouldn't sell it just to make my money back.

I wouldnt want to just break even either.

As I said.. I don't know jack about fiats. So I don't know how much a build like this could possibly sell for.

My opinion is that 20k wouldn't be nearly enough for a near 50 year old foreign car that's been built to this caliber.. but opinions are ultimately worthless so

 

[BlackBII]

I won't ever sell this car, but yeah it would take $20K to break even.

If I were building this car with a Fiat drivetrain and more accurate parts, it would likely fetch $100K at an auction; there's two on eBay Italy at the moment for $160K+ and there was one on eBay US a few years ago that went for $120K, and the workmanship was awful . Here in the states, finding Fiat parts is a nightmare and the engine that came with the car was a sad 1.8 with a cracked block. There is the new 124 Abarth, but it has a tiny 1.4 Turbo, and the 500 comes with a 2.4 Chrysler engine which I wouldn't consider in a million years.

Here's a real rally car that sold for $385K

1980 Fiat 131 Abarth Rally | London 2020 | RM Sotheby's

1980 Fiat 131 Abarth Rally for sale at RM Sotheby's London

rmsothebys.com

These cars are desirable because of how few there are in the US, and because they won the WRC 3 times back in the seventies.

 

[Blmpkn]

I won't ever sell this car, but yeah it would take $20K to break even.

If I were building this car with a Fiat drivetrain and more accurate parts, it would likely fetch $100K at an auction; there's two on eBay Italy at the moment for $160K+ and there was one on eBay US a few years ago that went for $120K, and the workmanship was awful . Here in the states, finding Fiat parts is a nightmare and the engine that came with the car was a sad 1.8 with a cracked block. There is the new 124 Abarth, but it has a tiny 1.4 Turbo, and the 500 comes with a 2.4 Chrysler engine which I wouldn't consider in a million years.

Here's a real rally car that sold for $385K

1980 Fiat 131 Abarth Rally | London 2020 | RM Sotheby's

1980 Fiat 131 Abarth Rally for sale at RM Sotheby's London

rmsothebys.com

These cars are desirable because of how few there are in the US, and because they won the WRC 3 times back in the seventies.

So... hard to say what yours could potentially get but considering the price of those ones... 50-60k?

You should do the same with a Lada when your done this. I DO know that the Lada is just a communist tainted 131.. essentially making the 131 the second best selling car of all time according to James may.

 

[BlackBII]

So... hard to say what yours could potentially get but considering the price of those ones... 50-60k?

You should do the same with a Lada when your done this. I DO know that the Lada is just a communist tainted 131.. essentially making the 131 the second best selling car of all time according to James may.

Yeah hard to say. Maybe 50K or so. Mine will be the first one with a custom chassis with double wishbone suspension.

A Lada would be cool but would have the same issue of finding parts. I'm planning on building a DBR4 next. After the 131, that's my favorite car

 

[Blmpkn]

.. I'm planning on building a DBR4 next. After the 131, that's my favorite car

Jesus man... leave some cool points for the rest of us peons to collect would ya? Lol.

 

[BlackBII]

Jesus man... leave some cool points for the rest of us peons to collect would ya? Lol.

Lol get out there and build something cool!

 

[Blmpkn]

Lol get out there and build something cool!

Actually ordered some parts for my build today! Complete steering/front suspension kit for the wagon and a new fuel tank.

Not as cool as your car though lol. Some day mabey!

 

[Shran]

How are you doing the creased dimple lines in your flat material? Not sure if I'm using the right term for that. Would be super handy to be able to do that, I have used a sheet metal brake before to make lines across panels like ductwork usually has on it but that's the extent of it.

 

[BlackBII]

Actually ordered some parts for my build today! Complete steering/front suspension kit for the wagon and a new fuel tank.

Not as cool as your car though lol. Some day mabey!

Awesome. I have always liked the square body cars. The Fairmont is another one I'd like to have. Very hard to find one that's in good shape though.

How are you doing the creased dimple lines in your flat material? Not sure if I'm using the right term for that. Would be super handy to be able to do that, I have used a sheet metal brake before to make lines across panels like ductwork usually has on it but that's the extent of it.

These? I bought a cheap bead roller from Eastwood and it works pretty well

Eastwood Metal Bead Roller with Dies

Add strength, style and rigidity to your project's sheet metal parts

www.eastwood.com

 

[BlackBII]

Radiator, trunk floor and fuel cell. I need to run fuel and brake lines next, then I think I can shoot some primer and start with the 12 miles of seam sealer that needs to get done.

Also added some shots of my garage while the car was out and I was cleaning up. I try to keep everything organized and mounted on the walls to maximize workspace.

 

[Shran]

I tried to do the same thing with my shop but ended up buying shelves that take up a lot of floor space. Necessary evil, I wouldn't have anywhere else to put stuff and I apparently have to have several of everything.

What do you do when you paint, cover up everything? I sprayed ONE panel with no plastic up and had little spots of clear coat all over everything in the building.

 

[BlackBII]

I tried to do the same thing with my shop but ended up buying shelves that take up a lot of floor space. Necessary evil, I wouldn't have anywhere else to put stuff and I apparently have to have several of everything.

What do you do when you paint, cover up everything? I sprayed ONE panel with no plastic up and had little spots of clear coat all over everything in the building.

When I sprayed my Ranger, I put up some plastic up to cover all the tools and such. Buuuut, overspray still got on everything. You can tell what tools are new because they don't have any white overspray on them.

 

[ryan]

your hoist setup has me thinking. Did you add that in or is the house built with structural steel?

 

[Roert42]

I really want an I beam in my shop to hang my chain from.