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Junkyard Gem: 1981 Fiat Spider 2000

Fiat gave up on the American market after 1982, not returning until nearly three decades later, but dealers here still had brand-new 124 Sport Spiders available all the way to the end. Starting in the 1979 model year, this car became known as the Spider 2000; that's what we've got as today's Junkyard Gem, spotted in a Denver-area self-service yard last month. The 124 Sport Spider made its debut in 1966. Since it was built on the same platform as the 124 sedan, it is thus cousin to the original VAZ-2101 Lada. I've always liked the trunk lock that hides in the final zero of the engine-displacement badge. The 124 Sport Spider sold very well in the United States during the 1970s (in fact, this car was available only in the North American market during the latter half of that decade), and I've found quite a few examples during my junkyard travels over the years. After Fiat departed our shores in 1982, Malcolm Bricklin continued selling these cars (with Pininfarina Azzurra badging) through 1985. This one is in much nicer condition than any 124 Sport Spider I've seen in many years, maybe stretching back to the era when you could still buy these cars new. There's fairly recent body-straightening work, suggesting that someone undertook a restoration effort. This may even be a new-ish convertible top. Power came from this Fiat Twin Cam engine, rated at 102 horsepower in 1981. The 124 Sport Spider's long-term rival in the American market, the MGB, had its last model year in 1980, with the Triumph Spitfire departing at the same time. That left the much more expensive ($14,895 versus $9,899, or $49,500 and $32,895 in 2022 dollars) Alfa Romeo Spider Veloce as the Fiat Spider 2000's primary competitor for the ever-shrinking two-seat convertible market. A five-speed manual came as the default transmission in this car, though a GM-sourced three-speed automatic was available at a cost of 520 bucks (about $1,730 today). I have seen exactly one slushbox-equipped 124 Sport Spider in my life. This is one of the coolest-looking shift-pattern labels in automotive history. The EX. GAS SENSOR warning light was used to warn of an overheating catalytic converter. I like to use these Fiat indicator lights for various projects, though they have become rare in recent decades. At least I'll never run out of early-1970s FASTEN SEAT BELT lights! So, if you're looking for a vintage sports-car project, be sure to consider the Fiat 124 Sport Spider.

VW, Fiat, Mercedes could be CNG winners in Europe

Fiat ads in the US try to play up the exotic, sexy side of Italian culture. On the home front in Italy, however, passenger-vehicle sales are marked by something less edgy and quite a bit more practical: the growth of compressed-natural-gas (CNG) powered car sales. In fact, Italy is leading a group of European countries where CNG sales are on the upswing and may be benefiting automakers like VW, Fiat and Mercedes-Benz, according to Automotive News. VW started sales of its Golf TGI natural-gas vehicle this year – the company's fourth in Europe – while Mercedes-Benz added a natural-gas B-class model. Fiat accounts for about 50 percent of CNG vehicles sold on the continent. In all, Europe's CNG sales through September totaled about 67,000, up seven percent from a year earlier, Automotive News Europe says, citing research firm JATO Dynamics. And the number of CNG vehicles on Europe's roads could jump tenfold within the next decade. The draw is a combination of lower refueling prices and a CNG drivetrain that typically emits less CO2 than diesel vehicles. As for Italy, about five percent of new-vehicle sales are CNG. To put that into perspective, hybrids, battery-electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids and diesels combined to account for about 4.2 percent of US vehicle sales last year. News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Volkswagen Green Fiat Mercedes-Benz Volkswagen Natural Gas Vehicles CNG

Federal judge orders Barra and Manley to try to resolve GM racketeering lawsuit

DETROIT — A federal judge in Detroit on Tuesday ordered the chief executives of automakers General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to meet by July 1 to try to resolve GM's racketeering lawsuit. U.S. District Court Judge Paul Borman called on GM CEO Mary Barra and FCA CEO Mike Manley to meet in person to try to resolve a case that could drag on for years. "What a waste of time and resources now and for the years to come in this mega-litigation if these automotive leaders and their large teams of lawyers are required to focus significant time-consuming efforts to pursue this nuclear-option lawsuit if it goes forward," Borman said at the end of a hearing during which FCA asked the judge to dismiss GM's lawsuit. Borman said instead, the companies need to focus on building cars and keeping people employed at a time when the coronavirus has hurt the U.S. economy and the country is also dealing with issues of racial injustice after the death of George Floyd, a Black man whose death in police custody in Minneapolis triggered worldwide protests. GM filed the racketeering lawsuit against FCA last November, alleging its rival bribed United Auto Workers (UAW) union officials over many years to corrupt the bargaining process and gain advantages, costing GM billions of dollars. GM is seeking "substantial damages" that one analyst said could total at least $6 billion. Barra and Manley should meet, taking into account social distancing to keep them safe, to "explore and indeed reach a sensible resolution," Borman said in the hearing, which was broadcast online. It is common for judges to order parties to try to resolve disputes out of court. But it is unusual that the chief executives of two big companies be instructed to meet face-to-face, not just to settle their differences but also to serve a greater good. A GM spokesman said the No. 1 U.S. automaker has a strong case and "we look forward to constructive dialogue with FCA consistent with the courtÂ’s order.” FCA had no immediate comment. Borman said he wanted to hear from Barra and Manley personally at noon on July 1 to provide him with results from their discussion. FCA shares were up 6.1% at $10.24 in New York and GM shares were down 0.5% at $26.25 on Tuesday afternoon. Government/Legal Chrysler Fiat GM