[Aldo]

Before I owned this Fiat I never really paid much attention to Italian —or British— cars.

However, after two years of owning this delightful car, I’ve learned a lot about roadsters and Italy’s rich automobile heritage.

The engine sound and the driving character of 124 Spider have taken me down a journey no Mazda MX-5 or Honda S2000 ever did; full of hands-on driving satisfaction, appreciation for style, and unsolicited compliments from strangers. With very few quality problems, to boot.

Spider opened my eyes to Abarth, Fiat and classic roadsters. Watching Jay Leno’s Garage and other YouTube channels, I discovered the legendary Alfa Romeo Monza, thoroughbred Bugattis, and even stunningly beautiful Jaguar XK120s. I now catch myself liking Instagram posts of old MGs, Jaguars and Alfa Romeos.

Here are some of my favorite videos.

Jay Leno shows off his beautiful 1954 Jaguar XK120 roadster and a replica 1932 Alfa Romeo Monza

Jay does the Mille Miglia in a classic Jaguar XK

Here Jay Leno introduces the Abarth 500 to American audiences

Feel free to share your favorite Italian car or roadster videos and stories.

 

[Aldo]

In this hilarious video Jeremy Clarkson argues whether a car (an Alfa Romeo 8C) can be art.

 

[potatochobit]

I always considered my FD3S rx7 to be design art
the fiat I consider more of an exotic
and alfa romeo is so awful ugly they disgust me especially that triangle thing that is not functional but they keep putting it on the front
with that said, i think I would like a 4C or julia quadrogiorgo

 

[Brexit !]

Welcome to My / Our World "Aldo Lad"......Lived in this space since seeing that first BRG MGB with beige leather interior and wire wheels driven by a 40+ year old Guy in Harris Tweed Flat Cap and Jacket, wearing a scarf and shades...I was aged 12 yrs. Lucky enough to have visited and Driven at "Silverstone" (Club Day), Met Lord Montagu of Beaulieu at Beaulieu, Organised and run shows at "Haynes Motor Museum" Somerset and been in awe walking the walkways of the "Cite De L'Automobile, Motor Museum at Mulhouse, France and sat next to Sir "Stirling & Suzzy Moss" on a Motoring TV show called "The Time The Place", Oh...Not forgetting running the Escort Cabriolet Club and joining 124spider.org.
You have so much catching up to do with so much enjoyment to be found in doing so....I'm almost envious (daft as that sounds). "Herr Karl Benz" started something that "Henry Ford" latched onto, that "Carlos Abarth" Modified, that YOU drive today, Cheers
ron

 

[Brexit !]

I always considered my FD3S rx7 to be design art
the fiat I consider more of an exotic
and alfa romeo is so awful ugly they disgust me especially that triangle thing that is not functional but they keep putting it on the front
with that said, i think I would like a 4C or julia quadrogiorgo

How can you say that when the Little "Alfa Romeo GT Junior" (£50000.00 at auction) alone is so Beautiful.....Cheers
ron

 

[Aldo]

A client who works at Honda told me once: “Japanese culture can create beautiful things...provided it has 3,000 years...” She is spot-on IMO.

Germans can make things that look clean and attractive. Scandinavians have a sensibility to turn that Germanic sense of design into something stylish.

Italians can make things that are beautiful to look at just for the sake of it. Just don’t let them touch the electrical wires..!

 

[Project124]

I definitely believe a car can be art. Imagine all of those countless parts, working perfectly together in harmony, and the designers who are able to not only plan, but execute, that and make it a reality. A car that I consider a work of art is the perfect balance of form and function.

 

[Brexit !]

Three of "My" Best Looking Cars for Art are......Ferrari Dino 206 & 246 GT, Porsche 356 Abarth - Carrera GTL and the Mercedes Benz 230 SL....Been looking for a combination of those shapes ALL of my motoring life in finding "The Perfect" "Work of Art" "for me"......the 124 Spider Classica & Lusso does that completely. The 124 Spider Abarth I know did/does it for many here, I just had to let it grow on me............ That last Comment Aldo was "Profound" and true, Cheers
ron

 

[Aldo]

Welcome to My / Our World "Aldo Lad"......Lived in this space since seeing that first BRG MGB with beige leather interior and wire wheels driven by a 40+ year old Guy in Harris Tweed Flat Cap and Jacket, wearing a scarf and shades...I was aged 12 yrs. Lucky enough to have visited and Driven at "Silverstone" (Club Day), Met Lord Montagu of Beaulieu at Beaulieu, Organised and run shows at "Haynes Motor Museum" Somerset and been in awe walking the walkways of the "Cite De L'Automobile, Motor Museum at Mulhouse, France and sat next to Sir "Stirling & Suzzy Moss" on a Motoring TV show called "The Time The Place", Oh...Not forgetting running the Escort Cabriolet Club and joining 124spider.org.
You have so much catching up to do with so much enjoyment to be found in doing so....I'm almost envious (daft as that sounds). "Herr Karl Benz" started something that "Henry Ford" latched onto, that "Carlos Abarth" Modified, that YOU drive today, Cheers
ron

My first convertible was a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. It was far from a sports car, but it was fun nonetheless, particularly with 4 people on board.

Then I bought a 2001 Mazda Miata NB: it was bright red with tan leather and top. It was stunning and fun to drive. But it was cramped and underpowered.

Then came a 2006 Honda S2000. It was fast and exquisitely put together. But I never really got into it: you needed to drive it at 9/10s constantly to have fun. V-Tec didn’t kick in until. 6,500 RPMs, at which point the engine wail was just annoying. The design, inside and out, was clean but far from sexy..

For a time, I’d test drive Mustang and Camaro convertibles, but never pulled the trigger; something got lost in translation on those cars. Perhaps they were too big and heavy, or too isolated from the road. I stuck with Dodge Challengers instead. If I was going to drive a big boat, might as well be comfortable.

When Mazda NC came out I went to test drive them several times; liked it but not enough to pull the trigger. When ND came out, I really like it: great interior, great side design...but not fond of the front.

Then Spider came out and everything came together: styling, sound, interior, handling, history. Within 2 months of test driving one I was driving a new Spider. Best one so far!

 

[Brexit !]

My first convertible was a 1998 Chrysler Sebring. It was far from a sports car, but it was fun nonetheless, particularly with 4 people on board.

Then I bought a 2001 Mazda Miata NB: it was bright red with tan leather and top. It was stunning and fun to drive. But it was cramped and underpowered.

Then came a 2006 Honda S2000. It was fast and exquisitely put together. But I never really got into it: you needed to drive it at 9/10s constantly to have fun. V-Tec didn’t kick in until. 6,500 RPMs, at which point the engine wail was just annoying. The design, inside and out, was clean but far from sexy..

For a time, I’d test drive Mustang and Camaro convertibles, but never pulled the trigger; something got lost in translation on those cars. Perhaps they were too big and heavy, or too isolated from the road. I stuck with Dodge Challengers instead. If I was going to drive a big boat, might as well be comfortable.

When Mazda NC came out I went to test drive them several times; liked it but not enough to pull the trigger. When ND came out, I really like it: great interior, great side design...but not fond of the front.

Then Spider came out and everything came together: styling, sound, interior, handling, history. Within 2 months of test driving one I was driving a new Spider. Best one so far!

Did "Toyota" ever release the Mk 1 MR2 over there Mate ? Mid engined harmony, it looked good, had a removable T-Top that sat behind the seats (2) and handled (1980's) very well indeed, funny thing was...the alloy wheels were Japanese design for the Asian market I think...just did not like them, great bonnet (hood) badge though.
Never drove the NC but quite liked the looks, liked my NB's better though, ND....you can "Keep It".
"If" they do produce a "NE" then it would not surprise me to see a 124 Spider(ish) design come into play, the markets being so weak for little Sports convertibles, not sure that's going to happen, even more reason to celebrate grabbing our Spiders when we did....Cheers
ron

 

[SteveP.]

When I was a kid, a neighbor had a drop head XK-150. Trips to Connecticut to visit relatives had me begging my dad to go to Chinetti's starting at age 11, or in Pennsylvania to visit relatives begging to go to Algar's. 250 SWB's, Lusso Berlinettas, Alfas and Lancias all started it for me. And the sounds they made was art too! s.

 

[Aldo]

Yes, the Toyota MR2 came to N.A. I liked the 2nd generation; it looked like a pocket Ferrari.

But I was a 1-vehicle household back then; needed my car to do everything. A Chrysler Sebring allowed me to have a convertible, a grocery getter, and suitable space when my parents came to visit me down in California.

Second generation Toyota MR2

 

[Destination Loco]

Cars are not art; unfortunately, they are not timeless. The concept of a collectible car has only been around since when, the 1950's? Look ahead 50 years; you may be able to make parts on your 3-D printer but correctly formulated gasoline and qualified mechanics will be unaffordable to all but a wealthy few. I know a guy a now who has two collectible cars from the 70s that haven't been able to leave his garage this century. When his children sell the house, the buyers will demand that they be towed away. No, our beautiful cars are not art. They are meant to be enjoyed right now so show them off and drive the heck out of them.

 

[Aldo]

When I was a kid, a neighbor had a drop head XK-150. Trips to Connecticut to visit relatives had me begging my dad to go to Chinetti's starting at age 11, or in Pennsylvania to visit relatives begging to go to Algar's. 250 SWB's, Lusso Berlinettas, Alfas and Lancias all started it for me. And the sounds they made was art too! s.

You may appreciate some of these, then. Lots of classic Italian car porn there.

 

[Aldo]

 

[Aldo]

And perhaps one of the sexiest cars of the 1970s

 

[rexracerx9]

My vote is YES cars can be art.

 

[rexracerx9]

View attachment 82946
My vote is YES cars can be art.

 

[rexracerx9]

 

[Aldo]

Did you guys see the new "family" car from Swedish automaker Koenisegg?

Hybrid powertrain, 1,700HP, four seats, two doors.