1983 Fiat Super Strada 1 5 Litre Bertone Cabriolet Very Rare IN RHD in NSW

1983 FIAT SUPER STRADA 1. 5 LITRE CABRIOLET: Very Rare in RHD!

Believed to be 1 of only 2 in Australia & only 9 on-the-road in the UK. It is a limited edition Bertone designed and built Fiat sports convertible. Most of those built were LHD for the European market. And virtually all have disappeared through rust.

This car is a true survivor. I purchased it 12 years ago from a dealership in Manchester. where it had been a feature car on display in their showroom since 1989! During the 1990's they had renovated the building – closing off vehicular entry. So when they decided to sell in 2004 they had to demolish a wall to bring it out! It has now been off the road for 27 years and was only ever used on the road for 6 years. This is why it has survived with bodywork. interior & mechanicals commensurate with a six year old UK car. A remarkable story and a true time-warp survivor.

ABOUT THIS MODEL: Called a Ritmo in Europe & Strada in the UK. It was a zippy 3-door hatchback released in 1981. There was even an Abarth version. A year later. Bertone. who at the time were manufacturing the X 1/9 on Fiat's behalf. were given the task of designing & building a cabriolet version of the Ritmo. It was introduced in 1982. with the last sold in 1985. The top-of-the-line cabrios usually came with the classic OHC 1498cc Fiat motor – a free revving unit with a single twin-choke carb & 5 speed manual gearbox.

CONDITION OF THIS CAR: Mechanically it starts & drives like a car half it's age.  And it is a survivor from an era when rust-prevention was minimal. But please be realistic about it's condition. It is NOT a new car & it is NOT suitable as a daily driver (both of which have been recent questions). So you are bound to find some issues which require attention after 27 years in storage.  

What I have done to recommission it is to fit a partial NEW exhaust. The interior. the soft top & most importantly the bodywork are all in excellent shape for the era. There are small BUBBLES on the rear wheel arches – they are minor to fix & do not affect the car structurally. It has the original alloy wheels & period correct Radio/Cassette. There are no departures from originality and the car has only done 58. 46 miles from new. Note that the speedo reading is in MILES. It will need a NEW BATTERY.

SUMMARY: These are now very collectible in Europe & regularly feature in club meetings & magazines. Good original ones are extremely hard to find. To repeat. mine was only used on the road for 6 years & has a unique history of 27 years in storage. With FIAT & ABARTH re-established in Australia. this car would make an interesting & usable addition to any Italian collection. These now have some value in Europe but I hope it stays in Australia. With UK shipment costing $3000 alone. before import fees & GST. you are buying well below replacement cost.

It is over 30 years old so registration in any state is possible. A copy of the FORS import permit will be provided. Note that it has never been registered in Australia.  

I am now retired & have other projects to keep me occupied so I will never get around to this one – hence the sale.

Please note where it is – Crookwell NSW which is 45 klms west of Goulburn. which in turn is 2 ½ hours south of Sydney. Clearly it is not registered so you will need either a trailer or transporter to collect. Please consider this before bidding. I can give some advice on carriers.

The usual Ebay rules apply. you are bidding to buy. not to inspect. change your mind or haggle over price. Payment only by electronic transfer or cash please. NO Paypal or other methods.

I am a long-term Ebayer with extensive & positive feedback – 16 years – when there was only an Ebay US site!

Also published at eBay.com.au

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