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Buying a 128 - what to look for

halr75

halr75

True Classic
my wife has the bug after seeing me and the joy I get from my X. She has fallen in love with the 128 and we are heading to look at one tomorrow.

Any knowledgeable folks got any pointers on what to look for? My X is an FI 1500 and this will be a carb’d 1300 (72).

Thanks in advance!
 
Rust Rust Rust. For sure look beneath the battery in the engine bay, I have had several 128s and most had serious rust on the chassis rail and the sway bar mounting point (the sway bar is a major suspension mounting element). Look at the rear shock top mount area, I had a 128 wagon with serious rust there as it's an area with many layers of sheet metal. Look where the floor meets the outer rockers as this is a major source of rust. Rust around the windshield and rear window opening.

Mechanically they are actually pretty similar to your X and parts are available.
Interior bits are thin on the ground so make sure the interior is in good shape.

128 members on this forum bend over backwards to help fellow 128 owners for sourcing info and hard to find parts.

Put a 1500 X motor in any 128 to make it much more enjoyable!
 
Thanks for the pointers Carl, car was really nice and almost rust free. Interior was the highlight, very complete and original.

Unfortunately with a slow synchro on 3rd, mismatched home repaint on the hood and one door and a couple more “project needs” I think we are a pass.

It’s a really lovely original owner 72 and the owner was passionate about the car. My wife wants something she can daily drive through the summer and let the kids run around in to learn stick. This was just a bit too nice for that, I think she was humoring my enthusiasm!
 
What you are describing as issues could be fixed in a weekend. Remember, a 50+ year old car is going to have some "project needs" unless you buy a garage queen which you will never want to drive or enjoy.
 
Perfect 128s go for eye watering high prices...to the point where you could get a mid teens GTI for the same price and have a really fun front wheel drive four door car. It helps to be a Fiat enthusiast but not to the point of absurdity.
 
No complaints on the car or the seller, car was honestly and very well presented and his primary concern was that the car would go to someone who knew and understood what it would take to own it.

It’s just not right for my wife. She wants something she can throw wet dogs in occasionally and let the kids learn to drive stick in. This 128 was not the right car for that.
 
I'm a bit confused, is the 128 SL in the FB ad the "128" you went to look at? Those are really really rare and much more desirable than the sedan.

In any event, have you thought about a nice Miata for the wife? No silly compromises in Italian car ownership, fun to drive manual transmission car.
 
Yes it is an SL and is beautiful. I think it is priced well and will make someone very happy, we went to look at this opportunistically not really knowing much about it.

Wife is actively looking for a Suzuki Samurai.
 
halr75 said:
No complaints on the car or the seller, car was honestly and very well presented and his primary concern was that the car would go to someone who knew and understood what it would take to own it.

It’s just not right for my wife. She wants something she can throw wet dogs in occasionally and let the kids learn to drive stick in. This 128 was not the right car for that.
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That makes a lot of sense! I had a Samurai. Parts for them are dirt cheap. I enjoyed it, but not a car for any long distance highway stuff. Thanks!
 
Honda Element, the ultimate dog car and the manual transmission is super easy to drive as the K24 has enough torque.

Super safe, great car for a kid. Rolled multiple times. That’s her, no injuries. 2007 and newer have side curtain and torso bags.
IMG_7821.jpeg
 
kmead said:
Honda Element, the ultimate dog car and the manual transmission is super easy to drive as the K24 has enough torque.

Super safe, great car for a kid. Rolled multiple times. That’s her, no injuries. 2007 and newer have side curtain and torso bags.
View attachment 99773
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Damn, I hope we never have that, glad they all came out well. She has a Mazda CX5 for her regular car which is nice, boring and reliable(ish). She wants a fun little side piece to go with it.
 
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