Category: Blog

With tepid response to the new Fiat 124 from the motoring press and enthusiast community, the door has opened wider than ever for resurgent interest in Roadster Salon’s developmental work with the original Fiat Spider platform.

The Spider Lusso S2 has been our most successful model, and currently has over 15 month backlog of orders. The Lusso was our first step toward building a spider of our own design. It was Roadster Salon’s direct response to customers interested in buying a vintage car with classic lines, but wanting a more contemporary driving experience and improved reliability.”

Most of our customers find the new Fiat version to be generic and uninspired when compared directly to the original. While the older version has obvious shortcomings in stock form, after driving the 2017 Fiat 124, we were more convinced than ever about the original Spider’s potential. Ultimately, for those who prefer the classic design, the upgraded Roadster Salon version can be a viable alternative to the new 124.

Email Inquiries and phone calls about Roadster Salon Spider models have increased two fold this fall. We can only attribute the strong interest to the brand awareness sparked by the introduction of the new model.  Roadster Salon currently offers five models of the Spider, from original restorations to highly modified versions.

The Annual Fiat Freak Out show this July was co-sponsored this year by Fiat North America, and set at the lovely St. John’s Seminary Resort near Detroit. In conjunction with the Chrysler Museum, Fiat featured the debut of their highly anticipated 2017 Fiat 124. Reaction to the new 124 was mixed, as the car is based on the Mazda Miata and built in Asia using a Fiat sourced engine. Still, strong planned promotion for the new model will undoubtedly increase Fiat’s brand recognition and interest for Italian convertibles in general here in the US.

Rain did not dampen the spirits of the hundreds of Fiat enthusiasts who collectively traveled thousands of miles with their beautiful examples of traditional Spiders and other Fiat and Lancia models. Once again, Roadster Salon dominated the Pininfarina Spider category, winning best in show for the second straight year we have attended. Roadster Salon plans a much larger presence at the 2017 show next year in Milwaukee, intending to debut several new models of their own—including the “Spider Tributo” and second generation Ultimo S2”.

While Roadster Salon will always be known for their faithful re-creations of original Spiders, a growing number of customers want something more. The charm and personality of the original Fiat and Pininfarina spiders are well known. The Spider’s timeless Italian design and advanced engineering has captivated the hearts of enthusiasts for a generation. But even the most ardent admirers of the Spider will grudgingly admit that the original car had some shortcomings. Although viewed as minor quibbles 30 years ago, in the context of today’s technology these quibbles have become glaring weaknesses. For traditionalists who desire a classic driving experience, updating the spider to a more contemporary standard is sacrilege. But for those who are not classic car enthusiasts in the strictest sense, but simply want a stunningly beautiful vintage convertible that drives like a newer car—a modified spider is an absolute necessity.

The challenge for Roadster Salon’s engineering team was how to build a spider that retains the spirit of the original design, while addressing the most glaring weaknesses of the car from a modernist perspective. Specifically, how do they make the car stop and go like a newer car? How can they dramatically upgrade build quality, fit and finish to today’s luxury standards? Can contemporary features like proper air conditioning/ventilation, heated seats, and other power options be integrated without radically changing the look and feel of the car?

Enter the Roadster Salon Ultimo

Earlier this year, Roadster Salon delivered their first Roadster Salon Ultimo in response to customers who demanded a more contemporary alternative to the original spider. In just a few short months, the car has already generated quite a buzz—and not just because of the audacity of its price point. The Ultimo may be fitted with one of two performance packages. Corsa, and Evoluzione. Our test car featured the 135 HP Corsa upgrade. Watch this space for a review of the upcoming Evoluzione version, in 2015. Priced at $89,995 the Ultimo is a used Fiat 500 short of $100,000. A staggering sum indeed, until you dig a little deeper.

A simple walk around the Spider Ultimo, and it is clear something special is in front of you. With a standard equipment list as long as a cross country road trip, no detail is overlooked. Convenience items like keyless entry, air conditioning, heated seats and an aluminum cup holder are immediately noticed and appreciated. The Ferrari Silverstone grey metallic exterior was over the moon beautiful, as was the custom made vintage Ferrari style fascia and chrome. But the real star here is the most beautiful interior Roadster Salon has ever created. The hand work of famed artisan Rich Pirics, virtually every surface is covered in premium, hand sewn Ferrari/Bentley leather. Carpets are the finest Wilton wool. Customers may choose between a variety of different exotic wood species, including Burled Walnut, Birdseye Maple and Sepeli Pommele veneers for their extensive real wood accents. Gages are trimmed in aircraft quality aluminum. The overall effect is highly luxurious and extremely tasteful.

Performance

While the luxurious Ultimo cosmetics were designed for a gentleman, this Spider’s personality is anything but subdued. Just turn the key, and the lusty exhaust note tells you immediately this is no ordinary spider. A blip of the throttle brings an instant smile to the driver, and knowing wink from whoever is sitting beside him. 

Under the hood is a modified 2.0 fuel injected engine, with custom cold air intake, performance internals and custom made headers/exhaust. Putting out a robust 135HP, the engine is a no- nonsense throw back to the lively European version of the Spider. Interestingly, Roadster Salon chose to avoid the temptation to use dual carburetors, and retain the reliability of fuel injection. Steering feel is improved by a Maserati sourced rack and pinion unit, teamed with Abarth brakes. The result is a huge upgrade in acceleration,handling, and stopping power.

A short ride around the block speaks volumes. The Ultimo acts like a sexy blonde, who just arrived for her date plied with a few Margaritas. You know you are going to have a good time, and might misbehave before the night is over. It doesn’t feel silly putting on a pair of expensive driving gloves when you grasp the Nardi steering wheel. It feels purposeful.

The Ultimo creates excitement with its potential. When cruising, the Ultimo is classy and understated. But when pushed on your favorite curvy road, the car jumps to life, ready for adventure. It is the perfect combination of the well mannered girl you want to bring home to Mom, and the hot babe to show off to your buddies. There’s a jewel-like feel about the Ultimo that conveys the time and care taken to build it. All the smells and sounds seem just right.

Other engineering improvements are less obvious but much appreciated. A revised electrical system makes the power windows and other options work properly without complaint. Advanced HID lighting, custom fog lamps, and LED interior bulbs illuminate the night with confidence. The cabin is much quieter than the original version with custom sound dampening material installed throughout the interior. The Ultimo’s doors open and close with weighted precision, reminiscent of a Mercedes SL. Rattles and vibrations are dramatically reduced by the stiffened chassis.

No, this is not a million dollar vintage Ferrari. It is however, about as much fun as you are likely to have with a classic car you can actually drive on a daily basis. Materials, fit and finish are superb. The performance is engaging, and much more likely to entertain the driver than a stock Fiat. The thunderous exhaust note is tuned to perfection, and intoxicating. The Ultimo also stops as well as it goes. Handling is greatly improved by the lowered Corsa suspension, beefy wheels and tires.

While the Ultimo is not inexpensive by any measure, the price seems fair considering the estimated 700 man hours it takes to build one. Remember, standard horsepower versions can be had for $20K less. Still, I am anxiously awaiting what the engineers at Roadster Salon have waiting in the wings. Next year’s “Evoluzione” version is rumored to have nearly 300 hp, power assisted steering, independent rear suspension and a six-speed transmission. Now that sounds like the spiciest meatball yet! Have a glass of cold water nearby.

All Roadster Salon Spiders, from the affordable Basso to the show stopping Ultimo, undergo hundreds of hours of tedious development and preparation. Once ready for their return to the road, I personally evaluate each car before signing off and shipping to its new owner. My Dad always felt that this final shake down period was essential if customers were going to be satisfied with their cars over the long haul. As our process improves, we find fewer and fewer issues to be resolved during this critical phase. We aim high, so in most respects, the finished Spider Restoration product is better than what the Spider was originally.

A few words of wisdom–when the car arrives don’t just turn the key and go. It is a classic car with modern updates, but it’s not a Toyota. Soak up the Italian ambiance. Smell the leather. Enjoy the wood. Adjust the chrome mirrors. For those of you who have never owned a spider before, take some time to familiarize yourself with the spider’s features. Once you feel comfortable, the romance can really begin.

We make a huge effort to attend to every detail, and restore your spider to the highest standard your budget allows. However, this does not mean that the car’s break in and future maintenance can be ignored. Since every Roadster Salon model—from Avanzato on up—has a completely rebuilt engine and many new parts, the same rules apply as taking home a brand new car from the factory. Here are some basic break-in and maintenance tips for your new Spider:

• Most Roadster Salon Spiders have Bosch fuel injection. Fuel delivery is managed by a computer, including cold start functions. It is not necessary, and can even be harmful, to depress the accelerator when first starting the car after it has been at rest. Be patient.
• The first 500 miles of driving should be undertaken with care. Do not drive at a steady speed and alternate the RPMs on the tachometer. This assures maximum engine efficiency in the future.
• Full throttle acceleration and high RMP shifting should be avoided until at least 1000 miles have been logged. Same is true for abrupt maneuvers or other types of aggressive driving.
• All our new engines burn significant amounts of oil for the first few months. Keep an eye on the dipstick and be sure proper oil levels are maintained.
• In high performance versions of the car, premium fuel should be used at all times.
• Synthetic oil is not recommended for use in our spiders. We recommend Castrol GTX 20/50 weight oil in most climates and conditions.
• If your spider is driven infrequently, keep a trickle charger on the battery and change the fluids at least once a year. Motor oil should not be left standing longer than six months.
• Rotate your tires every 5000 miles. Brake fluid every 24 months. Always check coolant levels, and flush/replace the radiator fluid every two years. Timing belt should be inspected by your local mechanic every 20K miles.
• Your paint is new too. Do not wax the car for the first six months. The paint needs to breathe and should not be sealed until it fully cures. A glaze to bring out the shine is permissible. Wash with mild, non abrasive soap. Condition the leather with Lexol every few months, more frequently in hot, dry climates.

Spiders are very communicative cars. If they are unhappy, or something is amiss—they will let you know. Don’t ignore the conversation. Always keep a watchful eye on your temperature gauge, and your ears tuned to any sounds that don’t seem to belong–simple advice for many years of driving pleasure.

Sunday’s Italian car Concours event in Geneva Illinois was surreal. Sitting in the same row as a stunning Maserati Bora and Ferrari 458 convertible was our entry, a 1985.5 Pininfarina Spider. Fresh off a “best in class” win at the National Fiat Event last month—and finished in the same paint and leather as the Ferrari, the Spider looked right at home. The fact our car was even granted admission to this prestigious event was a big win for Roadster Salon and Fiat. But the response we received from the crowd was even more gratifying. This kind of affirmation by show circuit cronies and the general public was unexpected, and only a dream several years ago.

A short distance away from our sweetheart, were high dollar classics like the 1954 Maserati A6G roadster, and a well sorted 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB.  For the vintage car enthusiast, this was sensory overload. Yet among these titans, our lovely Pininfarina stood tall. As I waded through the crowded streets of downtown Geneva, there were literally scores of contemporary sports cars parked proudly by their owners. A pearl yellow Lamborghini Murcielago caught my eye. On the next block were a brand new silver Ferrari California, and a black Porsche 911 GT3 that seemed tame by comparison. I wondered which one of these modern cars would be looked upon as kindly 25 years from now, as the Spider is today. It’s clearly a timeless Pininfarina design, and continues to grow in prestige with each passing year.

Current spider owners need only be patient. The trend is your friend. The death of Sergio Pininfarina has created a surge of collector car interest in all Pininfarina designed automobiles. The 1983-1985 Pininfarina Spider was the only automobile ever produced under Pininfarina’s own name.  Few people realize that there were fewer of his cars built during the period than those made by Ferrari. In that context, the Spider is a rare treasure indeed.

This is not to say that the Spider is fully appreciated by everyone. There is no denying the Ferrari DNA, which is part of every Spider ever built. But some Italian car aficionados refuse to give credit when due.  The Spider was a beautiful, well balanced sports car, at least twenty years ahead of its time. Clearly, the perception of these cars in the marketplace is changing. Sharp increases at high-line auctions recently for both Fiat and Pininfarina versions of the spider are a testament to this new attitude and growing popularity. The 1969 Fiat Spider, 81-82 Spider turbo, and 85.5 Pininfarina have led the way. Even high volume versions built from 73-80 have seen prices edge higher.

Whether the Spider becomes the next darling of the collector car market remains to be seen.  But for one day, at one Concours d’Elegance, it was clear the Spider belonged in this elite collection of Italian art.

Ciao!

Trend setters are always going to be subjects of criticism. Every time a Roadster Salon Spider forges into uncharted territory, we get a few snarky emails from people who can’t seem to wrap their heads around our business concept. Well meaning folks we assume, questioning the wisdom of putting more dollars into a restoration or upgrades than a Spider may ultimately return. The comments are usually punctuated with sarcasm concerning our supposed drug use–as in “what are we smoking?”

In truth, anyone who restores a collector car with the intention of selling it for a profit is on shaky ground.  While it is certainly possible, most who claim to make money doing so are the beneficiaries of creative accounting.  A profit–or more likely the recovery of investment, happens when you find the right buyer after the market luckily moves in your favor.

Roadster Salon restores cars for end users, not speculators. Our Spider restorations are the product of a shared vision. They are built to a customer’s exact specifications, for their enjoyment. In spite of efficiency through repetition and careful monitoring of resources, our margins remain thin. Costs are a reflection of the significant time, material and development that goes into each project. Since even the most valued original example rarely breaks the $50K barrier at auctions, how are we able to justify prices on some models nearly doubling that figure?  The answer is simple. We don’t. Our customers do.  Resale value is hardly a consideration, as only a handful of our cars have ever hit the secondary market. Each has returned the former owner nearly all their original investment.

Whether we fight fires, heal the sick, or make sure that package gets there by 10:30 the next morning, there is value to the services we all provide. Fundamentally, restoring a classic car (more accurately in our case re-creating one) takes a boat load of time, patience and expertise. There are no shortcuts.  Offering restoration services for a fixed price is risky, but a great deal for our customers. On one particularly difficult project, I recall a painful conversation with Rob lamenting our exposure. I calculated the total man hours expended versus the dollars charged, and almost fainted. We would have done better offering fries with our burgers.

At the end of the day, people have different perceptions about value. The best examples of anything—be it a wrist watch, bicycle, camera or Spider—are all going to be expensive. Superior performance and aesthetics separate them from more mundane counterparts. A Timex and a Rolex both tell time. But you will never convince a Rolex owner they are equals. Same can be said for the owners of our cars.