FCA Heritage, the division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles responsible for maintaining the tradition of the Italian brands, is now selling selected classic cars. The first offerings are an Alfa Romeo Spider (1991), a Lancia Fulvia Coupé Montecarlo (1973), a Pininfarina Spidereuropa (1981), an Alfa Romeo SZ (1989) and a Lancia Appia Coupé (1959). From discovery to restoration, from valuation to sale - FCA Heritage offers comprehensive services for owners of historic Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Lancia and Abarth.
At the "Rétromobile" classic car show in Paris, FCA Heritage, the division of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) responsible for classic Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Lancia vehicles, presented a new service. Roberto Giolito, Director of FCA Heritage, presented the "Reloaded by Creators" program. The idea is to offer carefully selected classic cars directly from the original manufacturer.
To this end, FCA Heritage will acquire a limited number of classic cars in order to restore them to their original condition as required. The funds raised in this way will be used to expand the company's own historic collection. In doing so, FCA Heritage is following a common path among international museums.
Five important classics from FCA's Italian brands will make the start: an Alfa Romeo Spider (1991), a Lancia Fulvia Coupé Montecarlo (1973), a Pininfarina Spidereuropa (1981), an Alfa Romeo SZ (1989) and a Lancia Appia Coupé (1959). Spider, Fulvia and Spidereuropa represent the last models built in the series, the ultimate versions, so to speak. Appia and SZ are exceptional design variants within their series that are not yet very familiar to the general public.
FCA Heritage also offers all five classics on the Internet. Naturally, the exclusive classic cars are supplied with a certificate of authenticity.
Alfa Romeo Spider (1991)
The original version of the Alfa Romeo Spider presented in 1966, the famous round-tail Spider, was the last design by legendary designer Battista "Pinin" Farina. The Alfa Romeo Spider now offered by FCA Heritage was produced in one of the last months of construction of this iconic model series. The vehicle was always owned by Alfa Romeo and was used as a test vehicle for paint jobs, for example. This past makes the Spider a unique Alfa Romeo.
Lancia Fulvia Coupé Montecarlo (1973)
The Lancia Fulvia Coupé, based on the shortened chassis of the saloon, was inspired by the design of the Riva motor yachts. The Lancia Fulvia Coupé Montecarlo model with the second series was created as a tribute to the victory in the 1972 Monte Carlo Rally by the Lancia works team Sandro Munari/Mario Manucchi. The example offered for sale by FCA Heritage is equipped with a 1.3-liter engine producing 66 kW (90 hp). It was delivered to a Lancia dealer in Naples on April 19, 1973 and still bears the original license plates.
Pininfarina Spidereuropa (1981)
The Fiat 124 Sport Spider was one of the longest-built Fiat models in its various series in the 20th century. The roadster designed by Studio Pininfarina became a great sales success both in Europe and in the USA. From 1975, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider was officially only sold in the USA. However, the continuing demand from European roadster fans led Pininfarina to stage a comeback in 1982. The model was offered in various versions under the name Pininfarina Spidereuropa. The vehicle now being sold by FCA Heritage is from the last series and is in almost new condition. The odometer stands at around 10,000 kilometers - only a little more than the running-in distance for the two-liter engine with 77 kW (105 hp) output.
Alfa Romeo SZ (1989)
The Alfa Romeo SZ marked the brand's return to the high-performance sports coupé segment. The body is made entirely of composite materials and was handcrafted at Zagato. The chassis and mechanical components - including the classic transaxle layout - came from the Alfa Romeo 75 3.0 V6. Around 1,000 units of the avant-garde coupé were built, painted exclusively in "Alfa Red" and sold at a price of more than 100 million lire. The example offered by FCA Heritage is one of the first, built on September 15, 1989. This Alfa Romeo SZ was used for road tests and as a development vehicle on the company's own Balocco proving ground. The technical differences to the later production vehicles make it almost a prototype.
Lancia Appia Coupé (1959)
The Lancia Appia Coupé became famous as Sylva Koscina's car in Luigi Zampa's comedy film "Il Vigile", which was shown in German cinemas under the title "Der Schutzmann". The 2+2-seater coupé was designed by design legend Battista "Pinin" Farina and was based on a chassis specially built by Lancia for the major coachbuilders of the time. Characteristic of this model are the elegant interior and the two-tone paintwork, which emphasizes the distinctive roof line and the unmistakable V-shaped B-pillar. The model offered by FCA Heritage was manufactured on April 16, 1959.
