New Spider owners oblivious to the original 124 Spider.

[v6spider]

I've driven by several new spider owners and not one of them recognizes or acknowledges the classic 124 Spider. I doubt the even know what it is..At any rate, I find it quite humorous.. maybe mine is too modified. Lol

Rob

[johndemar]

Guess it's because we know our cars and assume others would as well, at least those driving the same marque.

When FIAT first returned to the states I drove my spider to the dealer and didn't receive a single comment, and my car looks pretty good for being 40+ years old.

I've only noticed a couple of new spiders on the road out here, so I question how well they're selling.

[spidernut]

We got lots of attention at the Fiat dealership when we brought our car club to the unveiling of the new 124!

[v6spider]

I tell ya... people think my car is a sunbeam tiger because of the v6 that sounds like a v8 and has a big cam in it. If i received a dollar for every time someone asked me that I'd be rich!

Cheers!
Rob

[jandarah]

Here in Australia, FCA Australia don't advertise the new Spider anywhere, so it seems. They don't seem to give a damn and are more interested in the Chrysler and Jeeps etc. As far as new owners recognizing the old Spiders, most would not be aware of its existence. They never sold RHD versions, so the only ones here, like mine, were privately imported and converted. They are a pretty rare beast out here.

John

[Jimb]

Here in Australia, FCA Australia don't advertise the new Spider anywhere, so it seems. They don't seem to give a damn and are more interested in the Chrysler and Jeeps etc. As far as new owners recognizing the old Spiders, most would not be aware of its existence. They never sold RHD versions, so the only ones here, like mine, were privately imported and converted. They are a pretty rare beast out here.

John

But can you not just drive them without having to convert? I ask that because I saw another Volumex for sale in New Zealand a couple of years ago and it was still left hand drive.

Jim

[Shadoobie]

In my personal experience I have found that most new Spider owners are quite aware of the old here in Alabama. I get a swarm at the dealers and the only time I've ever seen a new spider at a car show, the guy immediately jumped out of his car and ran over to look at mine lol. In fact, I find that most people who are aware of the old Spiders didn't even know they came back!

[RRoller123]

Just saw the first new one I have seen on the road today in Plymouth MA!

[RKSutterMN]

I have seen exactly one new Spider on the road, a blue one in downtown Minneapolis. I pulled up and told the couple that I liked their Spider and that I had a blue '78 at home. The guy driving seemed surprised that there was such a thing as a 1978 Spider, raised his eyebrows and said "There were Fiat Spiders back then?" and I confirmed that, yes, there were. He smiled and then said, "Well, I love the new one, this thing is great!" and drove off. I figure if he's enjoying the new car, what's the harm? Still, the real Spider looks SO much better...

[baltobernie]

In the first nine months of 2017, FCA sold a whopping 3675 new Spiders in the USA. MX-5 Miata sales were 9717 units.

[DropTopTees]

Drive by me and I will wave! I love the classics, too! I grew up wanting a 124 when I was young and when they were reintroduced in 2017, I was all in.

[kilrwail]

I recently passed a new Spider going the other way on a country road. He gave me a big wave before I realized what it was. Surprised the hell out of me!

[SteinOnkel]

I think the new 124 is by far the absolute prettiest new car you can get. They are absolutely gorgeous and it is not easy to re-imagine a classic and have it look that good. In my opinion, 95% of all other new cars on the road are the same dreary, loveless suv/pickup/crossover junk.

That being said I drive a classic 124 because the dealership in 2018 wouldn't play ball with my at the time non-existant credit history. So I bought a used Focus instead and a year later a '78 124. In my hometown there are quite a few other spiders on the road (old and new) and we all wave at each other enthusiastically.

Rumor has it that in part due to Sergio's untimely passing, Fiat will be closing up shop in the US shortly. Doesn't surprise me, the new 124 isn't really selling all that well.