FIAT 124 Spider

Launched in 1966 the FIAT 124 Spider was the first mass production car to feature double overhead camshafts driven by belt, as opposed to chains, in an engine designed by ex Ferrari engineer Aurelio Lampredi. The body work was designed in-house by American, Tom Tjaarda at Pininfarina, Turin. When launched, as standard, it also featured a 5 speed gearbox and disc braking on all four wheels which gave it the upper hand competing against similarly priced British offerings at the time. The car became particularly popular in the USA with most production ending up there. It was never officially sold in the UK with all models made being LHD although it is not particularly difficult to convert them to RHD ! Such was the popularity of the car that many changes were made over the years with the last versions having a 2000cc engine and Bosch fuel injection. Production ceased in 1985, a near 20 year lifespan.