Build costs 131 Abarth Replica - guide and experiences

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

Not for discussions, this is intended as a guide for would-be builders (131 Abarth Replica!)

i start with Pic's and i hope Miro start's with quotation of prices!

http://picasaweb.google.de/enzo.michelini/FIAT131Abarth02#

Enzo

Karl "Carlo" Abarth 1908 - 1979   

[Kennedy of Sixmilebridge]

I've just copied this over to another forum in Ireland, www.octane.ie
Good links like that need to be shown to the world.

[miro-1980]

Ok, lets us start with the basics .

A used engine can be bought for as little as 100 Euro. This is for those who can do their own mechanics. A well rebuild 2 liter engine with 130TC head can be bought in Poland for between 1100 and 2200 GBP. A 5 shift gearbox in good condition is circa 110 GBP.  I bought one like this 3 years ago and I have been racing it for three years w/o any problems.

Full restoration of a 131 (2 door- of you have the body ) can  run you ca 25.000 GBP . This includes the works - a car ready to be driven fully finished with body work, painting,  all mechanical parts and installation, electrical parts and installation as well as leather upholstery - ... car ready to be driven with a local MOT.  

If you provide some (limited) spare parts support the project can be finished in 6 months.

Putting the. You need to add tires (ca 300 GBP and wheels from 200 for restored standard metal ones to 800 for CD66 Replicas

Thus means that you can have a perfect looking Abarth replica with standard suspension, standard interior and standard rear diff and standard  2.liter  engine with 130 TC head  should cost you  altogether under 30 K GBP.  

When you do it yourself , you must be a mechanic , have long tern access to fully equipped garage and tools , lift , etc and have plenty of time. This way you can save probably as much as 30%  (assuming all specialist jobs will be subcontracted to professionals.) If you really push it and are a good mechanic you can probably save 50%. Do it yourself projects really take leas than 1 year and many times take from 2-3 years.

So bottom line basic looks replica will run you from 15.000 GBP to 30.000 GBP.


Now when you want to  have:

-  a gr.4 look steering  wheel - 150 GBP minimum,  
-  Halda Twinmaster in good working condition with spare wheel set  800 GBP minimum
-  Halda  Speedpilot V - 400 GBP
-  rally exhaust - 300 GBP
-  strong clutch assembly that will not slip after two sports events   (such as Sachs)  250 GBP
-   Bilstein adjustable front shocks and rear non adjustable Bilstein schocks - 500 GBP.
-   stronger (240 mm)  front disk brakes , disks , good Ferrodo F1 pads -  300
-   two twin Webers  45/44 (DCOE or IFDF) - 500 GBP with all accessories , etc
-   a 4-1 exhaust manifold - 300 Euro  minimum
-   a 4-2-1  exhaust manifold  600 euro - if you can get it.
-   nice replica Abarth 131 rally seats -  400 GBP
-   original front white round repeaters 190 Euro
-  original Carello Magalux - 500 Euro a pair brand new (400 Euro good quality used)
-  racing gearbox conversion ( colotti mor Bracci) 2000 euro
-  LSD - 1500 Euro
-  Abarth arches front hood and rear trunk cover, front spoiler, roof spoiler may run you three the cost of parts or so and they run ca 1000 GBP

 If you want to put in rear original Abarth suspension - fat chance unless you get one rebuilt or copied). Same goes for the rear diff. There really aren't any around.

So, in by considered judgment the minimum cost to really build an Abarth replica you look 20.000 to 40.000  GBP and that is a minimum. You will soon realize you want this , and this , and this ... "This" drains you wallet even more !  A pricey toy !

For this money you have first class  Abarth looks replica with only ca. 120 bhp engine.  

Remember you will never recover these cost as you will never sell such a replica at such a price!

All you can do is drive it and enjoy it ! The fun is incredible.

A project like this cannot be justified on any logical or rational grounds. In plain English:  you have to belong to a very exclusive club of total Abarth maniacs.

(if you still decide to do it : WELCOME TO THE CLUB  ! )

Miro

PS: The prices are estimates and they may vary by as much as 50 % ( or more -  depending if you buy new or used ) but remember - if you buy junk you will have junk!      

[Walezy]

In my opinion restoring the chassis will be much cheaper. It can be done for about 2000-4000GBP plus painting for about 1000-2000GBP. It it needs more work then it will be better to look for a better base car. The chassis parts can be bought from Yagmur for very reasonable cost so there will be no cost of patching the rust just replacing whole rusty panels.

As for the cost of the add ons then it varies depending on what you need. A good LSD can be mought from BMW for about 200euro and independent rear suspension can be made at much more reasonable cost then getting original(or copy) parts which is not too much sense when building a replica as it will never be original abarth(by the VIN number).
As for the engine - well honda s2000 is the top choice in my opinion, you can get it for about 2000GBP and it will be much better then even top spec abarth engine.

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

Thank's Miro and Tomek,

and now the price's and build cost's in EURO! short version.

CAR:
Fiat 131 Racing/Sport to have the engine 2,0 TC 3500 - 5000.- Euro

KIT Gr.4:
from Walezy Tomasz 1000.- Euro

BODY:
rear panel with lights 300 - 400.- Euro
front grill 150 - 200.- Euro
Carello or Cibie 2 pair 500 - 700.- Euro
mirror's california 80.- Euro

INTERIOR:
roll cage FIA 1000.- Euro
2 seats 500.- Euro
2 saefy belts 6 point 500.- Euro
Abarth steering wheel 180.- Euro
fire-fighting-system FIA 500.- Euro
Abarth instuments 700.- Euro
switsh knops fuse-box and relais 100.- Euro
Halda Twinmaster 1500.- Euro
Speedpilot 600.- Euro
Heuer Montecarlo 1000.- Euro
alu-pedal and footrest 120.- Euro
miscellaneous for make door and inner panel's 50.- Euro

ELECTRICS:
Gr.4 wiring loom (new wiring and conector) 200,- Euro

CHASSIS:
4 shockabsorbers with springs Koni or Bilstein 1000.- Euro

BRAKES:
Zimmermann driled disk's and Ferodo pad's,
new Brakes for rear axle and pressure-regulator 500.- Euro  

EXHAUST:
4-1 manifold 400.- Euro
tube's and exhaust muffler Abarth look! 300.- Euro

ENGINE:
to restore the TC engine with all parts 500.- Euro
to make more power! inlet manifold with Weber 44 IDF 1000.- Euro
cam's and pullys 700.- Euro

WHEELS:
Original cd 68 or GR.4 Wheels 2500.- Euro
tyre's semi-slik 600 - 800.- Euro

PAINTWORK:
finish in & out 1500.- Euro
not liveries and sticker on it!  

that's nearly 22000.- Euro
and about 500 hour's if you are a good Mechanik!

Good Luck Enzo

[miro-1980]

Enzo, Tomek,

Now I believe this gives a notion to all prospective 131 Abarth replica builders that this is not a weekend project ...

Now , how would that compare to a good restoration of a racing or a saloon?  Just off the top of my head -  50% ?   Not much less , I think ...

Miro  

 


 

[sid131]

half of 22 smokes miro? you havin a laugh? i know exactly how much to restore a sport to standard, so no 50% believe me.

[miro-1980]

Sid.

I knew IT . I knew this bull... would smoke you out  to react.

In fact I believe restoration of a racing and Abarth "looks only) may be very close  in price tag (the difference you do not need CD68's , haldas, ATE calipers, Carello Megalux lights  and similar "sports paraphernalia" ...


You and I know too well you can spend any money on any restoration, but with the same "level of care" the price tag difference between racing and Abarth replica should be ca. 20%- 30% . (This is true for replica Abarth ("looks only) , but when you go into Abarth suspension and Abarth engine you easily double the cost.

Miro

Before you do it I will say- when you restore a racing you have an original and when you build a replica Abarth you have a replica 

[MF 131]

Restored 131 R only costs what you can remember spending on it.Enjoy driving it when its finished.If we kept a log of what we spent on beer ,would we stop drinking.What Enzo  etc have done to their cars is GREAT. Same with Marko.Be very proud of what you have done and got. Cheers One poor Kiwi

[miro-1980]

Man , am I glad I have a very short memory.. 

Miro 

[gunobla]

It's so damn easy to make a small fortune out of restoring Fiat 131R or Abarth replicas and I am surprised people on this site haven't figured it out.

If you want to make a small fortune start off with a BIG fortune and restore cars

[sid131]

well said lads but the beer we never think of that Gary sure thats not real money, like paying by paypal sure its like you get it for free hit the button & it comes in the post & hit another button to pay the c card bill, great!!
as for counting the costs i think of it as my ciggy money that i dont spend on stupid cigs any more past 8 years at over 40 a day adds up to quite a few grand so free cars

[djape1977]

Now , how would that compare to a good restoration of a racing or a saloon?  Just off the top of my head -  50% ?   Not much less , I think ...

Miro 

 


 

perhaps markoh will tell us when he finishes his project? i suspect it's far less money

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

Not for discussions, this is intended as a guide for would-be builders (131 Abarth Replica!)

Hello,

it is amazing how many guy's here are talking, but they never has Build a Abarth-Replika!

Enzo

[sportman]

hello guys i restore me a 131 abarth gr 4 and i can tell you coast a lot off monny when you will have a nice when with the real engine /gearbox rear axel /suspension/wheels /braekes enz. i think on parts only i spend about now 40-45000 euro without my work.