Build costs 131 Abarth Replica - guide and experiences

[miro-1980]

Well,

You are a living proof of the point we were making ..

Miro

PS Sportsman : pictures please...

[sportman]

pictures are tho big for post whats mus i do so i can post.

[sid131]

email to me & i will post them for you
pm me & i wll send you my email address

[mirafiori76]

After such a long time I would like to make a comment to this topic. You'll never know what your car costs until you start (re)building one. One can build his/her car in the way one desires. Making a replica is relatively easy. I started building my first in 1988 and finished it in 1993. But you're never done. It's like: oh, but this I want to changeand: this is more original. I mean, you're never done. And all these small parts you forget to count. Every Euro, every pound. At the end you stop counting the costs. But when you put it all together...you know?
At the moment, after 11 years of collecting and 5 years of rebuilding my group 4 car, I lost track of the costs. Sure I remember what the cylinder head costed, what the rear suspension costed and every other Abarth-part costed. But it's those minor little things.
But, thats what a hobby is about. Spend money, find satisfaction and use it. That's what counts. Don't try to make your 131 as beautiful as possible to sell it with profit. Forget it, it's not a Ferrari 250 GTO.

[106usj]

On the serious side.
At the end of the day if you Abarth guy's did not spend your money and,
 (big money at that !!) on fixing up original 131 Abarth's and replica Abarths then there simply would not be more than a few on the road's today.
So all i can say is (hat's off to you guy's) for doing what you do with these Abarth 131's.
Just one thing i have to say ! Leave some Sport's and Racing's out there for the rest of us  
Ps A great combo of pictures and price estimate's Enzo & Miro.

[simon131]

Interesting thread this and one that makes me smile

I'm glad that someone has gone to the trouble of adding up the total cost of creating a 131 Abarth Replica, and I am unsurprised that the costs are so high if it is done as thoroughly as the 'Masters' like Enzo and Miro. The moral is I suppose never buy a cheap replica

For what it's worth it's almost worth buying a genuine Stradale for the money you'll have to spend to create an accurate Replica although I purchased my car and haven't stopped spending since

Adding up the cost of a car and its ownership is like adding up the cost of raising a child. For all of us with the 131 disease it matters not one jot - whatever happens you'll end up spending money on your 'baby' so just smile every time you open your wallet and enjoy the experience

[stathe174]

Even though I haven't rebuild an Abarth but just a normal 131S 4 door I have completely lost the count on money well spent... But it worths every single penny.   Even though at the end was really hard because I was unemployed...

[mirafiori76]

I think the thing is this;

One has a perspective of what he or she wants. Could be any 131. Since he (or she) doesn't have the money to buy that car at once he (or she) picks the nearest. For me it was the ultimate 131: the Abarth.
Since I didn't have the money to buy the real thing (back in 1988) I started to build my own. At the end it was a nice replica.  Now, many many years later I'm rebuilding a real one.
What I mean to say is this: none of us in this forum is wealthy enough to buy an expensive car. And we all like to spend our free time working on whatever type of 131, or other type/mark to achieve the ultimate goal; the one we had for eyes in the first place. It don't matter the time it takes or the money it costs, in the end we all have something to be proud of. In the end you can say: Hey, but I did that one. Took it apart completely and every bolt, every screw,every part I had it in my hands and the car is totally me.
That's what it is all about.

[stathe174]

Well said Mike!!!

[Robert]

Good man Mike, well said! In my case it's like that: My personal favorite was always an orange Sport with black bonnet (don't ask me why it has to be this combination - I just know for me it is the real McCoy, but not why) and a modified engine; still street legal, but fast and sturdy enough to take it for rallying. Had lots of fun with the blue "Ineptitude" in the past 7 years; now, after her transformation to a WR Replica   the goal is within reach. And, as a matter of fact, I did keep an eye on the costs. They are still a medium 4-digit number (in Euros), including acquisition 

[simon131]

I think that's what I said in my posting actually guys, just that you appear to have missed my point.

I am certainly not a wealthy man and could not afford to buy any Abarth now. I happened to buy mine at the right time - before prices went into space! I too have spent seven months of the last 18 without income - so I know what it means to be without a steady income and having to do things on a budget!

My point (that appears to have been missed) is that even if you can afford to buy a genuine Abarth it will still cost you a fortune to keep it on the road and whatever the cost, it should not be counted. End of....

There is certainly a place for the replica Abarths, especially those we are fortunate enough to experience via the members of this forum.

[mirafiori76]

Hi Simon,

We all are at the same level here. It's not a personal attack to anyone. Some have the opportunity to buy the car they want and some have to spend time and money to achieve the ultimate goal. You're a lucky fellow, having yourself a Stradale. At least there's one who's envying you..
I also had the chance once to buy me the ultimate. As I told you I once had a red Stradale too. Sadly I was forced to sell it again. Now I have the opportunity to get a step further, a group 4 car. Even though I have to put every part together myself.
When you build it from scratch you get to know every part. Even after 25 years I get to learn things I didn't know yet.

[simon131]

Thanks Mike.

I have learned a great deal about the 131s since Theo, Kevin and I set up this website and forum back in 2006 in support of the first 3MA event we organised in 2007, and the level of interest, depth and wealth of knowledge worldwide has astonished us all.  

I've personally owned 131s since early 1987 when I purchased my first Sport, with three 131s in my current fleet, and the Abarth was always an aspirational car that I never thought I'd actually own myself. In fact I didn't want one back then as I thought they'd be too 'fragile'  - but how wrong was I?!

Anyway - 'every day is a school day' as they say here in England , and I love finding out more about the 131, especially the Group 4 cars, and potential sources of spares and services, so I'll watch and wait with interest to see your car's 'story' unfold.

[ADIGA131]

it seemz u have to rob a bank to complete one 131 abarth replica !!
the Q is ,,
which bank should we rob !!! 

[mirafiori76]

You could try to winn the lotery.