Rare find in the USA!

[pintopower]

So, I did it. I found one. How did I do it? No idea. After a summer in Germany with a friend, I was able to drive his '82 Fiat Ritmo Cabrio. I fell in love. I wanted one so bad but I live in the USA and the Ritmo Cabrio was never sold here. Only the 2 and 4 door Strada from 79 until 82 were ever availible (I own an 80). Well, I met a guy at a Fiat show in November. He saw my Strada and came running over saying that he had one. Well, turns out its a series 2 cabrio. We have been talking ever since and last week he emailed me. He was selling it. I threw the money at him and grabbed the keys. I am a very proud owner of a 55K mile Fiat Ritmo Cabrio. The car has ZERO rust, a mint interior and a perfect drive line. The electrical is a disaster but not nearly as bad as my Stradas was. I am very excited to have one of 3 Ritmo cabrios in the USA!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26161002@N03/sets/72157614733933890/

[mirafioriman]

A lucky find. Despite us on here being into cars which are rare and often unloved by the general population, it is amazing how they turn up and end up in our hands.

[kev131]

Hi Pintopower - It's always nice to hear of a good news and happy story like this - I wish you many years of enjoyment...and I expect ...lots of head turning as you drive by topless!?

[sid131]

Hi Pintopower there is one of those cars FREE on this site
http://www.niimc.net/classifieds.html

[pintopower]

mirafioriman,
Luck doesn't describe it. REALLY LUCKY!

Kev131,
Thanks, this is a happy addition to my fleet. I had to sell one to get it. I sold my poor little 87 Yugo GV for it, but the guy that bought the little thing already got it running and ready for paint!

Sid131,
I emailed www.ritmoworld.com about it. Maybe someone they know would want it.

[djape1977]

i can't blame you for swapping yugo for a ritmo although i feel that another piece of former yugoslavia is now gone...
best of luck with a new toy!

p.s.
here's one for you: is there a fiat 132 in usa? not that i know of except one green 1800gls automatic.

[pintopower]

Do feel bad about my Yugo, but it was a total disaster and the guy I sold it too has dumped a boatload of money into it. I dont know of any 132's.... but you said there is one? Who owns it?

[djape1977]

i saw it somewhere on the net a while ago. i think it was in New York, probably someone imported it. dark green color. owner said that he newer saw or heard of another one in US. had problems finding parts until he found out that most mechanical bits can be fitted from 124 spider

[bellamacchina]

Congratulations with the Ritmo, a great find!!

[Tas131]

The badge on the rear says 85s, am I correct in assuming it's a SOHC 1500, the same as the regata 85S we got over here in OZ.

[pintopower]

That is correct, the car is a 1500, OHC 4 cyl, same as the X1/9s. I am not sure what motor the Regata had, but they could be the same. I was hoping  it was 100s model with the 1600 twin cam. Oh well, I'm not complaining.

[Tas131]

The regata 100S was the 1600 twincam over here. They have the best heads for porting etc. and big domed pistons, sought after for upping compression on 1.8 and 2 litre motors.

[pintopower]

Well, just an update! I went to Monterey, CA which is about 6 hours north of where I live in Los Angeles. It was the car show weekend (maybe some of you have heard of Pebble Beach?). Well, I entered a couple of my cars and would you know it, the Cabrio won!

Me getting my award!


My Girlfriend (left) with her sister and the Ritmo cake she made!


Me and my girlfriend


Ritmo at the beach on 17 mile drive


The cake she made. I know you guys all want a Fiat cake.


A Ritmo full of girls. (I put the strada badge on it)


Me on television being interviewed about the other car I brought, my turbo Ford Pangra


And the car that got the most press of the show and even ending up on the new york times, the Disco Pinto


More shots of the first ever Concours D'LeMons

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26161002@N03/sets/72157621954933779/