Our friend Theophilus Chin has been at it again, manipulating the latest Mazda Miata-based Fiat 124 Spider into a fixed-roof, fastback style coupe.
The Fiat 124 Coupe was originally based on the 124 sedan range, rather than the 124 Sport Spider of 1966, which influences the latest version.
The transformation seems to complement the lines of the 124 Spider extremely well, lending it a GT-like quality, reminiscent of an Aston Martin DB7- especially around the rear haunches.
We’d hope the 1.4-litre MultiAir of the topless version would be swapped out for something with a bit more oomph, say Alfa Romeo’s 1.75-liter, 240hp from the 4C.
The 124 Spider is instrumental to Fiat’s success in the U.S. market and is built alongside the Miata in Japan. It differs both stylistically and mechanically from the MX-5, as while the donor car uses naturally aspirated engines, the Fiat model utilizes turbocharging.
Chin also coupe-ified the 124’s brother, the Mazda MX-5/Miata in 2014, albeit with a different window treatment; cheekily echoing the FD Mazda RX-7 of the 1990’s.
Which of these two makes a better coupe; the Italian-ised 124 or the original of the breed?
By Mitchell Jones
Renderings via Theophilus Chin
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