I found a YouTube video that appears to be from the 124 launch event. The metadata doesn't show a media affiliation that I can find. In it, the driver says nothing. I don't recognize the driver. The video is apparently unedited, and simply shows two consecutive runs off the autocross course.
I feel a little weird posting it here, even though it seems relevant. I don't want to step on any toes.
Would that be okay?
Tom Suddard wrote: And the base wheel size is 16".
Super genuine good news for stock class RX. Now about that hardtop......
In reply to Mike:
Sure, go for it.
DeadSkunk wrote: So Tom, if you were spending your money would you get the Fiat, or the Mazda?
I think I'd buy the Fiat. Because reasons. Reasons I can't talk about.
mazdeuce wrote:Tom Suddard wrote: And the base wheel size is 16".Super genuine good news for stock class RX. Now about that hardtop......
FYI, the ND has the same base wheel size.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Which is also good, but the SCCA is pretty specific about the factory available hard top thing and Mazda seems to have answered that question with the RF. At least there is a possibility for a Fiat one at this point.
Tom Suddard wrote: In reply to Mike: Sure, go for it.
Thanks.
We can post impressions starting at 12:01 a.m. Eastern tonight, so check back later for some.
Thanks, everyone, for the interest. I saw the car in the flesh (metal?) at the New York auto show. I'm also eager to hear Tom's feedback.
mazdeuce wrote: In reply to Keith Tanner: Which is also good, but the SCCA is pretty specific about the factory available hard top thing and Mazda seems to have answered that question with the RF. At least there is a possibility for a Fiat one at this point.
Ah, so RX means rallycross. Gotcha.
I'll bet that if there's a Fiat hardtop, there's a good chance it'll fit the ND. All the hard points are going to be the same, as I'll bet cash money the soft top is the same.
In reply to Mike:
Sounds throaty. I like it.
Tom Suddard wrote:DeadSkunk wrote: So Tom, if you were spending your money would you get the Fiat, or the Mazda?I think I'd buy the Fiat. Because reasons. Reasons I can't talk about.
NO WITNESS!!!!!
One of my least favorite things about my NC is that I can barely hear the exhaust when the top is down. Maybe it's just the mic placement in the above video, but sounds like the 124 is pretty throaty. How much do you hear from the driver's seat?
David S. Wallens wrote: We can post impressions starting at 12:01 a.m. Eastern tonight, so check back later for some.
But then my birthday will be over??
Keith Tanner wrote: Given that the NC Miata isn't included in Spec Miata yet (and may never be, as you'd have to tie a safe behind each one to balance the performance), I doubt it'll ever be an issue. Although I may have inadvertently come up with the next redneck destruction race plan.
I don't want to hijack the thread, because even though I can't afford one now, it will be relevant to my future interests. But I'd like to talk more about these safe races for a second...
Is the safe just chained to the back and dragging, or does it have a little give (and cornering instability) by being on casters? Can we pad the safes to not be as destructive in tight turns when it winds up hitting us? Are there bonus points for knocking off another racers safe? Empty or full? Lead or feathers if full? How much length and what type of cable to connect? Steel? Hardcore rubber so it has some rebound?
We need details man!
This could be a very fun game, and I'd tune in to watch even on a circle track. Figure 8 tracks would be a blast though, especially with a set length of drag distance, like a car length or two....
Earlier I wrote this:
Tom,
Put on your hat for Classic and critique the original, red 124 they brought.
Ask some questions about its restoration and other general questions that they won't know the answers to.
I was too busy with other things and too slow to the wit but now thinking about it, I might have asked if the Blue, loaded up, limited edition was in anyway intended to pay homage to the Pininfarina Azzurra?
The final years of Spider production was actually not badged a Fiat but rather a Pininfarina Azzurra and represents the most expensive Spiders ever sold.
... in '83 Pininfarina takes the 18 year old design into their own factory and upscales the car 100 ways. Badged only as a Pininfarina now it's priced more like a Corvette.
Azzurra is derived from Azure which is Italian for sky blue.
I really hope they make a coupe.
revrico wrote:Keith Tanner wrote: Given that the NC Miata isn't included in Spec Miata yet (and may never be, as you'd have to tie a safe behind each one to balance the performance), I doubt it'll ever be an issue. Although I may have inadvertently come up with the next redneck destruction race plan.I don't want to hijack the thread, because even though I can't afford one now, it will be relevant to my future interests. But I'd like to talk more about these safe races for a second... Is the safe just chained to the back and dragging, or does it have a little give (and cornering instability) by being on casters? Can we pad the safes to not be as destructive in tight turns when it winds up hitting us? Are there bonus points for knocking off another racers safe? Empty or full? Lead or feathers if full? How much length and what type of cable to connect? Steel? Hardcore rubber so it has some rebound? We need details man! This could be a very fun game, and I'd tune in to watch even on a circle track. Figure 8 tracks would be a blast though, especially with a set length of drag distance, like a car length or two....
Refer back to the 2005 Dukes of Hazzard movie for reference.
I envision the safe as sliding and bouncing around, so no casters. The weight of the safe will have to be carefully selected to encourage both lots of movement yet without losing the mass required to do damage. Self-inflicted safe collisions are the fault of the racer, and the tow cable should be chain so that it doesn't whip when it snaps and also to allow for maximum freedom of movement of the safe.
There should definitely be points for removing another racer's safe, as you need to take your safe across the line to score a finish. Obviously.
The contents of the safe can be used to adjust the Balance Of Performance. A 1.6 Miata would get a child's piggy bank with a $5 bill from Grandma inside, a Corvette would get a proper fire safe full of gold chains.
In reply to Keith Tanner:
Grab the beer and call Discovery Channel, we have a new winter series for them
Embargo's over. Sheee-it, that was fun!
Even the base model, 6-speed would make me very happy. Auto was kind of a snore, although the Abarth's paddles really helped.
Yes! Holy wow it was awesome. Think Miata, but more refined and torquey.
I'm posting a full review in a few minutes.
I would be very happy indeed if a six-speed Classica base model followed me home.
My story's already up 
nice.. i like turbo noises.
Lesley wrote: I would be very happy indeed if a six-speed Classica base model followed me home. My story's already up
Link?
I live in San Diego and Wednesday I dropped by Qualcomm Stadium where Fiat had the autocross course set up for the 124 Spider (Abarth) test drives. I took a few photos over the course of my 2 hours at the site, I thought some of you might enjoy viewing them:
http://www.thephotobooth.net/Cars/Fiat-124-Spider/n-PZ7TQs/
The Soul Red ND in the photos is mine. The photographer shooting photos of my ND next to a Rosso Red Lusso Spider is from Kelly Blue Book.
Mark
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