• Bill and Barbara “Bobbie” Clark are a retired couple living in Gualala, California. They are natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bill worked as an industrial engineer and Bobbie as a florist. They are in their 70’s and are currently involved with charitable activities in the Lions Club. Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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Bill and Barbara “Bobbie” Clark are a retired couple living in Gualala, California. They are natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bill worked as an industrial engineer and Bobbie as a florist. They are in their 70’s and are currently involved with charitable activities in the Lions Club. less
Bill and Barbara “Bobbie” Clark are a retired couple living in Gualala, California. They are natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bill worked as an industrial engineer and Bobbie as a florist. They ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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This automobile is the 1979 version of the Fiat 124 Sport that was introduced in the U.S. in 1968. That Fiat model was an immediate hit, as it had many features only available on much more expensive sports cars at that time. less
This automobile is the 1979 version of the Fiat 124 Sport that was introduced in the U.S. in 1968. That Fiat model was an immediate hit, as it had many features only available on much more expensive sports cars ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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These included a dual overhead cam engine, five-speed transmission and four-wheel power disk brakes. The Pininfarina body design was also a big selling point.
These included a dual overhead cam engine, five-speed transmission and four-wheel power disk brakes. The Pininfarina body design was also a big selling point.
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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Originally the car was blue with a tan interior. This model was called the Pininfarina 2000 because it was the first year with the two-liter engine and the larger hood bumps.
Originally the car was blue with a tan interior. This model was called the Pininfarina 2000 because it was the first year with the two-liter engine and the larger hood bumps.
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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We enjoyed the car for some six years, taking her on some long trips as well as several camping vacations. In 1989, the paint job was starting to look shabby, as the clear coat was peeling off. At this time we had her painted red and removed much of the extra hardware, including the luggage rack and side stripes, etc. less
We enjoyed the car for some six years, taking her on some long trips as well as several camping vacations. In 1989, the paint job was starting to look shabby, as the clear coat was peeling off. At this time we ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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We had the interior changed from tan to black. We wanted to get her as close as possible to the original Pininfarina classic design of 1968.
We had the interior changed from tan to black. We wanted to get her as close as possible to the original Pininfarina classic design of 1968.
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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We enjoyed the car for another ten years before giving her to our son, Clifford Clark, who also wanted to do upgrades and improvements. He painted her “Aztec” red, and lowered her down two inches to the height that these cars were before they jacked them up in 1974 to meet the U.S. bumper standards. less
We enjoyed the car for another ten years before giving her to our son, Clifford Clark, who also wanted to do upgrades and improvements. He painted her “Aztec” red, and lowered her down two inches to the ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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He enjoyed the car for several years and then she sat for a while until we retired in 2010 and moved to Gualala on the Northern California coast. We told our son we would like to have the car back so we could enjoy her on the curvy roads of this area. less
He enjoyed the car for several years and then she sat for a while until we retired in 2010 and moved to Gualala on the Northern California coast. We told our son we would like to have the car back so we could ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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The car had suffered some minor dents and dings and the interior needed work. Our son spent a year taking her apart, repainting her again in the “Aztec” red, renewing the upholstery and carpeting and replacing the faded badges and brightwork. We brought the car up to Gualala in June 2012. less
The car had suffered some minor dents and dings and the interior needed work. Our son spent a year taking her apart, repainting her again in the “Aztec” red, renewing the upholstery and carpeting and ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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“Sofia” (our nickname for her), has been in several car shows and exhibits, most notably the annual Gualala Arts Auto Show, held at the Gualala Arts Center every July. She has been awarded a first and second Place in the Import Class. less
“Sofia” (our nickname for her), has been in several car shows and exhibits, most notably the annual Gualala Arts Auto Show, held at the Gualala Arts Center every July. She has been awarded a first and ... more
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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The best thing about owning and driving “Sofia” is she keeps us feeling young. We hope to enjoy her for many years to come.
The best thing about owning and driving “Sofia” is she keeps us feeling young. We hope to enjoy her for many years to come.
Photo: Stephen Finerty, Photograph By Stephen Finerty,
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Bill and Barbara “Bobbie” Clark are a retired couple living in Gualala, California. They are natives of the San Francisco Bay Area, where Bill worked as an industrial engineer and Bobbie as a florist. They are in their 70’s and are currently involved with charitable activities in the Lions Club.

This automobile is the 1979 version of the Fiat 124 Sport that was introduced in the U.S. in 1968. That Fiat model was an immediate hit, as it had many features only available on much more expensive sports cars at that time. These included a dual overhead cam engine, five-speed transmission and four-wheel power disk brakes. The Pininfarina body design was also a big selling point.

We acquired the car on May 2, 1983 as the second owners. It had originally been purchased June 21, 1979 from the Stock Motor Company in San Jose. We made an even trade with a dealer who wanted our old trailer and van. Originally the car was blue with a tan interior. This model was called the Pininfarina 2000 because it was the first year with the two-liter engine and the larger hood bumps.

We enjoyed the car for some six years, taking her on some long trips as well as several camping vacations. In 1989, the paint job was starting to look shabby, as the clear coat was peeling off. At this time we had her painted red and removed much of the extra hardware, including the luggage rack and side stripes, etc. We had the interior changed from tan to black. We wanted to get her as close as

possible to the original Pininfarina classic design of 1968.

We enjoyed the car for another ten years before giving her to our son, Clifford Clark, who also wanted to do upgrades and improvements. He painted her “Aztec” red, and lowered her down two inches to the height that these cars were before they jacked them up in 1974 to meet the U.S. bumper standards. He worked on the suspension and installed an ANSA exhaust system. He also installed larger Chromodora wheels and tires.

He enjoyed the car for several years and then she sat for a while until we retired in 2010 and moved to Gualala on the Northern California coast. We told our son we would like to have the car back so we could enjoy her on the curvy roads of this area.

The car had suffered some minor dents and dings and the interior needed work. Our son spent a year taking her apart, repainting her again in the “Aztec” red, renewing the upholstery and carpeting and replacing the faded badges and brightwork. We brought the car up to Gualala in June 2012.

We had the car worked on mechanically here in Gualala in order to improve her performance, as well as renewing the brakes and other components.

We gained about 40 horsepower and made her more reliable. She is a joy to drive along Highway 1. The current mileage on the car is 132,000. She still has the original clutch, transmission and engine.

“Sofia” (our nickname for her), has been in several car shows and exhibits, most notably the annual Gualala Arts Auto Show, held at the Gualala Arts Center every July. She has been awarded a first and second Place in the Import Class. She has also appeared in several magazines, such as Hemmings Sports and Exotic Car and Ricambi, the publication issued by the Fiat Club of America.

The best thing about owning and driving “Sofia” is she keeps us feeling young. We hope to enjoy her for many years to come.

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