New Member in Massachusetts

[aj81spider]

I purchased a 1981 Spider 2000 a couple of weeks ago and found this forum while researching it. I had a 70's 124 back in the early 80's and loved the car, but had to get rid of it due to marriage and family obligations. 25 years later I've finally gotten around to getting another. It's a joy to drive. It needs some cosmetic work (see fender question I posted in the Spider board!), but runs great and has no rust.

I'm currently traveling so can't post pictures, but will try to in a week or so.

I have no car experience at all, so the fun here will be learning as well as doing! I plan to upgrade some things, but I'm not a restoration guy. I just want to turn it into a fairly good looking (some work needed there), mechanically solid (seemingly there), fun to drive (definitely there!) car for summer fun.

This forum is absolutely fantastic. So far every question I've had about my car has been answered, and some upcoming projects (brown wire fix, rear sway bar) have been covered in gory detail for me. I'm looking forward to being a part of it.

[Exit98]

Welcome aboard. looking forward to the pictures.

You can look forward to both fun and frustration.

[Estaban]

glad to see you here and welcome.

I am a member of two Fiat forums but this one is the one I have on my bookmark toolbar, it's that good.

[aj81spider]

OK - I'm back from my trip. Here are a couple of pictures. She's not a bad 10 footer - definitely needs work when viewed up close! However she continues to run great (that sound is me knocking on wood!).

[donm]

Nice looking car. Good to see another MA member. But what's with that cross brace over the engine? It looks like it came factory installed but I've never seen that before.

[aj81spider]

The previous owner installed that. It is supposed to add rigidity and stiffness to the frame, thus improving handling. He pointed it out with great pride as a significant enhancement. I'm not sure I'm buying it, but it came with the car.

[markpink]

Welcome Neighbor.

I am in Nashua just north of you.

THere are several of over the border in New Hampshire that will go to car shows or events together. One of the Don's (there are two of them) is trying to officially organize a club. See this thread http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=13013.

I go to car shows in the late spring in Summer at Target in North Nashua every Friday night or the car show on Thursdays at Kimball Farms is really good as well.

I am always trying to get more Fiat people to attend these shows. Keep these in mind when the weather gets warmer.

Mark

[hrballenger]

Nice looking car. Good to see another MA member. But what's with that cross brace over the engine? It looks like it came factory installed but I've never seen that before.

I used a brace very similar to that one on my 124BS that I ran in SCCA E/Prod back in '71/'72. Did wonders for front end rigidity and stability.

[Exit98]

That's a classy bungie cord on the air filter housing by the way.

The cross brace is intriging. Never seen one before on a Spider and I don't doubt it stiffens things up quite a bit. Is it welded or bolted and to what? Is it custom made do you think? Maybe some close up pictures when you get a chance.

Hey Mark, maybe a new product?

[aj81spider]

I'd love to participate in So. NH/Northern Mass events. Kimball farms is a couple of miles from me, and I've been to see the car show several times - already looking forward to taking the new Spider over!

The bungee cord is what sold the car for me - once I saw that I knew the PO's care and engineering expertise made the car rock solid.

As requested, here are some pictures. The PO told me that the bar was specially made. It is bolted in.

A.J.

[tomsspider50]

Nice car neighbor,,guys on this site no there spiders,,you came to the right place,,Tom,,,,In RI

[kd1wo]

Welcome aboard, A.J.
That brace does look interesting although I'm unsure of it's structural value as it appears to be bolted to fenders.
I'd think that for handling it should go to the shock towers. IMHO.
Anyway, welcome.
Ed

[81SPIDERMATT]

i am very interested in the comment that that brace should go to the shock towers.... has anyone done that...??????