New owner in Massachusetts

[TronDD]

Hey all. Been reading the forum for a while doing my homework while looking for my own Spider. It's been a great source of information and it looks like a great community. I think that is just as important a part of car selection as the features of the car itself.

I am new to Spiders and Fiats but I have done restoration work on my 1969 Chevelle and had been an active member of that community for a number of years.

I purchased a 79 and am currently getting all the paperwork done to drive it home. The previous owner has done a lot of the usual resto work and most things are in good shape. It'll need a new top and a interior refresh. Seems mechanically sound, but quirky when cold so might be some tuning I can do there.

Looking forward to getting to know people here and getting know my Spider.

[donm]

Good to hear about another owner from MA. It doesn't seem there are that many of us, all the salt they use in the winter around here. Where are you located?

[TronDD]

I'm in Methuen. Yeah, I haven't noticed a lot of New Englanders on the board.

I'll probably bring the Spider up to Skip's Mega Cruise in Merrimack this year instead of the Chevelle. Chevelles are a dime a dozen at an open car show. I've never seen a Spider at a show or on the road. I like the uniqueness of it.

[aj81spider]

Welcome from another Massachusetts Spider owner.

[valmontej]

I'm in Methuen. Yeah, I haven't noticed a lot of New Englanders on the board.

I'll probably bring the Spider up to Skip's Mega Cruise in Merrimack this year instead of the Chevelle. Chevelles are a dime a dozen at an open car show. I've never seen a Spider at a show or on the road. I like the uniqueness of it.

Welcome to the forum.
I agree. It's very unique. I wasn't even considering the 124. I had a Mazdaspeed or an early S2000 in mind and when the car was offered to me, I figured it would be fun to work on it. I had always liked the looks from the first time I saw it back in 1979. Unfortunately, it had a reputation for unreliability. But my research has shown it can actually be a very reliable, dependable car even though I don't intend to drive it daily. What the heck, I just don't want to get stranded.

It's a really good, fun car, albeit much maligned.

[TronDD]

I was considering all kinds of cars too. I eventually decided that I don't like newer cars as much. I enjoy being able to tinker with the car and new cars with all the electronics and emissions equipment crammed into a tiny engine compartment just does not interest me.

I have plans for the Spider already and I haven't even picked it up yet.

Tim.

[donm]

Tell me about this "Skip's Mega Cruise. Sound interesting. Where, when and what is it?

[TronDD]

It's pretty amazing. It's the only car show I bother with. It's at Skip's Hamburger place in Merrimack, MA on 110, right off of 495. They have a cruise night every other Saturday all summer, but the Mega cruise is their big one in mid July (the 23rd this year, I think). They pretty much break their record of the number of cars in attendance every year. They get upwards of 800 cars. It's only $1 to show, and free for spectators.

They have a band, raffles, and that kind of stuff. The Burgers and shakes are good. There are usually some pretty unique cars up there along with a lot of the common muscle cars and hot rods. Well worth a long afternoon.

Tim.

[donm]

Sounds great! I'll be there. i'll see if I can get my two brothers to join us. One has a '64 Dodge convertable and the other a '49 Buick convertable, like the one in the movie "Rainman".

[markpink]

Welcome.

I am not too far over the NH Border in Nashua.

I think I am going to try coming down to Skips this season. I have to finish a a-arm replacement and fix either a bad steering box/or no oil in steering box issue and then I will be ready for the season. Hope to see you and maybe Donm there as well.

Mark

[TronDD]

Finally brought my Spider home. It handled the 155 mile trip like it was nothing. I had the top down and it was great although it got cloudy and pretty cold a third of the way home. The heat works so at least my feet were warm.

Now that it's home, I can start tinkering.

Tim.