New Member/Owner

[FortFiat79]

I'm in Fort Wayne,IN and I just bought a 79 Fiat Spider. It needs some love and I'm sure I will asking many questions. This site should be a great source of info thank you for running it. And Thanks in advance for any future assistance that will be provided by you veteran fiat owners on here.

[kmead]

Welcome to the group. We love to see pics and read about what you are doing on your car.

Luckily for you there are two nearby Fiat clubs, one in West Michigan and one in Chicago. Both are quite active and could be a great resource for you.

If you would like to meet some other Fiat folks they are getting together down near you:

Meeting in the Middle

Detroit, Chicago, Indianapolis, West Michigan and all others....

Saturday, May 28th, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. Chicago time (noon Michigan time).

La Porte Indiana, town square. Meet in front of the Indian Statue.

We'll visit one of the local watering holes for some colorful local entertainment.

I can't go this time but there are a few interesting folks you should meet who are from southern MI, Detroit and Chicago.

If you go tell them Karl sent you.

Welcome and all the best with getting your new car up and running.

Karl

[FortFiat79]

I am unavailable this weekend and I am not too sure about driving long distances yet. The previous owner said the car had been sitting in a driveway for over 2 years. He had installed an aftermarket stereo and some how messed the wireing up and it would start. So I offered $750 for it and put it on a trailer and took it home. My brother is a grad from Wyotech and he helped me look it over but we saw nothing wrong. So we took the battery to the auto parts store and had it charged. Put it back in and it turned over. But wouldnt fire. I put my hand over the carb to manually choke it and it came to life. No other issues so far. It has an auto transmission and it needed about 3 quarts of fluid but it hasnt leaked since so it must be ok.

[FortFiat79]

i will get some pics in the morning when the sun is up and put them on here

[FortFiat79]

[FortFiat79]

When I purchased the car the previos owner gave me a large box of odds and ends and so I spent the last week putting bits and pieces back on the car. I am missing a few pieces. The door cards are shot and need replaced. The rear view and side mirrors need replaced. I am missing the trim that seals the bottom of the passenger window that folds down with the top.(not sure what else to call it) and there are many others. Is there a good used market for these or is it better to buy new?

[kmac33]

Welcome to the forum!
There are some items that are still very difficult to find new, but thankfully you can find most everything you need from one of the typical vendors. You can usually find just about any part you need used as well. Check the parts for sale section of the forum - there are a lot of Spiders that have been parted out resulting in a pretty abundant used parts supply.