new from OBX NC

[MyWE4]

Hi, I recently purchased a 76 for my wife....(it's for her birthday in July, so keep it mum... )
I have been reading on a lot of boards before I got the car and this one is on the top for info. found..

it had not been driven much in the past two-three years so I need to go over the brakes and tune....but I drove the car to it's new home over 20 miles! no real issues!! there will be lots going on with the car and I hope to have fun with the project.

it starts today with a tear down to make a list of to-do's......

thanks for reading,
Chris

[rlux4]

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum. I'm sure your wife is going to enjoy her birthday present. You'll have to post some pics of your new car for us to admire. And you're right, if you're by the beach you definately need a convertible. I sort of live by the beach. I'm in the Mojave desert, We have the sand, all we're missing is the water.
ron

[mdrburchette]

Hey Chris! Welcome to the forum. We promise to keep mum about your wife's birthday present. As Ron says, you live in a great place to have a convertible. I visit the OBX often since I have family in Frisco. I'm far more inland in Winston-Salem and you'll be passing through if you plan to come to the annual Fiat Freakout, being held in Asheville, NC this year.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Chris,
Welcome to the site. Plenty of helpful folks here. Great birthday gift for any 29 year old. I'm sure she will love it. Good luck, George
BTW> Love the are you live in.

[MyWE4]

Thanks for the warm welcome!!
My wife grew up near here and "dragged" me down from upstate NY (I have never looked back!!I LOVE it here!!)....don't get me wrong, I love the mountains, but you can keep the COLD!!
I don't think we will be going to Asheville any time soon....but thanks for the heads up!! The car will not be going on any long trips that fast!!(if at all)

I have my short list of to-do's...front and rear pads..the front brakes should a snap(I will rebuild them)! the rear....calipers,one hose, one E-brake cable and the steel lines on the axle,(some one put compression fittings on one line
the engine needs very little!! T-belt, cam seals,valve cover gaskets, tune.(a good 'spring cleaning' )...done!!

THEN the body work..I will not be "restoring" this car but I will NOT be cutting it up...BUT..I could not resist the urge to pull the front bumper...WOW what a change!! I loved the pics I saw on the Internet...looks great in person!!..they are STAYING OFF!! I will figure out something for the lights

I need to figure out how to post picks and I will show some before and after..oh-boy, do I have a lot of work to do....

have a good day!!
Chris

[MyWE4]

double post

[beachboy]

We are not to tell your wife she is having a birthday in July? I promise I wont. Good luck with the car.

[MyWE4]

ok...what I am starting with....
[img][IMG]http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg81/My-WE4/The%20Fiat/th_Cars001.jpg[/img][/img]


I am good at tearing stuff up

[img][IMG]http://i246.photobucket.com/albums/gg81/My-WE4/The%20Fiat/th_Cars006.jpg[/img][/img]

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Chris,
SOCALMARK (The moderator) sells a kit for the bumperless Spider. It puts the directional and parking lights in the hole that the bumper pistons were in. Just picked up a set for my 1981 project. Very reasonable to. George

[mdrburchette]

Looks like you've got a nice one to start with.
So, you also have a Turbo T-type? Those cars were awesome in their day and can hold their own today. Boy, GM really could bring out some great rides when they really wanted to. A GNX is one of the cars I wish I had the forsight to buy when I was younger. Another, the Pontiac G8 GXP is another I wish I could have bought....but I have to save my money for my Fiat Abarth...

[MyWE4]

Thought I would drag this out of the dead... I got the car ready for paint in the spring, but 'things' came up.....but my buddy and I shot the car last week....I am happy with it! This is the first car I have painted...I have my good friend to thank for keeping me in line!! ....

these are a few getting ready for paint





wet sanded


this is just the first buff





Thanks for looking

[mdrburchette]

Looking good! I know you're excited about getting all the hardware on. Post more pics when it's all done.

[leeputmanjr]

Glad you survived all the storms!