My first Fiat

[SergeantSavage]

Hi everybody. Like many new users, I suspect, I found what looked like a good deal on a Spider, bought it, and then looked up a web forum..lol Isn't that what we do? I'm happy to have found this forum. It seems like a world of info all in one place.

Mine is a 1980 FI 2000. Blue with a tan top. I'll get it out if the sun shines tomorrow and take some decent pics to share. The car is complete and runs well, but needs lots of work too. Significant rust behind pass. side rocker panel. Interior is well worn and somewhat disassembled.

I'm an experienced car guy, but these cars are unique and I'm looking forward to learning from you all as my project develops. I'm in Austin, TX.

Thanks!

[TX82FIAT]

SergeantSavage,
Austin, that's great. We have a few spider owners in Austin and San Antonio. There is a large group in Houston and we have some drivers and exceptional Fiat mechanics in Dallas. During an event called Fiat Freak, (a social car event weekend each year) the Texas folks caravan out for fun. Locally we do hill country rides a couple times a year taking in a car show in and around the Wimberly/San Marcos area in your neck of the woods. Last outing we actually did some track time with our cars. Looking forward to the pics. If interested in tooling around with Texas Fiat owners let me know and I'll pass your info on to Mike Rutenberg the pres of TXFLU.

[SergeantSavage]

Thank you! All of that sounds great. I'm looking forward to it.

[Zippy]

Hi everybody. Like many new users, I suspect, I found what looked like a good deal on a Spider, bought it, and then looked up a web forum..lol Isn't that what we do?

The number of people that buy a Fiat before they find this forum must be much greater than the number of people that find this forum and then buy a Fiat. After reading about all the work we do to restore, repair and maintain our cars it can be very discouraging to a potential buyer. They are, after all, very old convertibles that have been subjected to all kinds of abuse. Even my car, which I never take out in the rain intentionally, has been caught in a sudden rain storm while parked with the top down. The ads I see on Craigslist for some Fiats show them sitting in a field with no top or the back window rotted out. When I got my 74 parts car it was already partially cut up and the top was ripped pretty bad. I knew it would go to the crusher eventually so I didn't care about the amount of rust.

Good luck with your car and welcome to the forum.

[SergeantSavage]

Thanks, Zippy. You are right. Once I started looking into what is known about these cars and what challenges face me I admit it's a little initmidating. My car had not been on the street for more than two years when I bought it, but the seller had done some things to make it driveable and away I went. Upon further investigation I see I have my work cut out for me.

[124JOE]

i got mine from my father in reno he had it sitting in a junkyard for two years with no top
sitting on sand no rims on the rear
paint badly faded

all is well now ive had her 17 years
and at least 17 more to go

[SergeantSavage]

That's a good story Joe. You have a history with that one for sure.

Well I am having some trouble with picture sizing but here is a look at the car. I'll try to get some better ones up tomorrow.

[kmac33]

Welcome to the world of Fiat ownership! Even though it may seem intimidating when you read through the forum, once you dive into "getting your hands dirty" wrenching on your Spider, you will find that the typical issues we all encounter usually turn out to be easy to fix. And if you are mechanically inclined, they are "basic" enough to do everything yourself.
But best of all.....when you get your Spider on the road running well.....you will have a permanent smile on your face.

[4uall]

whoo hoo another 1980 FI 2000

Hello and welcome, you have come to the right place

[SergeantSavage]

Going to try a few more pics..


Here's the best angle by far on this one.

The worst of the rust is undder pass. door/rocker panel.

Rocker panel removed due to rust holes. Minor dents on this side.

Another dent avbove left tail light. Cool luggage rack!

Fairly clean and complete under the hood.

[124JOE]

use this stuff to stop the rust

it was the screws they used that rusted i replaced them with stainless steel screws

[SergeantSavage]

Good to know. Thanks!