Hello! New Fiat Owner Here

Landhawk · Post by **Landhawk** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:46 pm

Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I am now the owner of a 1979 Spider as of today! The car is in pretty bad shape, almost a parts car for most of you from what I've seen on the forum, but I got it for really cheap and it's going to be my little restoration project and I'm excited about it.

I'm pretty good with cars, however I've never owned a Fiat.... mostly 4WD trucks / Jeeps... I'm sure I'll have several questions once I start working on it. Thanks in advance!

Once I get the car home in couple days, I plan to take some pictures and post them.

RRoller123 · Post by **RRoller123** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 8:51 pm

Welcome aboard! There are lots of knowledgeable people here that will help!

4uall · Post by **4uall** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 9:11 pm

Hello & welcome. This community is very willing to assist & guide.

vandor · Post by **vandor** » Sun Apr 22, 2012 11:08 pm

>I'm pretty good with cars,

Then you are better than most of us! Just kidding

>however I've never owned a Fiat....

They are pretty easy to work on, but there are few tricks here and there. The '79 had a pretty horrible carburetor and manifold, so don't spend much on those, and upgrade them if possible. The 1800 manifold is great, and even the stock 1800 carburetor is much better than the one from '79.

steve8462 · Post by **steve8462** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:26 am

welcome aboard. i just purchased a 1979 spider myself at the end of march. i will offer any advice or answer any questions you might have along the way. i'm in the middle of replacing all four tires, brakes, calipers, hoses, and a fuel line. so far all for less than $600.00- doing all the work yourself is key. compared to the electronic nightmares that are today's cars, i would take an old fiat any day! old is better, Italian autos are as beautiful as their women!

Landhawk · Post by **Landhawk** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:11 pm

Thanks for all the welcomes and information. Picking her up tomorrow (has to be trailered since motor isn't running and all 4 tires are dry-rotted).

My first goal is to put it up on jack stands and take the rims off. (Hopefully the lugs aren't too rusted). A tire shop down the street has some 175/70 R13's so that will be my first purchase (I think I read those are slightly larger than stock but should work fine)... until I get some tires I can't even roll it in and out of the garage.

After that I need to do some more inspection and come up with a game plan. I'd like to do a full tear down restoration, however I think I would get too overwhelmed and it would take me forever to complete. Right now I'm leaning towards getting the car running and being able to drive it this summer (even though it won't look all that great). Then do some more in depth restoration this winter.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow (don't get excited, she's pretty busted up).

vandor · Post by **vandor** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 1:18 am

[quote="Landhawk" A tire shop down the street has some 175/70 R13's so that will be my first purchase (I think I read those are slightly larger than stock but should work fine).[/quote]

Original size was 165/80R13, plus zero size is 185/70R13.
The 175/70s will be a smaller diameter tire, so your speedo will be even more inaccurate than stock

They will work, but if it's not much more coin, get the 185/70s.

Landhawk · Post by **Landhawk** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 3:17 am

Vandor,

Thanks for the information! I did a search and found the website below that allows you to type in tire sizes and gives several dimensions between them. Will see if the shop has some 185/70s today.

http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html

steve8462 · Post by **steve8462** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:03 am

i'm doing the exact same thing as you with my 1979. its in my garage on jacks. i found a set of new 185/70/13's at sears auto center of all places for $59.00 each.

steve8462 · Post by **steve8462** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:10 am

i have also removed the front and rear bumpers and i'm pondering leaving them off (150 lbs of dead weight if you ask me!) i am hunting around for a set of Abarth bumperettes if anybody has them for a reasonable price. my brother is in the middle of a Triumph spitfire restoration and i noticed that his car has bumperettes on the front of his bumpers. i am going to see if there is any way of adapting them to the spider. i will let you know how i make out.

maytag · Post by **maytag** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 9:15 am

Welcome!
y'all are in for a fun time! I'll warn you though, Fiat Spider ownership is alot like Pringles potato chips: You can't have just one!

Landhawk · Post by **Landhawk** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 10:03 am

i have also removed the front and rear bumpers and i'm pondering leaving them off (150 lbs of dead weight if you ask me!) i am hunting around for a set of Abarth bumperettes if anybody has them for a reasonable price. my brother is in the middle of a Triumph spitfire restoration and i noticed that his car has bumperettes on the front of his bumpers. i am going to see if there is any way of adapting them to the spider. i will let you know how i make out.

I like the looks of the bumpers being left off, I was just curious about what will happen during the vehicle inspection by the Sheriff. The car has an out of state title and when I apply for one in my state they will only do a VIN inspection (since it's not running), however once it's running I will have to take it back for another inspection... not sure how detailed that will be. Guess I can always leave the bumpers on for the inspection then take them off afterwards.

steve8462 · Post by **steve8462** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:01 am

i am going to attempt to either put turn signals in the 4" x 3 1/2" holes in the front. (currently searching bone yards for a suitable replacement lens setup) or i will fabricate a plate to weld in place of the hole with a small boat style round amber lens cut into the center. i'm hoping once i put the bumperettes into the old bumper round holes that the po po wont be educated enough with old European cars to know whether or not its factory. here is a picture of them

Landhawk · Post by **Landhawk** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:32 pm

Well, it was a long afternoon / evening, but she's finally home!

Finally Home! by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

On the Trailer by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

Front End by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

Interior by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

Already picked up some new rubber (was really the only option to easily get the car off the trailer since the tires were completely dry-rotted). $55.99 at Pep Boys

Cornell 1000's - 185/70 R13 by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

New Rubber by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

All 4 Tires by Louisville Swashbuckler, on Flickr

Just took some quick photos with the phone, felt like I needed to document the first night I got the car.....

grittracing · Post by **grittracing** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 11:52 pm

looks good keep up the work.

Hello! New Fiat Owner Here

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