I settled for a 1971, 124 Sport Coupe. Less money than the spider back then but same guts. Pure stock, around 75K miles, red, black interior, with a black vinyl roof. Ran good but was burning some oil. Within a year or so, I pulled the engine and tranny and went to work. I learned the European version was hot so I made some mods in the re-build. More radical cams, dual Weber downdrafts, headers, Ansa exhaust, electronic ignition, and had it painted a more Ferrari red! What college kid doesn't love a red sports car?? Somebody help me.... there was Bayless and another Fiat specialty parts source back then. I also bought a set of custom seats from one of them.
Drove it through college and had it for my first couple of years in the Navy. I even towed my U-Haul with it from Pensacola to Kingsville, Texas. That U-Haul was loaded with little more than a Kawasaki GPZ 550 sport bike (red and black, of course). But the summer heat during my time in S. Texas was killing me! I traded my Coupe in on a 1986 Toyota Supra (yes, red! AC ,yes!). Remarkable, how that Toyota was so similar to a 13 year old Fiat..........belt driven double overhead cams, 5 speed manual, 4 disc brakes, independent suspension. Those Italians were certainly innovators in car and engine designs!
Well, the other day while browsing on Craigslist, I noticed a local garage had a couple spiders for sale. I went down to talk to the guy (an Italian by birth, with nothing but Fiats and Alfas in his shop). Well, we spent close to an hour talking cars. He stated how much he liked the FI system on the newer cars. Although, I didn't buy his car, he planted a seed.....
I went on-line and found this site and searched parts availability, pricing, interior carpet, seats, tops, etc. I also found another spider posting.
Here is the car I bought last week: 1980 Spider fuel injected. 56K original miles, 5 speed, Gray paint, blue interior, hard top. The PO had obtained it from the Original Owner (who he claims had been a Fiat dealer, bought for his son). When I showed for the test drive the car had been warmed up but would not start w/out a jump (oh!). We head out for a drive: engine idles nicely and runs well, 4th syncro is out, brakes a bit mushy, wipers don't work, odometer working. I notice a bit of over spray around the hood and small interior damage under the hood but the car is really straight with minimal issues as far as I can tell. The car needs more work than the ad led me to believe. He lowers his price (it is running!, new fuel tank, pump and filter, cored radiator) and says he will throw in the spare parts.
Deal done! The spare parts filled the bed of my truck! heads, cams, a transmission, fan, distributors, stacks of gaskets, cam wheel, belts.......some used but others still in Fiat boxes and wrappers. I have only begun to inventory and take note of all he gave me. Some parts may be for other Fiat or Lancia models. Seeing the parts validated a good part of the car's history.
I'm probably NOT going to re-paint it red. I'm thinking of working with the current color....maybe a metallic silver or gray or light blue exterior ...not to clash with the current color of the door jams, trunk lid, etc. Comments, ideas, suggestions?
This door panel is revolting (maybe why Fiat left America!?)! Is this stock? What are my options here? Recommendations for sources for panels, interior sections and, carpet?
Looks all stock. I need to get it California smogged.
Very little rust that I have found so far. This picture and a little near the driver's door sill.
More work to do. I am missing the panels under the dash, left and right. Wiring loose. Anyone have pictures of this area so that I can see what it is supposed to look like??
Going to its new home!!!! Mine!!!!
BTW, love this forum! Currently working on an alternator problem. More tasks to come.
Thanks, Warren
