Out of the fridge, and into the... freezer?

[quibboni]

Good morning to all of you out there in Fiat-land! I'm writing this from southwestern Ontario, Canada where the temperature outside this morning is a balmy -38 degrees (Celsius), which is about -800 Fahrenheit... I can't think of a better time to be daydreaming of cruising in the Spider with the top down and the sun cooking the bald spot.

Like some of the posts I've read on here, I found a diamond in the rough as well - a '74 Spider 124 that was lady owned and driven, and stored for last 20yrs or so and was recently put up for sale in an estate sale when she passed. 59,000 original miles on it. The bonus is - with the way the weather has been this winter - they can't even get it out of the storage warehouse for me, so free storage until Spring! I'm planning to do all the usual stuff so that I can get a good baseline in the first couple months of driving - changing the plugs, filters, and fluids. Anyone have any preferences they'd like to share? I'd be interested to know if anyone runs full synthetic oil (my plan) and how it's worked out. And how do these cars react to some of the new kinds of plugs on the market - platinum, iridium, v-groove, split fire...

In any case, "hi!", and happy motoring,
Geoff Quibell
St. Thomas, ON
Canada

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084


Pete

[Exit98]

HI Geoff,

Well its 6 degrees F here on the Jersey shore this morning. Temps will be going up though as the week goes by. My Spider's tucked away in the garage and won't come out to play again until the salt is finally washed away from the roads.

Sounds like you found a very cool Spider. 74's are the last of the nice little bumpers. We’d all like to see some pictures.

Personally I don’t worry about synthetic oil or fancy plugs. You can decide on that kind of stuff once you get done with waking up your Rip Van Winkle. You’ve got more immediate things to deal with. Our motors are very tough but you won’t want to break anything so take it a step at a time. Oh, and your brakes are sure to need a complete overhaul.

There’s tons of stuff on here about getting an old motor cranked up. Use the search feature and you’ll find a bunch of links. Things like a few spoonfuls of transmission oil in the spark plug holes and turning the motor by hand before cranking the starter and so forth. And of course you’ve got to get the timing belt changed. Chances are no one drained the gas tank before putting it away, so there’s that. I hope they took out the battery.

Mark Allison, who runs this place, and our friends at Auto Ricombi are both great sources for parts and advice so check out their websites.

You’re going to have a lot of fun.

Good luck and keep posting.

[4uall]

HI Geoff,

Welcome to the greatest place on earth

Timmins ON was the coldest place on the planet the other day (-53C)

[Funcar]

Welcome aboard. I am just down the 401 in Kitchener ON. Like you I made a great find in a 72 Spider that has been stored for over 20 years and the body is in great shape. I have also yet to start it up as I have it in storage and limited ability( I'm not a wrench guy) so have been dabbling. I'm getting ready to change the timing belt. There is another Fiat owner who just joined from St. Thomas Qdv with an 82 Spider. I hope to get my car running in early spring and we should get together. There is an Italian day in TO and also a Toronto Fiat club. Currenly I'm looking for rear caliphers.

I have decided it is to "Fridgid" up here and heading to Arizona (Meas area) and hope to meet some of the Fiat owners during my stay in Feb. and Mar.

[quibboni]

Thank you all - glad to be here! I plan to post pics when I get my hands on my prize in a couple months. I think in the meantime I'll read up on awakening the beast, compile my "to do" list, and snag a few goodies online.

Cheers,
GQ

[hayesbd]

Well, since our Volvo decided to take a hiatus, I have had to rely on my '73 in -10F weather here in Ohio. It has performed quite well, indeed! These cars have great heaters, by the way.

Regards,
Brian

[Jerstee]

Congrats on your purchase! My favorite oil that I run in my fiat is royal purple and I use the 15/40. You may have to special order it, but once you get the case, it will last you about ahead because of how little the car uses.