A little width problem

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dbr
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:05 pm
Your car is a: 1981 fiat spider
Location: St. Charles, IL area

A little width problem

Post by dbr »

Hello, I decided to start a new thread since the topic was changing from the old thread " restoration time ".

I have been eyeing a fiat for sale in the area. I went down today to take a second look at it and to measure the width. When I came back I recognized that the entrance into the place where I was hoping to restore the car was a couple of inches too small! So now after defeating all my other problems I am stumped by something so small as several inches. I was wondering if I took off all the fenders of a 1978 fiat spider could it then fit through 61"?

Any help is greatly appreciated!
BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: A little width problem

Post by BEEK »

easier to install wider doors on the building :)
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: A little width problem

Post by narfire »

Put it on a rotisserie and in she goes on the diagonal :lol:
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
Tuc124

Re: A little width problem

Post by Tuc124 »

If you want a Fiat an 850 or X19.
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spiderdan
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Your car is a: 1968 124 Sport Spider
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: A little width problem

Post by spiderdan »

Good luck with that one dbr.

Reminds me of the guy building a sailboat in his basement. :roll:
Dan
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BEEK
Posts: 1833
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 10:45 pm
Your car is a: 1975 Spider
Location: clermont fl

Re: A little width problem

Post by BEEK »

there was a guy who built a lambo in his basement, they had to take out a wall to get it out :P

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/10/man-b ... ountac.php
Automotive Service Technology Instructor (34 year Fiat mechanic)
75 spider
, 6 Lancia Scorpions, 2018 Abarth Spider, 500X wifes, 500L 3 82 Zagatos. 82 spider 34k original miles, 83 pininfarina, 8 fiat spider parts cars
son has 78 spider
AndyS
Posts: 328
Joined: Fri Jun 10, 2011 10:02 am
Your car is a: 1967 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: SF Bay Area

Re: A little width problem

Post by AndyS »

Fiat 124's do not have "fenders". the have front 1/4 panels that are fully welded on.
1967 Fiat 124 Spider
1964 Fiat Abarth 850TC conversion
1962 Abarth Allemano 1 liter Coupe
Exit98

Re: A little width problem

Post by Exit98 »

Let some air out of the tires? No, wait, that won't work.

Theres a famous racing story, I'm not saying its really true, The great Italian driver, Tazio Nuvolari, was driving flat out in the 1935 Italian Mille Miglia in an Alfa Romeo nearing a small town. Suddenly a dog ran out into the road followed by a little boy. With no way to stop Nuvolari swong the car hard to the right, off the road in into a small gas station. Spectators scattered as the Alfa bounced over the curb and passed cleanly between the two gas pumps and slid to a stop. He looked back to be sure the boy was OK, then put the car in gear and resumed the race.

Later the width of the car was measured and was found to be wider than the distance between the pumps. No one could say how he managed it though some claimed the car was on two wheels as it passed through.

Regardless of the accuracy of the story, he was idolized by his countrymen, and was truly one of the greatest drivers of all time.
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dbr
Posts: 113
Joined: Tue Jan 14, 2014 5:05 pm
Your car is a: 1981 fiat spider
Location: St. Charles, IL area

Re: A little width problem

Post by dbr »

Great story, but I don't want to try racing into my house. Chances are that it won't work! And if it did I wouldn't be able to get back out!

I think I have found a place where it will fit though.
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124JOE
Posts: 3141
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Your car is a: 1978 124 fiat spider sport 1800
Location: SO. WI

Re: A little width problem

Post by 124JOE »

menards has a grage in a box $350
when you do everything correct people arent sure youve done anything at all (futurama)
ul1joe@yahoo.com 124joe@gmail.com
SoFlaFiat

Re: A little width problem

Post by SoFlaFiat »

A few years ago I contracted a job painting a boat. When the boat got delivered I found I had not done my due diligence. The boat was 10'6" wide and the roll up door on my rented warehouse only 10' :oops:
Don't tell my landlord that I completely disassembled one side of the garage door and cut a section out of the steel column to get a 10'7" opening :mrgreen:
steve8462

Re: A little width problem

Post by steve8462 »

try this. build a small up and down ramp on one side. if you go slow and position it just right you might just be able to angle it high enough on one side to sneak it in. i bet one of the talented engineers on this site might even be able to tell you just how high the set of ramps needs to be to tilt it enough to get in the garage. :D
westy64

Re: A little width problem

Post by westy64 »

BEEK wrote:there was a guy who built a lambo in his basement, they had to take out a wall to get it out :P

http://www.geekologie.com/2008/10/man-b ... ountac.php
no need any alarm to protect the car during construction...
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