78 spider barter?

[ride65]

I joined your glorious world of fiatspider to ask a question. I searched all the other spider forums and this one seems to match my level of mechanical aptitude as well sense of community better than any of the others. If I procede with this deal, you'll hear alot from me (maybe too much). I'm in the process of doing a simple valve job and lifter repacement on a 05 chevy 5.3L trailblazer with AFM (active fuel management). The friend I'm doing this for presented me with a partial payment of a 1978 Fiat spider, soft top, hard top, 2 engines and transmissions. I haven't looked at it yet to seriously consider this proposition, i figured I'd ask those that know what to look for and what I should ask to determine what it would be worth . He said that the floor pans are solid and the tires hold air, it's been in his garage for 6 years acting as a place to stack stuff. Any words of wisdom would be appreciated. A few projects I've completed recently, completely rebuilt an 02 Yukon XL 5.3l (threw a rod and trashed the block) I use this truck almost daily, replaced the frame on a 2000 Mercury grand Marquis, it hit a parked truck doing about 25 mph with the wheel turned right, tire caught the bumper and bent the frame at the engine cross over so the insurance totaled it, (300.00 crown vic frame) wifes' been driving this car for 4 years now. I have 3 daughters so I fix their crap all the time. Basically what I'm saying is that I'll try anything once, sometimes twice just to make sure I don't like it.

[SunnySideUp]

Welcome to the best forum for Fiat Spiders anywhere on the planet. Looks like your own research shows that, too!

I'd recommend posting your location and see if an experienced member of this forum is close by and ask them to take a look at the Spider and provide you another perspective. After that, consider a couple of things: First - what is the valve and lifter job normally worth? Second - Do you WANT a Fiat Spider? If so, and the Spider and top being offered are in good usable condition you may have a good deal assuming the real value of the Spider is equal or greater than the cost of a valve/lifter job. If the idea of having a Spider doesn't do anything for you then pass on the deal OR you could take it and then offer it up here on the forum and get your money that way.

From the description of your mechanical experience a Fiat Spider should be a walk in the park for you! There's plenty of help and ideas on this forum if you get stuck.

Good Luck!

[azruss]

if it is a non running rust bucket it is worth whatever the scrap yard will give you for it. If the rust is minimal, it doesnt pop out of gear (the achilles heal of these cars), brakes are functional, starts up and runs without filling your garage with exhaust, and it drives in a straight line, you can expect $2000. If the body is straight, interior so-so and all the parts are there, the value goes up. If it is an east coast car, the value goes up again. As stated, find a fiatista in your neighborhood to give it the once over.

[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

[ride65]

I went by and tried to look at it today, it's got quite alot of stuff stacked around it but I was able to open the trunk to look at the sheet metal and crawl around to look at the under side a little. The trunk was clean, no rust what so ever, even the battery tray was wore but no rust, the underside from what I could see had a moderate amount of surface rust, no major flaking or holes. the only spot that was suspect was the inner fender well pasenger side at the bottom near the fire wall, I could see rust but couldn't get close enough to poke at it.He leaned the plywood back that was up against the sides so I could look down the body lines and they looked straight. All the chrome is there. couldn't open the doors because of the crap in the way,the interior is filled with all kinds of extra parts, (sheet metal, xtra dash, 2 radiators, xtra inner door panels, etc) The 2 engines and transmissions are sitting in the corner under tarps(drive train not in car), looks like both are complete ( I think), maybe a little rough from sitting around. All the glass is there, the hard top looked good from what I could see. It was getting dark so pics came out like crap. Next time we can get together we're gonna' clear some stuff out of the way so I can get some good pics and a closer look at the subframe. I told him I'd knock $300.00 off the bill, he said OK. I'm still gonna do some research on parts to rebuild tranny and motor and think about it. The financial manager just shook her head, rolled her eyes and sighed.

[ga.spyder]

I'm not sure if you actually want a Spider,but there is way more than $300 in parts alone.Let alone scrap price if the shell is a rust bucket.If both engine/tranny are intact and rebuildable,you could conceivably get your money back by selling one of those and still get a running car.The hardtop in good shape it can be worth 200-300 alone.Drag 'er out and post some pictures

[ride65]

After getting home and talking with my project manager, I'm gonna' take him up on his offer. The wife laughed after we got home, (she sat in the truck and watched) we had to shovel snow and chop ice from in front of the big garage door to get in to see the car. I think it's going to be alot of work just to get this thing out of the garage, and it's colder than hell here right now (S.E. Mich). It'll be a month or so until I get it home based on the weather, I'll take some Pics where everything sits and some some as we progress getting this project free from its' entombment. I'll start a new post in projects when the garage cleaning adventure begins, that's basically what we'll have to do to make sure I get all the parts. In the end I may have to back-charge him for garage cleaning/organization,(he's got an old Triumph T160 Trident in pieces in another corner I think I can talk him out of) one thing I know for sure is that I'm going to make sure my tetnus is up to date and have fresh loads in my little 22 p-shooter. His wife said that would be a good time to get a dumpster delivered, I won't even get into that discussion I had to listen to.

[ga.spyder]

There is a very active group of Fiat enthusiasts in Michigan.I would suggest that once it is out of its tomb,contact Mike Bouse (mbouse2000@gmail.com).Tell him Craig sent you.I am willing to bet that there are some members of their FLU(FiatLanciaUnlimited) chapter in your area.You will find that Fiat people are always willing to help out.

[ride65]

Thanks, I give him a shout probably before I actually get it to get some insight about any reocurring nightmares he has about fiat projects and what manuals, special tools or anything I should keep an eye out for. What clan of the Nelsons' are you from? Mine hail from around Clarksville Tenn.

[ga.spyder]

I am from the Florida Nelsons,that were all originally from West Virginia.Live in the NE Georgia mountains now,and found a bunch of Nelsons here.Sadly,aint none of them have any money! Drop Mike a line.He is a good guy and as knowledgable a Fiat guy as there is.

[ride65]

I've been in contact and they all wanna' drop over and have a look see what I've got myself into. http://i.imgur.com/ekz1blR.jpg?1 The spider is still entombed , but I've cleared out every thing in it, I seem to be missing the carb, along with who knows what.

[ga.spyder]

I saw that on the other forum.Those guys are all experts! Not to mention a blast to hang out with .Good luck.I have been following your progress.
Craig

[ride65]

My progress, or a psychosis manifesting? Should I hide the women, children and livestock around these guys? Oh, by the way, they're some Nelsons' from my side floating around Ga. somewhere, and mine are the same as yours', no money, but since I've got 2 engines hanging out front they seem to think I've got money to burn.

[fiat218]

if it is a non running rust bucket it is worth whatever the scrap yard will give you for it. If the rust is minimal, it doesnt pop out of gear (the achilles heal of these cars), brakes are functional, starts up and runs without filling your garage with exhaust, and it drives in a straight line, you can expect $2000. If the body is straight, interior so-so and all the parts are there, the value goes up. If it is an east coast car, the value goes up again. As stated, find a fiatista in your neighborhood to give it the once over.

Why does the value rise if it from the east coast?

[azruss]

Why does the value rise if it from the east coast?

My guess is there is a more plentiful supply of low rust Fiats on the west coast and easterners are reluctant to buy and ship a car unseen.