Should I take this on?

[GA81project]

Hello, I just joined to get opinions/experiences of those who have gone before me. I ha a chance to pick up a 1981 Spider for $500. It's been sitting for 10 years and not really covered. Any words of wisdom for me as I decide? Questions that come to mind are: cost & availability of parts; known trouble spots; first thing to check out; are engine repairs a nightmare (assumes I know a good mechanic)? Any input is welcome and appreciated.
Thanks - Dan

[4uall]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth

This might help, good luck with your search/choices Vendors of parts etc are all over

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/buyspid.html

GOOGLE is your friend

[SunnySideUp]

Let us know where you are physically located. There may be an experienced member close by that can take a look at the car and give you some advice.

Welcome aboard!

[Jimb]

Before you begin check the extent of the rust. These things are terrible for rusting.
You can so easily spend a ton of cash just to bring the body back to a starting point before even beginning paint. Whereas if you were to start with a rust free body you could spend the cash on mechanics.
If rust is obvious in the exterior you can bet it's well into the floorboards etc.
Jim

[GA81project]

Thanks for the quick responses. I'm in the Atlanta, GA area. Re: rust- there is some on the fender and at the back above the bumper. I'm thinking there is rust in the floor boards since the interior was exposed to the elements. I need to figure out how to post pics.

[GA81project]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth

This might help, good luck with your search/choices Vendors of parts etc are all over

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/buyspid.html

GOOGLE is your friend

Just wanted to thank you for that link, truly a lot of good tips for me to consider.

[vandor]

If you can't work on it yourself - DO NOT BUY IT!
You will spend way more paying a shop to fix it than what it's worth. You can easily spend $2k just on mechanicals to get it to run and drive safely. And then there will still be another 100 little things needing repair.
Buy a running Spider for $3-4k and enjoy it.

[narfire]

+ 1 on Csaba's comment. Way further ahead in my opinion to spend $2-4000 on a decent car and add while you can drive it.

[johndemar]

And there are some very knowledgeable folks on this site in the Atlanta area.
Hopefully they'll chime in and point you in the right direction.

[GA81project]

I've learned a LOT from what you all have provided. I have found out that the vehicle is a 2000 convertible. Is that different from a 124/128? My question today is; does the car have a salvage value - meaning someone to purchase it whole - for parts? As always what ever this awesome community is willing to share is appreciated.
Thanks - Dan

[azruss]

Salvage value....ask yourself the same question as you would for restore. Do you have the time and expertise to tear it apart and sell it piece by piece. With the mechanics an unknown, you dont know if there is any value there. Also take into account how hard it is to ship some parts. Someone very familiar with these cars could make a quick assessment here. Personally, any car you buy will require some work on your part. Why not save your time and energy for a car you will keep.

[btoran]

fiat spider 2000's are later model years of the 124 sport spider (1979 and beyond, i believe). many parts will interchange through the years but some won't. $500 sounds about right for a salvage car, but it takes lots of work and time to make money at it. if you're truly interested in owning and driving a running 124, they are available from about 2-3k (for ones that require plenty of cosmetic / mechanical work). as others have said, you're much better off starting with a running, relatively rust-free car.

[GA81project]

This forum has been great in helping me to make a decision about taking on a potential project. I have decided to get the car to a friend of mine who is restoring his own Fiat, 1979.
I have one last question for the group. I was wondering if anyone knows of a site where I can enter the VIN and get info on the car itself since this is a 1981 Pininfirina - you know, long shot on the anniversary edition.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

[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

And here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[toyfiats]

I was wondering if anyone knows of a site where I can enter the VIN and get info on the car itself since this is a 1981 Pininfirina - you know, long shot on the anniversary edition.
Thanks for any info you can provide.

If the original color isn't champagne then it isn't an Anniversary Spider, and in any case the VIN wouldn't tell you whether it is or isn't.