My late mid-life crisis 77 Spider

[Nanonevol]

Greetings from Massachusetts. I feel I made a lucky find in buying a mostly original Orange 1977 Spider. Lots of raised eyebrows from my large extended family and comments like, "Fiat means Fix It all the Time". Well that's the idea! Anyway, I'm in love.

[RRoller123]

Feline, Italian And Topless is what FIAT actually stands for. Where in MA are you?

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

[Nanonevol]

I'm in Medway, Massachusetts. Yeah, I told them it means Fine Italian Automobile Technology, but I like yours too! It's winter of course and I have a garage. I did get to take my Mom, whose 88 for a top down spin on a warm Veterans day when I brought it home. Pops out of second gear and will need some exhaust pieces but so much fun to drive!

[Nanonevol]

Here's a photo

[brackie1]

I don't know what it is about these little cars, they are finikie, a pain in the butt sometimes but when they are running they are great. Thier like a drug that you just can't get enough of them.

Gene
North Carolina

[RRoller123]

Well make sure you plan on visiting the Millis cruise on Saturdays starting next Spring! It is at the Gold's Gym parking lot on Rt. 109. That is very close by and there will be great shock at seeing 2 Spiders there. A few foreign cars show up, friendly people, etc.

[btoran]

nice ride. these cars are indeed a blast to drive and once issues are sorted, they can be very reliable.

if you've got a leaf vacuum connected in the rear, pls post a picture. engaged in the annual fight here as well.

[jetboy]

nice one. I seem to have been having a midlife crisis since I was 20.. still going now that I am in my 40s...hopefully it will continue until I die..

there is really something about driving with the top down: the connection to the world is so much more visceral and real. and you on the east coast- some of the most beautiful driving in the world. there is nothing like fall in New England- stunning.

its almost like being uncaged..

[aj81spider]

Welcome aboard. There are a few of us in Massachusetts and New England.

[Nanonevol]

Yes, Thank you all for the welcome. It was love at first sight and I honestly didn't look to very close at the car but I'm seeing now very little rust underneath or anywhere! For a New England car that's amazing. A front cross member was welded and the emmissions pump parts that run off the cam are gone and the hoses pinched off but other than that she looks mostly un-molested. Engine was rebuilt 200 miles ago. Today I'm looking for a big metric alllen wrench to drain the oil. Local hardware doesn't have one.
My first car was a 68 Mustang I bought for $100 in 1978. Ten years and it was already ready for the scrap yard with the floorboards and frame rusted and the transmission shot. I got it running, put a salvage transmission in and drove it for 6 years.

[Nanonevol]

[img][/img]
There's a real spider in my Spider!

[btoran]

you may want to pickup some magnetic hex head bolts (oil and transmission) before changing the oil. i believe the vendors on this site carry them.

[Nanonevol]

I'm finding most of my questions answered in posts and threads at this site. It's great. The veterans here must chuckle at us new owners always with the same concerns and queries.
Growing up it was always the American muscle cars. Lots of us in mid-life are trying to re-create those experiences and Detroit seems to be obliging with the retro styled Mustangs, Challengers, etc. I was always the type who wanted something "different", but I learned long ago there are a lot of us also. I'm a cliché and I know it.

[Nanonevol]

Just noticing that my vin number ends in "78" though the title says it's a 1977. How can I tell? Never mind, my mistake. The "78" in my vin is merely coincidental.

[brackie1]

unfortunately FIAT means FIX IT AGAIN TONY. However, that's part of the fun in owning a "vintage euro sports car". For example," geneo" (my '78) has been running great for the last couple of weeks(LOL) when yesterday I backed it out of the garage and heard this really loud "BANG" from the rear of the car got out looked under it but didn't see anything so started driving down the driveway and hear this knocking. Called my mechanic who said it didn't sound good and to limp in to his shop. As it turns out that my rear-end had gone out. So had to order a (new one) well not new since they don't make them anymore. Called around found an inspected used one at Midwest Bayless for $661 including freight. I has just spent $140 on 14" rims and $300 on new tires and was looking forward to calculating speedo difference. OH well, like I said part of the fun of owning a "vintage euro sports car".

Gene
North Carolina