Edit... Resto mod FIRST DRIVE

[njoconnor]

Yay Alan! Cant wait for the Road Day report!!

[fiat218]

I hope my car sounds like yours, when the time is right I will get some info from you

[kev]

Congrats man! What a symphony.

[SoFlaFiat]

Thanks!!

The morning report:
No fires, yep, sorry I forgot the extinguisher in the video.
No puddles of anything under the car.
And the battery tests perfect.

[juvius]

It's either time for an update or for you to get busy

[SoFlaFiat]

I hear ya, but it's gonna be a few more weeks catching up on other projects! I'll get back to it soon!!

[njoconnor]

I agree, Steve, but first I want to see a video on how he swaps out rear ends so fast.......

Neil

[SoFlaFiat]

Neil,
Bring Pat down for a weekend, get warm, and you can help me swap the rear end in the 77 as it has been just sitting and waiting for a seal on the original. With two of us, it should take only 3 hours and then you can take it to the beach!!
I'm not joking! You have my email!

[njoconnor]

Verrrry tempting, Alan. But. My leave balance sez "no" (even for a weekend). I'm committed to three major vacations this year (two to ABQ, one to Door County, WI) and just don't have the days. Even FFO-Pittsburg had to get cut . 2016 looks a lot better!

Thanks, though.

Neil

[SoFlaFiat]

I'll have to think about a video then

[SoFlaFiat]

While I have had to concentrate on catching up with family and house projects, making no progress on my car, at least my friend is pushing forward. Work on the seats has finally begun. If I haven't said its before, we are using a marine treated leather from Spinnyback. Hopefully it withstands the scorching sun of southwest Florida well enough.








I know it doesn't look like much but it is progress and that's something!!

My oldest child has started driving and I have been putting some effort into getting the 77 back on the road. It will end up being her car so this weekend she will help swap out the rear end for one I have managed to refurbish.
With her learners permit in hand, we can start teaching her the fun of driving a standard transmission.
Yep, I have a spare clutch ready to go! Actually, a spare tranny or two as well!

[SoFlaFiat]

And Neil, I have my son lined up to film the swap for you!

[njoconnor]

Alan, that suspension movie will go a long way towards making up for the suspended Top Gear episodes...at least for me!

Thanks!!

Neil

[SoFlaFiat]

So after replacing all the brakes in this:



And doing the same to my wife's VW and catching up with a huge list of stuff I had neglected for the car...
Back at it!
I grabbed the doors I salvaged from the 78 and cut the pieces I needed to strengthen the hinge points on my doors.





It's not much but it is something! I have to get back to it if I have any hopes of getting to FreakOut this year.

Meanwhile, back at the upholstery shop... Some more progress.



And Neil, apologies!! I haven't pieced that vid together yet. I'll get to it!

[njoconnor]

No rush, Alan. Looks like you've been more than busy. I'm still ditzing with the parts list for Csaba; lots of time before I start whacking at suspensions!

Neil