Hey guys,
Thanks for approving my membership! Name's Karen, and my hubby and I live in the Bay Area. I'm an artist by day, a gardener on the weekends, and I also fix up classic bicycles on the side.
My dad and I loved going to car shows as a kid, and after losing him to pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago, I had a chance to go through photographs and his autobiography that he had been writing. After immigrating to the US from overseas, his first car in the states was either a 1962 or 63 Spider (white exterior, red interior). I have photos I'll scan in once I have a free moment (might be a few weeks since they've been boxed up).
We wanted to start a project car together, and after finding out about his Fiat, and having had a 2013 Fiat 500 (sold it to get a slightly larger car for my husband and I), I think I've come to a point in my life where it's either bite the bullet, or never do it.
I've been looking at a few potential prospects. This would be my first project car, I am an ABSOLUTE newb on restoration. I have neighbors fixing up Karmman Ghia's and a ford enthusiast working on a '39 Coupe, both have been more than happy to give advice.
Thanks for having me
-K
Newbie in San Francisco, CA
- aj81spider
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 1526
- Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
- Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
- Location: Chelmsford, MA
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
Welcome - great story and great reason for buying a Fiat.
I was a complete car novice when I bought mine and it will soon be done (for the second time...thought I was done last summer) as soon as I finish replacing the head (I've come a long way!). Spiders are great cars to learn on and even more fun to drive.
I was a complete car novice when I bought mine and it will soon be done (for the second time...thought I was done last summer) as soon as I finish replacing the head (I've come a long way!). Spiders are great cars to learn on and even more fun to drive.
A.J.
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
- RRoller123
- Patron 2020
- Posts: 8179
- Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
- Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
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
This short instruction covers how to resize pictures so that they don’t get cut off at the right side:
Pictures can be easily and quickly resized using Windows.
You do not need to open the image file, therefore no image viewing software is needed.
1. First find where the image is stored on your computer.
2. Click on the image file to high light it.
3. Right click, then select "EDIT"
4. Click "RESIZE" in the upper left corner of the screen
5. Click on "PIXELS"
6. Make sure that "MAINTAIN ASPECT RATIO" is checked.
7. Retype "725" in "Horizontal" field.
8. Click "OK"
9. Save image, if desired. I put them in parallel folders with “resized” somewhere in the description..
It will now be resized and will show fully and properly on the forum, using standard Windows software.
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
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
This short instruction covers how to resize pictures so that they don’t get cut off at the right side:
Pictures can be easily and quickly resized using Windows.
You do not need to open the image file, therefore no image viewing software is needed.
1. First find where the image is stored on your computer.
2. Click on the image file to high light it.
3. Right click, then select "EDIT"
4. Click "RESIZE" in the upper left corner of the screen
5. Click on "PIXELS"
6. Make sure that "MAINTAIN ASPECT RATIO" is checked.
7. Retype "725" in "Horizontal" field.
8. Click "OK"
9. Save image, if desired. I put them in parallel folders with “resized” somewhere in the description..
It will now be resized and will show fully and properly on the forum, using standard Windows software.
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
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
- 4uall
- Posts: 4145
- Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
- Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth
Love the story
Love the story
Jay
Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE
https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6
FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE
https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6
FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
MYTHERPY
-
- Posts: 752
- Joined: Mon Oct 29, 2012 9:27 pm
- Your car is a: 1980 124 spider FI
- Location: Sheridan, WY exSan Rafael, CA
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
Welcome and enjoy the restoration! Many good prospects pop up on Craigslist (where I found mine). Not too long ago there was a Fiat 1500, similar to what your Dad had. Also there is a 124 dismantler in Rohnert Park.
California smog requirements need to be kept in mind when purchasing. Required on '76 and newer vehicles. Many '76-'79 cars come up for sale. These have alot of smog crap and have the lowest performance. 1980 California spiders were the first to get FI (and picked up 15hp+). Personally, I would avoid these years unless I had a house in Nevada
I bought a no rust running vehicle that needed alot of cosmetics, transmission and drive shaft repair, heater repair, and 99% original. I did 95% of the mechanical, the entire interior except for the rear seats, installed a new convertible top. I have about $14K into it Still worth it! Fun to drive, my kids love it, and I have always wanted to own one
Take into account your skill levels, time, maintenance space, spare change, motivation, self-satisfaction, etc before you buy. Paying more $$ for the cleanest you can find is the best advice I can offer.
California smog requirements need to be kept in mind when purchasing. Required on '76 and newer vehicles. Many '76-'79 cars come up for sale. These have alot of smog crap and have the lowest performance. 1980 California spiders were the first to get FI (and picked up 15hp+). Personally, I would avoid these years unless I had a house in Nevada
I bought a no rust running vehicle that needed alot of cosmetics, transmission and drive shaft repair, heater repair, and 99% original. I did 95% of the mechanical, the entire interior except for the rear seats, installed a new convertible top. I have about $14K into it Still worth it! Fun to drive, my kids love it, and I have always wanted to own one
Take into account your skill levels, time, maintenance space, spare change, motivation, self-satisfaction, etc before you buy. Paying more $$ for the cleanest you can find is the best advice I can offer.
'80 spider FI, SnugTop hardtop
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
http://s940.photobucket.com/user/a7ewiz ... t=3&page=1
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
Hello from NorCal! (I mean really NorCal) I'm from Redding / Chico / Orland and my brother, my Dad and I each have a 124. I'm no expert on Fiats before our collection's time but I may have some resources you might need. What's the actual model of the car?kayjkay wrote:Hey guys,
Thanks for approving my membership! Name's Karen, and my hubby and I live in the Bay Area. I'm an artist by day, a gardener on the weekends, and I also fix up classic bicycles on the side.
My dad and I loved going to car shows as a kid, and after losing him to pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago, I had a chance to go through photographs and his autobiography that he had been writing. After immigrating to the US from overseas, his first car in the states was either a 1962 or 63 Spider (white exterior, red interior). I have photos I'll scan in once I have a free moment (might be a few weeks since they've been boxed up).
We wanted to start a project car together, and after finding out about his Fiat, and having had a 2013 Fiat 500 (sold it to get a slightly larger car for my husband and I), I think I've come to a point in my life where it's either bite the bullet, or never do it.
I've been looking at a few potential prospects. This would be my first project car, I am an ABSOLUTE newb on restoration. I have neighbors fixing up Karmman Ghia's and a ford enthusiast working on a '39 Coupe, both have been more than happy to give advice.
Thanks for having me
-K
- azruss
- Posts: 3659
- Joined: Sun May 30, 2010 12:24 pm
- Your car is a: 80 Fiat 2000 FI
Re: Newbie in San Francisco, CA
Of all the older Fiats, i would recommend a 124. They are the easiest to find parts. have an excellent and knowledgeable owner base, as this website attests to. Also have great vendors who also own and drive these cars as well as participate in the forum. The cars were made from 69 to 85, so you have a huge range to choose from. Many of the parts interchange across the years.