UK Newbie wanting a spider

[Wanting]

Hello all
I'm from the UK and I'm looking for a non fi 124 spider ideally a European spec with small bumpers.
I don't mind getting my hands dirty so I'm looking forward to ownership

[aj81spider]

Keep us posted. You won't regret joining the Spider family!

[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


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

[Wanting]

Finding a decent one is no easy job. They're not that popular in the uk.
I may have to ignore the first rule of buying a classic and buy blind, just hope I'm a good judge of character.

[Wanting]

Hi All

I now have this sat on my drive
It's a 1972 spider from Germany. One owner and has covered 90,000 kms.
It goes for a UK MOT later this week, will be interesting to see how it does

[toplessexpat]

She looks great.... Good luck with the MOT!

Then you can start considering a RHD conversion....

[AriK]

Very nice car. I always say those Germans always have a very disciplined course of action. You won't be getting your hands very dirty with this one.

[Wanting]

Passed the MOT with just the lights needing adjustment for driving on UK roads.

I'm amazed.

[georgeramos]

It's an amazing car. Congrats on finding such a beautiful example !

[JanDC]

Very nice car. I always say those Germans always have a very disciplined course of action. You won't be getting your hands very dirty with this one.

These cars are popular and well cared for in Germany. The owners tend to stick to the original cosmetic specs. No basket cases around. Spiders were not really cheap when new in Europe.
I recently went to Germany to buy all the parts I needed for a restoration. Five (internet-)adresses to choose from, three of them are in a 30 km circle (!), so clearly there is work for each of them.
I bought most parts at Schiminski's "O&S", he is specialised in maintenance of these cars, looks like a professor and gave me good tips.

Greetings,
Jan

2000 F.I., 1980, ex-L.A., reimported 1990
Stood for last 15 years,
restored last months, now European specs

[Redline]

These cars are popular and well cared for in Germany. The owners tend to stick to the original cosmetic specs. No basket cases around.

In Germany, and even more so in Switzerland, you simply can't have a basket case. The TÜV / MFK (annual or semi-annual inspection) takes care of that. Anything that even has the faintest hint of compromising safety will get your car pulled from the road, so they will have already been caught and fixed long before crossmembers can fail, shock towers show holes, sills rot through etc. My guy here is merciless with a big screwdriver. If he spots anything he doesn't like, it can even be a brown discolouration, he will give it a good poking and prodding. Sometimes it hurts; he failed my old sporty Toyota TwinCam when he could poke a 1cm hole in the rear wheel well, because it was within 10cm of the seatbelt mounting point. The flip side is that you can buy with a fair amount of confidence if it has passed the MFK recently. It's no guarantee of lasting quality, but it typically means the body is solid, the brakes are serviceable, the suspension bushings are not perished, the steering is tight, nothing leaks and all critical electrics (lights, wipers, gauges, blower) are functioning. That's already 75% of the problems people typically deal with on this forum.

The main difference between the German TüV and the Swiss MFK, especially for classics, is that the TüV seems to tolerate a lot more welding repairs with patches, whereas the Swiss really want to see proper repair panels, butted in properly.

[AriK]

I second that about basketcases with Germany's TÜV. Many of our Spiders would be heavily scrutinized during those inspections. I have personally seen the expensive machinery that stress-tests the front suspension. All the technician has to do is place a finger on each joint in order to feel a knock. Most Spiders would be rejected solely for the oil leaks alone.

I bought most parts at Schiminski's "O&S", he is specialised in maintenance of these cars, looks like a professor and gave me good tips.

I've bought many items from Schiminsky when i had a shipping contact in Germany and before AR was around. Very helpful and he knew his stuff.


. Of course, Auto Ricambi is my first choice now, if i can only get another keychain

[Wanting]

I find myself searching through german ebay and websites as the prices are a lot cheaper then here in the uk.
Delivery can be next day as well if you need it and of course there is no import tax ☺