1971 Sport Spider in Minnesota

[micktierney]

After years of keeping a curious eye out for a project car I landed a 1971 Fiat Spider a few weeks ago on Craigslist. It was the first time in all those years I had looked up Fiat. Previously I'd exclusively looked for 1960's Mustangs, Triumphs (I figured I'd end up with a Sprite), or an Austin Healey. I couldn't be more excited and I'm looking forward this board.

A little background about me. I grew up around a Triumph TR3 and a 1964 Austin Healey 3000. There was also a 12 cylinder '69 XKE Coupe in the barn that never ran... but what an engine to even look at. The thing was huge. My first (and last) restoration was almost 20 years ago on a 1966 stock Ford Mustang coupe. I replaced almost everything in the interior, rehabbed the dash, brought the exterior up to great shape with new chrome bumpers, handles, locks... I even had her painted a gorgeous original blue. The engine was in pretty good shape and after a few trips to the junk yard (they used to be everywhere back then) she ran great, but what the car really needed was some TLC on the brakes and a transmission rebuild. Sadly, before I could get to the brakes and tranny I took the car down to college for Spring semester and a driver ran a stop sign. Crash. Bent frame. Never saw that car again.

So I'm really looking forward to ordering another set of chrome bumpers!!! But really, I LOVE the styling of the '71. The hood bumps on the later models are cool but there's something classic about the lines of this car. This time around I'm excited about working my way from the engine up. This winter I plan to take apart the carburetor, replace 1st and 2nd gears, and get the brakes up to maximum operability (they're not too bad on first impression). That said my new wood inserts for the dash arrived yesterday... My 2 year old sidekick insisted on ordering that first.

Cheers! And I look forward to any advise.

Mick

[Exit98]

Mick,

Good luck with the 71. It's a great year. 1600 motor?

I check CL once a week or so. Can't place your new car. Please post some pictures.

[micktierney]

Thanks. I'm in it for a full custom restoration. Nothing crazy just comfort and family fun mostly. So any and all advise/opinions very welcome here.

I nabbed it two days after it went up CL out of Wausau, WI. Perfect timing. The owner had posted it in August. Red with no front bumper.

I'm the third owner. Previous guy was a car guy and dropped a '73 engine in it, 1608cc with 132AC.OC header and DHSA carb. Not a ton of "needs" so it will hopefully be a driveable resto. But it has fiberglass front fenders, a little rust, and hasn't been driven much for the last 5 years. But I have access to a rotisserie and a ton of motor heads on my mom's side of the family.

If you can't tell I'm drooling. Please don't break my heart little '71!

Will send pics when I learn how.

[baltobernie]

Hello and welcome!

Fiberglass front fenders? That implies some significant previous rust or collision, as these fenders are not at all easy to replace. Be sure and Search this great forum for tips on structural inspection locations (and How to Post Photos ).

[micktierney]

Previous owner says they were rusted at the head lamps which would rattle around. I'll be able to get the car on a rotisserie lift next Spring to really get a good look.

[baltobernie]

Please perform the basic structural exam at the critical points before beginning your restoration. Don't wait until it's on the rotisserie.

[micktierney]

Everything looks great in the engine compartment. Motor mounts are solid. Trunk compartment is solid too. Drivers floor board needs to be replaced. Recommendations on where to look next and what to look for? I have read to check the shock mounts.
Thanks!

[baltobernie]

You see that box in the upper-right corner of the page? That's where you place your search terms, and you might as well get proficient in its use; it will save you many dollars and hours. Here are a couple of links easily found in this manner:

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/buyspid.html
http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... st#p174876

[micktierney]

I actually had the guy I bought from take extensive pictures of the car based on the mirafiori buyers guide that you linked. But thanks! I did another inspection and I think I got a steal on a really solid car. There is a heavy rust proofing that went on at some point, I'm hoping around 1980 but it might have been closer to the mid 90's. So I'll need to get that off before a full analysis can be made. But from the initial analysis based on the Mirafiori guide I'm feeling really good.

A lot of the moving parts need to be attended to. Everything but the motor itself and the exhaust will need full maintenance. And after my experience with my Mustang's breaks I'm going to upgrade the break system to better than original. Possibly with an Abarth racing setup? Would that be doable/fun to have???

I can save the dash and restore that to great condition. The center console needs to be replaced. And the roof is toast but very serviceable, especially since in Minnesota it will only be driven top down. But the signals are all there, and the chrome from the door panels inserts to the windshield and head wipers are good!

I'll set up a new thread to post updates. Will have pictures. Thanks for the help guys! I think I'm ready to commit to this little guy who my family and I have affectionately named Enzo.

First off: timing belt!!!

[Ploeppe]

Cool, man! I, too, have a '71that I bought from a guy in Minnesota and had shipped to Washington. I got lucky-my car, originally a California car, has almost no rust. The battery area is the only place.

I think you will find that your Fiat is the coolest car you've ever owned, or at least on the "short list". I Have had Fiats almost without a break since 1979, and I love them. I love Alfas, too, but personally I think the Fiat is a better car. Prettier, too, but that's really subjective, and the early Alfa Spyder (id est, the "Boattail"), is another of the prettiest cars ever built. Some folks like Alfas better, but The 124 benefitted by being a newer design, and by having the engine designed by Aurelio Lampredi, the legendary Ferrari engine designer, and the body designed by Tom Tjaarda, who also designed the Ferrari 275 GTS, which really looks like the big brother of the 124.

Anyway, congratulation! Have fun! I'm happy for you. I hope you come to love your 124 with the same passion that I have for mine!!! Oh, and get the DHSA offa there, and put a pair of IDF's on it, like they came with in Europe! Yeah, baby!! They go like stink with the twins on there.

[quanta2]

I just finished a 71 I bought one year ago. Rust free from Cali but all the seals were bad. I agree with the previous post to get rid of the DHSA. I used a Weber DFEV on a 1980 intake manifold. After downsizing the jetting (Brad has a great article) it is fast. Also put on larger exhaust from AR. KONI shocks, new A - arms, etc. great fun!

[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/f15/viewtopic ... 13&t=32169

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084

This short instruction covers how to resize pictures so that they don’t get cut off at the right side:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=30441

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