Hello from Steeler Nation

[dano15044]

I finally jumped in the deep end and got a 1971 Spider, my first classic car. I told my wife I wasn't buying a car, but rather, a new hobby. This excellent forum was actually a factor in my decision to get a Fiat instead of one of my other choices. You guys are awesome! I'm not even a novice mechanic. Other than brake pads, rotors and oil changes I haven't done much. With that in mind, I thank you all in advance for your patience, support, and well-chosen emoticons that will undoubtedly convey both empathy and exasperation.

Full disclosure, after owning the car for 3 whole hours I broke the one and only ignition key. I wish I was joking. Getting another key made is looking bleak for a few reasons, which leads me to...

Project #1: Install new ignition switch, followed quickly by Project #2: Fix the three other things I break while installing the ignition.

Wish me luck.

Dan

[RRoller123]

Welcome! You will find lots of friendly and knowledgeable people here!


HOW TO POST PICTURES IN FIATSPIDER.COM

Well that picture-posting thing sure is confusing. Took me forever to figure it out. Here is what I do:

First, you must post your pictures on photobucket.com or one of the similar competing websites. You can't post pics directly from your computer. So set up a free account there first. The instructions here reference photobucket.com.

Then in your FS.com post, look for the "Img" box at the top of the post, #9 from the left in the row of command icons.

Put the cursor where you want the pic to appear in the post (leave a few spaces after text is a good idea) and click the "Img" button/icon above.

Then go to the photobucket.com site (or competitor) and find your pic. Hover the cursor over the pic and a drop down menu will appear. Then click the "Direct Link" or similar button. In Photobucket, it will respond with a "copied" indication.

Go back to your FS.com post and make sure the cursor is EXACTLY in between the 2 Img boxes: [img](cursor%20in%20here)[/img] then right click and hit "paste" and the web link for the pic will show up in between the 2 img boxes. DON'T hit the IMG button a second time. MOVE your cursor out of the IMG info you just created before you hit enter.

Now when you post the post, the pic will be there!

Remember that if you delete the photobucket "master" pic, it will no longer appear in the posting here on FS.com

Also: there is a size limit to the pictures that can be displayed here, I think it is 750 pixels in width, someone correct me if I am wrong. So you may need to resize (typically downsize) the pics so that they fit properly and all of the pic is displayed and not cropped.
If you right click on the picture file location, you can edit it in windows:

Choose “RESIZE” then “PIXELS” then put 750 in the “HORIZONTAL” box. The vertical will automatically adjust to keep the photo proportional. Close the window, and choose “SAVE” while doing so, and you are all set.

[dano15044]

Here's a pic

[baltobernie]

Hello and Welcome! That's a very pretty car; where did you get it? I hope you get a chance to drive it a little before the season ends.

[Exit98]

So I guess you're around Pittsburgh. Not much of a football fan but I think I figured it out.

There were a bunch of us out your way past July for the annual Fiat Freakout held in conjunction with the Pittsburgh Historic Grand Prix in Shenley Park. Had a great time.

Your car looks great. 71-72's are among the very best years. How did you find it?

[dano15044]

I live 25 minutes north of Pittsburgh and work 30 minutes further north. The fiat was in a barn 5 minutes from my job. It went down like this. I decided to get a classic car and narrowed the field to a spider, tr4 or a tr6. I was talking with a friend at work and mentioned the list. He wasn't familiar with spiders so we googled a picture of one. He said it looked familiar and thought his dad might have one. Well, he did and, more importantly, he wanted to sell it. It was really very fortunate the way it played out. I was happy with the price and the fact that it came with antique plates, so I got it. The PO rescued it from a barn about 10 years ago where it sat for 7 years. I'm the 4th owner. Other than a very amateur respray and a brand new cooling system, the car is completely unmolested, but a bit tired and showing its age (like me). I plan to keep it stock but will probably give it a proper paint job after I have fun with it next summer. It needs some other work but it runs, drives and stops so nothing is urgent.

Cheers

[SP3]

I live 25 minutes north of Pittsburgh and work 30 minutes further north.

Nearly all of my relatives are from Harmony or Zelienople. Inlaws are from Unionville (between Zeli and Rochester). Was just there last weekend. Are you from around that "north" or more east?

Good looking find, by the way.

[dano15044]

I work in Fombell, just west of Zelie. The car was in Fombell. You know, there are probably less than 10 spiders for sale within 100 miles of me. I still find it so peculiar that a '71 in the right condition at the right price was 3 miles from where I work in the garage of a friend's dad.

[SP3]

Yep, I am familiar with Fombell. Small world. Keep the updates and pics coming.

[spiderdan]

Welcome Dan, great find.

I plan to keep it stock

Another Dan with a classic.
I know you will enjoy your Spider as much as I enjoy mine.