Mechanic/Rust Repair in South Florida

[LetsGoMets]

Hi all, I'm located in southeast Florida in Broward county and am looking for some shop recommendations.
My '72 spider has a little rust around the shock tower and rocker panel that I want taken care of. Would want someone to investigate for any other rust issues that might be festering as well.
Looking for a mechanic too that knows these cars to give it a good inspection and diagnose any issues that need to be addressed.
I picked this up as a first project and want to get started on the right foot!

Thanks for your help.
- Tony

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I can't help you with suggestions for a shop in Florida, but if it's the rocker panel itself that is rusted, many of us just buy new rocker panels. Such as: https://www.vickauto.com/FIAT-PARTS/FIA ... KU-81-9311

You can get them in steel or ABS plastic. I found a right/left pair on Ebay for $80 with free shipping (yes, I was skeptical), but they were surprisingly heavy gauge steel and the right shape/size as far as I could tell. Required a bit of trimming, and there were no bolts welded in either end like the original, but any competent body shop would be able to deal with this.

-Bryan

[LetsGoMets]

Thanks Brian. Appreciate the tip!

[GM68124Spider]

Hey Tony,

I'm from Parkland FL...but riding out the pandemic in PA. I never needed body work on my FIAT, but did use a body shop in Boca to paint the sunburned roof of my daily driver. They did good work, reasonably. Boca's Best Collision Center, Eliana in office, Ray is owner - 561-361-8081.

If your rocker is rusted, before you replace it check the inner rocker it's likely rusty also, rust-proof the new one. The shock tower, buy a replacement part (easy to find), cut out the rusty one and weld in the new...don't delay on that if it gives out you're going to be riding your front end on the pavement.

I have FIAT's early 1968 Spider show car, since new.

It took me many years to find a good Italian mechanic; as we all know most are butchers and/or dishonest. His place was a one car at a time immaculate shop in Hollywood, called Ital Auto. Alfredo Morello is from Sicily and only worked on Italian cars, Alfa & FIAT were his specialties, with the odd Ferrari or Lambo. Unfortunately a few years ago his back gave out and he retired. A long time client, the few occasions I needed him (the car goes maybe 400 mi/yr) he would come to my home to work on my car. I don't know if he will still do that, but you can try calling 954-456-3124. If he answers tell him Gary Mair referred you.

[rdv]

I have FIAT's early 1968 Spider show car, since new.

Hi Gary, that sounds like a great story. How do you get this special car?

Can we get your car data for the worldwide Spider register? But thats another story..

Bye, Ralf

[GM68124Spider]

Ralf,

In answer to how I got the show model: My best friend's father was seriously into sports cars, back when they were so rare that sports car drivers waved to each other. Always something cool in their garage. He took us to SCCA races, and I got into the genre. This gent was at the 1968 New York auto show looking for another Ferrari, and saw the 124 Spider. He found it was coming to Pittsburgh, where we lived. I loved the car, arranged to buy it after FIAT was done with the show. Not being old enough to buy a car, but having cut lawns for savings for many years, I got my mother to take my cash and buy it (June 1968). Dad, a luxury car guy, didn't care for it until years later.

Much of this car is unique, seems it was built pre-US intro, so it's a mix. Which has always made parts sourcing "fun".

Interesting aside: I've asked FIAT/Alfa Storico for a classiche certificate. After a lot of back and forth with Italy, they found that all 124 Spider manufacturing data is gone. Apparently it was hand entered and the "books" (as they call it) were not transferred when that factory was closed. All they can confirm is the date of manufacture, no details. I ordered a Classiche Certificate anyway, it's 70 Euros.

They also could not give me any info of paint formulas. I found a source with them all, if anyone needs it.

VIN# 124AS6191. Motore Engine 124AC000. Paint color 601.

Gary

[rdv]

Hi Gary,
thanks for this interesting informations about your car!

It seems to be a really special car: the engine 124AC.000 is used for the european market, the serial number ..6191 could be a normal US delivered car, see numbers around:
124AS0006112 => US market
124AS0006127 => US market
124AS0006167 => US market
--- your 6191 ----
124AS0006208 => US market
124AS0006252 => Euro market

So this means: your car is NOT a pre-US model. The first US car is officially named with 124AS0005619:
"First spider of model year 1968 that was officially imported to the U.S.A."

Your paint code is 601 black? Thats unusual for this period, our paint statistics says: more than 50% are red! In my picture collection I found 2 pictures of an International Auto Show 1968 in the USA: car is red!



Can we get some pictures from your car?

Cheers Ralf

[Huck22]

Hello everyone!

I have an 1882 Fiat 2000 that was restored about 10 years ago. Unforchanitly, it threw a rod and has been sitting for a while. I can not find a mechanic in the Atlanta area that knows these cars. My mechanic here passed away about 8 years ago and I haven't found anyone since.

Can anyone recommend someone?

TY in advance!
John