New in Wisconsin

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Gosta

New in Wisconsin

Post by Gosta »

Hi guys, I just picked up a new to me 1979 Spider. Got a pretty descent deal on it, though it needs a new top and has some rust issues. I am new to Fiat and look forward to learning about this little red sports car.

Picking up the car was quite the story. I had contacted the owner on Sunday morning, he said that he would have it all ready to go. So I picked up a friend and met him at his condo at 2:30pm. We went down to see the car, my friend and I peaked around, crawled under the car, poked, prodded, ya know the normal inspection stuff. He then went to start it up and with the turn of the key...a big fat nothing. I noticed that the battery cables were loose and the clamps were way beyond the end of their lives. He offered to jump it with his other car, we consented. After it had charged for a minute or two he attempted to start it. This time it cranked over but would not fire. Noticing the gas gauge was empty we recommended getting some gas. We rode with the owner down to the gas station, picked up a gallon of fuel and came back. Low and behold it started. Took it for a test drive and was impressed with it's handling and acceleration, even with all the cobwebs still nesting inside it was pretty quick. (side note I'm used to air cooled volkswagens, snails are quick to me). I offered him $1400 he said yes and I became the proud owner.

I drove it home last night and to work this morning. It was a cold drive, here in Wisconsin it's still be low freezing out, but so much fun.

Anyways enough with words what you probably really want to see is some pics. So here they are.

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pope

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by pope »

Theres your problem right there...the battery gets hooked up in the trunk. It will also alleviate the smell of battery acid in the cabin.

Looks great and welcome. I'll bet a new top is in order. Interior looks very clean and original. Not bad for a 30 year old car.

Wait till you drive it on a summers day with the top down,
Last edited by pope on Mon Mar 02, 2009 7:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gosta

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by Gosta »

Hehehe. Ya, the po replaced the battery last time thinking it was bad, but I doubt it. He didn't have a clue about cars.

Yes a new top is in order. I just need to figure out if it shall be cloth or vinyl.
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TulsaSpider
Posts: 1547
Joined: Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:33 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Spyder 124 2L
Location: Tulsa, Ok

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by TulsaSpider »

Wow! Clean car! Looks like you got a great deal! Congrats!
1978 Spyder 1800 make that 2L! Finally making real progress!
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by ga.spyder »

Welcome to the forum.The car looks good,and convertible tops are pretty cheap for these cars.Love the Westfalia,I have always wanted one!Good luck
Craig
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
mbouse

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by mbouse »

Gosta,

where in wisconsin? near the illinois border? i have some friends with a 60+member FLU chapter operating in and around the greater chicago area. they have some active folks in wisconsin as well.

check them out at http://www.meetup.com/chicagolandfiatandlancia/

and, welcome to the forum. thanks for including pictures. we like to kid around,so watch out.

hey, that hot air tube from the exhaust manifold to the intake isn't plastic, is it?
rlux4
Patron 2022
Patron 2022
Posts: 4211
Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Your car is a: 1982 2000 Spider
Location: Granite Falls, Wa

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by rlux4 »

Welcome aboard Gosta. You definately got a killer deal on a good looking car. You're going to love how it looks with a new top on it. My car came with a poor looking tan top, but it had a new black top in the trunk. What color are you thinking of for yours?
Enjoy your new car.
Ron
Ron Luxmore
rlux2n2@gmail.com
'82 2000 Spider: after 26 years between Spiders.
Gosta

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by Gosta »

ga.spyder wrote:Welcome to the forum.The car looks good,and convertible tops are pretty cheap for these cars.Love the Westfalia,I have always wanted one!Good luck
Craig
Thanks. The bus is actually a Contempo, very rare and unsaught after. :lol: I only know of about 5 still on the road and only one with an original interior. But I love it, it's is a joy to drive. These two make up my daily driver. 8)
mbouse wrote:Gosta,

where in wisconsin? near the illinois border? i have some friends with a 60+member FLU chapter operating in and around the greater chicago area. they have some active folks in wisconsin as well.
I am in Madison, about 2 hours or so from Chicago.
mbouse wrote:
hey, that hot air tube from the exhaust manifold to the intake isn't plastic, is it?
No, it appears to be a corrugated metal with a rubberized shell. But I really haven't looked into it yet.
rlux4 wrote:Welcome aboard Gosta. You definately got a killer deal on a good looking car. You're going to love how it looks with a new top on it. My car came with a poor looking tan top, but it had a new black top in the trunk. What color are you thinking of for yours?
Enjoy your new car.
Ron
Thanks. I think I will go with tan...or maybe black...no definitely tan....I think :lol:
I guess I first need to deiced whether it should be vinyl or canvas.

There is some rust, one bad spot under the driver's seat and the passenger's rocker panel has a replacement panel screwed over the old one. :roll:

But the rest seems solid enough.
So Cal Mark

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by So Cal Mark »

welcome, the car looks great! If the car feels quick to you now, you'll be thrilled with backdating the intake manifold and carb to an 1800 style.
mbouse

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by mbouse »

yup. dump that stock carb and intake and replace it with something with some pep.

Madison? if you see a funning looking Triumph Spitwad running about with a jacked up front end... wave to the guy. He bought my car..
kuhndg

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by kuhndg »

looks pretty nice for a Wisconsin car. Any previos history on the car as to where it was kept?

btw, I am about an hour south of you in Delavan.
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ga.spyder
Posts: 3478
Joined: Tue Nov 06, 2007 7:19 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000
Location: Blairsville ,Ga.

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by ga.spyder »

I know its a Fiat site ,but what is the difference between a Contempo and Westfalia?I have never heard of one before.I used to camp with some friends in a Westy,many years ago.
Craig
Craig Nelson

1982 Spider 2000...pride and joy
1981 Fiat X1/9..gone but not forgotten
1976 124 Spider..the self-healer
2001 BMW 328ci daily driver and track car
Fling It Around Turns !
Gosta

Re: New in Wisconsin

Post by Gosta »

kuhndg wrote:looks pretty nice for a Wisconsin car. Any previos history on the car as to where it was kept?

btw, I am about an hour south of you in Delavan.
The PO purchased it out of Illinios about two years ago and drove it back. That's about all I know.
ga.spyder wrote:I know its a Fiat site ,but what is the difference between a Contempo and Westfalia?I have never heard of one before.I used to camp with some friends in a Westy,many years ago.
Craig
Well there were 100's of camper conversion for the VW all around the world. Westfalia, also known as a Westy, was by far the most popular and sought after. They were typically pop tops. Contempo was a small manufacture out of California that only used deluxe buses (Westfalia used base level). Contempos have fiberglass tops that are of a fixed height (makes it about 8' tall, with a 6' standing room). They both offered different options such as sinks, stoves, extra seating, tables, etc. Contempo used poor grade plywood and laminet so most of the interiors didn't survive (mine was stripped when I got it). Like I said I only know of about 5 or so that are still on the road as opposed to the multitudes of Westies.
mbouse wrote:yup. dump that stock carb and intake and replace it with something with some pep.
The Fiat and the bus are daily drivers for me, so I need reliability and economy more than pep. I have been thinking of going fuel injection, once started though it runs great. It's been around 0 the past couple of mornings and I am sure it has summer weight oil in it. This has necessitated the use of a little starting fluid first thing in the morning.
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