2 spiders to restore in Bend, Oregon

[michaelgough]

Hi guys,
Time for an introduction. I have two spiders that I just can't let go, to the chagrin of my lovely wife! The first car I ever bought was a '71 124 Sport Coupe. Man would I love to get that back. The next car I bought, I was 21 years old, was a '78 brown with tan beauty of a spider, and - wait for it - I still have the car. Brought it to Oregon when I moved from Atlanta. It was running then, but haven't cranked it in 10 years. I really want to restore it, but the body and interior are really rough. Mechanically it's sound, but worried about rust problems. Maybe it can be saved - hope so. It has been the topic of the few arguments that my wife and I have ever had.

Three or four years ago I bought an '81 off ebay for $2K. Ran but overheated on a regular basis. Yeah, I know. Just bit the bullet and dropped $1600 to rebuild the top end, head was badly warped, boil out the radiator, new Ansa muffler, and a several other mechanical fixes. Next is paint (like the new Fiat 500 red), interior, and wheels and tires.

That's my story. I look forward to any and all advice from you guys that obviously have the same Fiat sickness that I have!

Thanks, Michael

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! Lots of us have the same illness!