Save the 79!

[NJFIAT1981]

Recently picked up a 1979 Spider here in New Jersey with a great amount of help from one of my fellow NJFIAT.ORG Members. Got it for a good price as a parts car. Had the usual rusted through floor boards, wheel well arches and it didn't run. Many spots where somebody tried to do a cheap fix up job with bondo and a cheap paint job.
Took it home and just for giggles I put it on the battery charger. Next day the darn thing started right up. Didn't overheat. I was amazed. So I registered it and took it for a drive around the block and to the gas station. Shifted through all gears without a hitch.
One the way home it started to bog down and then stall. Maybe the fuel filter clogged up or it might have a vacume leak.
Asked the wife if I could keep it instead of parting it out. No place to keep it. So the question is do I fix it up for resale or part it out. I paid very little for it. I hate to strip it and send the hulk to the crusher. I will post some pics tomorrow. Anyone have any thoughts please feel free to chime in.

Exit 98 told me it's like bringing home the kitten you found on the corner. That exit98 used to be such a fun loving guy.

[akavinn1]

I know you want to save it lol

[tonyfromjersey]

Save it. You can always find another parts car. That one looked pretty decent.

[narfire]

Any fiats regardless of the year with a good frame/bod and crap mechanicals nearby?...Oh can this get bad real quick..(I have 4 in the yard at work)
Chris

[fiat218]

i got a 69 that im trying to get rid off, but it all apart and in boxes, was going to restore it but i purchaze one that already done:)
but i am keeping the 1608 that in it , the rest can go, it was a complete car but some things i sold

[Exit98]

[quote="Had the usual rusted through floor boards, wheel well arches and it didn't run. Many spots where somebody tried to do a cheap fix up job with bondo and a cheap paint job.[/quote]

INTERVENTION! INTERVENTION!

George, you forgot to mention the rotten scraps of canvas remaining from the ancient top, the top frame that disintigrated in our hands, and the fact that he you were driving around the neighborhood with no brakes. It's got a hardtop from hell and has been painted by hand apparently with K-Mart paintbrushes.

And he bought plates and insurance for it!

George mentioned how cheap it was but I reminded him that he paid an addional $100 to have the hulk towed home. He said that $100 bucks didn't count since that was what he got for the remains of his last parts car dragged out of his driveway last week.

His wife is a saint.

[fiat218]

hahah holy mole, AMEN

[NJFIAT1981]

Come on now Doug. Envy does not become you. You just want to have several parts cars cluttering up your driveway and a garage full of parts

You are right my wife is a saint. Glad I found her. Now if I could just find a 12 step program for fiataholics. Hi my name is George

[azygoustoyou]

You know what you have to do! Bring it down and I'll do the work and well discuss the amount which would be fair to both of us.

[lanciahf]

Problem with saving a "free" spider is that you have to put in as much work as you do restoring a pristine spider.

[akavinn1]

I Hate to see a spider go to the crusher lol bp

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Eric,
You need two spiders Stop by to check out your new ride

[Fiat88]

Always nice to save a Fiat from the crusher. You know they aint making these kind anymore!

[NJFIAT1981]

Had coffee last night with the group from NJFIATS.ORG. Lots of valid reasons to part it out But I can hear it wimpering in the driveway waiting to be saved. We shall see.

[narfire]

George.. I hear you....going through the same thing with a coupe about an hour or so away... Hate to see it get crushed.
If you have a place to store it,perhaps put it aside for a month or so and then re-evaluate.
Chris