Possible Newbie from Michigan

[VanFaasenC]

Wow, I think that paint is hiding a lot of rust. That engine looks pretty rough. The doors look like they have some pretty significant waves in them. I can only imagine what the under belly looks like. I'd have to think pretty hard at that one.

He states the rust seems to be surface rust. There is a dent in the drivers door and hood. Anyone have a guess on the original color. I have a few friends that do paint and body work. The car needs a VERY GOOD cleaning. He said there was alot of dust on it went he went to pull it out of the garage. I am ok with doing some minor work but detailing and mechanical but have never worked on one before. I am sure it needs some fluid changes!!!

[mbouse]

not running for a while dictates fluid changes. if you can be assured that there is not cancer on the shock towers and no cancer on the lower firewall and floor pan, then it is worth the effort to change the fluids and dust 'er off.

you can, in the heat of the summer, make your investment back and a little more in a big city like detroit.

that is, unless you wanna keep that automatic.

if it is a manual tranny you are really after, then i would suggest letting this one go and searching for a $2k car with the tranny you desire. you already stated that you aren't the mechanic you wanna be. . . paying someone else to swap the tranny in this car is gonna cost you more than you will wanna invest.

[mdrburchette]

Interesting pics of your potential Spider. I see that it looks like someone bondoed the seams to the lower quarter panels. Those panels can be replaced relatively easily to eliminate the rust there, but the paint will be damaged when you pop them off since the seam has been eliminated. As far as the engine compartment, I haven't seen too many Fiats with a spanking clean engine bay. It looks like all the necessary parts are there and it can be cleaned up. The rust bubbles in the paint is more than likely caused by rust from the inside of the panel since paint seals the metal on the outside. There may be some hidden damage.
The shock towers everyone is referring to is the suspension shock mounting towers. If you could find someone in the Cleveland area to look at the car, they could check out the floorpans and shock towers. Since the car is a unibody, the floor pans are an important part of body integrity. Rusted out shock towers is a safety concern. Also, a good thing to look for on a 2L is a dented oil pan. A good dent could damage the oil pump.
It doesn't look all that bad considering the age and where it's been living, but if you want to keep the car, you'll want to learn how to replace rusted panels and paint.

[VanFaasenC]

I told him to look at the shock towers but where are they? Do you have to pull the inner fender? I told him to look at the floor pans and he said they look good. He stated it seemed as if it had been undercoated at some point in time which I assume would be when new. So the lower part of the firewall is a danger spot also?

[mbouse]

below the pedals is what i meant. not actually the floor, not really the firewall. if this area and or the floor boards are weak or rotted you have some major issues.

we retired a 1974 last year for that exact issue.

[So Cal Mark]

I think I'd try to buy that car for less than $1k, and drive the heck out of it.

[pope]

When you look at the engine, look at the radiator. It looks like its on its last leg. That could be the paint missing on the copper core or red primer that sprayed through the front, but I think it is more. The seams on the core have copper corrosion on them. Use your fingers to make sure the core is solid and not mushy.
You have to know what your expectations are. Are you going to want to start fixing this spider up or just drive it and have fun till it really starts to rust.
Its only $1500. You can have fun for a while, but it will need some love in the future.

[mdrburchette]

I told him to look at the shock towers but where are they? Do you have to pull the inner fender? I told him to look at the floor pans and he said they look good. He stated it seemed as if it had been undercoated at some point in time which I assume would be when new. So the lower part of the firewall is a danger spot also?

Look in the wheel wells in the area of where the upper control arms bolt in and up. I guess you may need to pull the inner fenders. I don't know since my car doesn't have any. Show your paint and body buddies the pics of the rust issues and let them give you an opinion. Surface rust happens when the paint gets thin and a fine rust starts forming on the unprotected metal.