'75 124 Spider in South West Pennsylvania

[ezrec]

Got my first Spider, a 1975 Fiat 124, 1800cc.

Originally off-white, but the previous-previous owner:

* Removed the smog/emissions system
* Disconnected the hot-water choke
* Randomly attached half the vac system to whatever seemed handy
* Plugged up the other half of the vac system with bolts
* Jury-rigged half the electrical system with duct tape
* Painted the car jet black (luckily done by a professional - not rattle-can!)

What's good:

* Engine *purrs* and starts easy after I fixed the VAC system and rebuilt and calibrated the carb.
* Suspension and interior are in ok shape (only a little vinyl cracking and faded carpet)

What I have to get:

* All the emissions stuff (PA/Allegheny county want to see all the equipment is there, *not* that it works)
* New timing belt (P.O. didn't change it, and got the car in 1997!)
* Re-wire all the 'hacked up' wiring back to factory colors and routing.

Fun fun fun!

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum ezrec. Lucky you, you get to work on your Fiat. Now, there's a change.
Doesn't sound like you're intimidated though.
Good luck, and we would like to see pics of your new car.
Ron

[mbouse]

Hi and welcome. Got relatives just north of you.

bringing a bunch thru in July on our way to the Poconos. will be staying in Warren Pennsylvania on July 12th. You should join us. I will have at least 12 Fiats in tow....alright, hopefully not in tow, but tagging along caravan style. Starting points are Chicago, Grand Rapids, Indianapolis, Detroit, Cincinnati, Cleveland...and of course.. Coldwater Michigan.

We're all going to the FIAT FREAK OUT 2008.... the 25th anniversary of our national annual gathering.

You should make plans to join in on the biggest Italian gathering of the summer.


and, please post some pictures.

[mdrburchette]

Welcome! I also have family in the Belle Vernon area. Do try to visit during the Fiat Freakout. It's a great place to meet many of us and learn about your car although it sounds like you'll be getting pretty intimate with it soon.

[baltobernie]

Hello ezrec, and welcome.

The underside of POs dashboards is like opening a murder mystery, isn't it? Fortunately, many of them have been as lazy as sloppy; with zip cord, speaker wire, etc. making it a little easier for us. I'm suprised I didn't find some Romex under there!

A search of this site will net you a very complete wiring diagram and lots of helpful tips.

Hope you can make it to Pocono. The following Wednesday is a riverfront cruise as part of the Vintage GP in Pgh. I hope to make that; let me know if you're going.

Good luck in the "Keystone State Collision". Should be a great series, with both teams at their peak.

Bernie
ex-Brookline

[kristoj]

Welcome to the forum! I am only a couple of hours from you in N.E. Ohio. I will be attending Freakout as well as the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix the following weekend. All Italian cars are the 'featured mark' at the PVGP car show this year, so hopefully I'll see you there.

[ezrec]

I'm not quite comfortable enough to drive my Spider to the Ponos just yet, but I'll definately look into the Vintage Grand Prix.

(Although I have a *ton* of interior work to do before I would even consider placing my Spider next to the lovingly restored machines I've seen at the VGP in years past!)

[kristoj]

I'm not quite comfortable enough to drive my Spider to the Ponos just yet, but I'll definately look into the Vintage Grand Prix.

(Although I have a *ton* of interior work to do before I would even consider placing my Spider next to the lovingly restored machines I've seen at the VGP in years past!)

Well, I am going to be there and I wouldn't exactly describe my car as lovingly restored -- at least not yet. I have a year head start on you though, so I understand. I have spent almost all of my time/money on getting the mechanicals back into tip-top shape. Though I must admit that I did have a tear in the driver's seat repaired and just replaced the carpeting two weeks ago, so the interior is looking pretty good. But it is no show car. If nothing else, you should come by just to check out any other Fiats that will be there and network with some of the owners in your area. Depending on what happens driving to and from FFO, I may be there without my Spider as well!