New Member In Virginia

[4babycar]

Hi- I'm Jen and I (with A LOT of help from my Dad- In- Law) am restoring my husband's 81' Spider as a surprise! He has been out of town for 2 weeks and will be gone for 3 more- so that is the time line for the suprise restoration! My husband got was given "Baby Car" by his parents in 1993 when he first started driving- he drove her nearly full time until 2000 when someone slashed the top and then the fiat failed inspection because of the exhaust system...at that point we didn't have the money to put into Baby Car: we were planning a wedding, buying a house, and trying to find "grown-up" jobs.....So, anyway, here I am 2 kids and 8 years later- I haved stashed away a couple of thousand dollars and found the window of opportunity! My father in law( who did the 1st resoration in the 90's) got baby car started and running today, after 2 weeks, which is great news! Wish us luck!

Jen

[rlux4]

OK, good luck Jen. And welcome to the forum. You'll find a lot of help here, and a great group of people to know. Keep us posted on how you're doing on the suprise. And give us pictures, we all enjoy seeing other people's Fiat family member.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

welcome to the site! That's a pretty ambitious undertaking in a short period. Good luck with it. How extensive will the restoration be?

[leemartin]

HI Jen welcome to the site. Great to have some one in the same area. I hope you can get it done in time. Let me know if I can do anything.

p.s. (I sent You a PM about your other post)

[kristoj]

Good luck and post some pix! I think I need to leave town for about six months (and you can call my wife and give her some hints)!

[Spiddy]

Hi Jen, that's a fantastic thing to do Am I ever envious of your husband? Take a photo when he first sees it and let us all share it

[4babycar]

Thanks Everyone!

The "restoration" that we are doing will not be complete by the time he gets home but we at least want to have her up and running well, get the exhaust work, a new top, and hopefully the floor pans done- I know Michael will want to do somethings himself anyway. I'll get some pics up soon- I have one of us in front of Baby Car from our high school senior prom in 95'. Thanks for all of the welcomes!

[baltobernie]

Hello Jen, and Welcome!

If you're near Manassas, there will be a ride on Saturday, June 21. If you haven't decided on a color, or if you'd like to ask locals about part sources and Fiat-knowledgable mechanics, stop by. The DC area is home to one of the largest contingents of Fiats in the country. For more info, contact Carl Friedman at Verizon dot net, who is sponsoring the ride.

[4babycar]

As much as I would love to come to Manassas to see everyone's siders, I don't think baby Car will be ready for the trip considering we just got her running again yesterday! We are only about 3 1/2 hours from DC though so maybe next time! Is there a fiat club in the area that I should join?

[baltobernie]

Check out http://www.dcfiats.org. I'm new here, myself, and I see they've had Shenandoah Valley rides and other activities in your area. Club membership is free.

[mbouse]

hi, and welcome. Good luck with the timetable as short as it is. You won't regret taking the time for in-process pictures.

[4babycar]

Well, I have sad news. our project is over. My father- inlaw found " beyond repair" rust damage to the frame today. It is so sad- Everything seemed like it was going to come together. A friend with a tire shop gave us 4 new tires, we got her started and the engine sounded good for under $200, I found Lee here and he lives 15 minutes away and had a top for us, my father in- law knows someone with a body shop that was going to weld in our new floor pans, and so on. I just can't believe that we just have give up! Thanks again for all of the great information, you all are wonderful!

[rlux4]

That is beyond sad Jen. It is so much fun to get together with other Fiat owners for socializing and runs. If the car is a loss, maybe you guys can consider parting her out and using that money to get another one? There are good deals around if you look diligently. Good luck, and keep us posted.
Ron