New member from Sacramento, moving to Austin Texas

[capitolkid]

hey everyone. Im new to the Spider. I have always loved little roadsers but never thought that I'd be able to own one. Til 2 weeks ago when I met a guy selling a 76 spider. i fell in love with it just like that and had plans to buy it until I found out that there were no papers on it. No Title and nothing to show that I was the owner after purchase. Very disappointed I decided to look around. i found about ten of them to my surprise and am now leaning toward a red 77. needs a new Top. The interior is pretty clean and the whole dash is perfect exept for the foggy clock face. But The thing is straight as can be with zero rust. Everything is there but it doesnt run. Guy says its a head gasket. Wants it gone. I offered him $200 and he said let me know when I can pick it up. So my hope is that I can get it running and that its not just a nice shell. Im also moving from One states Capitol to anothers. Sac to Austin. Hence the handle, "Capitolkid". Nice to be here. I would appreciate any advice honestly. Maybe you can tell me what things typically caused the spiders engine to stop running. Anything will help as I am just diving in. Nice to be here! Vin

[So Cal Mark]

welcome! You'll enjoy the music scene in Austim.
As for blown head gaskets, overheating is usually the cause. The problem you may run into is rusted cylinders if the engine has been sitting with water in it.

[kristoj]

Welcome! You found yourself an excellent deal. Hopefully you can get it running, but for $200, you could easily quadruple your money (or more) if you had to part it out. With a clean body, rather than go down that route, I would be inclined to tear down the engine and build it up to make a decent bump over stock horsepower. Should be a really fun project.

[capitolkid]

Welcome! You found yourself an excellent deal. Hopefully you can get it running, but for $200, you could easily quadruple your money (or more) if you had to part it out. With a clean body, rather than go down that route, I would be inclined to tear down the engine and build it up to make a decent bump over stock horsepower. Should be a really fun project.

Thanks for the input. Yes it is a sweet deal. issue is that I found it right in the middle of my move to Austin. Its a bit of a bad time, but if I got it running with a friend of mines help I would just drive it there. It has all the makings of a great prodject thats for sure. we'll see if I can pull it off. and if and when I do, I will be posting the photo's. Either way, if I dont get this one, there is another in Austin that I may pick up as well. A 74 with dual webbers, chromodora wheels, real straight and only a grand! I have found some cool deals out there. I look forward to hearing more from everyone. very nice!

[rlux4]

Hello and welcome to the forum. Hope you caught the comment from kristoj, at the price you're getting the car for, if it turns out to be too much hassle to get it driving and safe, you could about make the money to buy the one in Texas for what you'd get parting out the 77. Either way, good luck and keep us posted.
Ron