bought a 1981 spider 2000 to restore

[xaplax101]

hi there
as the subject line says
I just bought a 1981 spider 2000 to restore and the fun has begun already
can anyone recommend a website that has upgraded brake calipers and parts in stock?
I noticed a few comments that some sites don't actually have the parts
and the first one I called and asked about the lead time the guys said "uh...........maybe a month?"
not reassuring

I went to change the manual tranny fluid and the hex bolt plug on the fill port is throughly stripped
the drain plug however is in good shape.......Is there any other way to get fluid into the tranny?
fortunately I haven't drained out the existing fluid

anyway

its a great little car and I look forward the to the adventure

best

ted

[joelittel]

In no particular order

Vickauto.com
Autoricambi.us
Allisonsautomotive.com
Midwest-Bayless.com
Spider-point.com
Mrfiat.com

And Then there are the forums and Facebook groups

Mirafiori.com
Everything Fiat 124 on Facebook
The Fiat Spider on Facebook

And I’m sure there are more...

[joelittel]

The transmission fill plug is deceiving. Use the search feature on this site to make sure you are attempting to remove the correct bolt.

[tima01864]

+1 It is a bolt plug head not a set plug

[baltobernie]

can anyone recommend a website that has upgraded brake calipers and parts in stock?

never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never, never
order "upgrade" items until you've thoroughly and objectively evaluated the entire car. If you're not an expert in vintage Fiat Spiders, get someone who is, or spend a lot of time on this and other sites to familiarize yourself with the car's foibles. Then a realistic budget estimate, double it, leave the car alone for a week or two, take a cold shower and re-evaluate the project.

The vintage car world, particularly the subset of inexpensive cars like the Spider, is littered with unfinished projects and many ads offering upgrade parts for sale still in boxes. A rare "California day" here in Maryland today, and the Spider received several thumbs-up and waves. There's palpable magic in driving an old roadster on a day like this, but one must be brutally honest about their budget (money and time), starting point and abilities.