Another new old guy

[skpens]

Hello all,

I bought my 1973 1608cc 124 Coupe on 8/8/78 with about 42K miles and it now has over 300K. I think I am the third registered owner. The friend I bought it from bought it from a wheeler dealer who never had it in his own name. I found the "FIAT Owners Warranty and Service Book" under the back seat, as well as a 50 Lira coin, and it appears the car was originally purchased by a woman on 12/29/72 at Jim Williams Motor Co., Laredo, Texas. I think it came to California shortly thereafter because the license plate color, letters and numbers are correct for a 1973 model year. I do know that it has been in the San Francisco Bay Area at least since the Summer of 1976.

I've rebuilt the motor twice, the transmission once, and re-sealed the rear-end once. I'm running a Weber 36 ADL, Ansa Jet-Hot ceramic coated header, FAZA Daytona 50mm free-flow exhaust (actually, too loud for my taste), Koni red shocks and 13x5.5 Cromodora Daytonas (CD31).

Steve

[rlux4]

Hello, and welcome Steve.
Man, you just missed a group of fellow Bay area Fiaters that came down to So Cal for the Best of France and Italy car show this last weekend. Afterwards Ventura Ace and I joined them for part of the trip back up north on a cruise up into the Sequoia Mountains. An overnight stay at some riverside cabins and then on to the giant Sequoias. A very scenic and interesting drive. You need to hook up with them, they are a great group and pretty active Fiaters, contact: Ken Haven
of "Fiat America", P O Box 391068 Mountain View, Ca. 94039-1068 or http://www.fiatamerica.com
Good to have you aboard.
Ron

[baltobernie]

Welcome! Always room for another skinny bumper version! Photos? Stories of epic adventures? Unusual maintenance items?

[mbouse]

hi-ya Steve. Welcome.

sounds like the voice of experience is what you bring to the forum. Glad to have ya aboard. please send some pictures of the baby so we can love on her too.

[So Cal Mark]

welcome to the site!

[skpens]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I know I keep missing good Fiat events. As younger folks than I say, "My bad." Another of my bads is not getting around to buying a digital camera so I guess I'm jealously keeping my baby to myself. Need to work on sharing. As far as driving adventures go, what thrills me these days is when someone in another car rubber necks as we pass. Occasionally I imagine I see an expression of recognition but usually it is the look of "What's that?". I've driven the car mostly in California with several trips to Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. My favorite drive was a solo run to Utah on Highway 50. In central Nevada a BMW 2002 joined me and it turned into an hour long high speed engagement. It wasn't a "Vanishing Point" Jaguar/Dodge Challenger type duel, just driving together at ~6000 RPM for an hour.

Steve

[Tappy]

i might be able to help you out there :

1 send me your , too loud' exhoust
2 i send you a digital camera so you can share

i'm just here for the jokes , i wisch i could give some value info

[Jim DeShon]

Welcome Steve. I'm one of those old timers who was away for Fiats for many years. I'd love to see pics. of a sport coupe. I always wanted one but it never happened. ...J.D.

[ROOK1]

Thanks guys.

Yeah, I know I keep missing good Fiat events. As younger folks than I say, "My bad." Another of my bads is not getting around to buying a digital camera so I guess I'm jealously keeping my baby to myself. Need to work on sharing. As far as driving adventures go, what thrills me these days is when someone in another car rubber necks as we pass. Occasionally I imagine I see an expression of recognition but usually it is the look of "What's that?". I've driven the car mostly in California with several trips to Oregon, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. My favorite drive was a solo run to Utah on Highway 50. In central Nevada a BMW 2002 joined me and it turned into an hour long high speed engagement. It wasn't a "Vanishing Point" Jaguar/Dodge Challenger type duel, just driving together at ~6000 RPM for an hour.

Steve

Good thing you ran into that BMW, you could have died of boredom on that road.