New Member Dahliacactus

[dahliacactus]

I'm late 20's female, live in Sunny Seattle.

I receive a call from my slightly unhinged father two months ago. He has bought me a car. A ‘79 Fiat no less. The sweetheart thinks I need an Italian car to match my beloved Vespa, he even found one in silver to match my scoot. Bourgeoning gearhead that I am, I sure am excited. Trouble is, I wasn't looking for a car, never did learn to drive stick, and oh yeah.... dad and car are in Michigan!! Not to mention the blue shag carpeting inside, general rust problems, and gas leak.

This weekend I’m out to visit family when my pop announces the slated paint job has been put on hold because he doesn't like the look of a patch weld he found on the body. I'm the researcher and I warned him about Fiat rust stories.

Off to the internet to research other car makes and models for potential restores when I find a car that looks nearly like the slated “after” shot I had been planning for my beat up “before” car.

I got a call the next day after I had left , pop picked up the after car on a late night bid. So I am now the proud owner of an additional fiat. A blue ’82 automatic, blue int, even a matching hard top! Pop has plans to use the 79 for some part swaps as they have the same upholstery.

For now I give you a snaps of my ‘79 “before” and soon picks of my 82 “after”.
In the album there are also two inspiration cars.

You can see some shots of my dads other wheels in the background. Par the course he has about 8 vehicles in assorted states of restore. Notably the early whippet he has rodded out in custom red paint.

Really excited to find the forums with so much information and enthusiasm for the Fiats. The car lovers in my life are all into american cars, or MG's in two cases, so i need your help.

Thanks for looking
http://flickr.com/photos/22843600@N00/s ... 858138234/

[4babycar]

Welcome to the forum! I couldn't help but laugh at your post but we are the proud owner of 2 fiats, neither of which are "restored". Actually the only one of the two currently running is the parts car that I bought to fix the first one. Best of luck to you and you will certainly enjoy the thrill of driving a fiat and you will quickly pick up driving a stick. You will find many friends and fiat experts here that will do everything they can to help you and your father in your restoration efforts, I know they have been to me. Not to mention there are several in your area as well both Michigan and Washington. After looking at your photos you have a decent starting point. I have seen far worse "Before" cars. Good luck and keep us posted.

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum dahliacactus. I commented on your post about the '82 on the BTCTheReaper's intro thread. Your Dad's something else, sounds like! To wind up with two blue interiors is way against the odds.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

welcome, and thanks for the story! Keep us posted with pics during the process.

[racydave]

I bet you have a Fiat in your stable for many years! Theyre addicting! Your Dad sounds like a good fella. We drive ours in MI, and have friends with Fiats there! You came to a good forum for your Q's and some socializing also. Welcome! My avitar is from the bridge in Frankenmuth!

[dahliacactus]

Okay! full set of pictures on the new aquisition.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/22843600@N ... 219734877/

I have comments on most of the photos about plans for the car.

Dad... is a trip. When he discovered the rust on the 79 (we'll see how bad when he gets his new lift is installed) he almost went out and bought me a triumph instead. His first car was a spitfire, age 13... and yeah he drove it, all over Flint.
Happy to be in the Fiat Fold, espically after the new pictures came in and i could study them in detail.

This is our first group project. I've only done work on my vespa untill now. You can see pictures of that too, on my flickr acct at http://www.flickr.com/photos/22843600@N ... 221791061/
So far only mechinical, but body work this winter or the next.

[pope]

I love the shape of that hardtop.

[TulsaSpider]

Yea what Pope said!!! BTW learn to drive the standard, it's easy especially in these cars and sooooooooomuch more fun!!!!

[kristoj]

Welcome to the site from a fellow '82 owner. You will find your Spider is addicting. The hardtop does look great and will come in handy in the Seattle rain. It's also good to see the Fiat universe getting more diverse by the day as more female enthusiasts and younger drivers discover the Fiat driving experience and wonderful support community.

Congrats!

[mbouse]

all i can say is...... where in Michigan??

Summertime in Michigan is great for Fiat-ing. Fall in Michigan is even better for Fiating. Spring can be a little iffy for Fiating.... and winter? FAGEDABOUDIT...

Welcome to the site. Nice looking cars, by the way. My wife is still drooling over the Vespa too.

[dahliacactus]

The cars are both in Lexington, MI for now (small town on the Lake Huron coast)
The Vespa is with me, and boy so fun to drive. Very popular with the ladies those scoots. I even got her out yesterday for the trip to my hairdresser because we had sun here... unheard of this late in Nov. All the ladies at the salon wanted to check her out.

[dahliacactus]

The cars are both in Lexington, MI for now (small town on the Lake Huron coast)
The Vespa is with me, and boy so fun to drive. Very popular with the ladies those scoots. I even got her out yesterday for the trip to my hairdresser because we had sun here... unheard of this late in Nov. All the ladies at the salon wanted to check her out.

[baltobernie]

Hello and Welcome!

I was in Ballard a few weeks ago, and I'm always amazed seeing you guys out in the rain on bicycles, scooters ... laying asphalt, framing houses, etc. etc. "we don't tan; we rust" But wow, when the sun is shining, there's not a prettier city anywhere.

Good luck with your aquisition(s), and thanks for the pictures.

[dahliacactus]

Updated pictures of the '82 on my flickr (link above)

[rlux4]

Thanks for the new pictures. Yup, it's still pretty!
If your trunk lid doesn't stay up it could be that the springs are broken or missing. They're available through the normal vendors or on Ebay regularly.
Ron