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CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:51 am

Hi, I'm new to this group but not to Fiat's. My first love was a 1974 Spider, but that was 20 years ago. My attraction to the car is so great I just sold a 1974 Jensen Healey in great condition because I wanted a Fiat. I just purchased a 1980 Fiat 2000 (POS)! I am so excited about restoring it. I plan on keeping a full diary of my work, starting with the house carpet someone installed.

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:56 am

House carpet? Man that must look great. Any chance you could give us a "before" picture?

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 10:13 am

please tell me it is orange and pea green shag carpet....

CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:32 pm

No, sorry not orange shag but almost as ugly. If I did it right go to the following website for some before pictures and pray for me.

http://www.goingshouse.com/Fiat

Also does anyone know if it is possible to get replacement foam for the back seat?

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 2:40 pm

In the words of the immortal Austin Powers â€œYEA BABYâ€. I love the shag. That must feel really good between your toes on a hot summer day. The car looks good. It should be fun making it your own by making the changes you want. Good luck.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:50 pm

OK, couple of comments. I know you are thinking about throwing out that steering wheel, or maybe painting it. WAIT before you do it. My steering wheel looked exactly like that just a couple of days ago, and now it's starting to look wonderful. I'll be posting pictures soon, so hold on for it!!!!!

Say goodbye to rusty crappy looking spokes and cracked and worn rubber grips!

And it's nice to see someone else is working on an 80 just like mine. actually, your's seems to be in wayy worse shape, but that's just details, details.....

Is yours a FI or Carbureted model?

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 4:00 pm

never mind, just saw the FI decal on your rear-end

JustDoug · Post by **JustDoug** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 5:38 pm

I once brought home a red '76 Spider in similar condition. My wife looked at it, then at me, then at the car again. She shrugged and walked away mumbling something... I've got a photo I'll scan-n-post, it cleaned up beautifully.

...just made it through the rest of your pics. I'll bet that muffler has a nice tone! lol...

...

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 8:44 pm

ok, before pics and some partial afters. I have started on the grip and it seems to be going well. I'll post those pics when I'm all done.

Tom · Post by **Tom** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:40 pm

So Danno

How did you do it. Looks pretty amazing

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 9:53 pm

Tom, I'm glad you asked.

Sanding with an electric sander and a dremel for the edges.

1. 220 grit
2. 400 grit
3. 800 grit
4. 1000 grit
5. 2000 grit
6. rubbing compound

funny thing. that rubbing compound step was done with cloth strapped into the sander (don't ask why I thought to do that, but it worked

I did this all with a 1/4 sheet sander, like one of those B&D Mouse sanders. it's sooo smooth!

CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:24 am

Your steering wheel looks fab, gonna have to try it. I will admit that it is pretty far down on my list but looks like something I can do inbetween baby naps.

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:40 am

At least you can get your wheel off. I think I may need an impact wrench to remove mine. Looks great Danno. By the way, I think it might need more Cow Bell.

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:01 am

Pleeeaaase Scott! No more cow bell.

kris · Post by **kris** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 4:31 pm

Sounds like a good deal CarlaRWG, can't beat the spider feeling!

Keep up the diary, and goodluck!

Greets,
Kris.

New to this group

New to this group

Before pictures

My cars "Ratty-er" than your car!!!

Steering Wheel