Greetings from the Great White North

[finderbar]

I have owner my 1978 Fiat 1800 for about 5 years, of which 4 were in storage while I was living in Europe. I along with the Treasury Board, aka my wife, we have decided to keep this little beauty and give the car the attention she deserves. My mechanic has conducted a thorough check of the car, and the frame, motor and running gear are in good shape. Alas, thanks to Fiat use of Russian steel, the body is suffering. The project over the next year will be to address the rust and spiff up the bright work.

I look forward to the camaraderie and advice as I venture down this road. We also look forward to meeting other Fiat owners at meets or ???? We live on the west coast of Canada, Victoria.

[mbouse]

with talk like that, you are gonna fit in just fine at this forum.

"Treasury Board"
"camaraderie"

har har... we love those big words, and sometimes we actually use them in a sentance correctly. and the great titles for the better-half are welcome here as well. I have a resident "throttle control".

please send us some pictures before you begin the restoration process.

[kilrwail]

Welcome to the group, fellow Canuck. I thought you had so little snow In Victoria that salt would not be an issue. Is it a Victoria car? There's another member here from Sooke.

[narfire]

Hey Victoria,welcome. Launie is a regular contributor here,he's in Sooke. My kids are in Vic. so I hope to bring the car down in the end of Aug. or early Sept.(have to start saving for the ferry fare now)
If you ever get off the rock and to the okanagan, I'll buy the first round.
Chris
ps. don't let anyone know that Victoria got snow this year.

[rlux4]

Hi finderbar, welcome aboard. Good decision, having your car checked out by a professional, better safe than sorry. By all means, let us see the "before" pictures.
Ron

[launieg]

Hi finderbar, and welcome. Good to finally have someone else sign up from Victoria (although strictly, I'm in Sooke). What is the color of your spider? Are you by any chance the fellow I met in the Home Depot lot last fall? He was in the armed forces I think, and had just retired and got his spider out of storage. Of course, there are quite a few others in town too, so perhaps I've seen your car and perhaps not

This is the greatest forum. If you try to keep up with the active topics each day, you will no longer be watching TV

[finderbar]

Launie

Yes it is I. How goes your rolling restoration. Any advice for a newbie about to embark upon a epic retoration project.

[launieg]

Honestly, there are many others on this forum who can offer you real advice. My problem is that I have no time to do the work (despite loving it) and thus my restoration is "rolling" despite looking terrible and I live with the fact that anything could break down at any time But what fun. So would I have seen your spider around town?

[launieg]

By the way, if you need any odd parts (not those better purchased new) then let me know. I do have a '78 for parts and also a bunch of other stuff, including 2 hoods, 2 fenders, 4 doors, two diffs, and a full front fender. (Also, a couple of gas tanks.) Some of the stuff I will use, some I will keep, but if I can help...

[finderbar]

Launie

Thanks for the encouragement and info on your parts situation. I delayed the installation of my new top until I get the body work done and the new paint. I have tow rear fenders that will address the big rust problems on the quarter panels. Coachwerks will be doing the body and paint work, which includes a wet sand polish, Styles is installing the new top and Tri-line the new windshield. Hope to have this work done sooner than later. The long pole in this part of the restoration tent is finding and getting new door, trunck. hood, window, etc seals. While I have searched the Shop manual and parts list there does not appear to be a complete list of what I need. I will be going to the tech chat section seeking guidance. Maybe I will see you there.

Yes you will see me about town. Intend the new paint to be an ivory colour - same as factory for that year and model. Believe it or not the paint tag is still mounted to the underside of the trunk lid. Talk to you soon

Sandy

[launieg]

Wow. Be sure to post a photo of the new paint job. Sounds great. I'm envious. (Mine is pretty cruddy looking )