New Guy from Morris County, NJ

[oxford]

Hi all,
Just got a 1981 2000 spider, and will need lots of advice. Does anyone know of a Fiat mechanic in my area?
Thanks

[rlux4]

Congratulations on your new car, and welcome to the forum.
I kon't know about mechanics in your area, but there are several Spider owners close to you. Ralph (lanciahf) is in New Jersey and he's very familiar with our car. I'm sure you'll hear from him. Also, Bruce at Bruce's Parts Bin
( http://www.fiatparts.com/) is a good Fiat parts supplier to deal with, and he's in New Jersey too.
Ron

[mbouse]

hiya oxford. welcome to the site. sorry, cannot help on the mechanic suggestion.. i do most of my own, and am a little too far from you for that.

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Oxford,
Welcome to the Forum!!
Where is Morris County? I live in Frankinville NJ, Glouscester County. I live about 15 minutes from Bruce's.
Here's what I got going on.
http://s253.photobucket.com/albums/hh60 ... der%20124/

[lanciahf]

Hi oxford,

I'm near Princeton and do not know of anyone up there. I think George aka NJFIAT1981 knows of a shop near Newark.

Ralph

[lanciahf]

Col Gen Motors Inc
840 N 6th St
Newark, NJ 07107-2721
(973) 481-1143

[oxford]

Thank you all for your response!
Being close to Bruce's is quit the luck. Morris County is about 35 west of NYC, out in the hills, and about 1.5 or more hours from Gloucester County. I'm about 45 minutes out of Newark.
When I was in college, I owned a 124 Sport Coup (with a/c). A nice car that I always regreted selling. Currently, I have 2 Jaguars and a 1953 MGTD. I have very meaningful relationships with mechanics.
The Fiat is Silver with a red interior. Power windows actually work. Automatic transmission, which is better for me, although I can hear the groans. It looks good and runs well. Does leak some oil from top of engine, though I don't know the actual source yet. I've only had it about a week. I do need a new top, which looks good from the outside and has a clear window, but is disintegrating inside. The headlights are quite dim, but it might just be the way they are. The power windows stick on the up side. Is that normal? I must buy an owners manual and a shop manual. Enough for now.
Thanks,
Paul

[rlux4]

The earlier years benefited with what's called "brown wire surgery" in getting less of the accessories running off of one wire from the ignition switch. You can find it with a search here. The jury is still out on whether the later cars would benefit, because we already have a second brown wire running straight from the battery to the dual relay. However, Gregory Smith over on Mirafiori.com sells a relay kit that is plug and play. It has gotten rave reviews as far as brightening the headlights.
Ron

[launieg]

Hi Paul, and welcome. I also have a 1981, although mine is standard with crank windows. My headlights tend to go up and down (in brightness, not position). So if and when you figure yours out, I'll be interested, or maybe I'll find out first (doubt it though).

You will have plenty of support and interest from the folks on this forum. Great place to come to regularly!

[baltobernie]

Welcome, Paul. Hope to see you in Valley Forge next month; you can get a lot of restoration ideas and meet vendors, etc. It's a day trip for you, so mark your calendar!

[oxford]

Lanciahf-
Just spoke to the owner's son at Col Gen. They sound like good people! In business many years. I will be going there in about a week, as soon as the plates come for the car. Thanks for the lead.
Paul (oxford)

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Paul,
Welcome aboard. If you pick up plates and registration this week we are going on a little run to the Barnegat light on July 19th. If you are available come on down. Should be a nice ride. Are you putting qq plates on your car? Big savings on registration and insurance. A very easy transaction at the MVC in Trenton. Go to the special plate unit. Very nice people there.
There are plenty of folks here on this site that are more than willing to help you out. We are trying to get a group together here in NJ so that we have a support group. Nice to know the faces that go along with the names.
Colgen Motors did some work on my 81 Spider. Replaced a transmission that I supplied. They also did lots of other things for me. Send me a pm with a contact number. There are some things you might want to do right away.They do know the Fiats Spiders at Colgen.
I currently have a 1980 and a 1981 I am restoring. Might have a top for you. Black vinyl. Decent back window Not bad shape overall. I took a cloth top off of a parts car I have (Yes that makes three Fiat Spiders) and put it on my 1981. I no longer need the black top. Also have a hardtop that I have no need for.
You might want to join FLU. Fiat Freak Out in August. Sounds like a must attend event for us new Fiat owners. Hope to see you at one of our events. Regards, George

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Paul,
Will you be attending the Fiat FR in PA in August? If so would you care to ride down with us? George

[oxford]

Hi George & all,
Was away for a week. George, did you receive my message? If not I'll resend. Future plans up in the air, but that is a great idea or PA.

Needless to say, Florida wanted more money for the plates, so I still haven't gotten the car on the road. I can drive it up and down the driveway like when I was 14. Another week, I guess.

Regards,
Paul

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Paul,
Let me know if you want to meet up somewhere to drive over to PA to the Freak Out. I am going. Have you been to Colgen motors yet? If so I hope they took good care of you. George