A belated hello from SE Michigan

[HH5053]

Hello everyone
I thought I might belatedly introduce myself.
I am the original owner of 79 Spider 2000, carbed, 5 speed, 34K
I bought the car new in the spring of 79 after a 1 block test drive as the passenger.
After a youth of street rod racing, a five speed imported convertible was a move in a completely different direction and I haven't looked back since. I also own a Miata LS. I'm sure you expect this to be a bit of a garage queen and you're right, the car has sat for quite some time as I was overtaxed in the development of the Karmann USA hardtop/convertibles for the Chrysler Sebring and Pontiac G6 and I played a major role in their acquisition and development of the assembly line for the current Mustang Convertible.
I've followed most of your threads on restoring these cars and decided in light of an early retirement decided to put mine under the knife so to say. What started as a simple thing turned into a major redo including a complete ignition system replacement, complete front and rear end rebuilds with all the age vs wear and tear items covered,performance springs which many of you recommend along with KYB gas shocks, complete driveline rebuild, a going over of the crossmember and beefing up of the weak points, and a complete removal of the interior to make sure these is no rust that is not attended too there or anywhere else. I stripped the sound deadner and plan on 2 coats of the Master Series rust treatment followed by a thorough body caulking, truck bed liner, and then a layer of the "peel and stick" roof flashing material and lastly a layer of Thermozite.
Fortunately I had the car rustproofed before she ever hit the road with a Ziebart type material applied by the dealer and for the most part it's still very much "alive" and nearly everywhere it should and shouldn't be (gooed parking brake cable for example). I will not however claim it to be a rust free car, as there is a surface spot here and there but nothing of any major consecquence. It seems that a lot of simple oxidation play a role, especially anywhere materials are not coated/painted, seat springs and the like being an example.
Hopefully I'll one day master the picture thing which all of you seem to enjoy as I do. In the meantime thanks to all of you for your efforts at making this site what it is. I'll just keep plugging along as I haven't enjoyed wrenching on something of my own for many a year and despite some grief here and there I think this will be a rewarding effort .

Jim Hayes

[mbouse]

Jim,

you have no idea how much we have in common. besides our taste in cars and hobbies...

some of my best friends are involved in the detroit chapter of FIAT LANCIA UNLIMITED. you simply must look them up. send me an email and we can get you started meeting folks from the oldest FLU chapter in the nation. since you have owned yours since new, i am betting you will recognize some of the names i might drop about.

secondly, my shop is one of the major suppliers to Karmann for the Mustang top. we manufacture the #2, #3 & #4 bows for those tops.... have since your predicessor, Dura Convertable, was ripping folks off right before filing chapter 7. anyway, that water is long over the dam.

You, me and Pope should get together some day soon and swap a few lies, and toast the return of Fiat to the USA. HEY, Pope! wake up! ready for a party? Your house is due.

[racydave]

Hi Jim, glad you chimed in! I have attended a few outings with W-MI FLU and always had a great time! Grand Rapids is on the schedule. http://flumichigan.italiancarclub.com/

[rlux4]

Hi Jim, welcome to the forum. You got me beat, my first Spider was a 79, but I got it when it was already a year old. But you kept yours, mine got sold getting ready to start a family. Good for you!
Keep us posted on your progress with the car, and post some pics as you go along.
Ron