Once (and maybe future) owner

[coffeejolts]

Hello, my name is Jeff, and I'm a caraholic. It started with a 85.5 Pininfarina Spider that I purchased in 1993. I lost that car due to my own stupidity and poverty. Later on, in better times, I purchased an 83 Alfa Romeo Spider, which I kept for a few years before the rust became too much to manage. I currently own a 1981 Corvette, which boasts only 41,000 original miles.

I happened upon the VIN# of my old Pininfarina Spider while going through some boxes, and it has me thinking about finding and purchasing another one. My wife has neither the heart nor sense to talk me out of this. I'd like to find my exact car, if I can. Welcome to chasing classic cars, Fiat edition.

[Fonz]

welcome!
here are two to start you off.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/ctd/1418521897.html
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/1379999838.html

(the red one looks mint)

[coffeejolts]

Thanks, Fonz. I'm trying to track down the exact Spider I used to own first. I know it's a one in a million shot, but I have to try. It's strange how I can't remember what I ate for lunch last week, but I can remember tiny details about the Spider from sixteen years ago.

The red 79 does look pretty good. It's sad how few of these cars remain. When I had my Spider, they were fairly common. Now I almost never see one.

[gigi]

Welcome, coffeejolts!
I'm a spider-holic too. My husband also is a 'vette guy. It's all about those sexy lines of these cars.
Check out the car-gasmic thread on the '63 Rondine ; I think you'll like it. What a beauty...
Good luck on your search!

[coffeejolts]

The Rondine concept is beautiful. I read elsewhere on these forums that the design inspired that of the 124. I can really see that in the rear view. I wish the 124 had those tail lights, wow!!! The front reminds me more of a Dino. It's as if Pininfarina split the design into two different (and awesome) cars: the 124 and the Dino.

Thanks for the warm wishes concerning my search. It has been a long time since I saw the car, so I'm trying very hard not to get my hopes up. The only reason I started going through those boxes is because of the fooding Atlanta experienced a few weeks back. It prompted me to move all of the boxes in the garage to higher ground just in case. Once I had them upstairs, I couldn't ignore them any longer. I went through everything to see what could be shredded, what could be thrown away, and what should be kept. That's when I found the paper with the Spider's VIN#.

I've gone from not thinking about the Spider to being obsessed with finding out everything I can about it. I woke up at two in the morning a few nights back because I recalled the name (including middle initial) of the man who sold it to me. Isn't that odd, how one event brought back so many things that I thought I didn't remember? Even if I am unsuccessful, the very act of searching is a wonderful trip back in time.

I am blogging all of this at http://coffeejolts.com, if anyone is interested; but I will try to post my updates here as well.

[mdrburchette]

Wow, what is it about Fiats and Corvettes? I live on Corvette Lane where my husband and his father used to buy and sell Corvettes as a hobby.

There is a Fiat registry somewhere. Someone in the UK is keeping track of all the Fiats but I can't seem to find the link to it. Maybe someone here will post it.

[gigi]

I tried to locate that registry so I could look up ours and add our info, but I was never
successful. I too have a fascination with VIN#'s. I know all of our cars off the top of
my head. Just last night, I too awoke in the middle of the night; this time reciting the
spider VIN along with the numbers of parts I have yet to get, or know what the heck they
even are or go to; much to my husband's bewilderment. Secretly, he fears for my sanity.

[narfire]

Gigi, you have a bad case of FODS

[mdrburchette]

Heck, I don't see insanity in your actions, Gigi. I can recite the VIN# of my very first new car, a 1984 Chevrolet Monte Carlo. I lost that sucker in a divorce 24 years ago.

[coffeejolts]

It looks like I'm in good company around here. I'm not sure what it is with Corvettes and Spiders. I always thought I was strange for liking both, but I maybe not. I think the commonalities are handling and design. Both cars look great and love the twisties. One difference is that Corvette parts are readily available. You could probably build a brand new Corvette of any year, starting with only the VIN plate- if you have the cash and desire.

[kristoj]

Send me a PM with the VIN and I can run a Carfax report on it to see when/where it was last registered. I have a couple of weeks left on my Carfax subscription, so it won't cost anything to do. That should at least provide enough info to get you pointed in the right direction.

[spiderrey]

Welcome Coffeejolts, Its funny this is also a corvette fiat spider house, but we are crowded with x 1/9s and an alfa too. And I think my girl might be right when she says she wears the pants around here. Because unlike everyone else, the vette is hers. Its been hers since 82. One more thing in common, its a 77'.

[Jimb]

Kinda off topic a bit...but I've always wondered about using the term alcoholic to describe other addictions.

Think about it, the phrase is Alcohol-ic.

Therefore, shouldn't your phrase be Car-ic?

Jim