New member - So. Cal.

[Spiderinsider]

Hello Fiat people. I'm Dean - now the proud owner of a beautiful 111k '82 Spider; my third Fiat. The first was a 131 many years ago - (wish I still had it) the second was an X1/9. I've always wanted the Spider though. I just need to fix the blown head gasket and give the car a full service before spring. I love how the doors close with that solid 'clunk'. Didn't all cars used to be built like this? Anyway - looking forward to the forum.

[rlux4]

Hi there, welcome to the forum. Where are you located in So Cal? Close enough to join us when we have our get-togethers I hope. Most of the time these happen in the area around LaVerne, Upland,Glendora, being as they're kinda centrally located for most of us.
Glad to have another 82 in the group.
We'd love pics of your car.
Ron

[Spiderinsider]

Hi Ron. I'm in Big Bear - thanks for the invite. Upland is only about a 75-minute drive from here. I'll be sure to get some pictures together and post them very soon.

Is it spring yet???

[rlux4]

Probably not up in Big Bear, but it ain't bad down here in Lancaster. 60s & 70s lately. Good enough to keep the top down. My wife and I are driving down to Glendale today to see Grandma, with the top down if she'll go for it.
My drive, and Ventura Ace's also, is about the same as yours to get to Upland.
Ron

[Spiderinsider]

Sounds like spring in Lancaster. Definitely not in Big Bear though! No top-down driving up here for a while.

[mbouse]

welcome to the site.

i too wish i had your 131 but, while i wait for that to happen, maybe i could be appeased by seeing pictures of your spider?

[Spiderinsider]

Hello Mike,
Thank you for the welcome. It's a pleasure to be a Fiat owner again and a pleasure to have found the forum. It's early days (almost a week already) but the pictures are forthcoming. I took a whole batch of the engine compartment today as I'll be pulling the head off on the weekend and it'll be nice to know where everything goes when it's rebuilt.

Looking at your avatar, do you have two spiders or did you repaint the one?

[mbouse]

ha har har... depending on whether you're counting the current parts car... i have either two or three spiders. one is a fully restored 1978, and is nearly stock..except for the emissions equipment. the second is a carb'd 1980, which is currently being stripped down for a complete restore...

then.. i have a '68 parts car that is looking for multiple homes to go to

[Spiderinsider]

I see now the two cars. At first glance the avatar looks like two pictures, like a before-and-after shot (actually, late night beer consumption.)
I just navigated to your site pics. Nice work!