New member in France

[corbara]

Bonjour,
Thanks for taking me on board your site.
I sold my last 1983 Spidereuropa in 1997 when our first child was born (usual excuses...no money, no space, etc) and have regretted it ever since. Seeing your site made me tentatively search for another car without really believing i'd buy another spider.
Well, it's done! I've just found an original Swiss 1985 Spidereuropa with only 59000kms (about 40000miles) from new in completely original condition. I feel like a kid again and can't wait for the snows to melt. The car is chassis N°:
ZFR 124 DSO 05511090 for those that are interested in such details and makes it one of the last 850 built if my calculations are right.
I think in the States you refer to these last cars as 1985.5's and apparently they had quite a few modifications compared to the 1983/84 cars. Having owned a 1983 spider i'm interested to know exactly what differences there are between the two models. If anyone can help i'd be very grateful.
Anyhow, it feels really good to be back and amongst friends again!

[Redline]

Greetings from Switzerland. The "Swiss" cars are the best ones, of course*.




* We do have a pretty strict vehicle inspection, so generally one can be quite confident buying a Swiss car.

[corbara]

I hope so...!

[corbara]

Thanks Redline. Having searched around quite a lot I have to agree that the "Swiss" cars seem generally to be in great condition compared to the Italian and German ones I saw. Most Swiss cars probably only see the summer months and let's be honest...a country and people that makes Rolexs are going to look after their 124s!

[mdrburchette]

Welcome to the forum! We look forward to some pictures of your Spider. Most of us are also waiting for the snow to melt so we can bring our toys out to play.

[Snoopy]

- new rack and pinion steering
- lower position of steeringwheel
- bigger diskbrakes
- other coolingsystem
- other storagebox in the rear
- other rimdesign
- 3 instead of 4 screws in the dashboard and other small differences
- another steeringwhel without holes

a lot of the last cars are in the swiss

last spider ZFR124DSO 05511780

[corbara]

Thanks for the information Snoopy. I'll try and post some photos once i've figured out just how to do that...

[maytag]

Bienvenue!

If you're waiting on the snow to melt, then I'm guessing you must be north-eastern France? Where are you located in that beautiful country?

And lets see some pics of this car of yours! In the 4 years I spend in Europe, I'm not sure I ever saw a 124, so I'm guessing you probably turn heads everywhere when you drive it?

[corbara]

Hi there Maytag...no not North-East France, rather the French Alps so the snow won't be melting for while. The car is still stuck in Switzerland until the snow melts there too but it gives me time to get the importation paperwork sorted which being true French bureaucarcy is ...endless. But the car seems to be a beauty so I can be patient for a few more weeks.

Question: what fuel can you run in a 1985 car? We no longer have leaded fuel over here only 95 and 98 unleaded. Will they run happily on 98 octane unleaded or do you have to add some sort of lead additive??

Thanks again for any imput as i'm a bit of a novice.

David (corbara)

[mbouse]

welcome.. looking forward to pictures.

[maytag]

Some other officianados might know better, but over here in the US, any car that was imported after 1975 will have hardened seats and should run fine with unleaded.

Your real identifier: if your car came with a catalytic converter, then your motor was built to run unleaded, and you'll be fine.

as for what octane: here where I live in the Rocky Mountains, 91 octane is the best we can buy at the pump. But even at this altitude that is more than enough on a stock motor.

[corbara]

This is my first attempt at posting a photo so apologies if is doesn't work!

[corbara]

2nd attempt..getting there; I think...

[Gunsmith]

Beatiful car! Can I come along for the ride from Switzerland to France? Now that is a road trip!

P.S. Do you know the Coneheads I heard they were from France?

[corbara]

The Coneheads?? a rock band?
Thanks anyway... right now it's difficult to drive anywhere. Most of Europe is under snow but i'd recommend a drive around Lake Geneva (Lac Leman) in the Spring or Fall. It's stunningly beautiful...