New Fiat owners from California.

[CShroom]

Hey all my name is Sherman. My fiance just picked up a new project this weekend, a '77 Spider.

I am of course trying to help in any way I can. She has let me pile up truck, motorcycle and computer project the whole time we have been together. So it is more than fair that I support her in her newest project.

Anyway there will be lots of questions to be asked over the next few months. As it truly is a full project. But first things first. Lots to read!

[jimincalif]

Welcome. I see you're in Perris, I'm in OC.

Be sure to post some pictures when you can.

Jim

[rlux4]

Hi Sherman, welcome to the forum. Your fiance sounds like a fun girl! So Cal is a great place to live in when you have one of these cars. What part of So Cal are you in? There's a bunch of us scattered around the LA area who get together a few times a year, it would be great to have the two of you join us for visiting and Fiat runs.
Ron

[Europa]

Welcome to the forum Sherman. Take lots of pictures and videos of your Spider. Not only will you be documenting what was done to the car, but it's great to compare before and after pictures. Have fun restoring the car.

[mbouse]

welcome to the site, sherman. pictures...lots !!

[CShroom]

Thanks for the welcomes everyone.

My fiance is a keeper, that's for sure.

We currently live in Perris right now. I have been failing badly on the pics duty, but needless to say that in the last two days the interior has been pulled along with the carpets, and the motor was pulled out today.

We bought it with the heaads off and the top well ventilated. So interior and motor work are in the cards. I see there are a few shops nearby here that handle Fiat stuff, so research, research research.

I will try and get a few pictures up over the next few weeks here.

[Europa]

Sherman, Mark Allison our site moderator has his shop in Upland, CA. What's that 40 miles from you?

[CShroom]

Something like that. Not far, that's for sure.

I went out today during a lull at work and took a few snapshots of the car.







we got our work cut out for us. that's for sure.

[wachuko]

Lot of work to bring it back to life. But, from the photos, the body looks in great condition! To me that is the main area of concern, everything else you can find and install...

I am pretty sure you have done your research, but just in case (since I am still looking) here are a few links to help you:

Mark's site: http://allisonsautomotive.com/
IAP: http://www.international-auto.com/index.cfm/sc/29021
Vick Auto: http://www.vickauto.com/cgi-bin/store/index.html
Mirafiori: http://mirafiori.com/ Their frequently asked questions has a lot of good articles: http://mirafiori.com/faq/faqtable.html
Fiat-Lancia Unlimited site: http://fiatlanciaunlimited.org/
Spider Center: http://www.spidercenter.com/
Registro Nazionale FIAT: http://www.fiat124spider.it/index.asp
Guy Croft: http://www.guy-croft.com/index.php

If you have a torrent application you can download the workshop manual. IAP also has it for sale if you want a paper option. Currently backordered...
Owner's manual available for download from here: http://openpdf.com/ebook/fiat-124-repai ... l-pdf.html

Do keep us posted on the progress. Have fun!

[Tersta]

Hi everyone my name is Tersta, I am Sherman' s fiance that bought the 77 spider. As Sherman said I bought a project, but I love a good project! Thanks for the tips on the websites there were a couple that I didn't have.

[mbouse]

hi tersta. welcome to the site. if sherman ever starts to slack off, just let us know !! we'll motivate him

[CShroom]

Heh, you mean if I ever get in her way.

She knows her way around a car, and while I plan on helping any way I can. She wants to do as much as she can on her own. I am technical adviser, and the cheerleader.

[rlux4]

Cool. I can't get my wife or daughter to go anywhere near a wrench.
Ron

[So Cal Mark]

welcome to the forum. If there's anyway I can help you out, let me know. If you're available (I know the car won't be done) we're planning a get-together on March 20th.

[Tersta]

Not sure if we can make it (I work Saturdays) but I would like to know where and what time.
I might be able to move things around.
Thanks
Tersta