Hi All - Greetings from Scotland.

[andyo]

Hi All,

Great forum!

I've had my red 2000/79 ex-California Spider since 1992.
It was my daily driver for the first 6 years but with working away from home and family commitments etc its been neglected lately.

Anyway now I'm back home in Edinburgh I decided it was time to get it back on the road - kind of a rolling restoration.
Thanks to 'martin595' a local Fiat nut (and forum member) who sorted my suspension and brakes and generally gave me the kick up the derriere required to get it back on the road.

I just recently retro fitted a 34ADF + manifold.
This week I'm adding a oil pressure gauge and sender in place of the cloudy clock.

Next on the agenda is the interior which I plan to change from tan to black and then I need to look at the bodywork.
Main problem with the bodywork is the front wings (fenders).
I'm considering replacing these with the 1 part polyesters from http://www.abarth-gmr.be/new/parts.php? ... R%20ABARTH
Anyone tried these at all?
My thinking was that this would also allow me to retro fit the old style signal lights and sidemarkers as I've also gone bumperless.

I did hope to round off the Abarth style with a black bonnet and boot but I've been overruled by the missus and my two 3 year-olds!
Anyway hopefully add more to my blog http://spider124.blogspot.com/ as and when I do stuff.

Cheers,
AndyO...
Edinburgh, Scotland

[narfire]

Welcome to the forum. The car looks great in the sunny day you had . I bet you don't get the "nice mg" over there like some get this side of the pond. Sounds like the car is well sorted and you must enjoy the drives in the area. Do you get south of the "wall" much in the car? Question, my neibour recently got back from Manchester and the price of petrol.. 1 pound 30/liter, do you use a premium fuel,if so mind if I ask the price?
Been sipping that high-brow instalation fluid Scotland is known for, The last lot was from Islay..
Chris

[wachuko]

Welcome AndyO. Great blog! Nice looking car. Love the details on the suspension and the pristine new wheels. Very nice.

Keep us posted on the changes as you start doing them.

Cheers!

[baltobernie]

Hello Andy, and Welcome! Great looking car, and greater looking kids! That booster seat is just the ticket.

Personally, I like the tan interior on later-model Spiders, but best wishes to making her your own style.

Congratulations on the carb upgrade. Big difference, eh?

[andyo]

Chris, I try not to look at the price of the fuel otherwise I'd just get depressed
Honestly I just fill up, hand my card over and leave without my brain registering how much I just paid!
Yeah, we're blessed with some lovely countryside, interesting weather and more than our fair share of distilleries

Jaime, been reading your progress report which is staggering - seems we keep the same nocturnal habits. I was caught working on the spider during the night last week - I only went out to lock the garage and 4 hours later I was still there!

Baltobernie, thanks - the boys are turning into complete petrolheads who can't wait for the next series of Top Gear to start on TV, constantly ask for a ride in the spider car and have even offered to drive it for me (they're 3 by the way!).
The carb upgrade was harder than it should've been in retrospect and despite all the preparation it was amazing how many little things caused the problems.
Extremely satisfying though
Only had the briefest of shakedown laps round the local streets so looking forward to a thorough test @ the weekend.

AndyO...

[TulsaSpider]

Greetings and welcome! Great car! I'd love to visit the homeland someday! Just had some Lagavulin recently!
You will find this a most informative and entertaining!
Lang may yer lum reek!
Clark

[andyo]

Greetings and welcome! Great car! I'd love to visit the homeland someday! Just had some Lagavulin recently!
You will find this a most informative and entertaining!
Lang may yer lum reek!
Clark

Thanks Clark, wi' other folks coal