New Member 76 spider - St. Louis

[donerehart]

I just purchased a 76 spider and it has been in the shop for seven weeks now getting a complete work-over. I learned some lessons after purchasing it on ebay in "nothing is wrong" condition. I can't wait to really start driving it. Thanks for a great site with lots of help! Any other owners in the St. Louis area?

[MNspiderman]

Not from St. Louis But i will be there in sept. when my son graduates from fort leonard wood. Anything fun besides the arch, paddleboat and car museum? Is the Wright brothers airplane down there? Have fun with your car by the way, its a slow burn to a fun death. But its worth it.

[donerehart]

There is actually a lot to do here. The zoo is fantastic and it is free, as well as the art museum. They both are free and were built during the worlds fair in the early 1900's and their gardens are beautiful.

I have a crazy question - it looks like you have been in this world for a while - what should I do about the cracked dashboard?

[FiatJim]

Greetings and welcome to great bunch of folks.

The 2 standard response I've read are:
1. Spend around $400 (all said and done) and buy a new or NOS unit
2. Buy a plastic dash cover - requires removal, surface prep, then glue.

I haven't done either. But I plan on doing option #2 this fall [once the driving season is done ].

[pooldoctorstl]

FINALLY another proud owner from St. Louis. Welcome. There are a lot of very knowledgeable owners here that will be a great help to you. I have been here since buying my car back in January and I think you are the first one I have run across from STL. I live in the Wildwood area, PM me and we should get together. Maybe organize a drive some time if it ever cools off. By the way, is your 76 Silver?

Jeff

[donerehart]

Jeff,
Great to hear from you. I live in Ballwin. I'm really excited for another spider owner to talk to locally. Long story, but I bought mine in Indiana and had it shipped here - it has been in the shop for seven weeks getting a complete overhaul - ugghh. That wasn't part of the plan since there was "nothing wrong with it". Anyway, I have already spent way too much money and it has been in my garage one night! So, I am looking forward to driving it period. Should have it back in day or two. I'll make contact when I get it.
Thanks,
Don

[pooldoctorstl]

PM sent.

[rlux4]

Hi Don, welcome to the fourm. Is this your first Spider? What got you interested in owning one?
There are dash repairs documented here and elsewhere. I was really impressed with is this one:
http://gtam.silvahalo.com/dashrepair/
It's a lot of work though, if done right, the dash cap works fine. I've seen good and bad results with them.
Ron

[donerehart]

Thanks Ron for the helpful link. I will check it out. This is my first Spider. I was looking for a fun car to drive around locally to take the load off of a family with two teen drivers, a mom and a dad and just two cars... Had no idea how much money this whole thing was going to cost me, but I'm having fun learning!
Don