O G New member Portland OR

[RikEase]

My first FIAT came to me new in 1969. It was an 850 Spider which I drove all over the country. I was getting almost 40 MPG and gas was about $.40, yeah thats cents, a gallon. I sold it a couple of years later to hitch hike across the country to Oregon and hike the Cascades. Then I met a woman who owned a 69 850 coupe. Years later I found a broken 69 124 coupe, that car was a great car. That one got rear ended, I found another which was not as nice as the other. I sold it, in 1980 I bought a 75 124 Spider, which is a daily (I sometimes drive my 75 Mercedes 300D) driver, but with almost 300,000 miles on it the transmission is very sloppy, (the engine and differential were changed). There are a few cracks in the "frame". last year I bought a 1981 2000 FI. After cleaning I discovered this car was TRASHED even though the body was quite nice. It had been setting in eastern Oregon for many years. There was almost an inch of sludge in the oil pan, the sub-frame had welded repairs, 3" of rust/dirt in the water jacket, (viewed from behind the access panel) back end of the motor. On and on. I am replacing all worn parts, even had the gas tank cleaned $157. Finishing the complete renewal of the brake system. My main problem is getting a GOOD ignition switch. I have had two crappy switches from LADA. My 75 is about to have the wheels fall off so I hope I can finish the 81 before I leave for Baja. I am thinking of selling the Benz to get a new Fiat 500.

[baltobernie]

Hello and Welcome. Your '75 vs. '81 story is a good example of proper maintenance vs. sitting and rotting. These are pretty durable cars if maintained properly and driven regularly.

Sorry to hear of your ignition switch misfortune; it is a common complaint regarding some of the aftermarket parts we have to live with now. One solution is to rebuild your OE switch. Details here: http://www.mirafiori.com/~kdickson/switch/

[james124]

. My main problem is getting a GOOD ignition switch. I have had two crappy switches from LADA. My 75 is about to have the wheels fall off so I hope I can finish the 81 before I leave for Baja. I am thinking of selling the Benz to get a new Fiat 500.[/quote]

Bernie is right. Your best bet is to rebuild an original switch. If you wanna try it I have some extra screws and nuts that I could mail you for your needs. You may also want to follow this thread for a discussion of other alternatives.
http://forum.mirafiori.com/mirafiorum/m ... 79&frames=

Let us know if you have more specific questions. Good luck JimmyG

[narfire]

Welcome,past present and future fiat lover.
Send a pm and I might be able to help you with an ignition. I just recieved a couple of boxes of "STUFF" from a 79. Think there was a steering colum with an ignition still attatched.
I found that the used stuff you can find here is good and I have never had a problem after installation. This forum is read and contributed from around the world so I'd like to think anyone offering parts,they would be proud to put them on their own cars.(if required) If you need other bits,check the parts section below.
Chris