My First Fiat

[Chaco]

Hello Everyone,

I'd been looking for a fun little roadster for my wife and I to enjoy this summer and focused my attention on MGBs and Triumphs, but I never found one that I like that was within my budget. Finally, one day, on a whim, I looked at Fiats and found one that I loved and bought it. It was a tough decision because I knew the terrible reputation Fiats have but I could not resist the 4 wheel disk brakes, 5 speed transmission, and chrome bumpers.

So, here it is, my new toy. It's a 1972 124 Spider.



I am very happy to have this car. The previous owner took very good care of the car. It has no rust and runs very strong. I am going to have it painted next week and am going to do several other fixes so I can have it ready for our summer road trips.

I'm sure I'll be asking lots of questions. It's a pleasure to be a part of a wonderful community who are very passionate about these cars.

Thank you,

Chaco

[wachuko]

Chaco,

Welcome to the forum.

That car looks beautiful. Enjoy it in good health!!!

Those bumpers just make the car look so classic. Love it!

[Chaco]

Yes, that's what sold me on the car. Here, in San Francisco, I had only seen ones with the rubber bumpers. They looked very nice but I've always been fond of chrome bumpers. I didn't even know that Fiat had these cars with chrome bumpers.

I am hoping to drive it with the top down soon but spring hasn't come for us yet. We're still getting lots of rain. It's OK though, becuase hopefully I'll have the car finished by the time the sun decides to show up in our part of the world.

[hdhracerx]

Good luck with your spider! What color have you chosen for paint?

i'm in the process of picking my 73 up - off to dmv tomorrow so I'll be in a position to move it home to Santa Cruz from the east bay where it sits now.

Hope to see you around when we're driving in and around the city this summer!

hdh

[mdrburchette]

You lucked up on the best year for the Fiat Spider! Don't let any of those 82 owners convince you otherwise. Yours is in awesome shape. Hope you enjoy is as much as I have enjoyed mine.

[Chaco]

Thanks hdh. I am going to paint it an orange/red, leaning more towards red. It's currently orange and the original color was orange/red leaning more towards orange (if that makes any sense). By the way, did you buy the '73 that was recently on Craigslist in, I think, Hayward? I saw the listing for that car and it looked good.

Thank you mdrburchett. I love the 1608 motor on this car. I won't win any drag races any time soon but it definitely has more pep than any of the other cars I test drove.

[Chaco]

I just sent my car to get painted. When I bought it, the paint was, to say the least, horrible. Here's a pic of it de-chromed and ready for sanding and paint:



I'm thinking of either painting it Porsche red or Ferrari red, though I am leaning towards Ferrari red.

[myfirst124]

Great looking car! Now I'll ask the question that shold not be asked...How much $ ? crass I know, but everyone either wants your deal or feels better about theirs. And before any body writes that I am insensitive and you can't put avalue on love etc. I sold cars for many years in another life and I always told my customers "If your happy with the car and you can afford it...Its a great deal"...anywho good luck and be safe...all the best, Mike

[Chaco]

I finally put it all back together and am now starting to work on the interior and trying to work out some mechanical issues. Here's the most recent picture:



To answer your question myfirst124 (sorry for the late response), I paid $2100 for it. It's definitely needed a ton of work and I have already put in A LOT of money into it but it's all been worth it because I've become infatuated with the car.

Soon it'll be ready for a drive, once the weather decides to get nice here in Northern California. Now I need to figure out a couple of issues which I've posted http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=10839 and http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... =5&t=10885. I would greatly appreciate it if anyone has any answers for these.

[Nancy1340]

Looking good so far.
Congratulations. Be interesting on how it comes along. Please keep us posted.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Chaco,
And the life longer addiction begins. It all started out for most of us in the same way.
Oh dear I just want to take a look at it
Wow this is really cool
Big big smile on your face the first time you drive it
Then the parts catalogs start to arrive
Then all the fluids, hoses, timing belt and whatever else you can think of gets changed.
Then the paints not so good so I really have to get it painted honey
Then you know with the new paint job the top and the interior looks a little beat. We should get new ones
Time for new tires and I saw some really sharp looking (Rota's, Panasports, American Racing, etc etc etc)
Need a new stereo
How about a BRADY BREEZE BEATER so your hair doesn't blow around too much
What'sthat dear? You want your own Spider! Why of course we can find you one!
Why are there two parts cars in the driveway? For spare parts for your Spider dear. Why else would we have two.
The neighbors said it looks like Sanford and Son over here. He's just mad because his wife won't let him get a Spider
Welcome aboard. Your in for a lot of fun. Don't worrt there is no cure for this addiction. You have it for life. You might get rid of the Spider in the driveway but you will always want another.Good luck, George