New Owner with several questions

[66Sprint200]

Hey everyone. My name is Michael. I am a sophomore at McPherson College. I major in Automotive Restoration Technology. I just got a 1976 Fiat 124 Spider. It is very beat up as it sat outside in the elements for 12 or more years. The floors are shot, but the frame rails, trunk floor, and rockers, are in great shape. You can see pictures of it here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/39552908@N ... 731145271/

Now, I do have a couple questions.

First, at the end of the school year, I want to take it home to PA (college in Kansas, but I live in Pittsburgh) and get a PA title on it (has a clear Kansas title right now). But when I get it back to PA, I would put normal plates on it, which means it has to pass a yearly inspection and smog test (1976 and newer cars) because I want to use it as a Daily Driver while I restore my 1966 Mustang Sprint 200. Anyways, I know that the most of, if not all of, the EGR/smog equipment is missing. So I was wondering, I noticed some 124 parts sites selling catalytic converters. Can I use one of these instead of trying to find all of my EGR parts?

Second, how hard is it to remove the ignition switch and start the car without the keys? The storage company I am getting the car from legally own it and have a clear Kansas title, but the owner didn't give them the keys when they abandoned the car there (this was 12 years ago).


Thanks guys, Michael.

[baltobernie]

Hello Michael and Welcome, from a Brookline boy many, many years ago.

Looking at your pictures, I think you may have bitten off more than is edible Under the best circumstances, the Spider is a marginal daily driver, and "best circumstances" do not include the USA Midwest. I drove a Fiat (sedan) between the 'Burg and State College in the '70's, and it was often not a pleasant experience. And average speeds back then were much slower than today.

While there's no question that any car can be restored, you're starting from one of the worst Spider model years made, and a very rough example at that. In addition to the cost of getting your car driveable (several thousand), annual PA inspections would kill you, if winter driving doesn't first. Run, do not walk, from that car.

[azygoustoyou]

Hi Michael,
The car does look like it's pretty rough. Even if you were going to do a full restoration or media blast the car. You would save yourself a lot of money by finding one in better shape to start off with. If you do own this one, maybe you could clean up some of the items and sell them to try to recoup some of your money. Believe me, I've done this and it would cost more to make it nice and reliable.

[mPedro08]

Have to agree with some of the other sentiment here having done something similar recently myself. This really looks like a parts car to me and not a very good one at that.

My platform was in considerably better shape than yours is to start, body was decent and top was brand new. Mine even ran with a new condenser installed for example. BUT.....everything else was old and tattered and needed to basically be replaced. We have new carb, new alt, new wiring/fusebox, new ignition, new wheels, tires, brakes....thermostat, radiator rebuilt, and on and on....oh the interior, there goes over a grand....

About $4,000 later and we have a functional and very nice looking car, however I suspect that kind of money is something most people won't throw at a 34 year old car. Mine is a '76 too by the way in red.

If you opt to continue, you will find you can get every part imaginable from our great vendors and great members. Some folks even do parts restoration/manufacture as a hobby (guages, gear shifts, dash panels) on here and you can send them parts to be fixed or purchase replacements.

All it takes is time (lots) and money (even more lots).

Good luck to you!!

[66Sprint200]

Well there is some good news. I got the keys and she runs. I spent all of yesterday replacing the oil, putting in coolant, and pouring a little gas down the carb. I know she looks rough, but I honestly think she is saveable. BTW, I got the car for free. All the electrics work, and she moves under her own power.

I've started pricing parts. I've found floor pans for $50 a piece, I've found a new windshield for $100, and all the side windows I need for $20 a piece.

I can do custom upholstery as I have already learned that in school. So I could use what's left of the convertible top in the back seat for templates to make a new roof (if not, a new vinyl roof is like $250), and I definately want to make custom tan leather upholstery for the car, and I can get the leather from my school for $35 a hide.

Does this make it seem a bit better to anybody?

And don't forget guys, I'm going to the only college in the world that offers a 4 year bachelors degree in Automotive Restoration. I've always dreamed of fixing classic cars, and here is one that has just been given to me.

[2ndwind]

Sprint,
I'm thrilled that you got this car for free. That was the price I was hoping you paid. However, "free" often is not free. In most cases, as mentioned above, you will spend waaaaay more time and $$$ on this than you could have bought a decent one for. Just as some others pointed out, I too made this mistake-sort of. I bought a decent-bodied one with previous front body repair, NO frame or chassis rust, acceptable interior, old repaint, decent top, most electrics working and engine running for $3500. I have since put in another $3000 and it still looks and drives almost exactly the same!

Much of the initial work was done to make the car safe. That $$ was spent on fixing the myriad of things like timing belt, starter, rebuilding the front end, new guibo, rebuilding the drive shaft, tires, a new AFM (for the fuel injection), fan radiator switch, temp gauge sensor, alternator wire contact, and on and on. Despite all this, it has been a great driver with few on-road frustrations. I could have bought a beautiful car for $5000- 7000 if I had been patient and saved up some more moo la.

My suggestion: You have a parts car, get another one for <$2500, take them both to your school for a class project, provide lots of pizza and everyone can get the experience of reconditioning a truly fun classic. If you don't do this, your 66 Mustang sprint will turn to dust while you are messing with the freebie you got.

[PurpleSpider]

Several?s, I wish you well with your Project, I believe you have what it takes, and you will certainly learn a lot repairing this car................I applaud your undertaking and expect the experience gained will be of a great benefit to you in your chosen profession......

[TulsaSpider]

I concur, you would be so much better off with a good buildable car. They aren't very expensive. I have a 79 that is in so much better shape than this example, got it for $300 yet it's a parts car, not worth restoring financially. Whatever you decide, good luck!

[66Sprint200]

Well a bit more good news comes rolling in. The guy also had a small storage unit (small room/large closet size). I was allowed to go in and get the Fiat parts out. There was a pair of bumpers, fenders, set of new brakes, a new radiator, steering wheel, dash and center console wood panel kit, and a stainless steel exhaust set. So I'm still at floors, upholstery, top, smog, paint, and tires. I can do floors, upholstery, smog, and tires. I just can't do paint. I still have to learn paint, but I guess I have plenty of time to learn while I'm disassembling and rebuilding parts of the Fiat. It runs, but I still want to rebuild the drivetrain.

And trust me. If you saw what my friend Drew was doing, you would think that I am totally sane for taking this on. He bought a 1948 Chevy Panel Truck AND a 1934 Chevy pick up truck within 2 weeks of each other. The panel needs new custom fabricated panels, such as roof and sides, as well as frame repair, custom made glass, custom gas tank, and wood bed. The 1934 runs and drives, but it needs to be totally striped down and rebuilt after what we found. He accidentally backed into the hood from the panel and it fell and broke a giant fibreglass chunk out of the rear fender. So we know it needs an engine rebuild, tranny rebuild, new taillight (it has a ford model a taillight for some reason), new wiring, and some new sheetmetal.

He's trying to restore both of these at the same time. I'm driving the Mustang while fixing the Fiat, and I'm going to drive the Fiat while I fix the Mustang. The Mustang was vandalized a year ago in my drive.... right after it had been repainted. Smashed up quarters, some glass, hubcaps, and paint. I've already fixed the glass and hubcaps. The paint damage is limited to the quarters and trunk. They said they can match the paint when I bring it in, so for now the Mustang is fine.

[rlux4]

Hi, welcome to the forum.
I think I'll buck the trend here and say this about your Spider: Why not?
It runs, and it looks like the rust is mostly surface, so with your skill in resto, I'd say it's a good, doable project.
Good luck with it, and keep us posted.
Ron

[narfire]

Welcome.
I have to admit that is a tired looking fiat.
Saying that though,if you have the patience to get it sorted,any other project will perhaps seem easy.
Great way to start your career. Good luck

[MNspiderman]

Looks like fun. As we say in the Construction trade. Tear it down and start over. Its cheaper, faster than remodeling and done right the second first time. I think you get the point. Where are you from?

[66Sprint200]

Thanks, for some confidence. I'm from England, but I live just outside of Pittsburgh, Pa. Right now, I'm at college in McPherson College. It's located in McPherson, Ks, about 60 miles north of Wichita, Ks.

[2ndwind]

Sprint,
I stand corrected. If I were young, single and full of energy, I would do this kind of restoration. In fact, I did. On a 1970 Karmann Ghia convertible.

[tonyfromjersey]

This looks like a ton of work, but if you manage to pull it off as part of your education more power to you.

My advice is this: take a ton of pictures and document everything. If you plan on getting in the car restoration trade after school (and I assume you do) this could be a great addition to your portfolio. Any idiot can walk into someplace with a resume and ask for a job. You could drive in with a book of pictures, etc. When they ask for your resume, tell them you drove it there.

Good luck. In my younger days, when I had more time, I took on a lot of house projects that everyone (except my Dad) said I was nuts to do, like cutting out walls, expanding rooms, etc. Now I have to keep it small as time is my most valuable commodity.

Enjoy your project. You hit the parts jackpot! Keep us posted.

Tony