New member - 124BC in Portland

[rmattr]

Howdy,

I know it says "Spider" right in the site name... but I'm a Coupe owner in Portland, OR. I've already found some interesting tidbits around here, and look forward to finding more. Since a "pics or it doesn't exist" reply is inevitable, here's what my '71 124 BC looked like before a recent wheel change (more pics should follow). Now it's got some oddball BWA "Classic" wheels that I have never seen before recently purchasing.

_matt

[Redline]

Very nice!

[wiggo]

Indeed, it's very nice. Looking at classy lines in the photo, I hope your new wheels will add to the impression of your car rather than distract.

Welcome

[azruss]

post pixs of your BWA. I have a set that i have seen no where else but western oregon. I'm sure they all came from the same vendor. If yours are like mine, they are a 4x100mm bolt pattern and requires some imaginative mounting to get them centered on the hub.

[Zippy]

Nice coupe. There are several coupe owners here that post often. Welcome.

I had a 69 AC coupe and a 72 BC before and always wanted a spider. Now that I have a spider I would like to have a coupe also. There is a picture from 1978 of my 72 BC coupe on the picture page of my website. Link below.

[kmead]

Welcome!

That is a real beauty. I have only seen a few red ones. Looking forward to seeing the new wheels on it.

Most envious.

Karl

[rmattr]

Thanks, y'all.

Here's a closeup of the new shoes. I'll drag the coupe out when it stops raining (May?...), give it a wash, and take some proper pictures then. The wheels are NOS, and came in the original box from BWA. I got them from a guy in San Diego who decided not to mount them on his Spider (went with Panasports instead). He got them from someone that was supposedly liquidating an older shop in Eugene, OR. They are true 4x98, so no futzing was necessary. I was looking for something 13" and "period correct", and these are unique to boot. I've been able to find VERY little info on them - it seems that they were not nearly as popular as Sportstars.

Zippy - I actually bought the car about a year ago from someone in your neck of the woods. The car was living at the owner's brother's house in Federal Way.

[Zippy]

OMG that is really bizarre! I have lived in this neighborhood since 1998 and have never seen this car. I am so jealous, but still happy for you. Even if I had seen it I may not have been able to afford it. Was it advertised? Have you always been into Fiats? How are the mechanicals, since the body looks great!

[kmead]

I remember a few years ago when there were quite a few sets of those on Ebay for a month or two. They are neat and have a great period design to them.

Looks good to me. congrats.

[azruss]

Same wheels. The Edgars had bunches of them that ended up on fiats. I have 2 full sets. One set i just had powdercoated. They are a 100mm bolt pattern. what is required in mounting is to hand tighten the bolts as a set feeling thru the holes in the rim on how the back of the wheel is lining up with the shim. should feel the same amount on all sides. if one side is a little high, just whack the tire on the top with your fist until its all even, then tighten the bolts a bit at a time so you dont change the location. I have always liked the look of these wheels. They are a strong, durable wheel. I have over 250k miles on my sets. Now im looking for 15" rims so i can update tires. Cant find anything i like as well.

[rmattr]

Zippy - I believe the car made its way to Ebay and Craigslist in '08 for way too much money, and again to CL early last year for less than half the original asking price. The owner lost the space where he was garaging it, and didn't want to see it disintegrate in the rain... I think I went to see it the day after the CL ad broke. The mechanicals are in great shape, and the car appears to be a fairly low mileage survivor - and pretty much rust free (go figure).

I've long been a fan of Fiats, but this is my first to own. The 124 Coupe has been on my short list for decades, but I figured I'd never find a decent one.

azruss - it's interesting to see the same wheels on your Spider. The only pics I found on the web of ANY BWA Classics were all silver with no black insets. It's almost like the whole lot of these wheels made their way to Oregon... Who were the Edgars? (I'm a recent transplant).

[Zippy]

You are very fortunate to have found that car. I would like to see it someday. Perhaps the next time I go visit my daughter in Beaverton I can look you up?

Al

[azruss]

The Edgars
Jim Edgar owned the Fiat dealership in Eugene back in the early 70s. His son Dave, a teen at the time was his mechanic. Another son John, did bodywork out of their house. They bought several sets of these wheels and have slowly sold them over the years. I think it is John who sells them. Dont know if they have any left. Dave owns a Peugot shop in portland. I think it is call E.R.E. The portland people will know. I reconditioned my first set and left them all silver. The original paint was subject to lifting when in contact with brake fluid. I just had a set stripped and powdercoated. They are solid silver at this point with no tires mounted on them. These wheels require using tubes.

[rmattr]

azruss - thanks for filling in the blanks regarding the Edgars.

Al - definitely PM me when you are in the area next time.

[Exit98]

That Coupe is a beauty and an early one to boot. I wouldn't mind seeing that parked next to my Spider.

Oh, and there's plenty of room here on the board for you metal top guys. We are all in this together.

I'm looking forward to seeing pics of your Coupe with the new wheels. But I am a traditionalist at heart. Love the look of the stock caps and beauty rings.

Good luck with it.