Houston, TX

[NickSpider]

Hi everyone, obviously I am new to the site. This site is what I have been looking for. I just purchased a 1975 124 spider 1800 from the original owner( family friend), it only has 27K original miles and has been sitting in storage since 1982, because the fuel pump went out and the husband and wife never bothered to get it fixed. Unfortunately the husbands wife passed away 2 years ago and he saw no need to keep the car any longer (wife refused to get rid of it) and it was tied up in estate issues until recently when I got the chance to purchase it. The paint is the original powder yellow with black convertible top and black interior. Curious to how I will be able to get some touch up paint to match? My wife and I are expecting a baby in a few weeks so I probably wont have much time to work on it for a few months, but i figured i better start ordering parts and getting everything ready for when I can start getting to it.

[So Cal Mark]

welcome to the site, post some pics when you can

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum Nick. Congtatulations on the Spider, and the baby too!
Good idea getting a car you can go out to work on when the baby's doing too much screaming.
It sounds like the car is a honey.
Ron

[NickSpider]

Where is the best place to buy parts?

[ghelber]

Hey fellow Houstonian, welcome to a rewarding and emotional purchase. I don't think there are many of us here, other than my Smoke grey mist ( green met) I think I have seen only one blue in the last 7 years. Take the paint code from underside of trunk to a body shop paint supplier and have then mix a small amount. Won't be cheep but as you are about to find, nothing much on your new car will be. Don't get discouraged as the first real drive will make it all worth while.

[SanAnEliseMan]

Another Houstonian?!? Seems like lots of Texans have been joining lately! I am in San Antonio and we should all put together a TX drive this summer!

[NickSpider]

Another Houstonian?!? Seems like lots of Texans have been joining lately! I am in San Antonio and we should all put together a TX drive this summer!

unless that drive includes me pulling it behind my expedition I dont think it will happen, well at least not that soon!!

[NickSpider]

Hey fellow Houstonian, welcome to a rewarding and emotional purchase. I don't think there are many of us here, other than my Smoke grey mist ( green met) I think I have seen only one blue in the last 7 years. Take the paint code from underside of trunk to a body shop paint supplier and have then mix a small amount. Won't be cheep but as you are about to find, nothing much on your new car will be. Don't get discouraged as the first real drive will make it all worth while.

Before I do anything I need to get new tires, orginals are shot, they are so old that I can't even read the numbers on the sidewall, and its just too tiring to roll it in and out of the garage how it is now. I know they are 13" steel wheels because they are rusting a little, but what size and brand tire is best on these? Thanks. I am really looking forward to getting it running.

[fiatfanatic]

It's great to see another Houstonian on here!

[baltobernie]

Before I do anything I need to get new tires, orginals are shot, they are so old that I can't even read the numbers on the sidewall, and its just too tiring to roll it in and out of the garage how it is now. I know they are 13" steel wheels because they are rusting a little, but what size and brand tire is best on these? Thanks. I am really looking forward to getting it running.

Welcome NickSpider,

You can search this site for threads containing "Tires". One popular tire is the Sumitomo HTR200, avaiable from Tire Rack. HR-rated, not M&S, and priced as low as $36; I remember paying twice that 35 years ago! I've got 175/70's to approximate the OE look on my '73, but many others have gone with 185/70's, which is the largest you can fit in your spare tire well and still have the floor boards flush. Lots of other owners use 60-series and lower; its all a matter of taste. At least as many opinions on tires as bumpers!

[ghelber]

Another Houstonian?!? Seems like lots of Texans have been joining lately! I am in San Antonio and we should all put together a TX drive this summer!

I would try and make it to that!

[SanAnEliseMan]

Another Houstonian?!? Seems like lots of Texans have been joining lately! I am in San Antonio and we should all put together a TX drive this summer!

I would try and make it to that!

Ok lets shoot for August/September so people have some time to get their cars running at least (seems like there a lot of Texans joining). . . I will plan out a route and look into places to stay so we can make it a weekend drive. Know some great routes in Hill Country so it should be a great time. Much better roads with great scenery and lots of twisties. . . not very common in Houston.

[kristoj]

Where is the best place to buy parts?

Well if you promise not to make fun of me because of the weather up here in the winter time, I will tell you.
Welcome to the site! Below is a list of some of the better Fiat parts suppliers.

http://www.international-auto.com
http://www.vickauto.com
http://www.fiatparts.com
http://www.baylessfiat.com
http://www.spiderroadster.com/index.htm
http://www.fiatplus.com/

[NickSpider]

Where is the best place to buy parts?

Well if you promise not to make fun of me because of the weather up here in the winter time, I will tell you.
Welcome to the site! Below is a list of some of the better Fiat parts suppliers.

http://www.international-auto.com
http://www.vickauto.com
http://www.fiatparts.com
http://www.baylessfiat.com
http://www.spiderroadster.com/index.htm
http://www.fiatplus.com/

Thanks for the links, I have been looking online and only found two of the ones listed above. This will save me alot of time looking so now I can focus on buying.

[ghelber]

Where is the best place to buy parts?

Well if you promise not to make fun of me because of the weather up here in the winter time, I will tell you.
Welcome to the site! Below is a list of some of the better Fiat parts suppliers.

http://www.international-auto.com
http://www.vickauto.com
http://www.fiatparts.com
http://www.baylessfiat.com
http://www.spiderroadster.com/index.htm
http://www.fiatplus.com/

Thanks for the links, I have been looking online and only found two of the ones listed above. This will save me alot of time looking so now I can focus on buying.

For used parts (any car) I have had good luck using the site below. They send to a number of salvage yards who are most likely to deal in the type of car you are inquiring about. I was unable to avoid a large piece of concrete in the road a couple of months ago and ruined one of my turbo alloy wheels. After failing to find one through my traditional suppliers I shot a request to these folks and with in 48 hours I had 5 to choose from and was able to purchase one for $100 that only needed a light sanding and paint. Most will e-mail you a photo. Beware as you are dealing with junk dealers and also do not be afraid to negotiate. Two came back at me after they located the item and tried to bump me in price claiming they had sold the original item but had another for twice the price. Hold your ground and they will come back down or better yet, offer less than their stated price to start with.

Your parts request is sent to numerous salvage yards. If one or more of
these salvage yards can help you, you will be contacted by them via email
with further information regarding your request.

noresponse@uneedapart.com" <noresponse@uneedapart.com>