Saturday, May 24 I picked up a July '78 build Spider after wanting one (in the back of my mind) since 1992--the first time I ever drove one. ---First year of college, a friend from Canada had a '79---
I've been looking for about a year to find "the right one" that was close by, decently priced, and still had some things needed on it so I could put my own personal touch on it.
I am the third owner--it has been a Colorado car all its life. First owner sold it to the second in 1993--with 61,000 miles on it; I bought it with 82,900. It's been garaged for at least its last 15 years--and there are solid maintenance records going back to 1981--with the only gap being from 86 to 90; my guess is "lost" not "no maintenance done".
I'm decent mechanically--but I have a professional locally who specializes in imports (he works on the family Volvos)--there are actually 3 other Spiders closeby that he works on, as well--so he has the experience. I had him do a stem to stern on it--and other than a minor oil leak and the brakes being borderline--he says it's mechanically in very good shape. The brakes are being replaced tomorrow.
Cosmetically--it's not too bad, either. Repainting happened in 1993, right after the second owner took her home--it look OK, but it was not the best job. Probably next year I'll have her stripped bare and repainted properly. There is a very small bit of rusting in the rear driver's side wheel well--none perforating, just surface--but the "newer" paint is fully intact over it, so I'm not too distressed there. The dash is cracked in two places, but has a fabric cover, so it's hidden, the driver's seat is in dire need of recovering, and the carpet is very obviously original. Of course the badging is all faded--those will be replaced at repainting time. I am sure the wheels are not original, but I'm not fond of them, so they'll have to go at some point. I'm torn between trying to find a set of the Turbo wheels (love those) or just getting a good set of aftermarkets for it.
Anyway--Sorry about the long diatribe--but wanted to introduce the car fully.
I'll post pics as soon as I can--any advice or comments will certainly be appreciated. Michael.
