Hello from Los Angeles

[Mozster]

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[/code]Well, I am taking back my 1980 Fiat Spider from my father who passed away last year. While it was originally mine, he took it after my sister totaled it many years ago. He rebuilt it and got it rolling only to stop driving it when he didn't want to go through the hassle of the California Smog Check. I promised I would let my daughter have it when she turned 16 as her 2-mile commuter car to school. So I am now officially getting all my car into together to start restoring it.

Since my local Fiat repair guy retired years ago, I need to find someone in the LA area to work on the car. I need it overhauled and unlike when I owned the car in college, I have plenty of funds to do this restoration right. Probably the one item that needs the most attention is what to expect in the smog check. Can anyone tell me what that will entail since it is a 38 year old car?

I've done some digging and it looks like I can replace just about anything on the car. Back in the day without the internet, finding parts was a miserable experience.

So:

1) An Los Angeles vicinity mechanic specializing in Fiat Spiders or classic Italian.
2) Best online source of parts
3) Expectations of the CA smog check

Thanks for any help!

Kevin (aka Mozster)

[MattVAS]

Welcome to the group!

Best parts source well ME of course - www.vickauto.com

Mechanic - honestly anyone can work on these cars. Well okay not a young fake mechanics that only knows OBD2 cars. You just want a nice old guy with really dirty hands and they can do the work.

NOW FOR THE INFAMOUS CALIFORNIA SMOG!!! (ominous music inserted here)
Are you seated? Are you ready for the crazy? Hold on tight because if you're in California this is gonna hurt......

*California Owners: This is from the www.bar.ca.gov website about non original parts. "What about missing parts? A Limited Parts Exemption may be issued if an emission control part was not available at the time of inspection. Although a limited parts exemption may be issued on a change-of-ownership smog inspection, the vehicle must pass all other aspects of the Smog Check. Applicants for a limited parts exemption must utilize BAR's Parts Locator Service and Referee Centers." More websites and phone numbers for parts locator or referee centers www.asktheref.org or 1-800-622-7733.*
Hurt didn't it? Aren't you glad you were seated?

I have this posted on our website in a few product descriptions. In short since you cannot purchase "smog" stuff you can simply get rid of it and get exempted out of the smog visual. And don't worry if the car has all the right tuning (I don't mean de-tuned to near death I mean running good) the car will still pass the actual emissions sniffer test (wand up the tailpipe).

[Zoofly]

There are two Fiat shops that do decent work. Mark Allison at Allison Automotive in Upland, CA is the best choice. Kind of a far drive but well worth it. The other option is Santo's Italian Car Service in Northridge. I've used them both and prefer Allison Automotive. Better prices and better knowledge IMO.