79 in Minneapolis

[leigh0680]

That's my spider's year, not the temperature, lol.

Bought my car in June but I guess I've been too busy tinkering all summer to post. Hit some roadblocks with my new carb/manifold install, so posted about that yesterday and then decided an intro was due.

My very first car in 1988 was a red 79 spider. Bought it with my college money when my parents were out of town. Oops! And crashed it the next day. Double oops. Been wanting a chance for a re-do every since. (As an aside, the 79 I bought in 88 was already super rusty, which just goes to show how quickly the cars rusted out).

Well, I got my chance at a redo at a time when it wasn't even really in my mind. Happened to come across the car with a for sale sign parked out in front of a suburban home with a full driveway of other cars under tarps. Turned out, some young guy bought the car from the second owner with big plans to do an engine swap (a mopar hemi!) and create a little monster on wheels. He grew disillusioned before doing any real damage, I made an offer I thought he'd never accept, and he dumped the car into my lap at a price that would probably make you all jealous but made me super happy.

Great little car, super solid, only a tiny bit of bubbling around one wheel-well but something I can live with. So far, all my projects have been performance upgrades, since mechanically and cosmetically everything's basically sound.

The downside (for me) is it's an auto, which those who have them like to tout as "rare" when they try to sell them. Maybe it's my age, but I actually don't mind.

And it came with a replacement motor and manual transmission, if I ever am feeling overly ambitious. (If anyone's interested in a 1600 motor and transmission, I'd consider parting with it, since it's just taking up space at the moment and probably forever).

That's about it. MN doesn't have a whole lot in the way of Fiat-specific events, so would love to get together with other locals for a joy ride or to swap stories and mechanical tips.

[aj81spider]

Welcome aboard. That's a great story.

[Tristantinus]

Hey im in the minneapolis area too!

75 124 spider that is hopefully getting a full restore!

[HighLife]

Welcome!

Glad to see some other FIAT owners within driving distance!