Hello from Cedar Springs, MI

[ljayr]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and to Fiat Spiders. My first Spider is a 1979 Pininfarina. I just purchased it a few weeks ago.

I have been a car / bike enthusiast most of my life, starting out as a mechanic, I just have a natural interest in mechanical things. Once I realized that I was overworked and under payed I moved into Manufacturing and now Manufacturing Engineering.

I am looking forward to learning a lot about Fiat Spiders as well hoping to contribute some useful information of my own.

[rlux4]

Hi ljayr, welcome to the forum.
We have something in common, my first Spider was a 79. But I live in California, so the 79s were pretty loaded with smog crap and a lot less peppy than ealier or later ones were. Is yours still stock, or has it been modified for better performance?
We'd love to see pics of your new car.
Ron

[kmead]

Welcome! The first rule of being a member here is that you need to show us pics of your car, ok its not a rule but we really would love to see it.

We have a pretty active FLU chapter in West Michigan, check out our facebook page. Our next meet up is a garage day in mid May at the chapter president's house in Holland. We will be doing front wheel bearings and likely an electronic ignition retrofit. You are welcome to come by to meet a few other enthusiasts from the area.

Welcome and know that you are a part of a very good forum about your car which is very willing to help you with any problem you may have in the future.

[DoctorPDR]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and to Fiat Spiders. My first Spider is a 1979 Pininfarina. I just purchased it a few weeks ago.

I have been a car / bike enthusiast most of my life, starting out as a mechanic, I just have a natural interest in mechanical things. Once I realized that I was overworked and under payed I moved into Manufacturing and now Manufacturing Engineering.

I am looking forward to learning a lot about Fiat Spiders as well hoping to contribute some useful information of my own.

Welcome aboard ljayr!

[ljayr]

Here are some links for pics guys.
The car is all stock, except for the poor maintenance that has been done to it. The previous owner had all good intentions, but lacked the skill set needed to preform proper maintenance and repair.
Thats not a bad thing as I like to "tinker" on things from time to time.

http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02813.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02812.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02811.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02809.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02807.jpg
http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm97 ... C02806.jpg

[beachboy]

welcome, where is cedar springs MI? northern or southern mich.
I dont think that the seats are stock. I have never seen a factory fabric pattern on a seat. Maybe PO stitched in new seating area where it was worn. Great color combo of grey and dark red interior. Time to get the clock lens replaced.
Why dont you remove the bumper supports and clean up the look, or chrome them LOL.

Again welcome

[kmead]

I have always liked that gray, it was one of the best colors they offered (in my opinion, I also always liked the metallic blue). The red interior is a nice complement to it as well.

That left rear fender needs a bit of attention but is still salvageable. Make sure to use steel to replace the area and that the body people don't just pack it with bondo. It will cost more but its worth doing it right, the parts are available from several vendors (Vicks, Midwest Bayless and others).

I hope you can bring it by in May to show off your new acquisition at the West Michigan FLU garage day.

[2ndwind]

Welcome ljayr. Nice car to start with. BTW, I noticed you hooked the rubber hold down strap for the top to the boot hook. I did the same thing today. Hard to stretch that bugger all the way. I looked it up in the manual and it shows hooking it over the latch catching behind the point that goes into the windshield receiver. Enjoy

[mbouse]

WM-FLU garage day sounds like a great time to meetcha LJAYR. Do you need a rear bumper? i'm betting we have one or two laying around that we could bring to the meeting location..(Pete's house in West Olive).

lemme know if you can make it, and i will be sure to bring a bumper.

[engineerted]

Welcome, another Michigan Fiat , My moms from Cedar Springs and I grew up in Rockford, just down the road. If you get that baby all cleaned up you too could be driving it in the Red Flanel Day parade.

Ted