I have been growing quite fond of these old fiat cars, and seeing as my dad has a spider, I wanted something different. Wondering if anyone owns one around the Chicagoland area? I gotta see if I fit first haha
I have been growing quite fond of these old fiat cars, and seeing as my dad has a spider, I wanted something different. Wondering if anyone owns one around the Chicagoland area? I gotta see if I fit first haha
If you want to come to California, I know a solid race-prepped one that's available for cheap relative to what it would take to recreate.
https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5574249132.html
Don't live near there nor have one currently, but I've had a bunch. They are fantastic driving cars, but are fairly slow by today's standards. There are quite a few mods you can do to speed them up however, and are exceptionally strong cars. Depending upon what you want to do with it, the later injected cars make for a better all around driver, but these days, just finding a good can be tough, so you may be limited in choice.
To this day, the best autocross car, or track car for that matter, that I've ever driven was Steve Hoelscher's old DSP X1/9.
I can second on how strong they are. I cut one up, an extremely rusty one with no floors.. it ate a -lot- of blades
There is guy from Tinley Park who posts a red one on CL every few months. It's in pieces, he claims it runs and drives. I am always tempted to call him. I have too many projects now.
Kreb wrote: If you want to come to California, I know a solid race-prepped one that's available for cheap relative to what it would take to recreate. https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5574249132.html
That is a very good deal. I'm very glad, or should I say my wife is, that it is not closer to me. 
How are these for reliability?
I have one I'd like to get rid of but I'm in Orlando. Had if for about 7 years and have gone through almost everything. Just got it running again with a new cylinder head and rebuilt the webers. Here's most of the story:
Right now needs the interior finished being put back in and some electrical work.
mblommel wrote: I have one I'd like to get rid of but I'm in Orlando. Had if for about 7 years and have gone through almost everything. Just got it running again with a new cylinder head and rebuilt the webers. Here's most of the story: GRM Build Thread Right now needs the interior finished being put back in and some electrical work.
Dammit man, I'm scared to ask how much...you're much closer unfortunately.
In reply to racerdave600:
If I could get $4500 for it I'd be ecstatic. With work and kids I just don't have the time to work on it.
Trackmouse wrote: How are these for reliability?
The drivetrains are very reliable if cared for, valves adjusted, timing belts replaced fuel systems cleaned and fed fresh fuel.
The Electrical can be marginal and generally adding relays, replacing wiring that was too small, clean and protect ground points help a lot.
A little inspiration:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7YGVEMlHPs
mblommel wrote: In reply to racerdave600: If I could get $4500 for it I'd be ecstatic. With work and kids I just don't have the time to work on it.
Dang, that's a steal. Hate to see you sell it; I've been following along from the beginning.
mblommel wrote: In reply to racerdave600: If I could get $4500 for it I'd be ecstatic. With work and kids I just don't have the time to work on it.
You are evil! I may want to talk to you about it. I just picked up a toy Miata a few months back, let me see how badly the wife would kill me.
Stefan (Not Bruce) wrote:Trackmouse wrote: How are these for reliability?The drivetrains are very reliable if cared for, valves adjusted, timing belts replaced fuel systems cleaned and fed fresh fuel. The Electrical can be marginal and generally adding relays, replacing wiring that was too small, clean and protect ground points help a lot.
grounds are your biggest worry. Once I redid all the grounds in my spiders, they worked flawlessly
Same with my old X1/9's. Grounds are almost all of your electrical problems in my experience.
mblommel wrote: In reply to racerdave600: If I could get $4500 for it I'd be ecstatic. With work and kids I just don't have the time to work on it.
I really enjoyed that build thread. I think I actually did a cheer when you bought the car back after the paint job (well played!) Cant believe it never got done.
depending on the year X.. Fiat did some weird things with grounds. I know in the 124 spiders, you generally have every electrical device with a ground of it's own, or at least grounded with like and nearby things.. like all the taillights on one side might share a ground.
Starting in 1979, they started to group ALL the grounds into large "flower" like grounding pods. The one in the trunk would have all the taillights, fuel pump, and everything else in the back of the car running to it. The one in the engine compartment was the ground for everything up there. Works great until you disturb one for paint or get some rust behind it.. then you will be chasing electrical issues forever
Kreb wrote: If you want to come to California, I know a solid race-prepped one that's available for cheap relative to what it would take to recreate. https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/5574249132.html
That car has been for sale for years at that price. I have seen it before and sat in it, you would have to be pretty short to fit with the cage and a helmet, the guy who drives it isn't that tall if I remember right.
racerdave600 wrote: You are evil! I may want to talk to you about it. I just picked up a toy Miata a few months back, let me see how badly the wife would kill me.
Haha. If you are interested hit me up. I have tons of $$$ sunk into it, almost everything is new. I just need to get out and move on. They are really neat cars and super fun to drive.
In reply to mblommel:
Does your car still have the 1290cc engine and four speed trans? Do you have the interior?
spitfirebill wrote: In reply to mblommel: Does your car still have the 1290cc engine and four speed trans? Do you have the interior?
Yep, it's a 1300 and a 4 speed. I have the complete interior too. New carpet (installed). Seats were recovered years ago. The dash has a couple cracks (don't they all?) and the door panels have holes for 6" door speakers. It's a presentable but not perfect interior.
NOHOME wrote: I really enjoyed that build thread. I think I actually did a cheer when you bought the car back after the paint job (well played!) Cant believe it never got done.
Really sorry to let you guys down. Just don't have the juice left make it happen.
mblommel wrote:NOHOME wrote: I really enjoyed that build thread. I think I actually did a cheer when you bought the car back after the paint job (well played!) Cant believe it never got done.Really sorry to let you guys down. Just don't have the juice left make it happen.
I hear you man. I have a rust free Spitfire that been in my driveway for years now. As soon as I got it, I rebuilt the engine, suspension and brakes. The engine has been sitting on the stand ever since. I have a twin carb setup that needs all of the linkage and that stole my Mojo. I think somebody offers a new linkage set but its $100. I need to just bite the bullet and get it and move on. I also have a Ford Type 9 transmission to put in it. The body work is going to be easy peasy compared to my 64.
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