Let's start with me searching for a red Fiat Spider in 2012, was looking for a late '70's model, because I like the straight dashboard more than the more 'modern' look with the centre-console thing in it.
Also I wanted an automatic transmission for some nice lean-back roadtrips.
After some searching I've managed to find her, just a few miles away from my home.
Took a look and besides the paint wasn't pretty most on the frond and read bonnets, it looked like a good deal for about €4500,- (approx. $5500,-).
After some negiotiation I could buy her for €2500,- (approx. $3000,-) without the hardtop.
Some older pictures:
Made some plans to make the hoods red again by the way, don't like the Abarth-style that much..
Searched for a used Pioneer radio with a nice classic look:
After that I made a second appointment with the seller and drove with her and decided to buy this beauty
Bought it without the hardtop (targatop) and got her home on the 2nd day of Christmas 2012.
Me driving away for the first ride:
Some talking 'bout the car with the current owner:
Me, behind the steering wheel:
A few days later I've bought a nice used softtop with frame for €275,- (approx. $340,-) so still all together it's driving a nice Fiat Spider for a pretty low budget.
And then it was the 2nd day of Christmas.
First kilometers, ofcourse, top down!
This smile says it all
Nicely parked in our garage
Now wait for the nice weather to come!
Mounted the Pioneer DEH-P77MP radio with mp3 and classic look, fits perfectly I must say:
Also mounted a nice gray softtop, black lids will be red again, will look great then. As the gray/black looks a bit strange for now:
But hopefully we'll be running with the top down, most of the time:
In the meantime I've been looking for the big search wich wheels are mounted under the car, as far I've found they are
Campagnolo Miura wheels, 14 inch, 6J and offset 16.
Later more about them...
I've replaced this '80's styled steeringwheel:
By this old Spider wheel, after polishing the spokes:
And also I've replaced the broken radiator-surrounds in the centreconsole:
For a new one:
And last but not least, replaced the on the front side fully rusted hood:
And I've removed the wheels and the tyres from the car.
Brought them to 'Gerritsen-Coatings in Nijkerk, The Netherlands' who will sand and powdercoat them in silver with a top coat.
These babies were threated very bad the last years as you can see in the next pictures:
But after some fine work by the powdercoating company I've got them back in this state:
And they'll be mounted again with these tyres, BF Goodrich Touring 2, sizes 185/60/R14:
Will post updates of my continuing work of getting this baby prettier in this topic, hope you all like her and the effords I've put in so far
