Hello from Port Alberni, BC Canada with longtime 1975 Spider back in the family.

[chrisale]

Sorry for the world’s longest subject!

My name is Chris, and this spring I bought back a car that my Mom originally bought from her friend in 1982.

She gave it to me in 1999 and I unfortunately had to sell it not too long after in 2004 when life happened.

In the meantime, it has gained a little rust and wear from folks who I guess didn’t have the time or capacity to keep good care of her. So now she is back and the plan is to slowly (probably very slowly) restore her, and electrify her! (I just bought a new EV and promised myself I would not buy any more fossil fueled cars... so I better put my energy and money where my mouth is!).

I am not a car guy at all. Only midly mechanically inclined. But I tend to be persistent, so we’ll see!

Since I will be removing the engine at some point, if anyone here would like a rebuilt 1980 engine (I’ll get the exact serial number sometime soon) I will have one up for grabs in the next year or so. I also have an ANSA muffler that was never installed!

[chrisale]

Hello Again!

It has been almost a year, (I told you it was going to be “very slowly” ) but I thought I would reintroduce as now that this COVID thing has kept me home from work, I seem to have a lot more time to do all the honeydo’s and this car too.

We reached a milestone in fact, as I officially got new plates for the car and insured it fully for the first time since it’s return.

Would love to know if there is anyone else on the forum on Vancouver Island.

[davidbruce]

HI Chris and welcome. Several of us here on the island. I'm in Campbell River but actually bought my 1980 in Port Alberni. If you use Vancouver Island in the search function several more will show up. I have a few spare parts lying around if you are in need. Good luck with your restore and hopefully you won't be home too long.

[burgandy81]

Hi Chris,

Welcome!

I am in Victoria.

Feel free to reach out if you are hunting for parts, I have several boxes of misc parts from my years of Fiat ownership.

Kind regards,

Jordan

[courtenay]

Hey, Chris. I'm in beautiful downtown Royston with my '80 Spider. Unfortunately, not on the road right now as I'm pecking away at replacing the brake booster - which is turning out to being a not very fun project. Good luck with your restoration!

[Jimb]

Sorry for the world’s longest subject!

Since I will be removing the engine at some point, if anyone here would like a rebuilt 1980 engine (I’ll get the exact serial number sometime soon) I will have one up for grabs in the next year or so. I also have an ANSA muffler that was never installed!

You do realize that the car isn't much fun if you pull the engine and then don't put it back in?



Jim

[ORFORD2004]

If you have deep pocket.
https://autoricambi.us/1966-1985-fiat-1 ... /ev-power/

[chrisale]

Glad to see some other Islanders!

Questions

1a) Recommendations on good Canadian (dare I ask Island) supplier(s) of FIAT parts?
1b) Anyone have a replacement thermostat hanging around? When I sold the car in 2005 it had a bad thermostat and often overheated. Apparently it has never been fixed in the intervening years.

Jimb: The engine will be replaced with an electric motor... eventually... like the Eletric GT but one hopes a budget version. We are fortunate on the Island to have CanEV.com right here! So they can handle parts for that when the time comes, but for now working on getting some of the basics in better shape. Brakes, electrical/lights, suspension, etc.

Great to make the connections and hope all are safe and keeping busy during the pandemic.

[courtenay]

You can always try Lordco for basic stuff. I just picked up a distributor rotor from them today.

[burgandy81]

Some very basic Canadian parts can be found here

https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/auto-par ... /124/1981/