'76 in Arizona

[LittlePegasus]

Hello,
I'm glad to join the group. In 2001 I bought a 1976 Fiat 124 off of eBay. The car had been driven on a frequent basis and even had a unique after market fiberglass hardtop. Following some dialogue I decided I was confident enough to drive it from Portland Oregon to my house in the Phoenix area. Me and my wife flew to Portland in late afternoon and were met at the airport by the seller. We drove in a light rain, traveling almost 300 miles at night to just outside Ashland when the car suddenly stalled and wouldn't restart. Its been 20 years so I can't remember what was wrong anymore, but it took a day and half to get the parts needed. We enjoyed our stayover in Ashland (even went back once since), but were glad to get back on the road. We drove all day to Los Angeles where we spent the night and then on to the Phoenix area the next day. That trip forever bonded me with this car. When my job sent me to Washington DC for a few years though, I gave the car to my wife's son. I'm retired now and her son no longer has room for the car, so now its back in my garage!
https://photos.google.com/search/_tra_/ ... CvILorSjUz

I do have a question though, I read many older recommendations to use Shell Rotella T 15W-40 motor oil. I can't seem to find Rotella T, is seems they may now only be producing Rotella Rotella T4, Rotella T5 and Rotella T6. Any insights/recommendations?

Rick P.
Paradise Valley, Arizona

[rdv]

Good morning Rick
and welcome to this great community! Nice story about the beginning of your FIAT life!

Would love to see your car, but your link doesn't work! Would be interested too in your car data for the worldwide Spider Register, where already 146 cars from Arizona are listed:
https://www.fiatspider.de/register?Fahr ... ve=Arizona

Regarding your oil problem: I think, not the product Shell Rotella is the search request but the oil type 15W-40! This seems to become rare on the market. Here in germany I found, that amazon is a good source for this oil type, i.e.:
https://www.amazon.de/Liqui-Moly-1440-M ... N3GV4&th=1

Cheers Ralf

[18Fiatsandcounting]

I do have a question though, I read many older recommendations to use Shell Rotella T 15W-40 motor oil. I can't seem to find Rotella T, is seems they may now only be producing Rotella Rotella T4, Rotella T5 and Rotella T6. Any insights/recommendations?

Rick, thanks for sharing the story of your '76 spider. I too had many "bonding" events with my spiders as we traveled across the US over the decades.

Regarding oil, I'm not very brand conscious as far as oil for a 40 or 50 year old engine, but my thought is that any good quality oil is fine for your car. Given the climate in Arizona, 10W-40 or 15W-40 should be fine.

Given the hot summers in Phoenix, make sure your cooling system is in good shape.

-Bryan

[LittlePegasus]

This link to view the Spider should work

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZnvxZAVKZRFybeqU8

[SunnySideUp]

I do have a question though, I read many older recommendations to use Shell Rotella T 15W-40 motor oil. I can't seem to find Rotella T, is seems they may now only be producing Rotella Rotella T4, Rotella T5 and Rotella T6. Any insights/recommendations?

Rotella T4 is the replacement / substitute for the legacy Rotella T formulation.

[GreyDR]

That is surely one special car! Welcome