new owner 1981 Fiat 2000

[Barjavel]

New owner introduction: I recently picked up an almost entirely original and unmolested 1981 Fiat 2000 in Madison, WI. I owned an '87 Alfa graduate many years ago and have missed that car dearly, and for the last year or so I was looking to get back into the world of convertibles now that my kids are older. I want to drive my 13 year old out west this summer, just him and me and maybe the dog. The wife prefers (strongly prefers) new cars, but I couldn't bring myself to pay $30k on a Miata, and I like keeping old stuff running. (I've had old Vespas and Moto Guzzi motorcycles for some time). I do not, though, plan to do a lot of work on the car myself, besides simple stuff.

Anyway, the PO had tried to sell the car on CL for $5k, but wasn't getting offers and sent me a surprise offer to sell for $2,000. He was eager to get the garage stall empty for his daughter's car prior to the snow's coming. I gave it a quick look and test drive and said "sure."

The car just got up on the lift at my local old-car mechanic. He reports that the car is amazingly solid for its age. No rust, and all major systems are working and some have been renewed in the not-so-ancient past. Apparently the car was driven by the PO's dad, but only in the summer, and after Dad couldn't drive it, the family ran it about 500 miles per year, only in the summers, for the next 20 years.

Current plans are for a progressive rolling restoration. I have a new top (the original top is shot); the tires date from 1987 (and include the factory original spare); the timing belt has never been changed and will be as soon as the weather here allows; the cam box cover is leaking oil. The paint is totally original, with only two small areas of surface rust from dings and a few dents, though the flat surfaces are severely oxidized, and badges are faded. I plan to renew the badges but keep the patina for now. The car had a Blaupunkt tape deck, I will replace with a modern bluetooth-enabled receiver.

Anyway, I'm still learning about this car and am eager to benefit from the Board's expertise! I'd be especially interested on what I should do, within reason, to make the car as mechanically safe and reliable as I can for the summer trip out west.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Anyway, the PO had tried to sell the car on CL for $5k, but wasn't getting offers and sent me a surprise offer to sell for $2,000.

Although I haven't seen the car, you got an amazing deal for $2K for a 1981 that you could test drive. Let us know when you're ready for advice on technical matters in terms of reliability, and I'd post those questions in the various technical spots on this forum.

Welcome!

-Bryan

[davidbruce]

You're already on the timing belt and tires. I would also concentrate on the other rubber bits. All 5 rubber brake hoses and bleeding the system. Ensure the brake system is sound. All rubber fuel lines, the guibo (rubber coupling between transmission and driveshaft). I would do those as a minimum. I would also look at the engine and transmission mounts as they go soft. And look at the suspension front and rear. Lots of potential rubber rot there. I would spend a day and pull every ground light bulb and electrical connection I could and clean them up. If you haven't already, you should join mirafiori.com for access to their library which has a wealth of information. Manuals, wiring diagrams, fuel injection troubleshooting etc. Their forum is also very good. We come to the forum.