1978 Fiat 124 Spider

[ole78]

Fiationados, first of all sorry it took me so long to post. For over a month I have been enjoying and using this site. What an incredible help it has been. More stories to come. Thank you so much for the expertise especially to mbouse/ socal/ and manoamatt. Helped a newbie non-mechanic through some muddy waters.
How it all began;
I sat in my 21 year old sister's Fiat at the impressionable age of 12 and I was hooked. It took me 34 years to finally get my own.
Had a '99 4x4 sitting around that I drove when needed, handful of times a month and saw a crgslst ad that would consider a trade. So I threw the bait out there and a couple weeks later met in Sioux Falls SD and traded for my roadster. Drove it back to the Twin Cities and started working on it.
Usually everything I touch mechanically is Murphy's law and gets worse. But I seem to have stumbled upon the alternate universe. Since Murphy's law seems to be written all over Fiat's undeserved history, everything I have worked on... WORKS. WOW. Fuel line, electrical system, broken trunk lock; I have been amazed at how easy this has been to work on so far. What am I 'fix in again tomoro'? (wife pushed my trip odometer knob through the dash - "how do I get the panel off" post to follow ) (oh also don't worry mbouse, "brownwire" just cuz it'll be better)
And, IT HAS BEEN AN ABSOLUTE RIOT TO DRIVE. What a head turner too.
Thanks for the camaraderie and great resource of this site. Be blessed as your pedal is pressed.
-ole

http://fiat124spider1978.shutterfly.com/

[kilrwail]

Ole - Welcome to the forum and congratulations! You got the right year and colour, and a heck of a deal (with all due respect to your 4 x 4). To remove the dash panel, just unscrew the four chrome knobs and pull the panel out carefully, to avoid disconnecting any wires. There should have been a chrome bezel threaded onto the odometer knob, which someone here can probably supply from a parts car (it turns to reset the odo). Thanks for the pictures.

[rocky]

Great looking car. I know you'll drive this one more than a few times a month. These things are a lot easier to work on than you would think. The folks on this board are extremely knowledgeable and generous with their time and advice.

How did you ever find painted red? Congratulations on a great find.

Greg
'77 Spider
'74 AR GTV

[ole78]

Thanks for the welcome.
Looks like I didn't correctly post the picture in the post. Any tips?
Yes, a very unique red... (has a little orange tint to it). Looks like it was originally black.
Thanks for the "panel" tip. Unscrewed it but seems to be a bit tight on the top, maybe some dash warp going on.
I just want to make sure I'm not pulling any wires as I'm trying to get it open. I don't remember a bezel when I TURNED the trip knob. I greatly appreciate my wife's willingness to fill the tank, but "tell me again how you pushed it through the dash dear..." Chrome bezel sounds wonderful.
Tangent humor: Daughter (beautiful little blonde) turned 15 and got the permit. I'm thinking, I get the Fiat, drive it for 3 years and it's her grad gift. "What a nice dad" (surrounded by requisite cheers, applause and hugs). So we get the 5 speed out, she does great and looks too cute in this. Then she says, "but dad, I liked the truck."
Silence. Pause. Bewilderment.
Then, ECSTASY! I GET TO KEEP THE FIAT!
God is good. She can walk.

Trying the img again.

[mbouse]

i like your signature!!

i have been telling the local Chrysler boyz that i have the new Chrysler 2000


all to yourself? SA-weet!

[ole78]

Mike, I love it. Gotta get me a pic of my "124M" out in front of the local "Fiat" dealership...
I did own one other Fiat, it was a Wrangler.

"While many American muscle cars were putting out 1/3 to 1/2 horsepower per cubic inch. Fiat was putting out about 1 horsepower per cubic inch, normally aspirated and without modification." (cbs fiat news story blog) Now that's performance.

Was driving behind a Prius the other day (no, we weren't racing. well, they weren't) and got a good chuckle out of their bumper sticker - IT'S A HEMI - I don't advocate bumper stickers, but I thot about it for a sec.

[ole78]

Another feeble attempt at posting pics.
Anyone out there use "shutterfly"?



if not may transfer to photobucket.
thanks for the thorough img manual baltobernie.

[kilrwail]

To make your picture appear here, you have to use the [img]and[/img] inserts, with the correct code between them. Try looking on Shutterfly for a "direct link" or "image code" associated with the picture.

[ole78]

Photobucket vs shutterfly try.



As Anakin Skywalker shouted over his podracer, "IT'S WORKING. IT'S WORKING!"

shutterfly, nope


shutterfly via facebook, noope

[ole78]

[mbouse]

if at first you don't succeed, try try again.

looks like you finally goter to work!

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum Ole. Great looking car you've got there.
I went through a similar experience with my 16 year old daughter. She wanted the Spider as soon as she gets her license, but Mom convinced her that a new driver needs something a little safer. Whew! I dodged a bullet. (Thanks Mom)
Ron

[ole78]

Right on Ron, thanks.
I hope to drive it for quite some time.
It has been an absolute riot.

I posted a lengthy one today about my speedo adventures (no, not swimwear), but it looks like it didn't make the cut.
I'll try again later. I think my newbie-ism and pictures may help some.
peace