New to Me 1979 Spider

[PittsburghKevin]

Hello -

Just picked up a new Spider. Quite happy.

- K.

[narfire]

Great looking car,well done.
Extra points for posting a picture right off the bat.
How's the car? any issues? Going to do any tweaks to the car?
Do you think the Pens will repeat? oh sorry not a car question

[mbouse]

kevin, welcome to the site

tell us more about you and the car.

[cutchaguy]

Nice looking spider. That's the color I'm wanting to paint mine.

[kristoj]

But you didn't post where you are from. I am going to guess Western Pa. I am only a couple hours from you. Welcome to the site. Looks like a gorgeous car. Maybe I will see you at the PVGP next year with it?

[rlux4]

Welcome to the site Kevin. Gorgeous car!
Ron

[PittsburghKevin]

Heck, I thought "PittsburghKevin" covered where I am from. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The car is a blast to drive. My daughters love it. The backseat made the Spider a winner for me. 2 kids, no backseat? Non-starter. The backseat and looks hooked me that I wanted this type of car.

For this car itself, it was the fourth I looked at. The eighth that I called on. It was the first that the description matched the car. The seller was a true gentleman. He owned it since '92. He was a school teacher and had the auto class paint it. They did a reasonable job. At 10 feet and 10 mph, it is flawless.

The car drives nicely, with a list of minor issues. Exhaust leaks, drivers door feels 'loose', drivers seat is bent, pulls a little to the left when braking, turn signals signalling irregularly (odd problem), plate lights not working, small oil on top of engine, standard foggy instruments, split in vinyl dash, lower dash is a mess --- but ... no rust! He kept it garaged and well maintained. A former student did the work for him and treated him right.

First repair was adjusting the hood latch, it stopped catching the second time I popped the hood. 1 day, 1 fix.

So, I have a car that runs pretty reasonably, that will be fun to take the kids out for ice cream, and that I can drive around for a get away on weekends. All for a couple thousand. And no rust.

As for mods ... I think just fixing the list above will take me a bit. I would be exaggerating if I said I was a decent mechanic.

[PittsburghKevin]

@Kristoj
Where in Ohio? I bought the car near Akron. I travel to Ohio on a regular basis. 3-4 times a month. I looked at your car pictures. Quite nice. You should be proud.

[NebraskaSpider]

I like the choice in name

welcome to the site. nice looking car.

[kristoj]

@Kristoj
Where in Ohio? I bought the car near Akron. I travel to Ohio on a regular basis. 3-4 times a month. I looked at your car pictures. Quite nice. You should be proud.

Kevin,

I was kidding of course about where you are from. I live in North Canton, about 15 minutes south of downtown Akron. We also get to Pittsburgh regularly. My wife loves Ikea, the kids like the children's museum and I love the Vintage Grand Prix! If you are in Akron regularly, we should try to hook up before the snow flies.

[rlux4]

Snow flies?
I've heard of Horse Flies, but.... snow flies?
Ron

[kristoj]

Snow flies?
I've heard of Horse Flies, but.... snow flies?
Ron

That's right, Ron. Up north here we have also have snow plows, snow shovels, snow blowers, snow drifts, snow men, and snow tires! Unfortunately, we only have a couple of months before the sun goes away for the winter and all the snow creatures come out in force.

[PittsburghKevin]

John -

I bought the car in North Canton! Ha! Great conincidence. I will definitely be criss-crossing your fine state in the next few months -- probably not in the Spider!!
- K.

[kristoj]

Wow, that is freaky! I bought mine in North Canton too! Seriously, I don't ever remember seeing your car around town. And with a population of less than 20,000, that's odd. Did the guy just not ever take it out?

[PittsburghKevin]

6,000 miles or so since 1992. He taught science at the middle school. Drove the car to and from school, went out with his wife occassionally. Fantastic guy.