My Second Fiat - The Runner

[wachuko]

Documenting bringing my second Fiat back to optimal running condition. Not a concours car by any stretch of the imagination. Just making it a good and solid runner. Hope you enjoy these threads.

It is a 1981 car with 150K miles. Purchase price: US$ 1,375.00 + trailer rental + diesel = US$ 1,500.00

The good (and guys/gals, by new I mean there were installed new 2-1/2 years ago...) :
New ANSA exhaust
New suspension
New brakes lines, calipers
Solid body, no accident history

The bad:
A few rust bubbles starting to show in the wheel arches
Then there is the interior...
Top needs to be replaced
Bad airflow meter
Good dent in the oil pan
Driver door has the dreaded crack in the top hinge
Missing badges
Missing front spoiler
Did I mentioned the interior?
Small dent in the passenger side, rear qtr. panel

PARTS FOR SALE HERE

List of modifications installed:
Front spoiler. Status: Installed!

Metal coolant overflow tank. Status: Ordered from Mark, and installed! (http://allisonsautomotive.com/)


Bumper delete (not only because of the weight reduction, but these just take away from the lines of the car). Status: Removed!

Ferrari styled mirrors. Status: Installed!


Front fog lights (if anyone has the details on what size these are and if they are readily available from Hella or the likes please pass it along): Status: Looks like the one to get are from a Mini Cooper : Fog Lights Thread



Status: Installed these for now:


List of modifications I want:

Black canvas top. Status: Received!
Black carpet. Status: Received!

Lower it with a set of new springs - from Vick's - http://www.vickauto.com/cgi-bin/store/index.html



Not sure if I will go with early chrome bumpers or just the Abarth bumpers.



Mark's Rota wheels (http://allisonsautomotive.com/)



Mark's exhaust system (http://allisonsautomotive.com/)


Wood steering wheel:


Painted calipers (with the FIAT stencil):


To clean up the engine bay, Mark's electronic ignition system: Thread


What it looked like when I got it:



What it looks like today (will update this photos as I make changes):

[wachuko]

It was dark and the car is dirty... will take better photos over the weekend.











Starting with the basics... replaced the AFM with the spare unit I had and the car is now running fine.

Wheels moved over from the parts car:

[katsi]

Looks pretty clean. And I really liked the interior. Looks like a good candidate for restoration. Doesn't really seem like their is a lot of work to do. Great buy. And, it came with a trailor?

[wachuko]

Looks pretty clean. And I really liked the interior. Looks like a good candidate for restoration. Doesn't really seem like their is a lot of work to do. Great buy. And, it came with a trailer?

Trailer rental, trailer rental ... oohhh there is work to do..

Here is the stuff that needs attention:















Let's see that one closer...









and the dreaded door crack at the hinges... thankfully it is only one.

[pope]

Hey Jamie, now we're talking.
Looks like an 81 anniversary edition that has been repainted. Use to be champaign in color. Should have leather seats. I could be wrong, it might be that the PO just reupholstered it to look like one.
Where are the arm rests?

[Exit98]

Hey Jamie,

Looks good.

Now you've got to buy another one with a bad motor/transmission so you can use your extra rebuilt drivetrain.

You'll be in business soon.

Love your threads.

Doug

[red107]

Jaime, put gas in that car and drive it to zephyrhills tomorrow. We need more fiats on the road.

[courtenay]

Jamie - at the rate you work on your cars, you'll have that thing looking cherry in about a week!! Took me almost all day to install a headlight relay!
I too am enjoying your posts. They are very educational! Keep 'em coming!!

[wachuko]

Jaime, put gas in that car and drive it to zephyrhills tomorrow. We need more fiats on the road.

I was very tempted to do so... but I can't. I need to go over it and check everything. I want to remove the oil pan and make sure there was no damage to the pick up, and I want to bleed the brakes, change the fluids, belts, etc. Quick swap of the seats (since I need to go over the ones in the car, bolts are loose and seem to be missing the receiving nut...)

Once I do that I can take it for a long drive.

I have friends over and the wife is giving me that look.... you know the one "what the h@#$%@#% are you doing on the computer or garage..."

Got to go!

[mdrburchette]

Now that's a good restoration candidate, Jaime. Way to go!

[spidernut]

What did you do with the other wheels? I'm sure that I'm not the only one looking for a reasonably priced set of the iron cross wheels! Are you going to sell them?

[pooldoctorstl]

You were just asking the other day where everybody found these bargain cars. Well, it looks like you found one. If you only have 1500 in it you did great! Welcome to the Bargain Club!

[wachuko]

What did you do with the other wheels? I'm sure that I'm not the only one looking for a reasonably priced set of the iron cross wheels! Are you going to sell them?

Just in case, those are 13inches not 14. And yes, selling them. If these are the size you are looking for, make me a fair offer and there are yours. The only favor I ask is, because initially I need them to move the parts car around, to give me some time to remove the rest of the stuff from the parts car before shipping.

[Snoopy]

Nice car, interesting storys, wonderful garage. Here is snow and cold again and i can do nothing in my cold small dark garage...
(I wonder when you finish your Porsche ?)

[wachuko]

...(I wonder when you finish your Porsche ?)

The Porsche is a project for many years. All the parts to turn it into an RSR look alike are here. I just need to work on it to finish it. I am learning body work as I go, many parts, brackets, etc to build... so it will take time.

I keep it running to make sure the engine and all the other parts stay in good shape.