1974 Spider still in the family

[cski]

I've been reading this forum for a few weeks, asking a few questions, getting great answers. Because I moved a mountain of crap and towed my dad's '74 Spider out of his garage, where he parked it in 1985.

Minnesota year-round daily driver for it's first two years, not rust free, everything that might need addressing on a rusty Spider will eventually need it, but no structural issues would keep a prudent man from driving it today.

Anyway, the siezed engine is out, installed is a refreshed gas tank, new calipers, rotors, master cylinder, rubber brake hoses, and front brake lines; I reused the pads, its not much $ for pads, but they are fat like new and the car doesn't even run. All the other critical rubber is new too and the carb is rebuilt. A used engine from another Spider afficiando is in the car and it is all close (I hope) to being on the road again. Although it won't be a shock if there are unfunctioning relays or other gizmos to deal with before (and certainly after) that...

[azygoustoyou]

Nice car. So cool to keep it in the family! Keep us updated.

[rlux4]

Welcome to the forum. Wow, sitting in the garage for 25 years! Good for you for pulling it out and getting it back on the road. You're gonna love driving it.
Ron

[cski]

Thanks for the welcome.

You are right - what a blast. Been driving our spider for a few weeks and it just makes me grin. I put a lot of enthusiastic miles on this car and a few of my own Fiats in the '70's but the whole odd Fiat retro drive still surprised me pretty good the first time out.

Now to chase down the new oil leak, replace the water pump which I re-used despite a bad feeling, replace the door handle that broke yesterday, find some metal plugs for those EGR ports, install some nice relayed headlights, an MSShifter would be nice......

[courtenay]

Based on my experience - it would be a good idea to put new bolts in when you replace the water pump. I had one break off in the block as I was tightening it up. Apparently they're not so good after 30+ years of heat and wet!

[perthling]

Good to see another '74, and great that you've kept a Fiat 124 in your family as long as I have! Would love to see some pictures of the interior and dashboard, and also the rear bumpers, so I can work out what was original on mine when I got it.

[kmac33]

Welcome. You are the lucky owner of what is obviously the best year Spider - despite what those 82 owners think .
My 74 is the family Fiat too. There aren't too many of us that know our car's history from the beginning. I just completed a complete "nuts and bolts" restoration of mine that I hope will help her last another 36 years so I can pass her on to my son!