It's not a 82 Spider...

[81autospider]

I am posting in hopes to figure out how to change my screen name, because my friend whom I bought the car from had told me it was a 82 Fiat Spider but when I got the car registration in hand had noticed it said "1981 model"...so now I actually have a 81 Spider with an automatic trans...so is it possible to change my user name? to 81autospider...he has so many cars and hardly drove the Spider, he was going off his memory when he told me what year it was...but he was pretty sure though

[So Cal Mark]

done, use the same password to log in

[ga.spyder]

Sadly though, your membership in the very exclusive ''82 Club'' has been officially revoked. Glad to hear you got her home with no issues.
Craig

edit
I am happy to inform you ,that you are back in! Since all the ''little bumper'' cars seem to stick together ,the ''82 Club'' will include 80 and 81 cars..... maybe.Our Pres. ,Ron Luxmore will have to approve this amendment!

[rlux4]

I have no problem with allowing them in. We could accept them as honorary members. After all, most of them probably tried to get an '82 and had to settle for "close as I could get". I do feel bad for 81autospider, how disappointing it must have been to learn it wasn't an '82. I feel your pain.
Ron

[Gunsmith]

A moment of silence for our fallen 82 spider member..............................

[kristoj]

Wow. What a letdown. Hopefully it was at least a late '81 production date, because if it is an '81.5, we may be able to grant you half membership into the '82 club

[81autospider]

OK...all you guys are such great supporters ...first I want to thank Mark for changing my screen name to fit the car...I also want to inform you all that the car is actually a early '80FI car...and I can tell you how it could've happened...the door tag has a build date of 10-79, which would've been a '80 model but becuz this car has an automatic transmission, no one wanted it, so it sat around the dealer for some time...and actually wasn't sold until sometime in 1981...in CA., a cars model year is based on the first year sold which is how it became a '81 Spider and not a '80 Spider...doesn't that story make sense?...so Craig, it is a sad day for the '82 club ...I did my best to be a part of the Spider society...I guess I let ya all down ...I think I am the one who was let down...my buddy told me the top was in OK shape and just had a tear...I think he meant "HOLE", a very large one ...I thought that maybe I cold get it patched to get me through the winter...but the whole top is completely thrashed ...either I'm going to build a Carson top for it or have to buy a replacement top which will cost $400 bucks for a decent one...I could build a Carson top for about $150-200 Dollars...this would allow me to save up the dough for the good German canvas top

[kristoj]

Not sure what color you are looking for, but Craig has a brand new "in the box" black vinyl top he is selling. I think he wants $150. I've not installed one myself, but understand it is not terribly difficult.

Also, on the fuel injection point, my understanding is that all 1980 models equipped with California emission are fuel injected, regardless of build date. In other words, FI wasn't a mid-year model change. I don't believe fuel injection was standard (outside of California) until the 1981 model year. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[ga.spyder]

I do have a top I will part with.It has never been installed ,and came with the car.It is black and my car has a tan int. and top or I would have installed it on my car.When it gets cold enough to put the top up ,I usually quit driving anyway.And rain....Ha! Shes never been in the rain.Spoiled ,aint she? PM me if you are interested in the top ,it will fit your car and again our condolences on it not being a 82.
Craig

[81autospider]

Craig, before I send a PM, I would like to know why you never installed the top...is it one of those cheap tops that will only last a couple yrs?...cuz I too have the tan interior and here in CA were I live the sun gets pretty intense...was it the black being of concern, or did you want the tan top like I have to match your interior?...another reason for doing the Carson top was to eliminate the hassle and have to replace seals and cables, I would have to add in all the extra expense to install an original replacement...that is if I was to do it right...with the Carson top, I could use standard off the shelf weather stripping that can be bought at most hardware stores...besides, I think others would like to know how it's done and I would have more time to fix other items on the car while saving for the top I want.

If the top you have came with the car, did yours need one at the time you bought the car?...what color did you go with?

If I was to do a new top, I would fork out the extra money and go with a nice German canvas material that will fold up nicely and last for many many yrs....besides, I really want an excuse to build something ...my car is tan and so is the interior...I'm sure the top would look good with my cars paint, but don't really want a black top here in CA...unless the top is a factory replacement type material, I might be interested... I'll give it some thought and thanks for the offer Craig

[Spiddy]

And you say this guy's a BUDDY? Hmmmm, interesting

[ga.spyder]

I never installed the top because of the color.When I do put a new top on there it will be tan.I honestly dont know who mfg. the top.It seems to be of good quality. I havent been advertising it ,as I have had it for over a year.It is vinyl.I can understand wanting the canvas top it wouldnt be worth it to me as I almost never drive with the top up ,and the car is garaged always! I mentioned the top on FLU.ORG because I am taking stuff to sell and wanted to see if anyone is in need of a top.In closing ,what in the heck is a Carson top?Is that a brand name or a type of top?
Craig

[81autospider]

And you say this guy's a BUDDY? Hmmmm, interesting

So what is that quote about?...did I say something that offended you?...please explain yourself because I'm not a mind reader

[mdrburchette]

He's talking about the buddy that told you the top was in okay shape with just a tear, not a hole.

[Spiddy]

He's talking about the buddy that told you the top was in okay shape with just a tear, not a hole.

That's exactly what I'm talking about. No offence intended. It's simply that when you buy a car sight unseen, and you are relying on a friends assessment (and that's how I bought my car - didn't see it untill it was unloaded from the transporter), you don't expect nasty surprises after parting with you hard earned dosh. If I've got this wrong, then I've miss understood your post.