Max_Archer wrote: But yeah, it's really not bad. With the top down it looks better, too. I still would personally like to see a black top on it, or at least a darker tan one, the white top just doesn't do it for me.
Not a huge fan of the white top either, but the boot cover is tan, and when will the top be up?
You can get some killer dye from SEM or Eastwood to make that top match the boot Krautman... 
followed a 2000 home today from work, same color red as yours with the rack on the back...
A white roof? Ugh, that's like white shoes and a white belt. Here's your AARP card and some curb feelers. 
The wood dash has a resin type of varnish on it that is actually what cracks. If you strip it off you can refinish the existing wood in most cases. The bugger is the shifter console piece; it's ultra-thin and very fragile.
A factory 4-2-1 manifold will always be the best solution. The aftermarket headers don't flow any better, cost more, rust and generally take up more space.
In my opinion, the best-looking classic roadster out there.
(and I own 3 MGs and an NB Miata).
Have fun with it!
Nice score! The one I had for a short time was an automatic and that's why it left my tender embrace quickly. I always thought Fiat had the best designed pre-Miata soft top. And yeah, I'd dye it tan if at all possible.
The trunk rack is not completely horrible, it's a 70's style thing. I'm with you, I don't particularly care for them but it's such a PITA to swap/paint or repair/paint a trunk lid that I think I'd leave it alone.
There was just enough of a break in the rain, and my drill batteries were dead, that I decided to stop with the pin stripe/ adhesive removal and drive it too the local park to get a few more pictures. Please excuse the "eraser dust" that I didn't completely get off the car.
Interior is in pretty good shape, the seats will need reupholstering, and the driver's side frame will need repair. It's got worn red carpet currently, I'll be replacing that with black.
Impressively, the dash isn't cracked, and the wood isn't delaminating TOO badly. I will try to save it.
Currently my favorite part: Nebraska allows you to run tags from the year the car was made. Too bad it's impossible to find a plate with my county code on it.
Looking good!
Osterkraut wrote: Currently my favorite part: Nebraska allows you to run tags from the year the car was made. Too bad it's impossible to find a plate with my county code on it.
Do you have any flea markets or swap meets nearby? There always seems to be some guy with boxes full of old plates.
cheap trick on the carpet, instead of spending $$$ on something almost no one sees, get a steam cleaner like a Bissel Little Green Machine or the kind you can rent at the grocery stores, take out the carpets and clean them real well, allow them to dry, then get some Duplicolor fabric and vinyl dye, spray black. Get some cheap floormats (that match the carpet type you've got) and voila, for about $30 you should have new looking carpet, here's my before/after:
+
=
Just a thought...
I was just going to cut new carpet out of the cheap stuff from Lowes. Solves the color AND wear issues.
That's also a great idea Your interior looks amazing, do you have the rear-view mirror and sunvisors laying around? If not, fiatspider forums used parts can get you deals on those parts which cost silly $ to replace via a retailer...
Welcome to the Fiat owners club. Looks like you found a nice Spider. Luckily you can order just about any part you need for those (including seat upholstery) out of a catalog. Enjoy!
Raze wrote: That's also a great idea
I do not, sadly. I've got a short list of stuff I'm scrounging for, mainly the mirror, visors, and the little fan switch located in the console.
Also on this list as I drive it more: backfires a bit when you let off the throttle (probably exhaust leak), bogs at low RPM in gear. Bumpers will come off this week, too.
In reply to Osterkraut:
Fan switch can be had new for like $8 from the various online vendors, not super cheap, but if you need it right away and don't want a used part
On the drive-ability sounds more like the carb needs some dialing in or the timing might be slightly off, what size carb is on it? If you haven't already snag a Haynes manual, and get Brad Artigue's tuning and electrical schematics (free on his website). Double check your timing (advance) and also line up your cams and crank and make sure they aren't a tooth or two off (very common with the poor design of the idler tensioner on the timing belt). When I bought mine it was 'down on power' and the sellers thought it needed a rebuild... instead when they changed the timing belt they had failed to line up everything exactly leading to the intake and exhaust to be misaligned a few degrees which was enough to prevent running well...
Dude, that is a sweet score. Well done.
It is a bit pricey, but I brought back an oxidized Mercedes from the dead with an orbital polisher, a Saturday and Sunday and Meguiars Heavy Cut Cleaner, Medium Cut and the Machine Glaze. Just make sure you keep the pad wet on the heavy cut.
You also need a Monza tail pipe on it to complete the period look (and sound)
Mental wrote: Dude, that is a sweet score. Well done. It is a bit pricey, but I brought back an oxidized Mercedes from the dead with an orbital polisher, a Saturday and Sunday and Meguiars Heavy Cut Cleaner, Medium Cut and the Machine Glaze. Just make sure you keep the pad wet on the heavy cut. You also need a Monza tail pipe on it to complete the period look (and sound)
I've somehow collected quite the supply of paint reconditioning products and never gotten to a heavy cutting product. I've got some of that on order, and I've got a friend willing to lend me a DA buffer tomorrow. We'll see what magic I can work.
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas!
15x6 Rota RBs. Not shown: the Falken 512s to shoe them with.
32/36 DFEV. I looked at the price of a carb rebuild kit for the stock carb, and said "well E36 M3, I saved a bunch of money buying this car, might as well spend it!"
Box of random goodies: most importantly all the stuff needed for a timing belt change.
Rota RB's are the only thing I miss about my Miata, those are some gorgeous wheels. How's the paint resto going?
Javelin wrote: Rota RB's are the only thing I miss about my Miata, those are some gorgeous wheels. How's the paint resto going?
Nobody in town will sell me a heavy cutter, had to internet machine.
I love the campagnolo wheels on those. Five spoke I think? Very sharp. The rotas look good too though!
Don't bother changing the carpet. Just call Drew and get some Cocomats. They're worth every penny.
In reply to Osterkraut:
Really? Wow, that's surprising! Well post if you need tips when it comes in. I think that paint will come back nicely though 
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Loving this project, even if it means lack of progress on the RX-7.
Osterkraut wrote: "well E36 M3, I saved a bunch of money buying this car, might as well spend it!"
I've been using this logic on the Volvo a bunch lately 
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Woody wrote: Don't bother changing the carpet. Just call Drew and get some Cocomats. They're worth every penny.
Mats cost more than my carb. Next option. We're not all flush with 911 profit money, you know.
In reply to Osterkraut:
Nice. Complete transformation mode on! Rotas look great.
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