I feel like I am now a 'true' Fiat owner...

[Raze]

I took the 72 down to the Georgia Tech Autoshow for its first 'real' outing. I got down there no problems, everything was grand. Got there at 10am and left around 2pm, didn't get 1 mile off campus before rpms dropped off and I had to bring the car to a coasting halt. I had some tools, a timing light, and some other odds and ends 'just in case'. Turns out I was getting no spark. Fiddle with the wires, clean the points with a screw driver, and voila, LIFE! Luckily while I was working on the wire from the coil to the dizzy I noticed I was leaking brake fluid from the 'center' grommet on the master cylinder, and the 'right' side reservoir was dry. Added to this was a much 'louder' than normal exhaust note (crawled under the car to find the exhaust had decoupled from the catalytic converter and was resting comfortably on the ebrake cable). I decided to let the flatbed I'd called in tow it home even after I had it running again.

Rewind a bit (you have to pardon my youthful exuberance) but when I started looking for a 'project classic car' I proclaimed (over on Grassroots Motorsports) that I wanted a car which I could drive off, fully expecting to be towed home, after all, what fun is it if you don't get to 'bond' with your car when you use it.

Fast forward to the GT Autoshow and I had no sooner parked than 5 or 6 gentlemen over 50 walked by and gave me the 'I had one of these when I was a kid' or 'I always wanted one of these' or 'Don't see many of these anymore' or 'HEY IT'S A FIX-IT-AGAIN-TONY!', (I was the only Fiat there).

Now Fast-fast forward to when the car cut out and came to a coasting halt, I had the biggest smile on my face and was quite frankly tickled that everything I had hoped for and expected came true in my first outing. Most people would think I'm crazy or stupid for enjoying something like this but cars are my hobby, and I enjoy every experience with my projects, whether good or bad. Why you ask? Because only someone who's been there an done that ,as many on this site can attest, can appreciate the 'experience'.

Oh and I never understood why everyone was so enamored with the sound of the motor, until I heard it uncorked as I shifted through the gears on the highway and really got to push it. It is simply music, thanks everyone for speaking truth that most can't comprehend...

[mdrburchette]

If only the youth can understand as well as you. It truly is an emotional experience to own one of these cars. When you think everything is fine, the car will prove you wrong and leave you stranded in front of your peers. But the joy you experience when driving it more than compensates for the frustration.

[So Cal Mark]

the exhaust note at full song is a beautiful sound indeed!

[hrballenger]

Most of us, in those early years of Fiat ownership, learned that it's generally "a good thing" to stay on the bus routes when on an outing. Simplifies the return trip home

[Adam]

lol... my only Fiat drives so far this season have been to the local parts store to get more stuff to fix the damned car. After getting the exhaust cam tower rebuilt and put back in, timing belt changed, cooling system burped I took her for a test drive, only to smell coolant burning from under the hood. The pipe that runs from the water pump into the heater was dripping on to my alternator. Back on the ramps, cooling system drained again and we got the problem solved. Head out to grab a much needed coffee Friday afternoon, only to find that my car is lurching forward with the starter. A few quick checks and a call to my mechanic (on speed dial) and it looks like it's time for a clutch job.

I met a guy named Mark in Ottawa (also driving a 124 spider) who congratulated me for buying a Fiat instead of a Miata... but like you say, Raze, when the car is working well and you're pulling third gear out of a corner on a back country road, it's all worthwhile!

Though I still get teased because my car is older than I

[Zippy]

One of the nice things about breaking down in a Fiat is that people will come over and talk to you. I was towing my trailer when I broke down in my International Travalall in Carlsbad, NM and tinkered with it until I found what was wrong and fixed it. Took me all day and not one person stopped to see if I needed help. Stopped by the side of the road in the blistering heat. All I have to do to meet new people when I'm in the Fiat is to pop the hood and everyone comes over to see what's wrong or to offer to help or even just to look.

[tattooinfiat]

as much i love this car reading these post discourge me..call me lazy call me what u will i dont enjoybreaking down ..and your right as soon as you think everything is goin good ..bam ..something happens..i am facing a major over haul of my car with as price tag of a newish car $$$$..should i not, should i get out now? i dont know if im asking you guys or myself now..i recently postd the new member section that i have been driving this car for 8 or 9 months now fell in love with it ...got a tattoo of it..blew up motor last week..i hate "fix it again tony" from some guy at the supermarket parkin lot..by the way..but am i always goin to be fixin this car again??this post is goin now where but felt good to get that out ..thanks

[Raze]

Woah there tattooin,

The drive to the GT Autoshow was the first trip of more than 1 mile to the gas station and home, since I bought the car last August and began repairing all the mechanical and electrical faults of the car. I needed a shakedown run and basically this was it, on top of being able to go to the show, and have a car in it. The fact that 3 things need repair, all of which I was able to diagnose and one of which I was able to fix on the side of the road was great and a testament to how simple these cars really are. Just because it broke doesn't speak to the quality of the car. After all, I don't expect owner modifications and repairs over nearly 40 years to be perfect. The cap and rotor is no big deal, the exhaust is no big deal, the master cylinder, or fitting on the MC is no big deal. Just don't use it as a daily driver and learn to fix it yourself and you're golden!

[Klayfish]

Raze,
Congrats on the first adventure. I hope to be in your shoes some day. I already have my alternative transportation home planned out. The wife will be following me with our minivan and a tow dolly.

[tattooinfiat]

yeqa maybe last nite i got a lil anxious this car is my daily driver and i do fix alot myself(doesnt mean thats not a head ache...haha)a good nite of sleep helpd after lookin at my car last nite i jus got discourged..thanks

[Zippy]

Tattooin, Sorry, didn't mean to discourage you. Let me be clear, I've had my car for over 10 years and it has never left me stranded anywhere. Even when I blew the head gasket I was able to limp back to the garage. I take it out without fear of breaking down and the only thing I worry about is rain. Of the other 2 Fiats I have owned, I only had to have the 69 Sport Coupe towed once the entire time I owned it and that was before I learned how to work on cars. On the other hand, my 88 Chevy pickup has broken down twice that required towing, once 8 years ago and once last year. My Subaru blew out 2 transmissions in the 8 years I had it. The transmission went out on My Eagle Vision. I do more preventative stuff on the Fiat but I figure it's 34 years old and it needs more TLC than a new car. Hope that helps.