picked up our 81 spider

[speedshift]

Thinking ahead i bought the largest drip pan i could find as my garage floor has always been mostly clean. we drove out and picked up our "new" spider. It came with owners manual, 4 extra stock steel wheels with OEM black caps.On the car alloy , iron cross? wheels look just fair. Checked the oil, looked normal no sign of "milky water" all the lights worked except one license plate light. No smoke, under hood looked completely stock and very clean. It had what i call 30 year rust with no rust through in foot wells,boot,shock towers. Steering box 1.5 inches play. Green body, respray, tan top 90%, complete original tan interior.all windows, cranks, glass looked OEM. complimentary cracks in dash, heater works, i could see new heater valve. all wiring look original as far as i could see. one chrome lug bolt missing on right rear. Car had clear title not a salvaged vehicle title. In the glove box was the original additional equipment added by dealer sticker, it read, "Additional Equipment, luggage rack $174.45, Suggested Retail Price $10871.00 **Total Price $11045.45 in 1981! ** Test drove car, syncros fine, some brake rotor chatter, Warped?, steering loose, temp a little on low side? do not know when timing belt was last changed. Drove the 2000 home some 12 miles temp ok, parked in garage OVER LARGE DRIP PAN. The next morning i went out to the garage surprise NO OIL OR COOLANT LEAKS INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR! I quickly checked the engine oil? yep still OK. Coolant overflo normal. did not remove radiator cap. We cleaned and vacumed inside of car, ( found 11 cents )M issing R.R. lug bolt was missing because of stripped threads. Axel change or thread insert ? What aNgreat convertible top!! on English cars you need a two day training course every time you lower the top , three day training to raise top. Locking forward to this great forum. Note to self "Always Own At Least One Fiat !"

[TulsaSpider]

Awesome! Congrats! Please post pics! Sorry I don't know about your stripped threads!

[So Cal Mark]

congrats, sounds like a gem! I'd use a threaded insert in the rear hub

[81SPIDERMATT]

nice... my chatter was the wrong clips holding the brake pads... hope yours is that simple... and the love maddness begins...

[speedshift]

Took our out for a drive last night, no problems ( i have towing with my insurance policy as i have not a stash of " get home parts" in the car yet ) It was a clear nights no traffic so i could hear all the little car noises. Thirty year old cars talk to you unlike a new 2011 car. Ordered new cap, rotor, wires today still researching plugs. Gassed up today any ideas on fuel additives to combat E15? Could only find a fender cover at Sears, Reading FiatSpider.Com for inspiration and all your help. I love driving this car!

[grittracing]

yeah I am going to have to use thread inserts for one lug bolt on each rear wheel. mark do you know the size ?

[kmead]

Generally the NGK plugs work best. Stay away from some of the modern 4 electrode plugs.

Congrats and good luck.

[speedshift]

I always use NGK plugs in my Bultaco & Ossa desert bikes many good heat range options and excellent quality. thanks

[mdrburchette]

NGKs here too. It's not a bad idea to order extra ignition tuneup parts to keep in the glove box. Congrats on your new car! I know you'll love it as much as we do ours.