1978 Spider to 1979 Spider

[chico]

Hey guys, got a question....I've got a 78 spider that needs a lot of cosmetic work but mechanically is OK (not great but OK ). I found a 79 spider that is missing the moter and transmission and supposedly in really good shape cosmetically and structurally. So would I be able to use all the part needed from a 78 to restore the 79? The person selling the car says it has been stored for the last 15 years and is asking $750. firm, any comments on the price? Any and all help will defiantly be appreciated. Thanks Rob

[rlux4]

The differences won't affect a drivetrain swap. The top has a slightly different shape across the front bow, the hood has the larger bumps and the taillights are bigger. I'm not sure if 79 is the year that the seats changed, but if so you can almost expect the driver's seat back to be cracked down by the bottom and leaning. If it's the shape he's advertised, decent paint and interior, I'd say it's worth it.
Ron

[chico]

So are you saying Ron I would be able to transfer the disk brake, brake lines, drive shaft, steering components all over to the 79 with no problems? If so that would be fantastic since the 79 has been sitting for the last 15 years and would probably need all those components. Thanks for responding I really don't want to spend the cash to find I can't use the vehicle as a doner. If I knew how to post pictures I would but not sure how thanks Rob

[manoa matt]

Yep, everything will transfer over*. 1979 was the highest production year for spiders in terms of number of units produced, it was also the "dog" year strangled with emissions equipment...so 79's aren't all that rare, and in stock form are not all that fun.

The 2L block with your 1.8 head would be the bee's knees, but alas, no motor or trans.

The last two spiders I bought as parts cars were running/driving/ and most, if not all components worked. An 1981 FI I bought for $400, and a 1976 I bought for $500. I'm in Hawaii to, so available spiders are extremely limited. The 1976 was in good shape too, almost too good to part out.

The $750 may be worth it when you compare it to the amount of time and money to bring the 78 cosmetically back, but for that car I would not pay more than $400 for a "shell"

* Someone else may be able to chime in on this but, check if the 79 had an automatic trans. If so, there are a few other mods needed to mount the trans and hook up the drivetrain.

[2ndwind]

$750 is too much for me for a non-running (no engine) car that has been sitting for 15yrs. I'm thinking $500 or less.

[woodyredhead]

I agree with 2ndwind 750 is to much I have a nice looking and nice running 78 spider i got for 500, so if the guy won't come down to a least 500 for the shell then let him keep it just saying

[narfire]

I just picked up a 80 FI shell, no motor or trans...$350.00 but it is rust free. Going to do the same thing...franken fiat from a couple of parts cars and stuff on my shelf.

[spiderrey]

If the 79 was an automatic trans car it shouldnt cause any issues at all that I can see when swapping the drive train over. The only added work will be swapping over the pedal set up from the 78. And you would need to use the 78 drive shaft.