I could not log in for awhile so Mark was able to help get me back in under a new name.
I own an LE Spider and now I have gotten myself into a new project. This one is going to be a work in progress. Am I crazy or just a collector now?
It's a 1985.5 Pininfarina which I had shipped from Florida. It's a 7/85 VIN date and the only black/black USA model on the registry (yes I only wanted the black on black). It was purchased new in Italy as it has all of the original documentation. The seller was less than honest on the condition so I was pretty upset and angry for awhile after it arrived (he has more so beware!) I even had it inspected so lesson learned not to trust anyone. Rust on the frame, bad oil leak, bad exhaust, bad interior, cracked this & that, etc. I still wanted to save it as there are not very many of the 85.5’s left. It seems like most of them end up being parted out due to rust. Did Pininfarina just use crappy metal or is it because they are all on the east coast area? Anyway... if it had remained in Florida at least another year it would have not been salvageable. All I cared about is if I can save it. I got lucky and saved my LE, but this one is a far bigger project. But the answer is yes… it can… so the journey starts.
So hopefully I can vent on everyone from time to time and post updates on how it’s going. I’m having it mechanically rebuilt; sanded, painted, blasted, coated from the engine block up so if will be a very nice car when it’s done. I’ll be poor but I can’t think of any other car I would want to own more than this one.
I’m also in the process of putting the registered Pininfarina’s on an Excel spreadsheet. Another club member and I have been tracking the VIN #’s, production date, color, state, etc. If there are more out there not on the German registry, please let me know.
Updated projects
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So Cal Mark
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mdrburchette
- Posts: 5754
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2006 5:49 am
- Your car is a: 1972 Fiat 124 Sport
- Location: Winston-Salem, NC
We'd love to see your new ride. Good luck with the project!-
mbouse
Water over the dam, and close the gate after the horse is free.
Saying that, I've long ago learned to be very leary of those I don't already know selling Fiat parts and cars. Evil Bay is only one place where those crooks lurk.
I rely on the long standing friendships i maintain at Fiat car forums, and my fellow FLU members to buy parts from, and to do my inspections.
I hope your investment is not a total loss, and yes, please post some pictures when you are able.
Saying that, I've long ago learned to be very leary of those I don't already know selling Fiat parts and cars. Evil Bay is only one place where those crooks lurk.
I rely on the long standing friendships i maintain at Fiat car forums, and my fellow FLU members to buy parts from, and to do my inspections.
I hope your investment is not a total loss, and yes, please post some pictures when you are able.
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Darsella1
Pictures
http://s251.photobucket.com/albums/gg281/Darsiephotos/
Well... here's my working photo album on both cars as there are just too many pictures to post as I go with both. I was embarrassed to admit to everyone I was taken and paid too much for the car. I was told I should sue as it was clearly fraud but don’t want to go there. Its buyer beware and in the end I don’t want to give the car back or spend any money and anxiety on some dishonest *&^%#@. Heck I might have even purchased it anyway but at least I could have bargained for a better price. He could have even said no and sold it to some other unsuspecting person and who knows if they would have parted it or try to restore it?
The rust is in patches. The car was undercoated some time ago (perhaps when new) and there is a spot where someone ran over something and scraped it off. It looks like it spread like a cancer from there. It’s only in the front end and nowhere else on the car. It also does not go all the way through - the engine wall and floor pans are fine. Also, the shock towers are fine. At least I can say now I've saved two rare cars from uncertain disaster!
I’m very fortunate I live close to Ray Mortenson. He knew how much I wanted a Black/Black 85.5 and how upset I was so he is going to help restore it, including the frame welding. He does amazing work and the only person I trust to know what they are doing. He's like a kid in a candy store with Fiat engines so I can't wait to see what he does!
Look at the American big muscle cars. Those people spare no expense saving the car of their dreams. I have seen most of their portfolios- talk about scary rust… oh my! And then they spend years restoring it to this beautiful trailer queen. So I don't really look at it as an investment because I don't plan on selling it.
The LE... well... it might be for sale at some point. But only to an enthusiast that will appreciate it.
Well... here's my working photo album on both cars as there are just too many pictures to post as I go with both. I was embarrassed to admit to everyone I was taken and paid too much for the car. I was told I should sue as it was clearly fraud but don’t want to go there. Its buyer beware and in the end I don’t want to give the car back or spend any money and anxiety on some dishonest *&^%#@. Heck I might have even purchased it anyway but at least I could have bargained for a better price. He could have even said no and sold it to some other unsuspecting person and who knows if they would have parted it or try to restore it?
The rust is in patches. The car was undercoated some time ago (perhaps when new) and there is a spot where someone ran over something and scraped it off. It looks like it spread like a cancer from there. It’s only in the front end and nowhere else on the car. It also does not go all the way through - the engine wall and floor pans are fine. Also, the shock towers are fine. At least I can say now I've saved two rare cars from uncertain disaster!
I’m very fortunate I live close to Ray Mortenson. He knew how much I wanted a Black/Black 85.5 and how upset I was so he is going to help restore it, including the frame welding. He does amazing work and the only person I trust to know what they are doing. He's like a kid in a candy store with Fiat engines so I can't wait to see what he does!
Look at the American big muscle cars. Those people spare no expense saving the car of their dreams. I have seen most of their portfolios- talk about scary rust… oh my! And then they spend years restoring it to this beautiful trailer queen. So I don't really look at it as an investment because I don't plan on selling it.
The LE... well... it might be for sale at some point. But only to an enthusiast that will appreciate it.
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So Cal Mark
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Gunsmith
That's part of the problem with Florida, nobody's from here so half of them are here because they ran out of people to screw over where they originated from. It is a very transient place with new people coming everyday so the crooks can run scams a long time before business slows down. There are also only few guys that have the knowledge and willingness to go look at a Fiat even for good money. There are so many wealthy people with exotic cars down here that most mechanics don't want to bother with our little toys. Having said that I am very sorry that happened to you and I hope the end result makes you forget about the pain of buying it. Don't feel embarrassed, many people think I am a smart guy and I screw up daily!! Also making a bad decision and being lied to are two completely different things so be mad at him and not yourself.