Auto trans Spider

[mostlytwowheeled]

I'm looking at a 79 Spider with an auto trans for my wife,( stick shift phobia), 52,000 miles,engine sounds good and it's in pretty good shape. Needs a little tlc, I've yet to drive it, so I'm just going to think about it over the weekend. The price is very reasonable. Any feedback from auto trans Spider owners would be greatly appreciated!

[spiderrey]

I had one. It was a fun car, not as fun as a 5 speed though. there were times that I was glad it was an auto spider though. Its just a chevy chevette trans.

[124JOE]

it sounds great. theres alot of parts out there for ya

[NJFIAT1981]

Just picked up one for my wife. Same 5 speed stress problem. Fun carto drive. She will love it. George

[CajunMike]

Have one that was a daily driver for many years. Not as fun as a standard and I may make the switch over one day. It's kinda boring but reliable and easy to find someone to work on.

[spidernut]

I've had a 79 Spider with auto transmission for 10 years now. My automatic has been extremely reliable and 100% trouble free. It is great in heavy traffic, but boring when driving a winding road. All in all, it really is still enjoyable to drive.

If you have a stock 79 Spider with the ADHA carb, it is a pretty slow car when trying to pass someone. I've found that it is generally fine for entering freeways, but it is really bad if you're trying to pass someone when traveling over 50 mph.

If you don't have to keep the stock intake manifold and carb, you could swap it out and make it even better. Again, it isn't that it is horrible, but it could use some extra umph.

The transmission kickdown works really well when it kicks down from second to first gear. With the pedal to the floor, you can run the engine up to the yellow line. From third down to second shifts back into third a slight bit too early for my taste, but it is acceptable. If you want to hold it in the lower gear, you can always manually shift it down into second gear.

Give it a good test drive in traffic and on the freeway, try to pass a few people and see what you think for yourself. It may be fine if your wife isn't an aggresive driver.

For reference: I just drove my car on a 260 mile round trip to the Alameda All Italian Car Show. I got 24.8 MPG at 65 MPH all the way. That's the best I have ever achieved with a stock 79 with auto tranny. My 81 Fuel injected with 5 speed got about 32 MPG at 55 MPH. I sold it before they increased the speed limit to 65, but I'd figure about 29-30 mpg would have been about right.

The automatic transmission is a GM T180 (same as a Chevette but don't tell anyone).

Hope that helps!

[mostlytwowheeled]

Thanks everyone for your input. I knew the trans was a GM item. When I pulled the trans dipstick the fluid was pretty clean and smelled fine. I asked the owner if the fluid had been changed and he so not lately,so I assume the trans is fine.Driving the car will tell more. It's pretty hard for an under powered 4 cly. engine to burn up a GM trans.
More input is always welcome. I plan to drive it Monday, take cash and if it's fine make an offer. Owner says he wants it gone.

[CajunMike]

Some complain about the lack of passing power but it never was a problem for me. I drove mine when I was a teenager and always thought the passing kickdown was fun and had pep. The lack of power is really noticeable at the "line". I couldn't beat much off the stoplight but mash it to the floor when you are on the highway and it livens up a bit. I think if you swap out the stock carb with a 32/36 dfev with no other mods you will have a lively fun and reliable car. It's a relatively inexpensive diy upgrade and the car will be a pleasure to drive.

[Warren]

My 1979 Spider with auto transmission was upgraded to the 34ADF carb (new - ebay bargain) and earlier intake manifold and performance improved. Only negative is high engine RPM (4000) at 70 MPH on the interstate; plan on upgrading 165/70 13 tires/wheels to 14" size and larger tires to reduce RPM one day.

[paook]

I bought an 80's auto Spider for my wife a year ago (also stick phobia). Beware... YOU may end up driving it all the time, not her! That's what happened with us. I have a blast driving it since my stick Spider is waiting revival. After putting in some additive to expand the seals, the transmission has given us zero problems (it was leaking before).

[mostlytwowheeled]

I took the car for a drive yesterday. The engine and trans are sound. Carburation is terrible,idles up and down and wants to stall when coming to a stop. The ride is good, body is good,carpet is shot,cam box gaskets are shot - oil pours out and the drivers side floor and lower firewall are bad - holes. Shock towers are good, needs new tires, cloth top is good. Engine compartment is stock and has not been molested. Car has complete original tool kit in trunk.
I'm a little leary because of the floor/firewall rot, I'm sure I can do the work but I don't know if I want to, plus winter is approaching and no place to store it.

[spidernut]

My advice - RUN AWAY, RUN AWAY! The carb isn't that big of a deal, but unless you want to get into a bunch of metal work, I'd advise you to keep looking. What you saw was the "visible" rust. The Lord only knows where else it is rusted. You'd need to pull the front and rear seats to see all the floor pans, pull all the carpet and console to ensure those areas aren't rotted, and put it on a rack to check the trunk, sills, inner fenderwells, etc.

How much do they want for the car anyways? Sounds like a ton of work.

[124JOE]

if your ok with doing the repairs then it sounds like you should get it.
and ether tune that carb or buy a new"bigger"one,and tune it.
youll find somewhere to store it and outside is good too. as it has a chance to dry off quicker then say a leaky garage.

[mostlytwowheeled]

Trunk is solid,I reached all around rear wheelwells inside trunk - they are solid,I pulled out rear seat - light surface rust no holes. All rear suspension linkage points are solid. Driver side rear bumper pushed in but no damage to car. $650.00 + 39.00 tax +15.00 title transfer = $704.00 , takes it home.

[spidernut]

Well, the price is right!