Arrivederci Luigi

[zachmac]

Well after about 2.5 years I say goodbye to Luigi, my 1980 FI spider tomorrow. Just got back fromn a brisk last drive. I'll miss the car but I think he is going to a good owner up in Ottawa. What I'll miss most is this forum and the helpful folks I'm met; some in person some in hyperspace only.

I will still be lurking as I sold the red spider I bought from Craig to a local friend and he has no intention of ever giving that car up (unless its back to me)! After all how many Fiats have healed themselves (search my old threads for the story).

While I can honestly say just about everyone on the forum has always been helpful and friendly a need to send out at least three special shout outs :

1. Craig Nelson comes first because he came first. He was one of the first people to great me on the forum, sold me a car that neither of us could have guessed was as good a deal as it turned out to be, and, most importantly treated my like an old friend when he didn't know me from Adam. He is one of the true good guys.

2. Madam Burchette is second mainly because she allowed me to be part of the Lemons weekend and again was always friendly even when I was a total stranger.

3. Last but certainly not least Mark Allison. I don't know or care what anyone else's experience with Mark is but he has helped me endlessly time and time again; often when there wasn't a hint of anything in it for him other than the satisfaction of keeping another Spider running well. Guys like Mark can ALWAYS make more money fixing cars for non-enthusiast joe public; it takes passion to try to eke out a living helping a sorry lot like us Fiat addicts.

I know LOTS of other people have tolerated, advised, admonished, and generally accepted me over the years and I thank them all. I have owned many car makes, from Ferraris to junk Toyotas, to american muscle, etc. One thing I've learned is to look for the people who love the cars for the cars first and leave all the other BS behind. This is truly one of those groups.

Will I have another Fiat soon? Can't say but I have been known to bring home an orphan or two over the years. I am currently sorting out a 1991 300SL Mercedes and it looks like it will take some sorting indeed but I'm always on the hunt!

Again, I will be lurking both because having sold a Fiat to a friend I am obligated AND I'm pretty sure there is still a small pile of extra Fiat parts in the garage to sell off / give away.

PS I might be needing a good X1/9 again if anyone has one laying around. That was a fun car when I had one!

Thanks!

[kmead]

Well good luck and don't let the door hit you in the... oh wait thats what they say at those other forums

Glad you enjoyed your time here, it is a good group. I find Fiat people in general better than average car people due to our cars reputations and the facts that they are orphans.

As you likely know the XWeb is the place to go for X1/9: http://www.xwebforums.org/ and the folks there are every bit as nice and helpful. Some even overlap at both places like Ms B for example.

Good luck with the Benz, great cars if a bit complicated. I never cease to be amazed by the number of fasteners one has to deal with on a Mercedes.

Hope you come back. All the best

Karl

[4uall]

Sorry to hear about your loss. It will be nice to add another Spider to the ever growing collection here in Ottawa

[dmwhiteoak]

I haven't been here long but I have read many of your posts and always found them helpful. Good luck in all you do and pop back often . We still need input from folks who have kept these cars on the road as you have.

[ga.spyder]

Dang,Jeff..sorry to hear that you sold Luigi! We are going to miss you here.If your friend ever sells the"self-healing" Fiat,you make sure that you either buy it or give me a call!! You have my number I will keep an eye out for a suitable X.That one I sold last year was a beauty!Keep in touch,and give me a holler next time you are in Blairsville.

[mdrburchette]

Wow, Jeff! I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Remember that even though you've sold your cars, it doesn't mean you're rid of us. Keep in touch and good luck with your next project.

[MrWampus]

Hey Jeff, I still want to meet for lunch some weekend half way beween us. I can always use some advice and council on how to treat a "lady."

Jim

[Marmeister]

I came across, and joined, this forum late last year and began looking for a spider. First couple of "older ads" I contacted no longer had the car. Then I saw Zachman's Luigi and contacted Jeff. From the beginning Jeff has been upfront and open with everything that was right (and wrong) with Luigi, and freely offered helpful advice. He was even kind enough to continue to fix things on Luigi even after it was already "sold".
After some interesting moments during the last couple of days, starting with the Transportation company contracted to pick up Luigi calling me from Jeff's street to tell me that neither Jeff's address nor his phone number exist (Driver had flipped a couple of digits in Jeff's phone number AND in Jeff's house number), to Customs official at the border telling me that the VIN numbers on the dash and under the hood don't "match". Apparently one had ZFA + 14 digits, and the other just had (the identical) 14 digits, and that, was enough to delay my trip through Customs by 90 minutes, till they finally agreed, all is OK!
Having not seen Luigi myself, nor having test driven him or driven any fiat spider for that matter, I nevertheless had always been a big fan of the 124 and placed my faith in Jeff, and it was well placed. Many thanks, Jeff.

I also want to thank Mark Allison for his advice in the short period I've been looking for a spider and even while I was considering Luigi. Mark was available to offer advice and email me back even during his days off. Many thanks, Mark.

Looking forward to joining Forum guys as a new owner and will continue to be grateful for the assistance I've seen between members, and that Jeff and Mark have extended to me.
Adham (Marmeister) - Luigi

[4uall]

Congrats on your recent acquisition. There are lots of us Fiat owners here in Ottawa. I'm in Briargreen and their are 4 of us

[mdrburchette]

Great story. Welcome to the family. While we'll miss Jeff, we're glad he chose a good new owner for Luigi.

[zachmac]

Great story. Welcome to the family. While we'll miss Jeff, we're glad he chose a good new owner for Luigi.

Hey, I'm standing right here! Told ya I'd be lurking.

Glad to here Luigi made it to Adham okay and that he seems happy with the car. I keep looking at all the cars for sale so ya never know!

[ga.spyder]

Congratulatons Adham ,on a great purchase.I know how hard it is to put your faith in someone re. a car they have for sale.You made a excellent decision to put your trust in Jeff.I have driven the car and it is a great ride.Sorry to see Jeff sell Luigi,but glad that he found a good home.

[Marmeister]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome and good wishes!

I hope to get to know Jay and the Ottawa crowd (as soon as we thaw out up here in the North ), as well as the extended Spider forum family.

I'm going to try learning more about Luigi. Jeff sent along wiring diagrams and additional notes. I need to also find a good service manual and begin familiarizing myself with the various components.

Cheers,
Adham

[4uall]

I have a service manual on cd if ever you want it

[Marmeister]

Very kind of you Jay, thanks for the offer!
I just ordered a CD about a week ago and just got it today. I quickly looked at some of it but it looks like it has pics of over-photocopied pages where its hard to make out the part on the car that was originally photographed. Some of the earlier parts of the CD seem to have clean, clear descriptions of things like the FI theory, etc.. but the brakes part.....holy moly ! The poor visibility brakes pics on the CD look very similiar to what you can get for free from the NJ Fiat's org site. Does it sound like we have the same CD??

Adham