The Deal is Done - I (Hopefully) Own a 1971 Fiat

[supplyguy]

Purchased on eBay tonight for $3000 after much productive and helpful dialogue with the seller, and much good PM and public advice from many of you. Abandoned my plan to spend $6000-7000 on a car leaving no reserve for repairs and went for an earlier model, less expensive car that I can afford to fix, and maybe even fix myself. Should be a rust free, mechanically sound driver in need of mostly cosmetic upgrades only....although one keen long time member has already shared observations I did not (and would never have!) seen. If others spot possible vulnerabilities, I welcome the input.

Here's the fun part. The car is way north in Charlevoix, Michigan. The seller has offered to trailer it to Cleveland and meet me there - he is headed there anyway in a few weeks to pickup his next project. I'll fly in and drive it home to Virginia - a nice 500 mile "break in" journey. As I shared with BaltoBernie earlier....it will either be a great drive and bolster my confidence in the car, or some things will go wrong and I will learn a great deal about what needs sorting out, or I will be sitting beside an expired heap under an overpass drinking bourbon, singing the blues, and wondering how this could happen to me? I think there are indicators any one of the three scenarios are equally possible. I can live with any of the three for $3000. For $6000 it would be a problem.

Will be mining this forum for technical help, and asking for advice frequently I am sure. I mean, it is somewhat all of your responsibility to help since you encouraged me down this path. My wife busted me earlier in the week secretly watching youtube videos with headphones on......of Baltobernie's car and Gaspyder's as well, and the glorious sound these cars make. That's all I needed to know to move forward with this purchase. Many thanks - Chuck.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/supplyguy/

[majicwrench]

I've got a pair of 71's I need to make one runner. And a driver 72. Old cars rock, and yours is a wonderful example. I love the stock look.
Keith

[So Cal Mark]

it looks pretty nice for a car that needs some cosmetic work. While sitting under an overpass drinking bourbon and singing the blues sounds like a good time, I hope it doesn't come to that

[RRoller123]

If you have a pickup, a U-Haul car trailer is only about $55 a day. Peace of mind, but no adventure!

[Exit98]

I still think the early one's are the most pure. Small bumpers rock.

You can just as easy spend $3K or more fixing up a $7K Spider as you can on a $3K Spider. Let's face it it's a crap shoot no matter what.

By the way, it looks like the left side sway bar bushing has about had it. No big deal, easy fix. Don't know what the red hose/pipe(?) hanging down on the passenger side is. Maybe some kind of heater bypass? The pass side top latch is sticking up and trying to poke through the top boot. The latch should have been turned down and the boot should have a pad underneight to protect it.

Anyway, you have quite an adventure planned getting the car home. If you are willing to consider an alternative, I can tell you that getting a car shipped these days is no big deal and not a whole lot of money. Guarenteed you can do it for a less than what you'll be spending on airfare, hotel, gas and the great UNKNOWN. It cost me $825 to ship my Spider from LA to NJ. Probably about the same from Wisconsin to VA I imagine.

FWIW I can tell you after the fact that I would not have wanted to drive my new and unknown Spider 500 miles when I first got it. I would have been terrified. Old worn mis-matched tires, washed out front end, spotty pulling brakes darting left and right under a very cosmetically pretty car.

That said though I've had a ball with the car since I got it 2 years ago, and right now she's running sweet. It's sunny here in NJ today and I can see her outside my office window.

Good Luck and share the experience with all of us here.

[georgeramos]

Congratulations!! Looks well bought from here. Unless the latch was re-installed it looks like the trunk might be bouncing on your journey.I agree about perhaps renting a uhaul or shipping it. If its been a "driver" thats one thing but if its been sitting for a while its a risky proposition.

Either way its a gorgeous car and it will be awesome to drive with that great sound you described.

George

[kmead]

Congrats. I have been a bit busy of late (my son was hit by a car on St Patrick's day and its been a bit busy since) so I apologize for not getting back to you. Neither Mike nor I know this car but the pics look quite good overall.

Congrats and welcome to the club.

Karl

[spiderrey]

Beautiful car! My first one in high school was a 71. My favorite year. Yours used to be orange just like my ol 71. I looked long and hard for a 71 when i got back into spiders a while ago with no luck. Then one day Mark turned me onto a one owener 70', and thats all she wrote. Early cars rule.

[supplyguy]

No worries kmead.....your son's accident (and NJFIAT1981's) is a reminder these cars are a hobby...there are far more important things in life. Good luck - Chuck.

[vandor]

Nice! Looks way better than my '71 when I bought it.

If you do go on the roadtrip be sure to take plenty of spares - ignition parts, v-belt, fuel pump, etc.
Also be sure to check the flexdisc behind the tranny.

[ga.spyder]

Congrats,Chuck! I knew the right car would find you.It looks great in the pics.I third the motion that if its feasible,to rent/borrow a dolly and bring it home that way.If that isnt possible,maybe post your route here,and get some contact numbers from people on your route.There are so many little things with a car that hasnt seen much use.Either way,good luck and I look forward to seeing you and the car at FFO.

[124ADDHE]

Welcome to the fiat club! Great cars, could never part with my girl, hell im on my third one

If something leaves you stranded it will likely be the brakes (sliders need lube) if its been sitting or an ignition problem. All 3 of my fiats have been driven from Vancouver to Salmon Arm as break-in trips (450-500kms, depending on route) and all 3 have made it (the 74's rear brake dragged to the point that it caught on fire on its first day home but it made it and this was after showing it off to everyone in town )

Good luck.

[supplyguy]

Correction....the drive is only 350 miles. It's GOTTA make it!