Need Advise on 77 Spider

[Dianespider]

I just bought a 77 Spider 1800, and we are in the process of gettin it back into service after sitting for 5 years. (inside thank goodness!) Here is my question, I live 11 miles from work and would love to use the Spider as every day driver, are they dependable daily drivers? or just weekend toys? Are they good cars for every day use?????

[spiderrey]

Good for every day use. I drove one for 5 years as a daily driver. Had no real issues

[So Cal Mark]

if you fix everything correctly, they're fine as daily drivers. If it's been sitting for 5 yrs, plan on replacing everything made of rubber

[spidernut]

It can be a daily driver provided that you ensure the following items are inspected for any problems:

1. Flex disc, drive shaft support and U Joints (inspect and replace if needed)
2. Brake lines, hoses and calipers (replace if rusted, cracked or leaking)
3. Ball joints, control arm bushings and steering linkage (replace if worn...especially the ball joints)
4. Crossmember (look for cracks and repair if needed)
5. Fuel lines (look for fuel leaks, cracking, age, etc. and replace if needed)
6. Timing belt (due to age)
7. Heater control valve (it will probably start leaking if not replaced after sitting for that long)

These items are all serious issues that you would need to inspect on any car of this vintage. You can't afford failure in any of these systems.

Like Mark said...replace anything that is rubber! As cars get older, gaskets and seals dry out causing oil leaks, vacuum lines get brittle, fuel lines rot, brake lines crack, bushings decay, etc.

With older cars, it is about regular inspection and maintenance. They're not just "gas and go" cars like a new Honda or Toyota. With regular maintenance they can be very fun daily drivers....just make sure you have an good towing plan and a cell phone just in case.

Also remember that 35 year old cars will occasionally require some repairs. That's normal for cars of this era.

[vandor]

I've had a Spider as a daily driver for many years. However, I usually had a backup car, in case there was snow, heavy rain, or I had to fix something on the Spider. I would not recommend any 30+year old cars as someone's ONLY car unless it is very well sorted.

[majicwrench]

I'm not so sure I agree with "change everything made of rubber". I have a 64 Chev PU that has gosh knows how many 100k miles on it, I have owned it for 30yrs, drive it all over the place ( including trailering beater fiat finds). Can't recall the last time I changed anything rubber. I did change the heater hoses about '95. Has the same upper radiator hose as when I bought it. Not sure about the lower.
There are a few things--timing belts for instance---that are a no-brainer.
Fiats are cars like any other, and if maintained will provide wonderful, fun, transportation. My 72 probably takes more tinkering with the carb than anything else.
Keith

[4uall]

As a new owner (purchased fall 2011) I bought her as a weekend warrior. Now I try and drive her as much as possible because it is so much fun. I would certainly take the advice above seriously. Working on these cars is par for the course however, you take more pride in ownership and you know exactly what and how maintenance is being done.

[So Cal Mark]

my advice is based on a car sitting for 5 yrs, and "by anything rubber" I mean fuel and water hoses, belts, brake hoses and tires. Basically anything that will cause the car to break down. I don't care about weatherstrip, floor mats or rubber duckies.

[Dawgme85]

I've had my '77 for 2 years now and have put 8000 miles on it (it now has 62k). My advice, if you intend to drive yours daily, is to a) find a good Fiat mechanic (unless you already are one) and b) keep up on all maintenance, fixing the little things that come up as they come up. If you do this you will end up with a car that is, as I describe mine, "as dependable as my Lexus".

So far, I have had the head done (including port-matching), installed a 4-2-1 exhaust, had the brakes completely rebuilt, as well as the front end, and installed an electronic ignition setup. I also had the radiator re-cored and installed a new water pump myself. At the time of the head work, all of the engine seals, except the rear main, were replaced. Still to do includes rebuilding the rear end (it howls a bit at highway speeds) and the transmission (noisy input shaft bearing, but will probably include a clutch and throwout bearing).

The PO had purchased it after it had been sitting for a number of years, and had replaced the hoses and the original hose clamps, as well as the timing belt and other miscellaneous maintenance items prior to my purchase. Transmission and rear end have Red Line oil, but must've been driven at some point without adequate lubrication, hence the noises . Last fall my wife and I took it on a 1000 mile, 3-day tour with no trouble whatsoever. I wouldn't hesitate to drive it anywhere.

I look at it as a work in progress and consider the work that I've had done (and done myself) to be investments in the longevity of the car. Fiats are like any other car, if you take care of them they'll take care of you.

Good luck with your Spider.

[BEEK]

but if the rubber duckie has a failure due to dry rot, all will fail and a tow truck will be needed

[81SPIDERMATT]

my advice is based on a car sitting for 5 yrs, and "by anything rubber" I mean fuel and water hoses, belts, brake hoses and tires. Basically anything that will cause the car to break down. I don't care about weatherstrip, floor mats or rubber duckies.

dang.... i replaced my ducky