Now I have a 1976!

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Robert,
I will be away the next 2 weekends. Contact Ralph. There is a drive on the 20th. I'm sure you can jump in with one of the club members. Should be a nice drive. We might be up for a breakfast on the 27th. What time do you leave? George

[NJFIAT1981]

The Rotas are on the 1976 Lee Here is what I've done so far'
Picked up roll bar- bead blasted and painted. Have a 3rd brake light to install on the roll bar
Exhaust manifold from a 1974- bead blasted and hi temp paint---EXIT98's favorite color
Valve covers bead blasted and painted same color and paint
New exhaust down pipe
Transfered brake calipers from the 1980. Thanks Doug
New brake pads and rotors
Ordered new seat covers from Germanex (Thanks Greg) Installed at Rayco (Thanks Tony) Tonys been doing tops and seats on Fiats since the late 70's. There was a Fiat dealership here
Also ordered a new cloth top from Germanex. To be installed
With Exit98's help and guidance scrapped most of the old insulation from the floor. Will repair minor surface rust, por 15 and insulate the floor. Undecide on rugs right now.
Undecided on a muffler right now. Researching it.
Radiator restored and painted
Next is a new timing belt and water pump.
The project continues.

[NJFIAT1981]

Forgot to mention we desmogged it. Thanks Ralph, and Doug.

[ga.spyder]

Great job! I wouldnt know what to do if I lived somewhere that I could call on friends for help.Sounds like you will be ready for FFO?

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Craig,
Your right. It is nice to have folks that enjoy the project as much as you do. Have some great friends here. Doug is an strict task master. Keeps things on track and has some great ideas. He's been working me like a rented mule! How's things down your way? We are still discussing the Freak Out. Think we might need to go. Will you be attending? George

[ga.spyder]

We are definitely going,George.I am going to skip the track day at VIR,and head straight to resort.I really hope that you,Ralph,Brady and the rest of the Jersey crew make it! I know Brady said that he was planning on having his car ready.Of course,Pope told me that about his car 3 years ago!!
There are a bunch of us here in Ga.,but I live a couple hours north of Atlanta.It is a struggle for us to get together for anything other than Italian Car Day.

[NJFIAT1981]

The usual suspects from NJ FIATS showed up today at my house. The weather was hot and humid. The promised rain did not appear. Timing belt, water pump, alternator belt, tensioner, new hoses, carb cleaned and adjusted. A electronic distributor from a 2L was installed. Slight adjustments were made by Ralph the Fiat Guru. The 1976 now runs great. Thanks to Ralph, Doug, Mike and Bill.
Next the rear brakes and seal up the floors with POR 15
The top will be next
Then off to Dave the paint and body guy.

[opus10583]

Undecide on rugs right now.

HI George,

I went around and around with carpets for a while, rug merchants indeed; Ben in NJ hooked me up with some "needle punch" stuff that I'm really happy with, and twice as much given his price.

Ciao,
Mark

[NJFIAT1981]

That Ben Hur is a good guy. Did you drive up to his factory and take a look? He gives a nice tour. Only bad thing is he's a MGB guy

[opus10583]

That Ben Hur is a good guy. Did you drive up to his factory and take a look? He gives a nice tour. Only bad thing is he's a MGB guy

No, I didn't get to his place, but he was very patient, truly helpful and it's a very nice set of rugs.

I don't get the MGB, never did, never will; tractor motor and manure cart suspension; but I know a guy who brought a chrome bumper example back to life and it is simply beautiful.