DC/Northern Virginia restoration facility

[porkchopious]

I have a 1974 FIAT Spider that I wish to have restored. It will be a driver with some sensible upgrades and a higher performance engine. Can anyone recommend a restoration facility in my area?

Thanks,

David

[baltobernie]

Mechanical only? Or do you want interior and/or exterior items? Bodywork and paint?

For starters: A good used 2-litre motor with new performance carb and manifolds, rebuilt transmission, new clutch, guibo, and of course new hoses, belts, seals, etc. ... maybe $2-3k.

Other stuff depends on your budget and expectations. Is the car drivable now?

[erskinej]

David: a lot depends on how you respond to Bernie's questions. A few serious restoration shops in your area, but all base their pricing on how much they gotta do and how much they gotta dig into potentially rusted frame areas of a 74 Spider. But the resources are available, so you may wish to contact us at ChesapeakeSpiders@verizon.net for some potential leads for you. John

[porkchopious]

I want to have the car totally redone. A nut and bolt restoration. I had a car exactly like this as my first car in highschool and it brings back great memories. I just drove it tonight! I bought it out of California this spring. Bought from the original owner's daughter. Never restored and still has its original paint and top. Was rustproofed when bought new. Always driven and maintained, but used as a weekend car in Minnesota at a vacation home at the beginning of its life. Always garaged and not driven in snow. However, the interior is very worn and there is some rust in the usual places. I want to keep it stock appearing, but I want to increase its performance without sacrificing too much drivability.

[baltobernie]

A "nut and bolt restoration" is the opposite end of the spectrum of a "driver". There are a couple of places in the Capitol region that can do what (I think) you want. Get aholt of John, who worked at one such place. But I would suggest you not limit your search to the DC area, where the costs of such an undertaking are probably 2x Richmond, Lynchburg, Hagerstown, etc. Your pride and joy will be off the road for the better part of a year; there's no reason the project has to be done in this area, or even this time zone.

[porkchopious]

Baltobernie,

Thank you for your advice. I guess what I should have said is that I want my car restored to new condition and then I'm going to start driving it. I might show it once in a while, but it will be used mainly as a weekend vehicle. I won't ever drive it in the rain unless I happen to get caught out. I'll contact John.

Thanks again,

David

[TX82FIAT]

I'll state the obvious on this one. A complete nut and bolt restore on our cars will only bring value to the current owner (you) or the future discounted owner if you ever need to sell (likey guy ). Please realize as I have with my car that resoration cost above a standard functining car with a clean interior will cost you significantly more then you would ever be able to get out of the car if a need to sell should ever come up.

I think it is a great project and something you will enjoy for a long, long time. If you do a top level restore and ever need to sell please come to this site first...

[porkchopious]

I'll state the obvious on this one. A complete nut and bolt restore on our cars will only bring value to the current owner (you) or the future discounted owner if you ever need to sell (likey guy ). Please realize as I have with my car that resoration cost above a standard functining car with a clean interior will cost you significantly more then you would ever be able to get out of the car if a need to sell should ever come up.

I think it is a great project and something you will enjoy for a long, long time. If you do a top level restore and ever need to sell please come to this site first...

There's no question that I'll be upside down value-wise immediately. I'm not going to do it for investment or future resale. I'm doing it because I had one just like this one as my first car and it brings back a lot of great memories every time I drive it. I just want a very nice, slightly improved spider to drive on nice days with my wife or kids.

[Gunsmith]

Car transportation is not that expensive these days. If I were to do a complete resto on mine I would send it to whomever is supposed to be the best no matter where they are. In the scheme of a full resto the shipping isn't much. Then again if there is an issue when it's done you can't just swing by and have them check it out for you if they are far away.

[porkchopious]

Car transportation is not that expensive these days. If I were to do a complete resto on mine I would send it to whomever is supposed to be the best no matter where they are. In the scheme of a full resto the shipping isn't much. Then again if there is an issue when it's done you can't just swing by and have them check it out for you if they are far away.

All good points. Everything being equal, I'd like to have the work done locally if possible. That way, I can check on the car periodically and have the inevitable bugs worked out by the same shop when the work is completed.