Just out of Interest , how much have you spent ?

[supplyguy]

Here's how I got to this point. We returned from as assignment to Germany and I needed a car. I made a deal with my wife that she could get a new car, I would make her 10 year old Ford Escape my daily driver when it was shipped back, and I would buy a Fiat as my hobby car - $10,000 max for purchase and repairs. But I needed reliable wheels before the Ford got back, so I bought a used BMW convertible.....for $11,500. She was patient with me. After a year the BMW needed big repairs, and I was ready to take the plunge on a Fiat, so I sold the BMW....for $8000. She tolerated the loss. In my head, by purchasing a $3000 Fiat I had $5000 in reserve for sorting and fixing, and thought there's no way I will hit that. Again, here we are $12000 into this and she doesn't complain. After a year with the car (which she detests) she knows this was not a mid-life crisis (would be my fifth) and that I truly love driving, and even working on, the car. She likes seeing me happy. What a gal.

[PininF]

Ramzi
(stopped saving receipts years ago)

I think with that said your right on the money , these cars are what the eye of the beholder see's, if money doesn't play a part how far would you go $40K, $50K, $60K ? I'm already thinking of full leather red interior and I'm sure I'll think of other things.

Just hope my 6 year old son will love her as much as I do when I'm 6 foot under.

[vandor]

I had my current Spider for 10 years now. I haven't added everything up in a few years, but I think I have about $8k in parts and hundreds of hours of labor into it.

I can't emphasize this enough for all the people who spent a bunch on their Spider: Agreed Value Classic Car Insurance!!!!
If anything happens to your car you are covered. My previous Spider was totaled and it took a 2 year fight to get a measly $2500 for it.

[deftone]

I feel cheap! My project has stalled due to a new job and a new baby, so Im still around the $2000 mark. (car was $550)

[fiat218]

I had my current Spider for 10 years now. I haven't added everything up in a few years, but I think I have about $8k in parts and hundreds of hours of labor into it.

I can't emphasize this enough for all the people who spent a bunch on their Spider: Agreed Value Classic Car Insurance!!!!
If anything happens to your car you are covered. My previous Spider was totaled and it took a 2 year fight to get a measly $2500 for it.

I agree with the insurance. My 69 is insured for 12,000
Those years don't come easy to find

[courtenay]

Agree on the Insurance thing. I bought my '80 for $10,000 (39000 miles, rust free, VG condition), have put less than $1000 into it - mostly minor maintenance - and have it insured for $10,000 through Hagerty ($104 per year).

[jamesrobert]

i bought my spider last year for 7800 aussie dollars. so far i have spent about $1500, this includes new soft top, ball joints and bushings for the front of the car, a failed attempt at getting a better steering box, all new tie rods and ends, some upholstery work (bonnet insulation etc), new indicator switch, sway bar bushings, and new timing belt. Moving forward i need to remove rust on the rear quarter panel right side, and on the bottom corner of the door as well as other smaller spots and eventually re paint. if you do most of the work yourself it shouldn't cost too much, also sourcing parts on the internet is a great way to go. oh and i nearly forgot new headrests. i bought it in august last year.

[spidernut]

Between the prior owner and me, there is over $6K in parts and paint alone into my 80 that is for sale on Ebay. If I had paid for the work to be done instead of doing it myself, it would probably be in the $10-$12K range. Restoration costs vary significantly depending upon what you want - I was quoted anywhere from $3,000 to $20,000 for paint alone on my 79. My 79 has a lot less into it because it is about 95% original with only 43,000 miles on it....maybe $5,500 total not counting labor cost.

[EBmez]

This is an interesting question, and a lot of interesting responses!

I paid $500 for my 79 CS2 in the beginning, and I've probably put another $2000 or so into it. I had a running total going, but lost the spreadsheet when my last laptop crashed, but the biggest items were new tires, new wiper motor and brake replacements (new calipers, hoses, pads, rotors). The rest was little stuff here and there just to get it in decent shape (definitely not a show car!).

The heavy costs items are still to come - new convertible top and paint job - but hopefully this will be enough for me to be driving it regularly and work on anything else over time. After all this, it's not running on the road yet (still!), but I should have it inspected very soon.

Not bad for a car that hasn't been inspected in 20 years - the current sticker expired in 5/94!

[SLOSpider]

I had my current Spider for 10 years now. I haven't added everything up in a few years, but I think I have about $8k in parts and hundreds of hours of labor into it.

I can't emphasize this enough for all the people who spent a bunch on their Spider: Agreed Value Classic Car Insurance!!!!
If anything happens to your car you are covered. My previous Spider was totaled and it took a 2 year fight to get a measly $2500 for it.

just insured mine as a driver restoration for 5k dollars through Hagerty $118.00 a year and can drive it 5000 miles a year! They also keep upping the value automatically each quarter. Even if it gets total tomorrow Id break even with the parts and labor I already have in it.

[fiat218]

My 69 is insurance for 12 grand
80 10 grand

[PininF]

My insurance policy is only $35 per month as they wouldn't insure the car over the purchase price of $12k
now with an estimated rebuild of over 30k they want to see all the receipts, ( they must think I'm trying to rip them off ) so I guess my premium will go up by ???

P.S Rebuilt engine and a brand new 5 speed installed today , only a few more days and I'm on the dyno

Cheers
John

[katsi]

Holly crapola Batman! Did you say 40K Wow! Well, you certainly love your Fiat much more than I love mine. My purchase price was 1,150.00. I think the tax and registration on that was about another $112.00. $750.00 for my first attempt at a Fiat restoration (kept lots of parts but just too rusted to keep going and most of my parts have come from that car - dizzy, hood, lots of misc parts and screws). Say another 100.00 in plugs, timing belt, wire and wire accessories and spray can products. 225.00 for new Webber Carb. $70.00 for early model intake. $45.00 for first carb (ebay - worked for 2 years includes shipping). Another 350.00 at vics easy. $325.00 for new front suspension and tie rod ends. 270.00 new tiers and $1,200.00 for paint and body touch ups. For a grand total of approximately $4,597.00. My insurance cost $210 \ year with unlimited road side assistance and it has a guaranteed payoff value of $12,000.00.

Yet, that does not include time and beer - I probably have another $1,000.00 invested in beer alone. In fact, I think I will work on her in the garage tonight and dump another 8 bucks into my baby.

[fiat218]

Holly crapola Batman! Did you say 40K Wow! Well, you certainly love your Fiat much more than I love mine. My purchase price was 1,150.00. I think the tax and registration on that was about another $112.00. $750.00 for my first attempt at a Fiat restoration (kept lots of parts but just too rusted to keep going and most of my parts have come from that car - dizzy, hood, lots of misc parts and screws). Say another 100.00 in plugs, timing belt, wire and wire accessories and spray can products. 225.00 for new Webber Carb. $70.00 for early model intake. $45.00 for first carb (ebay - worked for 2 years includes shipping). Another 350.00 at vics easy. $325.00 for new front suspension and tie rod ends. 270.00 new tiers and $1,200.00 for paint and body touch ups. For a grand total of approximately $4,597.00. My insurance cost $210 \ year with unlimited road side assistance and it has a guaranteed payoff value of $12,000.00.

Yet, that does not include time and beer - I probably have another $1,000.00 invested in beer alone. In fact, I think I will work on her in the garage tonight and dump another 8 bucks into my baby.

8 bucks? Or 8 bottles

[DMacrum]

I have taken a leasurely path to restoring my 74 124 Spider (16 years so far). I rebuilt the engine with big valves, stiffer springs, 9:1 pistons (plus shaved the head a bit), balanced and blueprinted, tuned header and 32-36 DVG Weber upgrade. Exhaust is free flow. Stock intake (couldn't find a better one with the space restrictions). Also replaced shocks and springs and front control arms with lowered set, replaced front stabilizer bar and installed one in the rear (did not have it stock). Replaced all brake calipers, master cylinder, hoses and rotors (drilled/slotted). Transmission and rear diff in good condition, but resealed all. Replaced clutch, etc. Replaced steel wheels with Panasport alloys and larger tires (195/7014 from 165R13). Replaced all the steering linkage and tie rod ends, including the idler. I have done all the work myself, except for engine machine and balance work.

Still have the body and paint work, windshield,interior detail and finishing to do. Total spent about $9500.00. Expect another $7000 before it is done. I will have a professional do the body and paint. Then there is always the ongoing effort that never gets completely done.

The car is drivable and it is lots of fun. Good power, good handling and, in my opinion, quite reliable, though I haven't committed to a cross country road trip yet.

Doug, USA Colorado