Looking at an 81 Spider Today

[hamlet]

Hey folks,

I'm looking at an 81 spider today that's going for pretty cheap -- $2k~

I've got some concerns based on the price alone, and was wondering if I could tap into the hive mind here to see what else I should look out for.

• The car has a salvage title apparently due to being in a fender bender and then being picked up from someone else.
• The car was shipped to Oakland from Canada prior to that, bought, had the fender bender, salvaged, and now this other guy owns it
• Painted black and yellow, blegh
• It runs
• It has plates on it
• No radio, no power steering (as I should expect with an 81, right?)
• Ansa Sport exhaust and intake from International Auto Parts

So I'm thinking I should look out for rust, since it's from Canada, any issues with salvage titles, why there isn't a radio, smog stuff -- this is in the California bay area -- why it's painted two colors, etc. Can anyone else chime in?

I'm really concerned with the smog issue. I don't want to have a care I can't register. Can someone with an 81 in California chime in on that?

I might as well post the listing at this point: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/3754477033.html

Thanks,
Tom

[spidernut]

I saw the ad prior to your post and the colors are hideous!!! It doesn't take much to total an older car and end up with salvage title...I'd advise you have an expert inspect the body and frame before buying it. Also, check the car over using a very thin microfiber cloth with a magnet inside. If the magnet doesn't stick, there is body filler there. That should help identify spots repaired with body filler. Again...take it to a specialist unless you know body and frame work. I've seen some pretty tweaked frames and uni-bodies in my life that looked just fine from the outside. It could be something relatively small, but it isn't worth taking a chance. Get and expert to look at it unless they have photos of every step of the repairs.

The smog issue is an easy one: California law mandates that the seller provide a smog certificate within 90 days of the sale. You're off the hook but the seller is not! The fuel injected cars normally pass very easily if all the emissions parts are present and working. Make the seller provide the smog certificate.

Ensure it does not have expired license plate tags. You will have to pay the penalties...and they can get really, really expensive. See: http://dmv.ca.gov/vr/vr_info.htm. There are ways around the penalties, but read the law carefully! You could be out $700 in back fees and penalties like me.

The 81s didn't come with radios. They were an expensive option.
81s didn't come with power steering

Look for rust in all the typical areas. Make the seller pay for any back registration fees and penalties and smog inspection. Otherwise, pass on it unless you want it for parts or as a significant project.

[wizard124]

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewforum ... d&start=50

The link above has details about my smog and registration hassles with my '80 FI. Search my posts to find the Catalytic Converter you may need to insert. The registration may be a major PITA for an out of state/country vehicle, maybe impossible in CA by a buyer when a seller imports it but doesn't register and smog it. Tread carefully.
If it runs strong, the interior decent, and no hidden rust.....the price is fair IMO. Ive rebuilt my drive shaft, front end, shocks, tune-up, new tires (not yet mounted), front rotors, brake lines, alternator, cat.......even doing the majority of the work myself, the costs tick higher and higher.

The Y/B color scheme......well $$$$$ can take care of that.

[hamlet]

Any chance just the yellow panels could be painted black?

Thanks for the info on registration/all that. If you notice from the photos, it does have California plates on it -- so that's a start (could be fake, who knows).

[fiat218]

Watch them Cali cars lol
Just kidding

[hamlet]

Oh yeah, what's the etiquette with seeing it? I should expect to take it for a quick spin, right?

[fiat218]

I have bought 2 cars with out seen it,just photos, I got bit of work to do on the last one
But it going great

[wizard124]

Oh yeah, what's the etiquette with seeing it? I should expect to take it for a quick spin, right?

Heck yes drive it!
You can go to dmv.ca.gov, input the plate number and getan estimate of change of ownership registration and title fees.

[spidernut]

You can get the yellow panels repainted. The problem is where the edges would be taped off, there will be ridge from the tape line. The repaint color can be blended into the black, but you might as well repaint the entire car at that point. From what I can tell from the photos, you might be able to get away with it since the yellow seems to end at the body line and the panel seams. You could use pinstripe tape along the body line to hide any imperfections.

Yes...you should drive it!

[hamlet]

The guy flaked on me. So bummed. There's another one in the East Bay I might make the hike out for one of these days. Thanks for all the help guys. This is such a great community.

[toyfiats]

I'm in Concord and have owned Fiats for over 20 years, and generally know what to look for. I'd be happy to come along and inspect a local Spider on a Saturday if it's relatively close.

[spidernut]

What do you mean he flaked on you? Did he decide not to sell?

[hamlet]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/3764932158.html

Looks like there's another in the area -- I'd like to give this one a look ASAP, is anyone available in the next few days to give this thing a look with me?

[hamlet]

I bought this last night: http://i.imgur.com/YUkmkdJ.jpg

It's a 1971. Drove it home from Japan town all the way to Mountain View and it drove well. The tail lights are mismatched -- need to get that fixed -- and a headlight is out, so it was a bit of a risky drive. I took it nice and easy and it was a great ride, in the end. The car looks absolutely fantastic, and it fits fine in my tiny garage. Going to change the oil/bleed the brake lines/get a new battery this weekend. Any recommendations on motor oil? Batteries?

Thanks,
Tom

[seabeelt]