Diamond in the rough?

[SpiderCake]

Two weeks ago I spent a Sunday on my bike between Carlsbad and central LA looking at 4 cars for sale on the coast. 2 81's, 1 78 and a 76. Most of them in average condition, obvious repaints, bubbling rust, needing throwout bearings or clutches and very little areas that were not covered in oil. Let's just say they had potential but not a weekend's work then hitting the road. But the 76 stood out, it was in non op since 2008 and before that was out of registration since 2002. Maybe its because it has been 20 years since I've owned a spider but I writing this because I'm kind of on a high at the moment with the condition of this car and what I paid for it.

86K original miles
Original paint
Little to no rust
Interior is good condition other than the seats
Top is in rough shape but its San Diego so ....
Original mat, fiber board spare separators
Battery cover
Owners manual & services center booklet
Original tool box

The owner could not get it to pass smog so I negotiated a better price and bought it without smog cert. After correcting and replacing some vacuum lines, leaning out the mixture, backing off the timing, bypassing the vacuum switch to the EGR and running some 91 it passed smog. I had 3 BMW techs standing around in awe that this car passed smog. I've got to replace running light bulbs but blinkers, break lights and headlights all work. The pictures below is the condition I bought the car in.










DMV tomorrow and it's fish tacos and beach cruising this weekend.

~SC

[spiderrey]

Nice.

[htchevyii]

Nice find!

[So Cal Mark]

pretty nice car

[djape1977]

very nice car!
how often do you need to pass smog test?

[btoran]

great find. what did you pay?

[SpiderCake]

$2000 + an old laser printer =)

630am at DMV and out by 730. $200 reg and taxes.

Looking at a 78 parts car this weekend. If you haven't seen my post in custom I'm prepping for an EV conversion early next year.

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=19677

~SC

[fredguaz]

RUST ???? That will determine the worth of your car. My 76 (titled 77) had basically no rust visible. Until I ripped the interior out and found some rust throughs. Most all of it can be repaired.
Good luck!

[SpiderCake]

I spent an hour on every car I looked at and the only rust on this car is very little surface.

~SC