Body work?

[crazymoose1990]

So I'm looking to do a complete restore on our 68 Fiat Spider. So any tips would be helpful. First off after I removed the front bumper tonight I discovered that you can't remove the bumper brackets? How do you get new bumper bracket grommets on the brackets? The area around those brackets looks pretty ugly. Like some paint or bondo bleed over.

This car needs to be show quality so everything needs to look 100 percent. Secondly when we get to the point of removing the front fenders how do we separate the front fenders from the front lower valance? Do we just destroy it and look for a new one? Do we do the same thing in the back with the rear valance? Not that were probably going to need to remove that one.

So all I have to say it thank you in advance for my naive questions. I've worked on plenty of American cars with frames and fenders that unbolt, but these Italian cars leave me scratching my head....

[spiderrey]

The bumper brackets come off with two bolts inside the fender. Look towards the front inside. Pretty easy. Also get a book, its helpful.

[azruss]

the rocker panels under the door are bolt on. then fenders are welded to the unibody. Go on any of the fiat vendor websites and you can see the new body panels that are available. Cutting and replacing requires a welder experienced in this type of work to keep from warping panels. the front bumper brackets can be removed with 2 bolts inside the wheel wells. the backs can be removed from inside the trunk.

[crazymoose1990]

Yeah I figured out how to get the front brackets off last night. I also realize that Fiat must have had midgets working at the Fiat factory when these cars were being built.
I was aware that the rockers are bolted on. I'm really not looking forward tear down on this car....

[crazymoose1990]

I unbolted the passengers rocker panel today. Looks good no rust, I did find that the floor support on the bottom side of the car is going to need to be replaced. Its pretty crushed, I can see alot of new drill bits in my future.

[Mick124]

Hi Crazy... All the best with the resto.

Check out my resto thread and if you need any tips, happy to help..

Mick

[crazymoose1990]

So has anybody in the Portland OR area had there Fiat 124 spider fully restored? I need some recommendations for body shops. One that has pulled the front clip off of a spider before.


Thanks Jason...