Father's Day Surprise Spider

[MDCarroll]

Hello All,

My name is Mike. I like to consider myself an up and coming car guy - part of the reason I am not just a "Car Guy" is that I have a wife, 3 sons under 9, a career and a limited supply of free cash flow

I dabbled in the Mercedes world for a while (mostly W126 sedans from the 80s) and my wife hated them. She wasn't impressed by the car at all, didn't like the time I spent junk yarding or the money I spent on parts. Most of all she didn't like listening to me complain about them...So I decided to liquidate that hobby and spend less money on cars and more time with the family.

Fast forward to last weekend. I had been browsing Craigslist and came across an ad for a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider. The price seemed like a decent starting point, the pictures and description seemed ok and I LOVED the styling (Interestingly enough, Pininfarina did a one-off custom Mercedes W113). I showed the ad to my wife who was once again supportive of me picking up a project provided I didn't complain about it and I broadened my horizons. Well, we were in the middle of a move to a new home and I would never have time to go look at the car so I left it alone. She found the sellers number in her phone (where I had called him to discuss the car previously) and took it upon herself to arrange purchase and delivery unknown to me

Father's Day weekend, I went out to the barn to put away some things from the move and through a door left ajar I spied the red Fiat!

I am really excited to take on this project (slowly and mindful of the resources allocated). I took each of my boys for a spin around the yard in it and even let my 8 year old behind the wheel (it's never to early to learn to drive a manual).
The car is red with black interior. It runs and drives but needs much TLC and rust repair. I believe it is a Sport 1600 (if the badging is to be trusted).

[rjkoop]

Wow! What a wife! You are a lucky man.

[MDCarroll]

Wow! What a wife! You are a lucky man.

I really, really am. Thank you.

[4uall]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth you lucky son of a bitch

[MDCarroll]

Thanks 4uall! Syracuse has become a big destination for those in the Ontario region due to our newly expanded shopping mall. Either of you members ever make it down this way?

[btoran]

nice gift! i got a steering wheel for fathers day and considered myself lucky (it's a nice wheel).

[SoFlaFiat]

I studied sculpture on top of a hill in Siberycuse!! Too many days it didn't matter what kind of car I had, I couldn't find it under the snow anyway!!
Sounds like you know how lucky you are!! What a great story and a great wife!!

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084

And here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[TX82FIAT]

great story and gift. I think a lot of us are appreciative of our wives when it comes to our Spiders. Don't forget, you told her you would not complain... These are great cars worth the time and effort. They are Italian and therefore can be fickle at times. It has been a while but I have found myself cursing prior owners and some aspects of the car design prone to failure. Post some pics... Glad your family is enjoying the car.

[vandor]

Hi,
Great to see another early Spider owner!
Instead of the w126, you should have messed with w108s - most women love them

[Funcar]

Wow that is fantastic. Congrats and I hope you will get lots of fun out of both driving and restoring your Spider. My wife was not very enthusiastic initially with me buying a Spider that didn't run and needs parts (money) to get it on the road. However she has come to see how much pleasure I get from working on it and it keeps me home. I do have a golf membership and between them I am happy.

I like that you have gotten your sons involved. What a great family activity. Keep and eye on the one you let drive. If you catch him trying to fix blocks onto the petals hide the keys.

[MDCarroll]

Thanks again everyone for all of the welcomes. Such a warm reception deserves some pictures. Here are the pics from the CL ad:

[georgeramos]

Wow thats a great entry point on a running 1608 car! Congrats. If the rust is limited thats even better! Sounds like there are minor electrical issues. Tackle them first. Shouldnt cost a ton but will occupy a lot of brain cells and will be very satisfying when done. Also upgrading electricals (brown wire fix and adding relays for hi beams, lows, and maybe the starter, wipers... ) will make the car instantly more reliable and will prevent future finicky frustrations.

Have fun!