Along came a spider......finally some progress.

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NCArachnid
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
Location: Charlotte

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by NCArachnid »

I agree, Guilio, would love to get together once the Spider is road-worthy.

Latest happenings......

Front end rebuilt....
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New wheels and tires....
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The suv stance is because it is still on the stands. I lowered it to the ground and it was still pretty high. I guess the combined weight of the hood, doors, cowl and bumpers will lower back down to normal.

Still have to bleed the brakes, finish the sway-install (any tricks on compressing the brackets together over the poly so I can start the nuts?), and roughly adjust the toe-in.

My dad is coming in to town soon and I have several days off of work, so I'm expecting more progress soon.

Later...
Jon

1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
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narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by narfire »

NCArachnid wrote:any tricks on compressing the brackets together over the poly so I can start the nuts?),
Yes, get a couple of "C" clamps to hold the brackets together...
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
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giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by giuliot60 »

Looking forward to it Jon. Car is looking good!
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
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NCArachnid
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
Location: Charlotte

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by NCArachnid »

Some more progress.... My dad is in town so we are making large strides. Got the front suspension buttoned up (just need to torque the a-arms when the car is back to cruising weight). Pulled the tank, replaced all the fuel lines, sanded and coated the trunk, installed the hood, and installed the rear lights. New tank in tomorrow along with deck-lid and hopefully the doors.

Ok enough talk. Here are some pics.

Trunk and rear lights....
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Hood....
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Hood hardware and pad....
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Back on all 4 feet....
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More to come... :D
Jon

1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
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SoFlaFiat

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Looks fantastic Jon!! Nice progress!
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Exit98

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by Exit98 »

We are scheduled to be in Charlotte to visit my Son in late September. I'd love to stop by, meet you, and see your great work in person. I'll shoot you a PM when the time grows near. Wish I could bring the Spider with me but that's not going to happen.

Car looks great.

Is that the AR hood pads? Mine are in a box. Any installation tips?
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NCArachnid
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
Location: Charlotte

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by NCArachnid »

Another flurry of activity today....

Finished installing the new gas tank and hoses.
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Installed new trunk seal and deck lid.
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Installed the passenger side door.
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Sounds great Doug, send me a pm.
Those are AR hood liners. The '72 doesn't have a space between the hood bracing and underside of the hood to tuck the pads into. What we did was trim the foam at an angle and glue the edges down to resemble the tucked look. We attached them to the hood with DAP contact cement. Would be easier on a later model hood where you could tuck in the edges but I like the result we got from improvising. I don't believe the early cars ever had liners stock.
Jon

1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
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giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by giuliot60 »

You go boy! Can't wait to see her in person.
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
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AriK
Patron 2018
Patron 2018
Posts: 1148
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Location: Montreal Canada

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by AriK »

I enjoy following builds such as yours. Keep up the good work! You're moments away from tearing up the open road!
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NCArachnid
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
Location: Charlotte

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by NCArachnid »

A little more progress today. :D I need my Dad to stay in town indefinitely and need to retire now so I can get all my projects completed! :lol:

Left door installed, both door handles installed with working locks.... 8)
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Installed the rear rocker panels and license plate....
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Installed the center rocker panels....
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Next up: lube up the wiper motor and linkage, reassemble the cowl and install on car.

Thanks for all the well wishes and encouragement. After nearly seven years, the light at the end of the tunnel is gleaming bright. :D
Jon

1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
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RRoller123
Patron 2020
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Posts: 8179
Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by RRoller123 »

beautiful!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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perthling
Posts: 349
Joined: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:04 pm
Your car is a: 1974 124 Spider
Location: Western Australia

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by perthling »

Looking fantastic! Are you running later model springs? The ride height looks too high even allowing for the parts still to be re-installed.
_______________________
Perthling
1974 Fiat 124 Spider (blade bumper 1756cc)
1974 Fiat 124 CC (same family since new)
1975 Fiat 124 CC (project)
1969 Fiat 124AC (project)
1997 Coupe Fiat 20VT (daily driver)
http://www.fiatlancia.org.au
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User avatar
NCArachnid
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2010 4:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 124 Spider Sport
Location: Charlotte

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by NCArachnid »

Yes Perthling, I thought it looked a little high as well. I haven't changed out the springs since I bought it in 1997. But you never know what the PO did. The springs are seated correctly in the lower a-arm and in the upper cradle. The only thing I've done that could affect the ride height is to add GS-2 shocks in the front. I have them for the rear but haven't installed them yet. I'm planning to just drive it for a while and if I want it a little lower I'll swap out the springs.

Here are pics from the first test drive.
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She ran like a champ. New brakes worked great. Alignment must be in the ball park. New tires grip well. Engine ran cool. Heard a strange clicking sound from the trans. It was constant and increased with speed with both the clutch in and out... Likely the known broken speedo gear.
Jon

1972 1600 spider (undergoing moderate freshening....yeah who are we kidding. Restoration in progress)
1983 Pininfarina 2000 FI (willing organ donor)
1968 Chevy C-10 SWB (faithful shop truck)
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SoFlaFiat

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by SoFlaFiat »

Looks amazing Jon!!!
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81SPIDERMATT
Posts: 1239
Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:10 pm
Your car is a: 1981 spider 2000
Location: FORT COLLINS, CO

Re: Along came a spider......finally some progress.

Post by 81SPIDERMATT »

it does look really great ... really really great ..love the color .... the hole deletes front and back look awesome. jealous eggs for breakfast as i do my morning check of recent builds on the forum .... without the top and hardware it almost looks like a real back seat ... i have often thought about making mine a fair weather car and deleting the top and associated hardware .... but mine is my daily driver and sometimes i need the protection ... will you be putting the top back on????
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