new car questions

[cooze]

I'm going to Florida for a family reunion while there I'm buying a fiat 71 spider no other info is listed
main concerns
rust its a Florida car
driving a newly restored car 8 hours on the highway back to Charlotte at the end of the week
that's about it where are problem areas to check for
and how hard is it to find replacement parts like convertible tops and head lights
i own a 75 mgb and being British its the easiest thing to find parts for due to British cars being a fad in America
but finding fiat parts hasn't been very fruitful is there a victoria-italian out there

[pope]

Fiat parts will be easy to find. Hardest part is deciding which vendor to purchase from.
Congratulations

[So Cal Mark]

finding Fiat parts isn't difficult if you know where to look, just like Brit car parts. There are a few large vendors, and several small ones.
I've got a brand new interior panel kit for an MGB-GT, know any takers?

[cooze]

ill ask on the forum but I'm not a fan of the gt and don't really see to many of them on the streets around here
so any real problem areas for rust on this car i have my heart set on it so its gotta be pretty serious to turn it down

[mdrburchette]

You say it's newly restored? A Fiat is a unibody car so I would be checking to see how much filler there is in the bodywork. Check the floorpans from underneath the car and under the carpets, especially at the front wheel well and behind the seats. You'll also want to check the shock towers to make sure they're not weakened by rust. The taillight panel is another place rust can be prevalent. For your trip home, ask the owner when the timing belt was last changed. The 71 has an interference engine so if the timing belt breaks you're looking at valve damage. Check the front suspension, especially the ball joints, wheel bearing play, idle arms and centerlink. Also make sure the windshield wipers work. Who knows, we may get lucky and get some rain here in the southeast!

[mbouse]

hey, and welcome!

structural rust, as Denise says, is the #1 concern with these cars. no frame, so it is critical that you start with a good foundation.

nearly everything else is available, especially wear and maintenance items. i'd include the top on that statement. besides, lots of us have spare parts tucked away that we frequently can be coaxed into parting with.

good luck on that trip home.

[Hjulenx]

Other than rust; ball joints, timing belt, tie rods, shock towers, and of course check all fluid levels. I think it is also important to check the driveshaft flex couplings (guibos, flex donuts ect). If any of the above mentioned things fail BAD THINGS THAT WILL HAPPEN.

Any leaks = not good for long road trips. Of course also check to be sure the tires are in good shape and all that other standard stuff. If it were me I would pack a basic roadside kit too.

[kristoj]

Everyone else pretty much covered the basics, so welcome aboard and have a safe trip home!

[Spiddy]

Welcome to the forum Cooze from a fellow Ex Pat. My sincere condolances regarding the ownership of an MGB. Get rid, buy a 124 and you'll never regret it. It's a far better car in every respect!!!