I got to tell ya,,this is just great reading about

[kristoj]

It's amazing how far some of these cars end up going in their lifetime. Mine was originally a CA car with CA emissions (don't know what the difference was in 72) and it's been happily living in North Carolina since 74.
Here's a link to pics of my cars: http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/124og/SPIDER-LADY-72/

In my case, it's amazing how NOT far it has gone. Mine spent its first 5 years in a suburb of Cleveland (about 55 miles from me), and the second owner of 20 years lives less than 5 miles from me. So in 26 years and three owners, the car has always lived within a 60 mile radius! What's more amazing is that it has survived 26 years in Northern Ohio with no rust!

[mdrburchette]

That is amazing John. The parts cars I have that lived in my area their whole life look decent until you get to the rocker panels, then there's no metal due to rust.

Papa, the 74 models had beefier mounting brackets for the bumpers than my 70-72s. I haven't tried to stand on any of my bumpers to see how sturdy they are but I'm afraid they couldn't even take my 100 lbs of weight.
The 58 isn't mine, although I had the chance to buy it. A friend from Italy brought it over with him several years ago. He had a successful business in the US but when he retired, he moved back to Italy and the car is still in the States.

[GOPAPA]

That is amazing John. The parts cars I have that lived in my area their whole life look decent until you get to the rocker panels, then there's no metal due to rust.

Papa, the 74 models had beefier mounting brackets for the bumpers than my 70-72s. I haven't tried to stand on any of my bumpers to see how sturdy they are but I'm afraid they couldn't even take my 100 lbs of weight.
The 58 isn't mine, although I had the chance to buy it. A friend from Italy brought it over with him several years ago. He had a successful business in the US but when he retired, he moved back to Italy and the car is still in the States.

You are right as my son owns a 74 and you could twist it with your hands if you wanted to ,,but ,, I think he has a stiffener missing of something ,,I cannot believe they came the ways his is. I am saving the 58 for a screen saver if you don't mind .. papa

[Gunsmith]

Hi Papa,

You will find the majority of bumper end caps have rust under them, just some more than others. The best solution is as you suggested take those big tubes off and put on earlier bumpers to make your 82' perfect. I am looking for a set now as well just because I prefer the lower profile or even bumperless look over the big tubes.

[rlux4]

Ack! A traitor in our midst. Next you'll want small hood bumps, and then 13" wheels, and then a smaller engine, and then (shudder) CARBURETORS!
Oh, the ignominy of it all.
Ron

[Gunsmith]

I must confess I used to prefer the smaller more subtle bumps on my 78' but I have grown to love the larger ones on my 82'. It would not hurt my feelings to steel a few things from the earlier inferior years to the 82'. The good news is those that have the earlier models could then see what they would look like finished.

OK Denise, let me have it.

[rlux4]

Well said, Gunsmith. I'm just glad you didn't start an insurection, I'm pretty sure you own a gun.
Ron

[mdrburchette]

I must confess I used to prefer the smaller more subtle bumps on my 78' but I have grown to love the larger ones on my 82'. It would not hurt my feelings to steel a few things from the earlier inferior years to the 82'. The good news is those that have the earlier models could then see what they would look like finished.

OK Denise, let me have it.

Lkay, let me get this straight. You're saying you'd like to steal a few things from the early models so I can actually see an 82 finished? Yeah, that's got to be right, cuz the cars that have been trying to look like early models are having a hard time looking finished.