My 1967 Fiat 124 Spider Restoration Journey

[pwilliam]

is that the original dash or a reproduction? The wood consoles look great, by the way!

[Mick124]

Dash board was purchased from Autoricambi (Soft Dashboard). I had to send it away to get professionally recovered as the quality and finish of the soft dashboards was ordinary in my case (casting marks, scratches, etc).





If I had to do it again, I would source an original and have it recovered instead of buying reproduction. - Just my opinion though...

[pwilliam]

Thanks for the info! I've seen the casting marks too so it got me wondering

[Sambo42]

Tank in


Rubber bump stops in.. These were painful to get in...



All new suspension being fitted

Mick it's looking beautiful. I had to ask though - after all the trouble I'm having compressing the front springs with the engine out - how did you get them back in? Did you use a particular compressor? Feeling very much in awe.

Sambo

[Mick124]

We tried everything. We ended up compressing them on the bench using a conventional spring compressor, then used wire (medium gauge) wrapped around (a few times) the springs to hold them compressed.

There has to be another way as I thought this was too dangerous. In the end, it worked. Glad that it is finally done

I am sure someone else would know a better more safer way. You may be able to use ratchet straps instead of wire??

[djape1977]

there is a special tool for compressing front springs on 124. i have it in stock.
90$ + shipping

[Sambo42]

We tried everything. We ended up compressing them on the bench using a conventional spring compressor, then used wire (medium gauge) wrapped around (a few times) the springs to hold them compressed.

There has to be another way as I thought this was too dangerous. In the end, it worked. Glad that it is finally done

I am sure someone else would know a better more safer way. You may be able to use ratchet straps instead of wire??

I'm kind of relieved to find I'm not missing something. I bought a special Mercedes spring compressor thinking that would make things easier but no joy with that either so I'm about to resort to the same trick using tiedown straps.

[Mick124]

Be careful and good luck

[Sambo42]

Cheers - the rope trick seemed to work...

[Mick124]

Engine and running gear all in - minus cosmetic parts and tweaking.



Now she is back at the panel shop to get ready for final paint.

[Mick124]

Christmas has come early.

Stainless and chrome all refinished.



Gauges were check and restored. After so many years, I did not want to install and then have Gauges not work properly.

[Mick124]

Completed the veneer this weekend. Was a bit concerned as I have never done this before.

Turned out to be quite enjoyable and not difficult after all.

Pretty pleased with the end product. Next step the clear.

[RRoller123]

Nice work!

[DRUMMOND]

Nice work looks great. make sure you use a marine grade clear!

[pwilliam]

Are you satisfied with the fitment of the original panels in the new dash? I found the fiberglass dash geometry to be a bit off from the panels so I shaped them to the new dash. Do I see toggles where the amber lights go? And if you don't mind my asking, how much does it cost to re cover the dash?