Happy 50th birthday "Angelina"

[spiderdan]

It was about 50 years ago (I was 10 then) that those fine Italian coach builders built my car and sent her over the pond to be enjoyed here in Canada. Little did they know that 50 years later, and a few thousand miles, that my Spider would still be on the road. In the 16 years I have owned it, it has provided me with great pleasure. I'm sure most of the previous owners felt the same ownership pride.

What I didn't know when I bought it, was the great Spider community that comes with ownership. It has been a privilege getting to know some/most of you here at FS.com and following your Spider related adventures/journeys. Bonus meeting a great bunch of locals guys (Canadan, phaetn, 4Uall, AriK, ZacktheCanuck, kilrwail, Serge and others) and the members of the Italian Car Club of Ottawa.

I'm so glad I didn't buy that MG!
Bun Fight Angelina!

[wetminkey]

Cool!
Happy Birthday, Angelina!
Todd.

[AriK]

Congratulations Dan! There's only a small number of you that can have bragging rights to owning a Spider that's a half century old.
For mine it was 40 years ago this year (i was 10) and 10 years since my personal ownership.
And what a ride it has been!
Not only the car, but the adventures that came along with it! I met Spiderdan and the Ottawa gang one Tuesday afternoon when i decided to take a spur of the moment 200 km drive from Montreal in order to see what this Fiat-meet hype's all about. It was the most mileage i put on the Fiat in one day. The late night drive back home on a dark secluded highway had me praying not to experience a Fix-it Ari-Tonight scenario. Since that night our group gets together a few times a year. It's now a required "Group Therapy"! We are in the dead of winter at the moment with -35 deg windchills and i believe more therapy is soon due, unfortunately this time without the Fiats.

[wetminkey]

I know what this means,...I have two with significant b-days this year. My 1968 Mustang coupe, and 1978 Chev 3/4 ton FRANKENTRUCK. Both built by me.
Race ya!
Todd.

[spiderdan]

"Group Therapy"!

Considering this winter, sounds good Ari!

Happy BDay to your other self-built toys Todd.
You should be proud to have two 50 year olds still on the road (assuming they are being driven and not just parked on the road )
As far as

Race ya!

Todd, I'll tell you what I tell all the other "kids" that pull up beside me and rev their engines wanting to race.
"It's a sports car not a race car"

[wetminkey]

Thanks, spiderdan!
FRANKENTRUCK works daily and is our backup 4x4 if the weather goes REALLY bad. My Mustang lives in a building, always covered, but gets out occasionally. Both need no more than paint.
I'm paused right now (due to temps) in the middle of paint/restoration of our '72 Superbeetle.
My Spider will be 40 next year, and our 1969 Ford F100 will turn 50 (all original with a 390 V8).
You'd be impressed to see my 1956 John Deere 420 and 1942 John Deere B,...
I kinda mechanic and restore as a hobby.
BTW, I'm a 62 year old hotrodder,...just kidding about the 'wanna race?' comment. I do like to smolder some tires occasionally, but neither my Mustang, nor my Camaro, will track a curvy mountain road like a Spider! Mmmm, my RX-7 will do pretty good.
I just love it all! And Angelina is a BEAUTY! Thanks for posting pics!
Todd.

[rjkoop]

Awesome car with an awesome sound spiderdan!

Richard

[spiderdan]

Tx Richard. Still debating replacing the exhaust with that NOS Abarth one I bought last year.
Todd, I'd be happy to race one of your "Deers"!
Do ya got a link to some pics of your collection posted somewhere on the interweb?

[wetminkey]

Scattered, on forums mostly. How about I post a "corral" of my machines over in "Off Topic/Social"? Perhaps others would like to see the old, running machines,...worse I could cause is an outrage!
Please take good care of Angelina! There's other survivors, but beautiful survivors are rare,...
Todd.