part quality questions

[wengr]

hello, since bringing home an azzura yesterday, I have been reviewing parts listings from the usual suspects such as IAP, Bruce's, Bayliss, etc. is most of this stuff these days still oem or repro? I sadly abandoned my last restoration project(xke), as I grew tired of paying crazy prices for asian repro junk parts. or shoukd I inqure individually on each piece. and who is your preferred vendor for cosmetic parts (emblems, wheel caps, interior, etc.), and for mechanical and maintainence(belts, bearings, etc.) thanks in advance, it's been 20+ years since there has been a fiat here. greg

[So Cal Mark]

once in awhile you find NOS parts, but the larger vendors have sold all of that stuff and are selling repro parts. Very little of it comes from China though, quantities aren't large enough. Most of the repro parts are done in Europe, but may be produced only once a year or so. From time to time, parts aren't available and won't be until a large enough order is accumulated.

[mbouse]

and, of course, depending what you need/want/desire a high quality used part may be just what you REALLY are looking for in some situations. we can help here with that.

like mark said, most parts come from europe, lower volume than those LBC vehicles. Less chance of chinese or korean manufacture.

[wengr]

thanks for the replies, first things I'd like to find are good quality badges and wheel caps for the turbo wheels. this is for an 83 Azzura. the front badge is the pinin F style, and the PO claimed the rear(now missing) was the same, as opposed to the sail emblem. would this be correct?And how could I tell what the correct wheel emblems would be? thanks greg

[mbouse]

i know that our own Mark Allison dabbles in badges (personally, i believe we dunn need no stinkin' badges)

and, there is a guy in canada that does a good job with badges... can't remember his name, but will investigate.

[mbouse]

http://www.andyspiders.com/

[bajacalal]

The replacement part sources are a big advantage of Fiat ownership compared to other "rare" cars.

As mentioned, there are thankfully few products manufactured for these cars in China. Almost everything I have bought for mine was made in the U.S., the Eurozone or Eastern Europe. I have still seen some parts that are just as cheaply made despite their origins but at least they are not made in a country that's so undemocratic and threatening to our way of life.

Parts for these cars, including performance parts, are generally much cheaper than equivalent items for other collectible cars such as Camaro/Firebird stuff for example.

I think there are a few reasons for this situation. First, the Spider was developed using technology from the earlier, mass-produced 124 sedan and its derivatives which were very popular in some markets so all the tooling and R&D has been paid off long ago. These were economical cars so the parts have other applications that aren't higher-end sports cars. There is also a lot of parts manufacturing for these in Eastern Europe where wages are low. FIAT and their clones were very common in the European and former Eastern block markets. Lastly, these cars are not as popular as other collectibles so there are fewer people willing to pay inflated prices to restore a FIAT or suppliers manufacturing parts in China for the U.S.

I source most of the generic items (filters, hoses, belts, batteries, etc.) from NAPA. I used to work there and I was surprised ro see how many parts were listed for Fiats in the computer. Don't shy away if the counterman has no clue what your car is. Check the online site (http://www.napaonline.com)or bring in generic items like misc. hoses. The less common things like a water pump are probably not in stock locally so I use Vick's or International Auto Parts or look on ebay. I have also had good luck finding used items locally- in Southern California where the vast majority of remaining Spiders are located. - Good luck.

[pope]

in Southern California where the vast majority of remaining Spiders are located.

What?

I think Denise has more of them in her North Carolina yard than...

[mdrburchette]

They're like puppies. They keep following me home!