little help please

[genx75spider]

I am a new member. About 19 years ago I gave up my 74 spider for child care money. I have 3 teenagers now. This past fall I use to have a 74 vw bug that a friend of my wifes wanted. I told them that I didnt want to sell it only if they knew someone with a fiat spider. Ironically they had a 75 spider. I traded the vw for the spider straight across. The spider had the engine and trany out. The engine is apart. The car is a little rough but hardly any rust. I was a professional body man for years so Im not worried about the body and paint. But putting the engine back togethor is a little scary. Could someone give me a list of the best places to buy parts to get started. I live in Great Falls Montana and there are only a dozen or less of thespe cars out here. I would seriously dought there is a spider car club here. I have never heard of or seen one. Most people out here have old cars or trucks. Not much older Italian cars at all. Help.......

[pope]

Are you kiddin me? The largerst Fiat Spider club in the U.S. is in Ft. Benton. What luck! Just kiddin, I think you will be a club of one. Glad to hear you found one and hope you can get her together. We would like pics of her and welcome.

[kilrwail]

Hey welcome aboard. When you have a minute, maybe you could go to the Introuction page and tell your story - with pictures if possible. You may be lonely up there in Montana, but you will never be alone if this group can help it. Here's a thread from this forum that identifies a number of the suppliers we use. Most parts are readily available and frequently other members can help with used parts. Have fun!

http://www.fiatspider.com:16080/f08/vie ... =18&t=5256

[So Cal Mark]

welcome, I've sold parts to a couple of owners in Montana, so I know you're not alone up there!

[ga.spyder]

Welcome to the forum.As a kid I was a Air Force brat,and we were at Malmstrom AFB in Great Falls.Spent 1 1/2 years there.I can imagine it isnt a hotbed for Fiats! I live in rural Georgia,not exactly the epicenter of Italian cars either. The people here can guide you through any issue.Good luck
Craig

[mbouse]

hi - and welcome. I see that you were supplied a list of vendors (which is no where near a complete list). when you get specific about what it is you need, we can recommend easier...lots of suppliers specialize certain items just for our cars.

believe it or not, i am gonna recommend joining a Fiat car club in addition to participating in this forum. Even though you think you are alone out there in big sky country... you aren't.

of course, we're gonna insist on pictures - lots of pictures, including the baskets the engine came in.