82 Spider

[ENZEDSpider]

Hi
I'm a new member and have not owned a spider before
I'm looking at an 82 Spider.
It would appear to be an LE as it has the iron cross alloys.
Is there anything in particular that I should be aware of with this model?
and are there any things in general that I should be on the lookout for? Especially for a non mechanic.
I appreciate your response/s?

Thankyou

Garth

[So Cal Mark]

Rust would be the important issue to look for

[rlux4]

The LE model was the anniversary edition, of which 1000 were made. However, they were the 1981 model year. They had special numbered badges, LE designation exterior script, unique interiors, a unique "champagne" color, and a designation plate on the glove box face. Most of the unique features became special order options after 1981, such as the padded console. Are the iron cross wheels on this car 13"? From 1979 on the renamed Spider 2000 had 14" wheels, but the bolt pattern is the same, so swapping out wheels is common. Keep us informed on your potential ownership of how you're doing in your search.
Ron

[jfrawley]

When I bought my '82 I found this article, and the rest of them on the index page, to be invaluable. Read this first!

http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/buyspid.html

[pope]

"The later years (1983-1985) were built by Pininfarina and not Fiat." excerpt from Mira report.

I always love when I read this. They were ALL designed and built by Pininfarina, except the powertrain which was supplied by Fiat. I guess what he meant to say was that 1983-85 were SOLD by Pininfarina not Fiat.

[mbouse]

Sold
Designed

what's in a word? we all know what he meant, right?



some day we'll look back and say:
Fiat
Chrysler

What's in a word? we all know what they meant, right?

[ga.spyder]

We all like to kid each other on this site re. the year models of our cars.I own a 82 and have found it to be an extremely reliable car.The F.I. cars are very strong runners,although not as easy to modify as carb'd models.For a non-mechanic(like myself ,although I enjoy tinkering),I think a 82 is a perfect choice. The cars were well sorted out by that year.Good luck,and this site is invaluable for a new owner!
Craig

[Darsella1]

The iron cross wheels did not come on the '82, the Turbo wheels did.

The 14" size aluminum iron cross wheels were unique to the LE (anniversary) model only so they are quite rare. The regular spider 2000's from '79 all still had 13". I am not sure if they made any in 13" for other models - I can't remember. You can find them used for sale on the internet off & on.

It broke my heart to sell my LE But then I was able to get another one and continue the madness...

I think either car would be a good choice!

[ENZEDSpider]

Thanks for all your responses
The car I'm looking at is at this link
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motor ... 732561.htm
any further comments would be welcomed.

[mbouse]

i believe that 14" became an option at the dealership in '81, and certainly the 1980's were all 13" wheels.

that looks like a nice car, and certainly is a nice looking top.

my only comment is that if this is an LE, the seller did himself no good by painting it the wrong color. If he's trying to sell it as an LE, you should argue that it is not; demanding that the price be much lower than he thinks it should. LE's were 'champagne'

lots of times, sellers get the 'i'm sitting on a gold mine' theory in their heads, and need to be brought to reason.

[ga.spyder]

It is a very nice looking car,but I am w/ Mike.I dont think it is a LE.Can you get an interior pic and post it? The interior of the LE has some special options that nobody would remove.
Craig

[HAWKER]

I purchased an 82 Pininfarina after looking for a few years. I have had the car now for 16 years, yes 16.... I have done a lot of work on the car. It was a driver for a long while but it has been tempermental. I had a used one in college, a 1970 carburated 124. I loved the car, it just ran and ran, top down fun. Just put fuel in and go. This one has had all the sterotype problems. Cooling problems. Electrical etc. but I still love the car. I have learned a lot of stuff and I have enjoyed the challenge. The support community is great! There are a lot of Fiat nuts like me out there and they love to help out. They understand that this car is a fun headache.
To answer your question about picking a used 124 or Pininfarina fuel injected; First make sure you really want to do it. You are in for somewhat of a ride reguardless. You can minimize your trouble if you are patient and look around. A one or two owner with all the previous paperwork is always a good sign. Garage kept a big plus. original paint is a good sign if there is minimum rust or none. A new paint job is like drywall, you can cover anything for a year. I would suggest that you try to minimize the rust, check all electric functions/lights, look underneath for leaks and oilpan damage as the motors oil pan sits low and tends to wack stuff.Check condition of the exhaust. See if the calipers and rotors are in good shape,Brake reservoir is full and that the engine looks used but not just recently powerwashed. Ddrive the car and see how sound it drives, go through all the gears and downshift gently to see if the syncros are in tack. See how oily the engine is and see if you can determine if a discovered leak is a gasket or a buried seal. if the car is parked in a regular spot look for signs of ongoing leaks on the floor or ground. Make sure that you have a spare tire that has a matching rim or at least the same size as the installed. See if you can get a number of the previous owner, your dreaming probably. Ask the current owner if he has any on going issues with the car. If he says none.... he is lying. They all have and issue.. or issues. I hope that does not sound negative but it is the truth. You just want to know what you are getting into. There are several part suppliers around the country and there are a lot of used parts available on the net. Take your time and do not take on a car with a lot of problems. There are cherries out there, you might pay a little more but will worth it!! Turn the radio off for the test drive. find a smooth road and a bumpy one. Take it easy on the car. If the owner does not care about it, that my friend is a bad sign. Good Luck, If you find a decent one, you will love it! Finally, you have to be a little handy to own this car or have a handy close, really close bud. Sorry for the long windedness, but I wish I would have asked on this site. I would have taken more time on my choice, but I love the car... most do.

[Darsella1]

The 14" iron cross only came on the LE. It's also listed on the original brochure that I had as a unique feature.
The quickest way to spot if it was a true LE with the missing badges is the brown dash vs. the black dash and the brown leather steering wheel. These were also only found on the LE model. Some of the 80-81 cars had the leather package upgrade but they did not have everything. There are some from time to time on Ebay claiming to be an LE with the missing badges and I call BS on them. Also, there may/may not be a color code tag under the trunk lid which should read "champagne". It did not have the spider 2000 badge on the glove compartment as the badge was on the center console. It would be difficult to remove without damaging it.