Tips? What should I look for?

[Schnauzer]

I am going to look at a 76 Spider tonight. I have a little experience with a 79 Carbed 2000. The usual. Brakes, cooling, oil leaks, timing belt, fan thermostat, top, and some electrical. A CS2 body. All I know about this 76 is that it has 54,000 miles, has a new vinyl top with it (not installed), had the pinion replaced about a year ago and has been garaged its whole life. I am in North Idaho so there is not alot to compare with. I will look for rust in the body and floor boards and any bogus repairs or wiring. Any thing specific I should look for on the CS1 body, suspension, etc. Any common problems to check out. I have to drive quite a distance to get to it and need to be prepared. Thanks for your help.

Jim

[mbouse]

of course, with the experience you have, you should know to look for the rust issues. i know of no mechanical part that cannot be repaired or replaced, but that rust can become a show stopper.

shock towers.. integrity and amount or presence of rust.
floor boards..especially the front at or below the pedals and same on the passenger side..severe rust can be hidden by carpeting, so look from the underside up.
frame rails in the engine bay.. have they been crumpled in a front end collision?

even though it has been garaged its whole life, means nothing for reliability for the trip back to its new home. if you really wanna be prepared... bring a tow dolly or a trailer.

[adrians]

Schnauzer,

This may help

http://home.people.net.au/~sandrin/Buyi ... piders.pdf