photos of my Spider

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:55 am

Well here are the first photos of my 1980 fiat Spider 2000 since doing the bodywork and painting. The car is FI and an automatic. Originally green with a tan interior and lots of dents (including the right fender caved in) it took about 3 months of weekends at the body shop I work at to get her in shape. I went for an Abarth rally kind of look that I hope nobody finds offensive. I just liked the paint scheme. The cream white is a Fiat color and the black is a Chrysler color (I like the richness of their black) both in basecoat and 5 coats of good clear over them. All Dupont products.
I also am redoing the interior. Black marine carpet, a set of seat covers from IAP, black marine vinyl for the door panels and the speaker pods (plus eliminating the armrests). I relocated the ignition switch to the center dash and put in a pushbutton start. White plastic inserts to replace the woodgrain pieces. I also put in a new stereo (Sony Xplod) and the rear speakers are self contained boxes from Roadmaster that sit on the shelf seat.
I still need a new top (in black), new rubbers all the way around the car, and as always more mechanical work to be done.
Most of my decisions about restoring her had to do with my own personal preferences and of course budgetary concerns. I simply did not have the money for a lot of what I needed (like seat covers instead of new upholstery). I hope everyone likes what I've done so far and I'll post more photos when I can.
Quentin
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37648607@N00/

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:22 am

the car looks great! I wouldn't worry too much about what everyone else thinks, if you like it that's all that matters. Hot rodding has always been about thinking outside the box. Be innovative!
Just out of curiosity, how do you pull the door shut without the armrest/door pull?

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:32 am

I never roll up the windows!

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:39 am

For anyone who's looked at the photos can you tell me if the wheels are reproductions or how to tell the difference? Considering the price genuine Abarth wheels bring they could be worth more than the rest of the car. BTW I had a guy offer me $1200 for the wheels when I first bought the car and the wheels were painted gold at the time!

Gerard Del Monte · Post by **Gerard Del Monte** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 11:42 am

Nicely done- what did you use for the lights in the grill... are they driving lights, or turn signals?

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 12:06 pm

Gerard Del Monte wrote:Nicely done- what did you use for the lights in the grill... are they driving lights, or turn signals?

The lights in the grill are halogen fog lights with a seperate switch mounted on the dash. Not enough fog to really use them, but I like the look. I don't have any front turn signals yet, but I'll probably put in 2' round amber LED's to match the rear lights.

spiderrey · Post by **spiderrey** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 4:29 pm

nice car, i like what you did. it will look real sharp when you lower it slightly. the only thing i would have done dfferent would have been to leave the gas door white. i have also been considering losing the arm rests, been looking at some fiat 500 or 600 chrome door pulls to use instead. im gonna make some kind of design on the door panel though. very nice job.

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 5:33 pm

Yeah, the gas door was a last minute decision that I'm still not completely happy with. Could always repaint it. I've also thought about putting racing stripes on the hood and trunk but that might be too silly. She's pretty fast, but she's no racer.
The door panels are another example of a design philosophy I have with this car to keep it simple and clean with the least amount of ornamentation. That's why I took off the chrome from the front, sides, etc...I did the same with my '66 Corvair Monza I had (now sadly departed). The lines on that car and on the Spider are so good I just don't want to cover them up.
Thanks for the great comments so far and keep them coming. Even if you don't like it I'd like to hear about it.

Hjulen · Post by **Hjulen** » Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:55 pm

Looks awesome Quentin!

I still haven't gotten a chance to meet you in person...unfortunately I am 800 miles or so north and away from my car for a little while...Hopefully I will be down for Columbus Day but we will see.

The paint job looks excellent and I like what you need to plug the rear shock holes, looks clean. My car may need a repaint soon because of some bubble rust so maybe you can give me a hand

Right now though I need to completely replace all the brake system in the alfa from the MC to the rotors which will be a quite a project in and of itself.

Again, looks awesome.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:45 pm

lub it

what was your source for lights when you removed the rear bumper? gotta part number and manufacturer?

also, what did you do to cover up the front when you removed the bumper? or did i speed read over that?

looks great.....!!!

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:01 pm

First to James, thanks for the comments man, and when you get to town call or PM me and we'll look at what you got. Love to help you out. Fiats in Freakville gotta stick together! I think we could take care of any rust spots pretty quick. And I can get a look at that turbocharger you got.
To Mike the answer to question 1 is that they are red 2.5" LED marker lights bought locally at Advance Auto Parts. I think most parts stores sell them. They're made for trucks. I have matching amber ones for the front that I haven't installed yet. Those will be turn signals. To question 2 I welded a piece of steel in the holes and finished with bondo and puttycoat. You could also use fiberglass if you don't have access to welding supplies. I think it would hold up as well. Eventually I'll cut circular holes to mount the turn signals. I could have left the rectangular holes that were there and used my old lights off the bumper (they fit pretty well) but I want the front to match the back of the car.
Keep the comments coming. Since getting this car I've had very little encouragment from anyone. Most people thought I was crazy to even buy it and don't understand my attraction for this little Italian car. I tell them even with all the headaches it's still a great ride and it's nice to have a place to go where other people think the same.

mbouse · Post by **mbouse** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:48 pm

getcher self hooked up with a club. then the comments and pats on the back will come, BIG TIME.

you can then share your passion in person.

topless moma · Post by **topless moma** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 8:28 am

Wow, that looks awesome! I wish I had the time & talent, or barring that the MONEY it would take to do something with my little green baby- I love it now, but I'm afraid the rust along the edge of the hood and around the plugs in the trunk lid (where the luggage rack would go) are getting out of hand :cry[/img]

Paingrin · Post by **Paingrin** » Wed Sep 27, 2006 5:42 pm

Thanks, topless moma. Yeah, rust seems to be a big problem with Spiders. I read somewhere that Fiat used recycled Russian steel to save money. I don't know if it's true but here in Florida the salt air will turn a chip into rust almost overnight. The best way to combat it is to grind down the rust area and use a rust treatment on it. Permatex makes a good one in spray and brush form. Of course then you'll probably want to paint it. It can get into serious money.

Speaking of luggage racks I took the one off my car and won't be putting it back on. It's pretty clean, little bit of rust on the weld seams. I'd like to get it out of the garage. If you want it, it"s yours if you'll pay the shipping. You can PM me and I'll get some pictures with the digital camera. I also have the spacers for the bolts which provide the right fit to the trunk. If you're not interested that's cool, too.