Picked one up, dropped one off, great day of driving

[tonyfromjersey]

George picked me up at 7AM, top down and wearing hat, gloves, and 2 layers. After a diner stop for coffee and breakfast, we headed up to the Poconos to pick up my car from the body shop, where it's been since late January. Crazy Dave did some touch up work, some front end work, and the fuel tank. It's been ready for a week or so but had to get rides coordinated etc. The weather was absolutely perfect as it warmed up to over 73 degrees by the time we finished the two hour drive.

George got to meet crazy Dave. As we hung around looking at my car, George asks crazy Dave for an estimate to do some bodywork and paint his car. $1500 was the answer. George looks at me and says "Can you drive me home?" Of course! So, we left his car there and headed to Freehold. A quick stop for pizza, and over 200 miles on my car on a perfect day!

That's my car on the left, George's on the right, and crazy Dave in the background.

[Europa]

Tony, can we see additional pictures, maybe close up ones? Show off your new paint job!

[tonyfromjersey]

I'll take some more tomorrow. Car was painted last winter, but it needed some touch ups and he wet sanded it to make it really pop. I'll get some more pics uploaded.

[Exit98]

Tony,

Great news, can't wait to see it.

George, Now you have to get the other one on the road. You didn't sell it did you?

You'll go nuts with out a spider to drive around.

When did Crazy Dave say it would be finished.?

Doug

[azygoustoyou]

Boy you guys have all the fun. I can't wait to see the pic's Tony. He made your car smoother looking. I'm going to have to wear my sunglasses just to see it. I thought it was really smooth before.
Wow George, you weren't kidding. It's getting painted. I can see your face now with ear to ear grins. How are you going to get any sleep now? The excitement must be killing you.
You better watch out Ralph. These guys are trying to show you up.

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Doug,
What can I say! I figured it was a really nice day to go for a ride. Salt has been washed from the road by all the rain we had.
Tony needed his car and I wanted to see the work he had done and meet Dave. I had planned on taking the 81 up to have some body work and paint. Call it a NJFIATS.ORG courtesy ride. (It's good to be a member) A site member has been inquiring about purchasing my 81 without the body work and paint job. I don't know what the status is at this time. He had someone back out on his vehicle purchase.
Well we had a very nice ride into PA. A little chilly in the am. When we pulled onto the street where the body shop was Tony's Fiat was right in front. WOW! Dave did a great job. I was very impressed. He took us into the shop and showed us some of his current work. I'm standing there between the cars looking at my spider and then Tony's. Immediate Fiat envy took hold of me. After a 10 minute estimate where Dave gave it a good looking over he gave me a price. Had to ask Tony for a ride home. I really hope mine comes out as nice as Tony's did. I will be one happy camper.
If the deal on my 81 falls throught I'll drive it up and leave it for Dave to do his magic. Of course I'll be driving a freshly painted 1980 home.
Forgot to mention that he's converting the front and rear to accomidate the early Spider bompers I picked up. Looking for directionals right now. George

[NJFIAT1981]

Hi Doug,
What can I say! I figured it was a really nice day to go for a ride. Salt has been washed from the road by all the rain we had.
Tony needed his car and I wanted to see the work he had done and meet Dave. I had planned on taking the 81 up to have some body work and paint. Call it a NJFIATS.ORG courtesy ride. (It's good to be a member) A site member has been inquiring about purchasing my 81 without the body work and paint job. I don't know what the status is at this time. He had someone back out on his vehicle purchase.
Well we had a very nice ride into PA. A little chilly in the am. When we pulled onto the street where the body shop was Tony's Fiat was right in front. WOW! Dave did a great job. I was very impressed. He took us into the shop and showed us some of his current work. I'm standing there between the cars looking at my spider and then Tony's. Immediate Fiat envy took hold of me. After a 10 minute estimate where Dave gave it a good looking over he gave me a price. Had to ask Tony for a ride home. I really hope mine comes out as nice as Tony's did. I will be one happy camper.
If the deal on my 81 falls throught I'll drive it up and leave it for Dave to do his magic. Of course I'll be driving a freshly painted 1980 home.
Forgot to mention that he's converting the front and rear to accomidate the early Spider bompers I picked up. Looking for directionals right now. George

[azygoustoyou]

Nice Guys. I can't wait to see the bumpers George. Are you going to rechrome them?

[NJFIAT1981]

Probably. Depends on the price

[Exit98]

Oh damn George, he's doing the bumpers too!

Now I'm getting the bug. I've got a great paint job but with some bad dings I need someone to fix, and the paint's got to match. If I can only find a set of bumpers...

Well, anyway, Crazy Dave may soon have a lot of Fiat work on his hands.

[NJFIAT1981]

That car is screaming out for early bumpers. If your available tomorrow come get me in your spider and we can go to Mastoris at 08:30am. Ralph is going to fill me in on how they mount. I'm going to ask him to bring his so I can take some pics and send them to Dave. George

[Exit98]

Love to join you guys tomorrow, but its a long ride from Charlotte, NC. I'd have to leave now to make it.

I'm still down south with my Grandson. I'll be home Tuesday. Talk to you then.

[NJFIAT1981]

OH I forgot to mention. We are sitting in traffic at a light on the way to PA. Some old guy all leathered up on a Harley pulls up behind us and he just had to say it. "Hey that MG's in really nice shape!" I thought about complementing him on his Honda or Kawasaki but decided it wasn't worth it. Just told him it's a Fiat

[baltobernie]

Probably. Depends on the price

I'm happy with the results from Hanlon Plating in Richmond, VA. Jeff does pick-up and drop-off in DC (Andrews AFB) once a month on a Sunday morning. He may perform this service further North as well; call them.

$500 for blade bumper set, F&R, including over-riders and license plate lamp housings. I'm particularly pleased with the housings, as these are pot metal and were in typical bad shape. Plus shipping both ways, unless you meet him at a drop-off point. Other prices: $50 to fill holes from front over-riders (I like the cleaner look) and rechrome headlamp rings. $60 to rechrome door handles and small bag of parts from dash (thumbscrews, knurled rings, etc)

Jeff's dad started the business 30 years ago, doing collision and warranty work for GM in the mid-Atlantic area. As that business has diminished, Jeff now specializes in auto restoration, marine and motorcycle. Several DC Fiat members have used his service, as well as other restorers and enthusiasts in the area. Cautions: 1.) If you want "show quality chrome", you must ask for it and be prepared to pay 3x the price. 2.) He can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear. Occasionally, areas of badly-corroded bumpers will blow thru when being blasted. If you have marginal pieces, maybe you'd be better off blasting them yourself before having him try.

My only complaint is with myself. I shoulda had Jeff straighten and plate my bumpers before reworking my mounts; they didn't fit afterwards, and I had to tweak already-finished-and-painted mounts to fit the now straight bumpers.

[NJFIAT1981]

Thanks for the info. I will look into this on Monday. George