Just bought a 76 Spider

[dulcimerbob]

Today I bought a 76 Spider, needs a top, got the usual rust. Runs great, shifts nice, inetrior is fair, brakes seem Ok. Engine compartment is rusty looking . Lots of hoses. Just wondered what my priorities should be to make the car safe and fairly dependable. The cosmetics can come later. Appreciate all help.

[katsi]

Well, if te go and the stop are both in good shape, it just clean up and referbish from there on. I would look into changing out your timing belt if you don't know the history. Also, check out the guibo, or dough nut, or flex disc whatever you want to call it . Don't want that transmission to go kaput. Make sure their are no cracks or missing parts. Also, make sure she is cooling properly and that the fan comes on. Good luck and have fun.

[velozi]

Mine is also a 76 but you mention that there are a lot of hoses. You may still have all that emmission crap under the hood. Mine is all out and the engine can ow move.

First is to assess the amount of rust that you have. Start poking around with a screwdriver and buy some rust converter to treat some of the parts. Also start protecting any exposed area that you see.

Anything in a Fiat can be fixed for cheap except rust.