I've been on the forum for a couple years since I bought my '79 Spider, but thought I'd finally take the chance to introduce you to the editorial coverage I've been giving the car recently. Earlier this year, the magazine I work at relaunched its classic-oriented sister publication Motor Trend Classic. We relaunched the http://www.motortrendclassic.com Web site as well and I decided to start documenting my time with the Fiat. I wrote up a quick introductory article in May, but as so often happens with projects, I have since gotten sidetracked and haven't published any updates.
Following the huge annual Monterey classic car weekend in Northern California, I've gotten inspired again to finish up all the final little niggling projects I have left to 'complete' the car. There are interior trim issues left to sort out, a slightly-too-tall rollbar to remedy, tube bumpers to remove, bumperettes to install, a dashboard to replace, rear sway bar to install, rear parcel shelf to construct, and several other issues that I just haven't gotten around to. The goal is to end up with something similar in idea and appearance to the Abarth 124 Rally cars (though without the independent rear suspension, of course).
As things progress, I'll keep chiming in with updates here. I haven't met many of you in person yet, but rest assured, I'll make it to a local event one of these days! Until then, thanks to the few of you that I have met so far, both in person and here in the forums, for the continued help, support, and wrenching skills.
Below is the introduction article if anyone cares to read it.
http://www.motortrend.com/classic/featu ... index.html
Until the next update....
Rory
The car hours after purchase, two years ago:
And as it looks today:
