A Long Winter's Nap

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Exit98

A Long Winter's Nap

Post by Exit98 »

Well it’s been 5 weeks since I’ve had my Spider out. That was on Dec. 11 when the NJ Fiat guys met the Swede for breakfast. It’s been sitting forlornly in the garage untouched since then. The family has had a lot going on since, beyond just the holidays. Today there was a break in the very cold weather so I finally got around to giving the old girl some attention.

So I wouldn’t say I put her to sleep, maybe just a winter nap. This is my first winter with the Spider. Everyone has an opinion about putting our cars up for the winter. Over the years I’ve read hundreds of articles about doing it this way or doing it that way. I tend to be a minimalist, probably because I’m lazy. I do wish I washed her though but there is no way now.

Anyway, I for sure wanted to get some fuel stabilizer in her veins. That is one thing I feel sure must be done. That gave me an excuse to start her up. I added a gallon or so of gas so it’s about 90% full then added the stabilizer. She cranked a little slow but then fired right up. Moved her out to the driveway, it was sunny and about 45 degrees and let her warm up good.

I couldn’t resist the temptation so I took a little spin around the development, a mile or so. And before putting her away snapped a couple pics.

Exactly 3 weeks ago we had the big east coast blizzard Dec 26. Here along the NJ coast we got hammered. We measured 32 inches. We didn’t see a plow for two days. We were cozy and warm and our year and a half old Granddaughter was with us so who cared. But just look at the snow 3 full weeks later. The strip malls and shopping centers have 20-foot mountains. Unless they start knocking them down they’ll be around till spring for sure.

While at NAPA picking up the gas additive I priced some battery tenders. Cheapest one was like $50 bucks. I passed. Maybe I’ll get something on line. I’m not really concerned. I’ll disconnect the battery but even if I have to jump it in a couple months no big deal. My garage never gets much below 40 degrees so I don’t see a big downside.

So here’s Bella Limone in the snow. She’s a SoCal girl, pretty much her whole life I suspect, so this might be the first time her tires ever crunched snow.

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narfire
Posts: 3959
Joined: Sat Dec 27, 2008 2:14 am
Your car is a: 1980 124 spider
Location: Naramata B.C.

Re: A Long Winter's Nap

Post by narfire »

Nice car :) It looks great,I like the shot from the front 1/4, kinda reminds me of perhaps an add from the era these cars came from.
Like you, I try and start the car several times over the winter and if the roads are dry,I'll run it around the block a couple of times. We both smile after.. can't wait for spring or at least till the roads are clear of the winter sand and crap on the roads.
Chris
80 FI spider
72 work in progress
2017 Golf R ( APR Stg. 1)
2018 F350 crew long box
mx266

Re: A Long Winter's Nap

Post by mx266 »

The best way to not be tempted is keep it in storage where you can't see them! I have a 2002 yamaha yz250f motocross bike i race, a street bike a 2005 yamaha fjr1300, a on-off trail bike a honda xr400, a 79 fiat spider pininfarina . All stored away from my house just out of sight. My winter blues are taken away cause i have a 1972 yamaha xs650 in the basement that i work on until the snow is gone and the roads are clean. My wife is sure glad we don't have a drive in basement she can't figure out why i need so many toy's! I just told her it's a guy thing, and its cheaper than hangin around the bars! Well it sounds good anyways. WARMER DAYS ARE JUST AROUND THE CORNER I HOPE!
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