Caught in between

[deftone]

Your workspace looks great too! Im jealous! I have to work in a spider infested un-airconditioned garage in Texas

[wikkid]

Hobo, I would keep it stock, and take care of the paint, top and interior as best you can, while doing the routine stuff to keep it running wellIt looks like a great condition original paint finish - lots of good info out there to keep that protected. For the vinyl of the top and the interior, like dash top, panels, vinyl seat parts, etc., consider looking into 303 Aerospace Protectant for UV protection and conditioning of the vinyl, without the shiny effect that Armor-All gives. There are a lot of folks, myself included, who won't touch armor-all, by the way.

Beautiful car! Congrats. I would be sorely tempted to go out and find another to do serious mods to, however, if I had that car.

[NCBeachBum]

Hobo
I understand the problem. Currently considering a purchase as a work in progress. Was running when last parked and has potential. Would like to work on it with my younger son, get it road safe/worthy, and go from there. Not in a great rush to get on the road. Was also approached by someone who has a spider in very good condition that could use very minor tweaks. Great price. Trying to make a decision now. If this about the journey and time with my son or the destination which is riding in the car with my son and doing upkeep and maintinence togetheer?

No right or wrong question. It's your car. Either way enjoy it.

My wife who knows me well says the project car will end up restored at an excessive cost so forget the philosophy and get something she can drive now!

She is smarter than I am.

[giuliot60]

I'm sorry you had to get towed a couple of times already Hobo. I recently rebuilt my ignition switch using the mirafiori.com step-by-step instructions. http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/switch/index.html. It took me about 3 hours taking my time and has been working well. PM me and let me know if you'd like to do it. I would also look at the electrical restoration page on the same site. Most of the car's electrical issues can be taken care of with some simple TLC: http://www.mirafiori.com/faq/content/el ... estore.htm

With regard to modifying it, I also think you should keep it as stock as possible. You'll eventually get all the bugs out and won't have to worry about it's reliability, and they're good performers stock.

I just got my car inspected and plated this week. Maybe after I get my new tires installed I could shoot out there soon and check out the car in person. I was having an intermittent electrical issue that would keep the car from starting, but I just today discovered it was due to a loose connection on the aftermarket amp meter gauge the PO installed. Very happy about that. Before today, I was very wary to take it too far from the house.

[giuliot60]

NCBeachBum. I would agree with your wife. Buy the best car you can. Even a perfect car is going to give you some challenges anyway.

[Hobo]

Guilio,

Let me ing to when you are coming this way. Would appreciate of input that you may have. I am go look at the details of rebuilding my original ignition swithch but have replaced it for now with new but would like to have the original keys for the car.

Joe

[giuliot60]

Joe. I hear the original ignitions work better than some of the aftermarkets, so rebuilding may be better in the long run. And besides, your 8K ignition can't be that bad. It may just need a light cleaning to remove oxidation. My 81K ignition was not in bad shape at all, in fact there was only one contact that had a tiny bit of burn and it came right off.

[Hobo]

It got pretty toasted and spoke with some people that said it would be better to purchase new but I would rather have the original with the key set so I am looking thoroughly at the site you provided. Do you know if you can purchase component level parts for the ignition switch?

[Hobo]

Your workspace looks great too! Im jealous! I have to work in a spider infested un-airconditioned garage in Texas

Not air conditioned but I put down the floor which has worked out great and keep it pretty organized. We plan on selling this house in the spring so I will definitly miss this garage but will see what the future holds for my next garage. I hope to get a two post lift if possible but will have to wait and see what my finanical condition will be next year...

[giuliot60]

Hey Joe. How do they know it was toast? Is there any external evidence?

I don't know if new parts are available. I'm sure you could get a good used ignition and swap parts. We can take it apart and see. If it's shot, then there wouldn't be any harm done. But like I said, mine wasn't bad at all and it had 81K miles on it.

PM me and let me know.

BTW, what type of ignition did you put in anyway?

[giuliot60]

Hi Joe. Just checking in. How is the car doing?

[Hobo]

Great. I have really enjoyed this car! My whole family drives the vehicle and it is really a conversation car. The car gets so much attention when I drive it no matter where I go. Pretty amazing that so many of thes e cars were manufactured but few people know their history. Most people think the car is a newer model car that just came out.

I was a little concened about purchasing this car but have since enjoyed every minute.

Joe

[giuliot60]

Good to hear Joe.

I've also been enjoying the my car, but I'll always be a little uneasy until I replace the timing belt. The front suspension rubber (ball joints, bushings) needs to be replaced as well. It rides OK, but makes a lot of noise when I hit bumps. After I take care of those two items, I will be more at ease. She starts on the first try every time, except today after taking her for a half hour ride, she did hesitate when I went back to start her for the ride back, although she still technically started on the first try. So I put the trickle charger back on the battery when I got home.

Stay in touch.

GT.

[Hobo]

Yes. I also have to replace some of the suspension components and have the same noises that you have when going over bumps. Definitley keep in touch and if you are ever this way let me know and I will do the same if I come to the Northside. Have you done anything with the turbo?

Joe