Hi all,

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:

Cool, I look forward to more.............

thanks for the update Rory, I'm looking fwd to your updates. One of my latest projects is an Abarth roll bar that will look like the original bars. It might fit your project

NIce beginning. I look forward to reading more about the progression from a worn commuter car to what is clearly turning out very nicely.

A few possible article subjects one might consider, the value web forums can offer new owners and FLU which sadly doesn't have much going on on the West Coast but has a strong following in the mid-West and East.

Thanks for posting and good luck with your car.

Thanks for the comments guys. Will be sure to update with new content on a regular basis.

Mark, keep in touch on those roll bars! That's the design I wanted originally but no one was making them. I'm very interested if they end up panning out.

As other member's here I am sure can attest, I am the proud receipient of many a positive comment when taking my Spider out and about.
Which in turn befuddles me, when most auto magazine's writers' continue to not give it it's due credit!

That being said and on a positive side note, I have noticed this car pop up more often in the magazine stands, where I'm then happy to purchase it and keep it in my home collection!

Thank you sir, for being on the leading edge, of writer's out there finally giving this car the tribute we (the owner's ) feel it rightly deserves!

Grazie!

Nice car, similar to mine in overall appearance so far and I'm also toying with an "Abarth Tribute" albeit as mentioned with some of the rare (IRS) parts missing.

mmm, roll bars,.....roll bars Mark?? ....funny I was just about to call a local 4x4 shop to see what it would take to whip one up....I want to install three point belts where today there were two...or more correctly in my case...none!

MARK, do you need a 'early adopter' to install and take pics??....(volunteer!!!) ETA???

Nice Car and good to see the article. I have a third brake light removal tool I can loan you to complete the look

More work completed over the weekend. A teaser image for now. I finally lost the tubes o' lead:

And there was much rejoicing.

Looks good.

So Cal Mark wrote:thanks for the update Rory, I'm looking fwd to your updates. One of my latest projects is an Abarth roll bar that will look like the original bars. It might fit your project

Mark, I really hope you do the double bends in the upper corners. Its so nice compared to a single bent corner. well, i mean for my taste anyway. Some roll bars look silly and some you just have to say Wow, thats nice. Oh ya, Keep it under $500 please.