Hi from the left coast of Canada

[Rigger178]

In an attempt to keep my wife from driving my convertible, I said, why don’t you pick out a car you like and I’ll restore it for you. She sent me a pic of a 1956 Porche 356, I said try again, and now I’ve got 3 spiders and a lot of parts in and around my shop. This is a great site which has answered most all of my questions and problems. (Been lurking for a few years) Thanks to all.

[dinghyguy]

where on the left coast are you? It is a long coast......never mind that if you are in Burnaby or further east are you really on the left coast?

cheers Dinghyguy in N. Van

[Rigger178]

Port Alberni, center of Vancouver Island. A tad further West than you.I’ve enjoyed reading about and seeing pics of your car. I’ve been told I have 6 months to make our car look close to what yours does. She chose blue as a colour, but an unobtainable blue, so that’s buying me time.

[davidbruce]

Welcome Rigger. Yes you're about as left as you can get. There are several spiders on the island and mine actually came from Port Alberni. Lots of good people and info on this site.

[Rigger178]

Hi David, and thanks for the welcome. There is a wealth of knowledge on this site for sure. Now if only someone in BC or Alberta were to open a parts supply warehouse.

[aj81spider]

Welcome - a wife who loves the Spider is a major plus!

[dinghyguy]

Try bernie at bent wrenches in mission. He has lots of used parts.
What are you looking for?

Dinghyguy

[Rigger178]

Hi AJ, it’s a plus unless you’ve seen my wife drive. She drives everything like she stole it, and this wouldn’t be the first car she’s rolled. I’ve sat her down several times and explained... NO AIR BAGS, MADE OF TINFOIL. I’ll be putting a roll bar in it.

[Rigger178]

Dinghyguy, I’ve got more used parts than I know what to do with, it’s new that I’m after. I’ve restored a few vehicles in the past and had to order parts from the states, Oregon in fact, and when the shipping /duty was the same as the the purchase price, I tend think twice. (I’m frugal if not the cheapest guy west of the Rockies)

[Rigger178]

I do have a question for the masses that I can’t find an answer to. I’ve got a set of what appear to be Western basket weave or Appliance alloy rims that I would like to use. For these to be hub centric on the front at least, they would need a hub centric ring with 58.1 mm ID and what I’ve measured to be 79-80 mm OD.
I’ve checked a few sites that sell such rings but there are no such sizes available. Has anyone who has said (western/ Appliance) wheels, have any information that might help, and what does someone do with the rear wheel as there is no raised boss. Thanks in advance for any info.

[burgandy81]

Hi Rigger,

Shipping and duty from the US can be a killer. It is hard enough to explain car purchases! When the price doubles with exchange, duty, and shipping it becomes an uncomfortable conversation!

Have you found https://www.thewrenchmonkey.ca/

They have a few basic maintenance parts and ship from Canada.

https://www.alfaparts.net/fiatspider.html these guys are in Quebec and make some restoration panels. I bought a rear lower quarter panel last summer.

No help on the wheel rings. At that size, i think your best bet may be to turn some up???

I'm in Victoria with several shelves of parts. Let me know if you are ever looking for something.

Cheers,

Jordan

[courtenay]

Welcome, Rigger....nice to see another VanIsler on board!

[rdv]

Hi Rigger,
welcome too! Have i read right, you got 3 fiat spider to make 1 "new"? That would count 3 more to the worldwide Spider Register and especially "Canada" in the nations ranking list on rank 10 with actual 236 cars!
More filtering for "British Columbia" makes this list with 34 cars:
https://www.fiatspider.de/register?Fahr ... h+Columbia

Would like to see some before and after pics!
Good luck!

Ciao, Ralf

[Rigger178]

Thanks for the tip on parts Jordan, I’ll give them a look .

Hi Bruce, love the car. Tried convincing the better half to go grey but she’s still on blue. I’m going to keep trying as I feel grey would cover my bodywork better. My other ride is a very similar in color, I must be part communist because grey is my personal favourite. If you see a blue Spider coming at you later this year on two wheels, that’ll be the missus.


Hi Ralf, yes, my yard resembles a Sicilian salvage yard. I bought one and was given two, plus many spare parts.
Tried the link and no go.

[davidbruce]

We're still waiting to see pics of Jordans "Blue" spider. If the link didn't work. Try opening it in a new window.