Greetings from San Francisco!

[oshunana]

Hi Everyone,

I've had my '81 Fiat Spider since 2002. It is my prized possession, and we've been through a lot together. Only a few years after I bought it, someone stole it and stripped its interior as well as many exterior parts. It took a while to restore. (I sheepishly admit that I didn't do the work myself.)

I rely on mechanics. And it's becoming increasingly difficult to find people who can work on my car. I'm here to learn from this valuable community so that I can (hopefully) keep my beautiful car for years to come.

I wanted to post a photo, but I failed. So, I registered it in the hopes that it works for those of you with a login:
https://www.fiatspider.de/system/files/ ... 1_fiat.jpg

(Tell me if I'm doing it wrong.)

[oshunana]

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZXb2wu ... 10Jq8/view

[toyfiats]

Did Joe's Fiat in Redwood City work on that? I used to run the Limited Edition registry and seem to have a vague recollection of one in the Bay Area that was stolen and stripped, but eventually put back together.

[oshunana]

Hi Toyfiats, Yes, you have an excellent memory! When I first had my car, I used to drive down to Joe's for service. I had wanted Joe to restore my car. I ended up not working with him, though. Instead, Daytona Motors did the work. (I have had many mechanics in the Bay Area. Recently, I was sad to hear that Angelo passed away.) To get all the parts I needed, I had to purchase a 2nd Fiat so I could get seats, a center console, a bumper, etc.

I just learned about the registry through this forum. And Ralf informed me that the guy who owned my car previous to me had already registered it. So my limited edition car is there.

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Let us know if you need any specific help (advice) with your spider. Given how many of us there are in the Bay Area, one of us will likely know someone or be able to help you directly.

-Bryan (in Livermore, which I know is the end of The World from the SF viewpoint, but it's really not that far. )

[oshunana]

Thank you, Bryan. I really appreciate it. And it sounds like with 18 Fiats you must really be an expert!

A month ago, my engine seized and I need it rebuilt. Recently, I reached out to Lonnie Jensen - a machinist in Portrero - because C. Obert in Santa Cruz has a 2 year waiting list, and I don't I want to wait that long. (I'm not sure if Jensen will take my car, or if he's even the right person.)

I'd love to tap the expertise here about my best options.

(I may need to post this Q elsewhere on this forum, but since you mentioned it.... )

[18Fiatsandcounting]

...it sounds like with 18 Fiats you must really be an expert!

Or a really slow learner!

Yes, posting your engine question in the technical sections will likely get more views and responses.

By the way, my experience is that shops in the Bay Area are really backed up in terms of repairing complete engines, but if you remove and disassemble the engine and just take the various parts to the machine shops for basic work, the turnaround time on that can be as low as a few weeks.

-Bryan

[oshunana]

I appreciate the tip, Bryan. If I knew how to dissemble my engine, I would. But my experience with my Spider is strictly as a caretaker/admirer. I keep it on the road and beautiful, but I'm no expert in actually keeping it running!

I'll post my engine question for the community.