Hi from DC

[aherst]

Hi all. First-time Fiat owner here. I wanted something easy to work on and was told this would fit the bill. I was recently gifted a 1979 fuel-injected 124 Spider 2000 - in turquoise. I was assured that in late '79 some of these were fuel-injected, even though it doesn't often come up when looking for parts. I haven't even had a chance to really dig into the car to see what it needs, but it's been sitting in a garage for a few years so I'll have to go through the fuel system straight away. I know the engine turns over, so that's something. I'm still in the honeymoon phase so I'm excited and hopeful. Ask me again in 6 months how I feel about it. That will be the real test.

After I clean the tank and check the fuel system, I suppose I'll change the timing belt. Maybe rebuild the brake calipers. Change the fluids everywhere (oil, transmission, differential, blinker, etc). Any other Fiat-specific things I should look out for? Anything I should be doing right off the bat?

[18Fiatsandcounting]

Welcome, and yes, don't forget to change that blinker fluid...!

Is your car a 1979 or 1980 model year? Fuel injection was introduced in model year 1980 for cars sold in California, but the other 49 states generally didn't get FI until 1981. However, a car sold very late in 1979 could actually be a 1980 model. The various tags on the car, most notably the one on the driver's side rear door jamb, should tell which.

I put a note on my calendar to circle back with you in 6 months!

-Bryan