1969 Fiat Spider
69 Fiat Spider This is the best car that I have ever owned.  The early series Spiders combined clean styling with excellent technical specifications to produce one of the best production vehicles ever.  Later Spiders incorporated many compromises to satisfy smog and federal bumper requirements as well as production needs.  I believe that the early Spiders capture the spirit of the 60s vintage sports car perfectly.

What's it like to drive today?  Exhilarating!  The 1.5 liter twin cam revs easily to 7K, the 4 wheel disc brakes are effective, it handles like it's on rails, ...  I can go on and on (ask any one who knows me.. I do go on and on about the car)  My Spider has been modified with a K&N air filter, Weber 40DCN carb, ported and polished head, 3/4 cams, oversize/domed pistons, headers, free flow exhaust, Momo wheel, competition springs, Koni shocks, front and rear sway bars and Yokohama AVS Intermediate tires (185/60 R13). 

 

 

1977 Fiat Spider

77 Fiat Spider

 Project Fiat is the ongoing saga of the process of turning a large number of parts into a fairly decent daily driver. The project began in October 1996 with the purchase of my first Fiat. The car is a 77 Spider that has been through the mill. Some say that the age of the 'beater' Fiats are over, that the only Fiats left are the ones that where garaged and pampered. Huh, I have proof that it just ain't so!

In its defense, this car starts easily, runs extremely well and has never left me stranded.  The problems that this car has suffered were caused by previous owners.  The only real issue currently is a leaky rear transmission seal.

Update:

Summer 2000 - The car is on the road and is used as a daily driver.  This car runs very well actually makes going to work fun.  I am in the process of rebuilding and installing a Weber 34DMSA carb off of a 74 Spider.  Stock is a 28ADFA.  The 34 is one of the better carbs for a stock Spider.

Spring 2001 - The transmission is back out of the car to fix some very leaky seals.  I got tired of topping the transmission off weekly.  While I have it out, I'll change the rear main seal and will check the clutch and whatever else is exposed.