Back to original paint or keep it red?

Keeping it sharp - paint, wax, detailing, etc.
moses
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:42 pm
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider

Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby moses » Thu Sep 08, 2016 1:14 pm

So I want to get everyone's opinion on this before I go in any particular direction.

I'm restoring this '76, and much to my surprise, I missed that it was originally brown, according to the paint code.

Image

This dummy should have noticed the engine bay is obviously a different color than the body.

Image

My goal for restoring this car is ultimately sell it to someone who would appreciate it as a collector's or leisure/sentimental car. As much as I'd appreciate owning it permanently, I'd rather sell it in the end.

That being said, I think the red cherry paint job it has looks pretty nice. But do Fiat enthusiasts prefer strict authenticity? Should I go back to the Dark Brown (paint code 797)? Personally, I don't care one way or the other, but of course I could save a pretty penny not respraying the whole thing. I know if it was a Corvette, I would have no choice but to make the car look exactly as it did rolling out of the factory, but wasn't sure in the Fiat's case.

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aevansgatech
Posts: 346
Joined: Mon Jul 27, 2015 2:51 pm
Your car is a: 1982 Spider 2000

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby aevansgatech » Thu Sep 08, 2016 2:50 pm

Two thoughts:

1. Does it need a paint job? You say the cherry red currently looks good. Regardless of originality or not, if the car doesn't need a paint job then don't spend the money on it.

2. I think Brown is an exceptional color on this car. If the car needs a paint job to sell, or if I had the car and was going to keep it, I would go to the original brown.
1979 Spider 2000 (gone)
1984 Pininfarina Azzurra (for sale)
1982 Spider 2000 (here to stay)

moses
Posts: 34
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2016 1:42 pm
Your car is a: 1976 Fiat 124 Spider

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby moses » Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:17 pm

aevansgatech wrote:Two thoughts:

1. Does it need a paint job? You say the cherry red currently looks good. Regardless of originality or not, if the car doesn't need a paint job then don't spend the money on it.

2. I think Brown is an exceptional color on this car. If the car needs a paint job to sell, or if I had the car and was going to keep it, I would go to the original brown.


Besides a few small rust spots, the paint is in great condition. I'm assuming it was resprayed not too long ago.

AriK
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Posts: 1148
Joined: Sat Apr 02, 2011 7:58 pm
Your car is a: 1979 Fiat Spider
Location: Montreal Canada

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby AriK » Thu Sep 08, 2016 3:35 pm

My opinion:
Keeping it red will make it sell more quickly, that same vibrant red you already have. This is not a high profile brand as is the Corvette for keeping it the way it was when it rolled off the factory floor. Although the brand is gaining more value with the introduction of the 2017 Fiat 124 Spider, i would not restore this brand of vehicle for the sole purpose of flipping it.

dom
Posts: 145
Joined: Wed Dec 01, 2010 8:13 pm
Your car is a: 1972 spider 124

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby dom » Sun Sep 11, 2016 10:56 am

If you are restoring this car for fun, learning and because you have extra money then keep going. But if you think that there is money to be made then do yourself a favor.....light up your barbecue, when it's good and hot start placing hundred dollars bills on the grill, up to $2000 , and watch them go up in smoke. Next give the car away for free including delivery. Now reward yourself and take a nice vacation with the money you saved.

PhillySpider
Posts: 325
Joined: Tue Apr 26, 2016 6:51 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Spider 2000
Location: New Hope, PA

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby PhillySpider » Sun Sep 11, 2016 12:23 pm

I can tell you the first thing I'd do is wrap a rope around the drivers side front bumper, attach it to a tow hitch or tractor and pull out that collapsed bumper shock. Worked for me on my rear bumper...very happy! I used my tractor.

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Nanonevol
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Joined: Thu Nov 13, 2014 9:17 am
Your car is a: 1977 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Medway, Massachusetts

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby Nanonevol » Sun Sep 11, 2016 2:54 pm

...or push in the other side. :)
1977 Fiat Spider
1985 Jaguar XJ6
1967 Triumph Bonneville (hard-tail chopper)
1966 BSA Lightning

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aj81spider
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Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chelmsford, MA

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby aj81spider » Mon Sep 12, 2016 9:16 am

If you are restoring this car for fun, learning and because you have extra money then keep going. But if you think that there is money to be made then do yourself a favor.....light up your barbecue, when it's good and hot start placing hundred dollars bills on the grill, up to $2000 , and watch them go up in smoke. Next give the car away for free including delivery. Now reward yourself and take a nice vacation with the money you saved.


+1 on that. I would say I tripled the value of my car in my restoration. I bought it for X, it's now worth 3X and I spent 10X getting it there!

It was a great experience and I have a nice car that I can be proud that I brought back from poor condition. I'm not likely to ever sell it, but if I do I'll lose my shirt.
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)

DieselSpider
Posts: 2130
Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2014 10:21 pm
Your car is a: 1978 124 Spider with Isuzu Turbo Diesel

Re: Back to original paint or keep it red?

Postby DieselSpider » Mon Sep 12, 2016 12:59 pm

Mine needs paint and the bad current paint removed first. My daughters want me to return it to the original light blue metallic.


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