78 in North Idaho

[DocGraphics]

Hi, my name is Don.
I just purchased my first Spider, a burgundy 78.
I'm in Coeur d'Alene Id. (90 miles south of Canadian border) so still waiting for spring to be able to drive it.

I have adimired the Spider since my teen years when the neighbors across from my grandparents got one brand new.
I read up on them about 10-12 years ago but never made a purchase.

I decided last Thanksgivingish that I would get one with my taxes this year & started looking & found this site too.
Been reading here for a few monthes now and am totally impressed by the knowledge available here.

I went and looked at a 79 a few weeks ago but it needed more work than I wanted, needs to be at least a driver to get me started.
Then last Sunday (first day of spring) went to Washington to look at this 78 & bought it!
Dad & I went & got it yesterday evening, Dad drove it home for me (I think he enjoyed the adventure & I can't drive for another 3 months).
We got a nice sunny day for the trip, snowed the day before & it must have been down to 32 by the time we got it home way after dark.

It's got a leak at the exhaust manifold & was missing a little, sounded like a VW bug on the way home (& for the test drive).
Looking under the hood today it had a vacuum line lying across the dist. & it was arcing (must not be all rubber), shocked the piss out of myself moving it, and it fires solidly on all 4 now, quite the improvement.

The car is a 78 CS1, runs good(now), rust free as far as I can find, been repainted the factory burgundy color & had the side markers all filled in.
It has a newer tan top, gold mesh wheels w/ Perelli tires & a roll bar .
The suspension has its squeeks & rattle & the interior needs redone.

All that said .... enjoying this site so far & glad to be a member. Heres pics.







Anybody else up here in the Great Northwest?

(tried to make the pics smaller but looks like it didn't take, will have to figure that out)

[Estaban]

That is a pretty little Spider. I think you will enjoy it very much.

Glad to see you on the forums.

[baltobernie]

Hello and welcome! That's a nice looking car you've got. You also get an attaboy for your location and photos in your introduction

Your dad sounds like a cool guy. I'm sure the two of you will have a great adventure. And what a wonderful place to drive a Spider!

[narfire]

Hi Don. The car looks great. Wonder if you get funny looks from all the pick up drivers..."what kinda car is that" There is another active contributor sort of near you..Magicwrench is in Libby Mont. You'll find all kinds or parts on Craigslist Seattle and some in Spokane as well.
Good luck with the rolling restoration, the cars are easy to work on and with plenty of advice from here,if required,you'll be sorted in no time.
Chris

[DocGraphics]

Yea Dad is a good guy!
He's retired now & has a '39 & a '53 Chevy he has restored in his garage, he's still working on the '39 but it's ready to show (been showing the '53 since 2000)
He seemed to be impressed by the shape of the Fiat & definately sees the potential.

I can't wait to get out on the road in it!

I'm cleaning the engine compartment on my 78 Courier at the moment & have all the intake & exhaust removed to get to the whole block, I can't even start tinkering with the Spider till it's put back together & on the road!

Wife is very understanding & is ALLOWING me to have both of them in the garage at the same time right now.
Got to get the Courier put back together & moved outside before she changes her mind.

Looks like the weather has finally changed & we hopefully won't get below freezing anymore. I need 50's in the daytime to be able to work in the garage w/ the heater I have (it's not insulated) then I can get it above 60 in there without running the heater constantly & thats fine to work in comfortably