Convert Handle

What sets your Spider apart from the rest?
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unplugged
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:22 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Huntington, NY

Convert Handle

Post by unplugged »

While browsing guitar amps on ebay I ran across someone who makes leather handles for amps. Which got me thinking about replacing the ugly rubber handle that is standard on the '81 at least.

Long story short after some back and forth with dimensions and some measurements. Color choice etc...
He even cut it to fit the standard end caps.

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'81 Spider
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maytag
Posts: 1789
Joined: Mon Oct 19, 2009 9:22 pm
Your car is a: 1976 124 spider
Location: Rocky Mountains....UTAH! (Not Colorado)

Re: Convert Handle

Post by maytag »

very nice! I like it!
You think he'd be interested in building some more for the rest of us, if we got a quantity order together?
I'm no Boy-Racer..... but if I can't take every on-ramp at TWICE the posted limit.... I'm a total failure!
unplugged
Posts: 94
Joined: Tue Apr 04, 2006 1:22 pm
Your car is a: 1981 Spider
Location: Huntington, NY

Re: Convert Handle

Post by unplugged »

My cost was $25 + s&h. Same as for the amp. It was $30 total. He gave me his permission to post his email addy so if you have questions or want to arrange something you can email him directly. He was very accommodating.

Ken
myresfamilyleather@gmail.com

Here is a side view to see the thickness.

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'81 Spider
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RRoller123
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Joined: Sun Nov 13, 2011 2:04 pm
Your car is a: 1980 FI SPIDER 2000
Location: SAGAMORE BEACH, MA USA

Re: Convert Handle

Post by RRoller123 »

Nice detail!
'80 FI Spider 2000
'74 and '79 X1/9 (past)
'75 BMW R75/6
2011 Chevy Malibu (daily driver)
2010 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Ext Cab 4WD/STD BED
2002 Edgewater 175CC 80HP 4-Stroke Yamaha
2003 Jaguar XK8
2003 Jaguar XKR
2021 Jayco 22RB
2019 Bianchi Torino Bicycle
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DUCeditor
Posts: 490
Joined: Sun May 23, 2010 7:36 am
Your car is a: 1977 FIAT 124 Sport Spider
Location: Monadnock Area, New Hampshire USA
Contact:

Re: Convert Handle

Post by DUCeditor »

Way back when I got my `77 in `88 I, too, needed and handle and went with one from a guitar amp. Not a fancy leather one though. That is cool!

-don
Italian motorcycles. An Italian car. An Italian wife. What more could a man desire?
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4uall
Posts: 4145
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2011 12:09 pm
Your car is a: 1980 Fiat Pininfarina Spider 2000 F.I.
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Re: Convert Handle

Post by 4uall »

nice! email sent :wink:
Jay

Fiona
1980 FI 2000 Spider
ITZEBTZE

https://goo.gl/photos/eNKaX7hrXhBu9fmp6

FINN (FN-2187)
2014 Jeep Wrangler Sport
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manoa matt
Posts: 3442
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Convert Handle

Post by manoa matt »

My car came without a handle. While stopped at a light in Waikiki I looked over to see a guitar amp sitting in the trash. Removed the handle and the holes lined up perfectly, its a bit more robust too.

FYI I have a lot of 10 handles I picked up at a surplus store that closely match the original handle, however the holes are a little closer together so you would need to redrill holes in the top bow. The handle and trim covers should cover everything up. If you are replacing the top and re-skinning the bow it would be a minor issue.
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giuliot60
Posts: 715
Joined: Fri Mar 30, 2012 9:39 pm
Your car is a: 81 Fiat Turbo removed Spider
Location: Concord, NC (Charlotte area)

Re: Convert Handle

Post by giuliot60 »

Nice idea. I may do it. And since I play an electric guitar, I like it even more!
Giulio/Charlotte
1st car '75 pistachio 128 sedan
Owned a '74 Spider, '68 Firebird, a '65 GTO convertible, and a customized '74 650 Yamaha
Currently own an '81 Turbo (removed) Spider
baltobernie
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Posts: 3466
Joined: Sun Nov 25, 2007 6:00 pm
Your car is a: 1973 Spider [sold]
Location: Baltimore, MD

Re: Convert Handle

Post by baltobernie »

A lot of Spiders have their strap mounting holes stripped or otherwise ruined. A sheet metal screw, even a big one, won't hold for very long. So if you are re-doing your top bow, weld-in some nutplates to do the job right.
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