Newbie in San Francisco, CA

[kayjkay]

Hey guys,

Thanks for approving my membership! Name's Karen, and my hubby and I live in the Bay Area. I'm an artist by day, a gardener on the weekends, and I also fix up classic bicycles on the side.

My dad and I loved going to car shows as a kid, and after losing him to pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago, I had a chance to go through photographs and his autobiography that he had been writing. After immigrating to the US from overseas, his first car in the states was either a 1962 or 63 Spider (white exterior, red interior). I have photos I'll scan in once I have a free moment (might be a few weeks since they've been boxed up).

We wanted to start a project car together, and after finding out about his Fiat, and having had a 2013 Fiat 500 (sold it to get a slightly larger car for my husband and I), I think I've come to a point in my life where it's either bite the bullet, or never do it.

I've been looking at a few potential prospects. This would be my first project car, I am an ABSOLUTE newb on restoration. I have neighbors fixing up Karmman Ghia's and a ford enthusiast working on a '39 Coupe, both have been more than happy to give advice.

Thanks for having me
-K

[aj81spider]

Welcome - great story and great reason for buying a Fiat.

I was a complete car novice when I bought mine and it will soon be done (for the second time...thought I was done last summer) as soon as I finish replacing the head (I've come a long way!). Spiders are great cars to learn on and even more fun to drive.

[RRoller123]

Welcome aboard! You will find plenty of knowledgeable and friendly people here.

Here is a thread on how to post pictures directly to the forum:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=21014

And here is another picture-posting thread:

http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic ... 12&t=23084


This short instruction covers how to resize pictures so that they don’t get cut off at the right side:

Pictures can be easily and quickly resized using Windows.
You do not need to open the image file, therefore no image viewing software is needed.

1. First find where the image is stored on your computer.
2. Click on the image file to high light it.
3. Right click, then select "EDIT"
4. Click "RESIZE" in the upper left corner of the screen
5. Click on "PIXELS"
6. Make sure that "MAINTAIN ASPECT RATIO" is checked.
7. Retype "725" in "Horizontal" field.
8. Click "OK"
9. Save image, if desired. I put them in parallel folders with “resized” somewhere in the description..

It will now be resized and will show fully and properly on the forum, using standard Windows software.

And here is a link to a map of Spider owner’s locations. Many forum members have listed their locations.

https://www.zeemaps.com/map?group=191825

Pete

[4uall]

Hello & welcome to the greatest place on earth

Love the story

[wizard124]

Welcome and enjoy the restoration! Many good prospects pop up on Craigslist (where I found mine). Not too long ago there was a Fiat 1500, similar to what your Dad had. Also there is a 124 dismantler in Rohnert Park.

California smog requirements need to be kept in mind when purchasing. Required on '76 and newer vehicles. Many '76-'79 cars come up for sale. These have alot of smog crap and have the lowest performance. 1980 California spiders were the first to get FI (and picked up 15hp+). Personally, I would avoid these years unless I had a house in Nevada

I bought a no rust running vehicle that needed alot of cosmetics, transmission and drive shaft repair, heater repair, and 99% original. I did 95% of the mechanical, the entire interior except for the rear seats, installed a new convertible top. I have about $14K into it Still worth it! Fun to drive, my kids love it, and I have always wanted to own one

Take into account your skill levels, time, maintenance space, spare change, motivation, self-satisfaction, etc before you buy. Paying more $$ for the cleanest you can find is the best advice I can offer.

[nate302]

Hey guys,

Thanks for approving my membership! Name's Karen, and my hubby and I live in the Bay Area. I'm an artist by day, a gardener on the weekends, and I also fix up classic bicycles on the side.

My dad and I loved going to car shows as a kid, and after losing him to pancreatic cancer a year and a half ago, I had a chance to go through photographs and his autobiography that he had been writing. After immigrating to the US from overseas, his first car in the states was either a 1962 or 63 Spider (white exterior, red interior). I have photos I'll scan in once I have a free moment (might be a few weeks since they've been boxed up).

We wanted to start a project car together, and after finding out about his Fiat, and having had a 2013 Fiat 500 (sold it to get a slightly larger car for my husband and I), I think I've come to a point in my life where it's either bite the bullet, or never do it.

I've been looking at a few potential prospects. This would be my first project car, I am an ABSOLUTE newb on restoration. I have neighbors fixing up Karmman Ghia's and a ford enthusiast working on a '39 Coupe, both have been more than happy to give advice.

Thanks for having me
-K

Hello from NorCal! (I mean really NorCal) I'm from Redding / Chico / Orland and my brother, my Dad and I each have a 124. I'm no expert on Fiats before our collection's time but I may have some resources you might need. What's the actual model of the car?

[azruss]

Of all the older Fiats, i would recommend a 124. They are the easiest to find parts. have an excellent and knowledgeable owner base, as this website attests to. Also have great vendors who also own and drive these cars as well as participate in the forum. The cars were made from 69 to 85, so you have a huge range to choose from. Many of the parts interchange across the years.