vendors and your experiences...

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 1:16 am

I was thinking that it'd be nice to have some sort of vendor listing so that people (ummm, me, for example) could know where to get parts. If you know of any vendors please post them.
I'll start by asking:

how about this vendor? I have a 427 page parts list from them.
http://www.fiatplus.com/

fiater · Post by **fiater** » Mon Feb 06, 2006 5:56 am

I use International Auto Parts (IAP), Vick Autosports (http://www.vickauto.com), and Bruces Parts Bin.

Mad-Machine · Post by **Mad-Machine** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:31 pm

I have used IAP, Bruce, and Bayless. All have been great in getting me the parts in quick order, but I have had problems with Bayless in the past. I got some tierod ends and balljoints and they were definatly old new stock. The rubber boots did not last six months.

Bruce is great, just try and avoid calling him on a monday, that is his busiest day. I have known him for years (before he had the Bin) and as his place is about half an hour from me, I often stop by to chew the fat when I get the chance.

His shipping might be slow right now though, he is moving from the old crowded bin to a nice new facility.

bandit · Post by **bandit** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 10:28 pm

bayless sold me some parts that were the wrong ones and have had some issues with them about getting my money back !

Vicks and IAP is amazing !!!

Hjulen · Post by **Hjulen** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 1:51 am

I have experience with Vick, IAP, Bruce, and Chris O'bert (fiatplus.com) and all have been great.

Jon · Post by **Jon** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:01 am

Danno, the following is a good vendor list I found, however, there is no review of the particular vendors:

http://www.fiatamerica.com/folders/prices.htm#PARTS

The list is comprised of the most well known manufacturers that I know of and has links to their websites. I cannot speak for reliability or service for any of these vendors though.

Then of course, there is our very own So Cal Mark who not only sells parts and fixes us up but also gives great advice and help. His business is http://www.fiatspiderparts.com

Hope this helps. In the end though, all you really need to add to your spider is more cowbell. Heck, that'll fix anything!

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:22 am

Jon wrote:In the end though, all you really need to add to your spider is more cowbell. Heck, that'll fix anything!

Well you asked for it. Sorry Denise, I just had to do it.

"Guess what? I got a fever. And the only prescription... is more cowbell!"

http://www.ojaiwan.net/audio/cowbell.wmv

And just so I don't get too far away from this thread on vendors, check out http://www.italiancarlinks.com

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:49 pm

I promise not to refer to the cowbell in any future posts.

Mad-Machine · Post by **Mad-Machine** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:28 pm

but we need more cowbell!

CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:07 am

Ok, so I'm checking out as many places for replacement parts for my 1980 Fiat as possible before I buy to try and get the best deals so I have to ask.
"Has anyone ever dealt with TOPSONLINE?"
I was looking up replacement consoles and found them, they are telling me that a replacement center console that other places charge for just a cap is a FULL replacement console. Vick's is $229 and this place is $81.00.

Please let me know the skinny this sounds too good to be true. There top prices are good too!

the website is http://www.topsonline.com

SpiderF81 · Post by **SpiderF81** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:00 am

I have never heard of them but would be very interested if anyone has. $81.00???? Did you noticed the weight? 39 pounds? I know the center console doesn't weigh that much.

CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:05 am

They explain on the website that the weight is not literal, it's used as a base for shipping due to the size of the packed box.

Hey, whats the difference between a spider 2000 and a Pininfarina when it comes to the center console?

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:12 am

yeah, i dunno qhat to say. I think it sounds fishy that it would be a complete replacement. probably is just a cover and they don't know it cause they don't "specialize" in fiat parts like those other places.

i do think it's s strange coincidence that the part numbers from Bruce for example (on the covers) are, when compared to the topsonline part numbers....
CC602 .............. TD6023BLK and TD6023BGE

BUT, I haven't seen the Vicks catalog yet (downloading 23mb now), i'd be willing to bet that 602 is in the parts number for the cover only, too. Now, the interesting thing to me is the different year specs on those consoles from topsonline. Bruce just has a "up to 82" console in black and beige. so maybe there are better fitting ones from the topsonline.

CarlaRWG · Post by **CarlaRWG** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:28 am

I sent them an email and asked directly if it was a piece that was glued to the old or if it was a new part, they said new part so I'm going give it a try. If it's not I'll call return it and complain til I get my shipping back.

It's most likely not padded like other reproductions listed but that is not a big issue, alittle shopping at a fabric warehouse will solve that.

Danno · Post by **Danno** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 9:30 am

CarlaRWG wrote:They explain on the website that the weight is not literal, it's used as a base for shipping due to the size of the packed box.

Hey, whats the difference between a spider 2000 and a Pininfarina when it comes to the center console?

I think you need to basically see if you have a cs2 or cs0 chassis. at least that's what you need to do for the convertible tops.....

Model....Year..Chassis Type....Beginning #.....Engine Type
Spider...1980.....124CS2.........0157654..........132C3.040
..."..........".............."..................."................132C3.031
..."..........".........124CS0.........0171001..........132C3.031

vendors and your experiences...

vendors and your experiences...

Vendor List, no review