Prospect #3 - 1978 old lady car

[dozy]

This is a new kind of animal. bought by an 65 years old lady a few months back, and she says she is selling it because the clutch is messing up her knee. (I am positive when I show up it will be a 40 years old guy, but so far - the story is a feel good piece

The problem is that she says she does not know quite as much about the car as she should, since she just bought it. She did replace the belt, radiator, master cylinder, brakes and other pieces -she said it was a precaution. The car shows (according to her) 80,000 miles. She says it seems the previous owners put a lot of work into the car, the top is new.

She says the center console needs repairing / replacing because of a damage by the handbrake (see pictures) and that there are a few dings (see pictures of the headlight for example) and that she knows of no rust or mechanical problems.

$3499 in Houston (200 miles away).










My worry is always the price (getting a good deal) and making sure the car will make it home (do not have the $$ to ship) or the vehicle to tow it home.

I would prefer a steel bumper car (like my original prospect the 1974), but the 2000 engine makes me feel a little more comfortable - since should something seize, or the belt break it should cause fewer problems on a noninterference engine.

Thanks y'all - this is really helping me getting sense of evaluating these at least originally and in superficial ways (unfortunately Austin is in a dearth of Fiats right now )

Dozy

[manoa matt]

That's not a 1978. Its a 79 or 80 carburated spider. It looks to be in good condition from the pictures and the engine seams pretty clean.

That car originally had a ADHA carb which has been removed. They replaced it with either a 32 ADFA or a 34ADF carb, both are an improvement over the original carb, but there still is a bunch of emissions equipment and the original dual plane intake manifold which are not helping the new carb perform optimally.

The interior looks good, fortunatly the center console is easy to find and not as expensive as other interior parts. You can get a console cap or have it re-covered in vinyl.

It looks like the radiatior was re-cored. The cylinder head and cam covers are very clean compared to the intake. The exhaust cam cover is from a fuel injected spider so its possible some parts were switched around.

A lot of the hoses appear to be original, so the maintenance history should be looked over carefully.

With the 2L engine and the better carb, this car has some tuning potential if you just find a single plane 1800 intake manifold, remove the emissions stuff, and get a 4-2-1 exhaust manifold if it does not already have one.

Go and see it with a friend that has a truck and a tow strap just in case it dose'nt make it all the way home. Drive it for at least 45 minutes to see if any problems arise. Pick over the cars weak points and offer $3K cash, see if they bite.

[dozy]

the car is registered as an antique (no inspection) - the signals do not work.

Dozy

[manoa matt]

I just looked at your other prospects (1974 and 1981 FI) Without seeing the 74 but from the description it seams that this 79 is the best of the three. The bodywork and interior are the two most expensive things to re-do especially if you don't have the skills to do them. The mechanicals can be sorted out by a novice if you read some manuals and they are relatively inexpensive.

ANY and ALL fiat spiders on the market will have at least one electrical problem. Its the law of Italian automobiles, be glad you are not interested in British cars. I'm sure you could make the 200mile journey with just hand signals, the fuzz won't care because you just bought it.

[dozy]

I realized I did not post the ad ...

So here is the CL ad:
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/1399310866.html

Here are our conversations (the seller has an odd way of speaking - but hopfully that is some olde English of and old lady, and not some russian mob accent

Email 1:
Here are some pictures of the 1980 Fiat Spyder 2000 Convertible. It runs great and is a 5 Speed. It has a brand new set of tires and a brand new radiator. Even has extra keys. The top is in great shape. Seems to have had a lot of work done to it. It drives really great. Don't know of any mechanical problems. I've owned it for several months and did the radiator and tires as a precaution. i didn't want to have any problems. It does have a few minor dings and the interior needs minor repair around the emergency brake. Over all I would say the car is in very good condition for its age. I do drive it on weekends and it holds the road great. It's a must to sell it do to the fact that my knees can't handle the clutch. I didn't even think this would be a problem when I bought the vehicle and had it shipped. If interested, please call XXXXX.Yes, I do have repair receipts on the vehicle. Timing belt, master cylinder, brakes and many other items.

Email 2:
Attached are some more photos of the Fiat. I tried to capture the dent around the passenger headlight and it actually looks worse than what it is in person. Thought it was important to forward these pictures to you since you are in Austin. When I bought the car it was sight unseen and I was not disappointed at all. In fact It was better looking than what was explained. It drives really great.

Email 3:
The vehicle shows 80,000 miles. I don't see any rust. I don't know about driving it to Austin. I drive it all around town and don't have any trouble with it. Let's face it, the car is 30 years old, I don't think I'd drive it that far, but then again I'm a 62 year old women. I'd Ship it or trailer it. It would probably make it to Austin, I, myself, just wouldn't take the chance.

Email 4:
The vehicle is registered, titled and has antique plates. It does not require inspection for antique plates. The signals are not in working order at this time. Sorry forgot to mention that. Yes the console is cracked by the handbrake.

Dozy

[dozy]

That's not a 1978. Its a 79 or 80 carburated spider.

oops yes ... ad says 1980 my bad.

[kristoj]

I agree wholeheartedly with Matt's assessment. This one is the best of the three and probably worth $3k or so. I also must point out the awesome color combination:)

[katsi]

I'm in Houston. I could check it out for you if you would like.

[katsi]

Oh wait, that's way up in Conroe. I could ask around and see what the deal with the car is. Chances are, someone at the local Fiat \ Lancia club has already checked it out, knows the car or previously owned the car. If you want, I'll put it on the grapevine and see what turns up. I won't do anything if you don't want me to. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to look at a car and put the word out and sure enough, I got exact info on the car without even leaving my desk.

[dozy]

Oh wait, that's way up in Conroe. I could ask around and see what the deal with the car is. Chances are, someone at the local Fiat \ Lancia club has already checked it out, knows the car or previously owned the car. If you want, I'll put it on the grapevine and see what turns up. I won't do anything if you don't want me to. I can't tell you how many times I wanted to look at a car and put the word out and sure enough, I got exact info on the car without even leaving my desk.

That sounds great!

Where is the online home of the Houston FLU/ whatever it is called ?

Thanks

Dozy

[dozy]

I'm in Houston. I could check it out for you if you would like.

Katsi, this is very generous .. you will have an email from me in a second !!

THANKS!
Dozy

[Europa]

The exhaust cam cover is from a fuel injected spider so its possible some parts were switched around.

Matt, how can you tell? I thought all FI cam covers had the oil cap on the drivers side cam tower. At least it does on my '83.

Does it look like FI cam covers were switched around? I can't see the cam cover with the oil filler hole to see if it has the depression for the FI air intake hose.

[manoa matt]

The cam covers are a pretty universal fit item. You can switch them from intake to exhaust and vice versa. Some models even interchange like Fiat and Lancia.

"I thought all FI cam covers had the oil cap on the drivers side cam tower" It would be if the cam cover was on the intake side, and the cap would be at the back near the firewall.

The reason that cam cover is for a FI car is the flat depression in the center of the cover. You can see it better in the second engine bay picture. On a FI car that flat depression accommodates the intake plenum and plenum hose that run across the cam covers.

Since both FI and carbs were available on 1980 models, it's also possible the FI cam cover came with the car as part of the rolling changes

[amsiegel]

Dozy

It looks good to me and if you could get for the $3000 Matt suggested it would be a good deal. The car looks good and the interior is nice (except for the center console). I would do it. Learn from my mistake if you are going to drive it 200 miles home make sure you have a jack and lug wrench and have a freind follow you back. Nothing worse than being stuck on side of road in middle of no where for 2 hours just over a flat.

[Jim]

Dozy,

I live about 10 miles from Conroe. I could look at it and take some picures for you as well!