Last week I bought a 1980 FI without an engine, hoping to salvage a few parts, but to my delight it is essentially rust free (but for surface stuff here and there). That seems to be rare around here, so I'm going to put this one back together. I pulled the seats, carpets and rocker panels. Even the underside is excellent. It's much better than my driver, so this is the one...
Ironically, a few weeks ago I saw an ad for a free engine. I rushed out and got it, and was pleased that it was FI (my driver being an '81FI). So when I got this body last week, I half expected it to be the matching car to the engine. But no, just highly coincidental! So yesterday I pulled the 1.8 head from my '78 parts car and it will go on the "free" 2.0 FI engine before it goes into the '80. The new '80 body has an older differential, looks like a 4.1 and I'll add the very good transmission from the '78. If I can afford it, I'm going to add Mark Allison's street cams. I think it will be a nice combination, with a body that I am not wasting my efforts on fixing up.
Well, that really is a bright red, isn't it? I like it. Mine has an original light beige interior though. I might prefer your black interior. I'll have to take it one step at a time - paint and drive train - get it running and looking decent.
Are you going to replace them or repair them. I still intend to fix up my driver Spider. It's getting a multi-stage paint job these days.
