My Ugly Duckling

[ga.spyder]

Note to self....Don't leave the forum on the screen,and leave the room!!!
The valve covers are just cheap,red high heat engine paint($6 at autozone).I have another set that I was going to polish,but I kinda like the red so I might leave them on.Everything I have done to that car has been on the cheap.That was the theme of this post.It looks better in pictures than up close.Wait until kmac33 is done with his car...then we will get some serious ooh's and aaahh's.His car will be amazing!!
Craig

[Tersta]

It's hard to believe that you have so little money into the car. Do you have any before pictures of the car?
Tersta

[pope]

Looks like there is room to put 2 more Spiders in that garage. Your catching up to Denise.

[narfire]

Craig... well done!! I'm envious. The car looks great. I have 2 72's I've rescued from the crusher and I will have way more invested in them than your rescue and I don't know if they will end up as straight as yours.In the future I'm going to have to revisit the program.
Both of mine will end up being franken fiats.
It's really great that the better half enjoys it as well.

[katsi]

Some people have a lack of vision. You obviously DON'T have this problem. She looks great.

[mdrburchette]

This is Rosemarie,Craig's wife,and that is my car and I dont want to sell it! Craig just wants more room in the garage. Besides, our daughter Heather is learning to drive a stick with it, and envisions herself bebopping around in it some day.

You go, girlfriend!!! I posted that to call Craig out on always wanting to sell that car, so I'm glad you saw it. I think Craig needed to hear that. Now, maybe, he'll lay off.

[amsiegel]

The car came out nice. I also like your garage.

[baltobernie]

You really need to find a new name for her though - ugly duckling just doesn't fit anymore!

Cinderella? (No, wait; wasn't that a hair band?)

[ga.spyder]

A couple things,I went thru all my receipts and I actually have about 1700 in the car..I dont want to misrepresent.I bought the car for $900,because he had to get rid of it.He had gotten no offers(at one time it was on ebay for 2500 buy it now).I wasnt in the market for a car,he found me from FLU and pleaded with me to come look at it and make an offer.It ran(not well),wasnt charging,needed water pump,wheels looked awful,no shine to the original paint,top was shot,etc..But,it was straight,had a rebuilt tranny,new front end(except shocks),and...NO RUST.So I made a offer and he reluctantly accepted.
Most of the parts I have put in the car were used,and were sourced from the great people on this forum.My aim was a low budget freshening of the car,then to sell it.Denise has ruined that idea !!All the members here have been helpful with advise ,also.It can be done if you get a good car to start with.Here is a 'before' pic,it wasnt a basket case but it was needing TLC.Thanks for all the nice words

[mdrburchette]

Oh puhleeaze Craig. Tell everyone the truth. You bought this car under the guise of buying a Spider for your wife to enjoy. Now Rose really does want to keep it and you're upset cuz you have to park your motorcycle in the livingroom.
It really is a nice car, btw. You've done great.

[ga.spyder]

Denise,that isnt true at all!!!The motorcycle is in the kitchen

[Seajunkie]

Craig, do you have a close up photo of the center caps on those wheels? Do you know of they are original?

[ga.spyder]

Seajunkie,the wheels are made by BWA,and I will get you a pic.It is black w/ BWA in yellow letters.I bought them from kmac33,and I have no idea if they are original.His car has been in the family since brand new,so he may have more info.I would be curious myself.
Craig

[Seajunkie]

Thanks. I have those same BWA rims. I have two center caps that I posted pictures of a month or two ago. I haven't seen the same center caps anywhere. Mine are red and blue. I've seen center caps for the Alpha but no others for the Fiat. The style that you have may be another option for me to explore. Thanks

[kmac33]

SeaJunkie,
The BWA's that Craig now has were a "dealer installed" optional wheel package when my dad bought "my" Fiat.
As for replacement center caps, You will more than likely have to measure the size needed and search eBay for someone making replacements that will fit. I found a set of "Fiat" logo center caps for the Rota's that are going on my car.