A new Fiat adventure

[mdrburchette]

Hey Ben! We had the same problem with the nut turning. Ron put pressure on the vent window frame by pushing it toward the interior of the car while we ratcheted and the thing came loose. Kevin took the sawzaw to the left side.
We gutted the interior completely, including the wiring harness and we'll be welding in patch panels for the missing floorboard.
Which race are you running in, the spring or fall? We're going down in September. Ron won't be home for either but he'll be in Atlanta in September and can meet us down there.

I just checked your website and our cars do look similar! I'll be painting mine red front end, white middle and green rear to keep an Italian flavor. I'm also getting ready to order suspension bushings and will probably have to cut those dang springs.

[baltobernie]

uh, Denise ... red, white and green are the colors of our esteemed neighbor, Mexico. How about green, white and red? You could do the colors longitudinally instead of in thirds. This would provide the added confusion necessary to confound any British autos in the event. You'd appear red going down the backstraight and green on the frontstraight. Reminds me of the story about an ancient philosopher with a hat, if I remember it correctly. So much sch&%*t rattling around up there I'm scheduled to go in to the hospital for a "reboot" in a couple of weeks; maybe that will defrag the files!

[mdrburchette]

Good idea Bernie. That'll keep me from having to drive backwards.

[ga.spyder]

The day was a lot of fun,and educational! Nothing like taking something apart to get familiar with it.Jazzguitarboy,we couldnt get that captive nut off,even with pressure.I took a die grinder to it(burned the s#@t out'a my hand!).Denise was doing her nails at this time,that is why she missed that.The only wire left in the entire car,is the starter wire.All fuel lines are out,too.The seat is gonna be interesting.We set it for Kevin(6'3),then Denise got in and her feet were nowhere near the pedals.I think she should strap 6''x6'' blocks to her feet! Thanks Denise,had a good time and ,since I forgot to pay...I got a free lunch !!
Craig

[racydave]

So what State is that bear in? GA is my bet!

[mdrburchette]

Doing my nails??? Well, I am just a girl, afterall.

Dave, I had to double check, but the bear is here with me. I kept Craig away from him this time.

[racydave]

So he is slick enuff to sneak on the ex- President, but not devious enough to snag old fuzzy?

[narfire]

I had the same nut strip/blow out of the containing metal. I think I used a pair of pliers with a 45 or 90 deg tip to hold the metal together enough to loosen the bolt.
The same thing with a bolt that holds the top frame to the inside side of the car. Ended up cutting the piece out there and welding in a new piece.
Fiats never stop surprising you
Good luck

[ga.spyder]

Dave,I tried to get the bear.I was willing to stoop so low as to bribe her daughter.It would have been arriving in Indy about now!Oh well...there is a certain Fiatfest coming up in June.
Craig

[mbouse]

i have the solution...
how about left hand drive for the guys, and right hand drive mounted in the same car for Denise?

we certainly have enough Aussie help here at the forum to provide all of the technical know how to add right hand drive..

[mdrburchette]

Now that sounds like a plan, Mike!

[racydave]

Getting the seat liners is hard enough, but, you will need a quick way to adjust the safety harness also! And how about the mirror(s)? Are the pit stops going to be leasurly, or Nascar Quick?

[ga.spyder]

Dave,definitely not Nascaresque stops.We have an idea using a couple different positions,w/ a 'quick change' seat mount.That will let 2 bigger drivers have the back setting.Move the seat to the forward position for the 2 smaller drivers,and a seat insert in the forward position for Denise.We will stagger the driver lineup accordingly.Thats the theory ,anyway.
Craig