PNWSmoker's 1978 Spider "My Build"

[PNWSmoker]

I was thinking I'd start a thread to help keep track of my progress. Hopfully I can keep up with it and post pictures as I make progress with the car. This should get image heavy and unless someone tells me to do something else I plan to place updates in the original post with dates of the update.

Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated along the way.

I bought the car 6-2-09 and its a 1978 Fiat Spider.

Here it is first day in my shop








Fisrt thing rip the seats out and gut the carpet. I only found two small rust holes and a spot where the prior owner cut out rust and did a repair. Not bad for a 30 year old car.








Prior pan repair


Next I had the get the bumper off. Looks much better in my opinion with out it. I haven't removed the rear but will over the weekend.

[rlux4]

By all means, keeping us posted with progress pictures is always appreciated. I just hope you're not missing the driving season by tearing into it now.
Ron

[PNWSmoker]

By all means, keeping us posted with progress pictures is always appreciated. I just hope you're not missing the driving season by tearing into it now.
Ron

It's going to be a rolling restore for sure. Pretty much need to replace the master brake cylinder and she's ready to roll. I can hanlde bombing around without carpet!!

[manoa matt]

Looks like the PO didn't do you any favors by doing that repair. Now you got to find a way to secure that back corner of the drivers seat befor you overstress the other mounting points or bend the seat.

The air injection pump has been removed, so if you don't have emissions testing you can remove the rest of the emissions system and gain a few hp.

Welcome to the forum.

[mbouse]

rollin' resto's are the ONLY way to go. more miles with smiles.

[rlux4]

BTW Smoker, if you resize your pictures down to about 1/2 size they won't get cut off on the right side when you post them.
Ron

[PNWSmoker]

Looks like the PO didn't do you any favors by doing that repair. Now you got to find a way to secure that back corner of the drivers seat befor you overstress the other mounting points or bend the seat.

The air injection pump has been removed, so if you don't have emissions testing you can remove the rest of the emissions system and gain a few hp.

Welcome to the forum.

I have a sheet metal brake so the fab work is going to be no problem. He did kind if hack it up though.

As for emission I do infact have to run it through DEQ. My worry is that it won't pass the way it is. If so I'll have to register it to my father who lives where you don't have to DEQ. Or at least that's what I'm thinking.

Thanks for the comment!

[PNWSmoker]

BTW Smoker, if you resize your pictures down to about 1/2 size they won't get cut off on the right side when you post them.
Ron

They're not cut off from what I see. Maybe it's my pictures taking skills.

[pope]

Smoker,
your losing the last 20% of your pic off the right side. Make sure your images are not more than 600 ppi wide

[katsi]

Wow, it looks just like mine without all the rust and dents.

[PNWSmoker]

Smoker,
your losing the last 20% of your pic off the right side. Make sure your images are not more than 600 ppi wide

Huh... I see the whole image on my screen.

[PNWSmoker]

Wow, it looks just like mine without all the rust and dents.

Post up a picture

[racydave]

Boy, shes pretty in Black! Make sure to inspect the flex-disc on the drive shaft. If it is original, its worth replacing!

[katsi]

Wow, it looks just like mine without all the rust and dents.

Post up a picture

UHHHHHHH, It's the rusty dented one right next to my name!

[PNWSmoker]

Wow, it looks just like mine without all the rust and dents.

Post up a picture

UHHHHHHH, It's the rusty dented one right next to my name!

I'll need my magnifying glass for that one!