looking at 80 Spyder... what to look for?

[djafrot]

Hi Guys...

I'm going to look at a 1980 Spyder in the next couple of days. Seems too cheap considering how good it looks in the pictures, but in this economy, there are deals out there.

Anything special I should look for when I check it out?

I had one back in '94, same year, had serious tranny issues... turned out to be stolen and the cops came and took it away.

 

[The Beard]

Morning/Afternoon/Evening or whenever you read this. I think the only thing I can say is this will have the same issues as any car that is nearly 30 years old. I don't know where you live, but probably the main risk to these cars is the dreaded Italian tin-worm. Personally, living in the UK, unless this is in exceptional condition, possibly having been restored in the recent past, I would probably go to Italy to try and find one as the climate is much kinder there.

The other point is these were never made in right hand drive so the wheel being on the "wrong side" won't be an issue. If you need the engine rebuilding or tuning at any stage, Guy Croft is the man to go to, he's easily found through Google. Again, when it comes to spares, there are plenty in Italy.

It's a lovely looking car and was available with a variety of different engines from 1.3 up to 2 litres. I think I'm right when I say it has the same 2 litre block as the Lancia Beta so the supercharged Volumex motor may well go in very nicely.

From a personal standpoint I wouldn't have any more reservations about driving a 29 year old FIAT than I would a BMW of the same age; let's face it, how many of those do you see driving around?

 

[djafrot]

Haha, thanks. Actually, I'm in British Columbia, so the whole "wrong side" drive is OK with me!