Raze
Raze SuperDork
11/12/12 11:52 a.m.

Now say that 5 times fast

I've begun rust repair on the Fiat (as alluded to in my garage updates). I started with the most visible, lower door edges, and inner door skins. Next up was repairing the exhaust, which went quite well as the former leak is gone and it doesn't sound like a tractor.

While I was under the car I spent some serious time inspecting very closely all the 'repairs' which had been covered over with a thick layer of undercoating at some point in the last 20 years. What I've found is numerous small places that have been patched (looks like fiberglass mat with bondo over it) in several places in the floor board (most are less than 2" holes around 4 of them). I've also found clear indication of patches at the back of the front wheel arches. The worst is a 4" hole under the driver's side outer seat bracket (the seat bracket is gone in this area due to rust as well. I pulled up the carpet and confirmed good metal everywhere else (no structural rust or repairs), including in the front rocker area (at least the inner metal).

At a minimum I'm going to patch the floor under the driver's side seat bracket, and repair the seat bracket as those are safety items in my opinion.

So now the $64,000 question: How much do I repair and how much do I leave if this car is never going to be a full restoration candidate, or if I'm thinking about selling it in the next year or so?

TeamEvil
TeamEvil Reader
11/12/12 12:04 p.m.

With a Fiat (I have a '63 600) you only go as far as you want to. They're never going to be worth the expense of the repairs needed, and especially with the 124 spyder. Those cars are only worth money when perfectly restored or survivor original.

Sheet steel, cookie sheets, pop rivets, self tapping screws and fiberglass are your best friends in this case. Just fix what's busted and patch where it lets the water in. Drive it as long as the fuel injection permits then offer it up for parts.

I had a 124 for a year and LOVED it ! It had the progressive Weber carburetor that NOBODY had a clue about back then and was always being repaired by one hack or the next, but when it ran, with that smooth five speed, and that wonderfully easy up/down convertible top . . . it was terrific.

Luck,

T

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