OT: Anybody know anything about Fiat's?

[icesoft]

Local mechanic in town (not me) was gifted a '77 Fiat 124 Sport Spider -1800. Says it needs a block, can those still be found? Anybody got some connections on where to find one?

[spyrot1]

Isn't FIAT an acronym for "Fix It Again Tony"? :p

[icesoft]

Isn't FIAT an acronym for "Fix It Again Tony"? :p

That's what my understanding (and also what I told the mechanic). It's a shame his name ain't Tony :p

[shogun]

google a bit, there are plenty of FIAT boards etc like this one
http://www.fiatforum.com/forum
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Fiat+124+Sport+Spider+&btnG=Google+Search
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/Cars-Trucks___W0QQMake247a0eZFiat216856

here is a complete engine
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIAT-124-SPIDER-1976-ENGINE-ASSEMBLY-1800-TESTED_W0QQitemZ320162096450QQcmdZViewItem?hash=it em320162096450
and another one
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FIAT-124-SPIDER-1438CC-REBUILDABLE-ENGINE-TURNS-OVER_W0QQitemZ110129644740QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 110129644740
http://motors.shop.ebay.com/items/Parts-Accessories___fiat-spider-124-engine_W0QQ_nkwZfiatQ20spiderQ20124Q20engine

[whiskychaser]

Local mechanic in town (not me) was gifted a '77 Fiat 124 Sport Spider -1800. Says it needs a block, can those still be found? Anybody got some connections on where to find one?
Didnt FIAT sell all the tools and kit for making them to Lada (before VW put some expertise in)? Then again we've all heard why the old Lada had a heated rear screen as standard

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

Come on, be fair, FIAT did make some decent cars! And the 124 spider was one of them. Block is common to any 1800 of the period,easy to find in UK,cheap to send as its alloy, unless it has a hole through it, all fixable.

[whiskychaser]

Come on, be fair, FIAT did make some decent cars! And the 124 spider was one of them. Block is common to any 1800 of the period,easy to find in UK,cheap to send as its alloy, unless it has a hole through it, all fixable.
I actually liked the 124. Dont know about the original but the Lada copy came with a starting handle

[Ferret]

I actually liked the 124. Dont know about the original but the Lada copy came with a starting handle

The 500 wasnt bad as a city car either (crap on the open road,) true roundabouts are hairy in it, especially when the engine's been a little 'tweaked'! But nearly dying is all part of the learning curve... right?

[whiskychaser]

The 500 wasnt bad as a city car either (crap on the open road,) true roundabouts are hairy in it, especially when the engine's been a little 'tweaked'! But nearly dying is all part of the learning curve... right?
That the one you started by pulling a little lever by the seat? From the back it looked like the car was hopping from one 'foot' to the other? :)

[Sam-Son]

You could say I've had a little experience with FIATs:D Check out international-auto.com great site you could pretty much build your own car with all the parts on there (and you might have to) I love FIATs and wanted to make the joke before someone else did

[Ross]

Didnt FIAT sell all the tools and kit for making them to Lada (before VW put some expertise in)? Then again we've all heard why the old Lada had a heated rear screen as standard
Didn't one model live on as the Yugo as well?

[whiskychaser]

Didn't one model live on as the Yugo as well?
Yes it did! From memory they were always green:) I also remember something about Polski Fiat. Maybe thats who bought the tools and presses from Fiat in the first place.

[pundit]

I can tell you about 70's Fiats...

1. Rust
2. Oil Leaks
3. Disintegrating trim
4. Metal fatigue
5. Rust
6. Rust..... etc.

[Barney Paull-Edwards]

FIAT set up a plant in Russia called togliattigrad to build Lada/124`s,thicker metal and less power.The presses also built the Polski Fiat which was a 125 with 124 engine.None of them were quick but re-buildable with a pair of Stilsons and a screwdriver,anything that survived those roads is tough.124 spider evolved into a bloody good rally car, the 500 also became a thing called a Steyr-Puch 650Tr which was faster than a Healey 3000, downhill! So, a car worth saving then.Which is more than can be said for a lada,polski or yugo!

[rob101]

FIAT set up a plant in Russia called togliattigrad to build Lada/124`s,thicker metal and less power.The presses also built the Polski Fiat which was a 125 with 124 engine.None of them were quick but re-buildable with a pair of Stilsons and a screwdriver,anything that survived those roads is tough.124 spider evolved into a bloody good rally car, the 500 also became a thing called a Steyr-Puch 650Tr which was faster than a Healey 3000, downhill! So, a car worth saving then.Which is more than can be said for a lada,polski or yugo!
there's a FSM niki around my house that drives around with a giant key that rotates poking out of the engine cover. so it looks like a life size wind up car.
hehe I wouldn't be surprised if they were related to some sort of fiat (perhaps the Bambino?)

[dennyg]

Local mechanic in town (not me) was gifted a '77 Fiat 124 Sport Spider -1800. Says it needs a block, can those still be found? Anybody got some connections on where to find one?
I had a 1969 124 spider when I was 18. It was the worst car by far I ever owned! Its really just a cheap alfa clone with no power and a rubber band transmission. The only thing I liked about the car was its styling and conv. top. You could pull the thing up with one hand and lock it going fifty.....Think of one as a yugo with better looks

[Sam-Son]

Man no love for FIATs on this board:(

[attack eagle]

I hated working on the fiat spyders, but when they ran they could be fun. Teh twin cam was a sweet little engine on song.