hello,i'm still looking to find a decent rustfree spider.i have a 
preference for a 74(yellow/black)-but alas,difficult to 
find--however,i have discovered a 78 in a neighboring state that 
i'm going to go look at(the seller wants 7000$ YIKES!-supposedly 
"original owner(older gentlemen)w/39K)if he'll let it go for 5700 
i  will perhaps buy it as i've been scouting 2 mos already & 
getting itchy--now,my question--i lack any hands on experience w/ 
these cars so i'm counting on your helpful knowledge--on a 78 is 
smog equipment basically the same as 74 or has there been 
additions?----if i do get a 78 i would like to change the front & 
headlamp valences to older style...are these available off the 
shelf stateside?  -thank you

p.s.-i've been buying all the books researching all this FIAT 
madness out(these stupid books have engraved an unerasable image 
of the abarth csa,which will be the ultimate goal-more of an 
interpretation than a flat out replica(no hardtop,irs,colloti 
'box etc-but engine tuned to euro-spec)-anyway-i've just ordered 
the guy croft book which all the british booksores are selling 
for 20pounds-about 35USD-
-millhousebooks.com   -motorbooks.co.uk   -bookspeed.co.uk/cars
also a fun place to look around is     -zarattini.it
 

troylloyd wrote:
: hello,i'm still looking to find a decent rustfree spider.i 
have a 
: preference for a 74(yellow/black)-but alas,difficult to 
: find--however,i have discovered a 78 in a neighboring state 
that 
: i'm going to go look at(the seller wants 7000$ YIKES!-

Do a search of the BS section using these words: 
Williams, and dissertation

That's everything you need to know about how to tell which '78 
you're getting your mitts on... Then, read the 'buyer's guide' 
on the main mirafiori page... it will tell you what to look for 
in these cars... The key thing is rust, rust, and more rust!

The emissions systems for the '74 and the '78 are a little 
different- the '78 has a crank driven air pump, and if the '74 
has one, it's driven off the exhaust cam. The '74 has a system 
on the seat belts where if they're not connected, the car won't 
start (a '74 Olds my sister used to have had this system, too.. 
what a POS). The '78 doesn't have this.

Al Williams
Member of FLU
Katy, Tx (near Houston)

'78 Spider (Bella)

The Mirafiori Traveller's Friend's List (temporarily) is at:

http://www.geocities.com/thelightking/fiat/travellersfriend.htm

When you stop believing in Santa Claus, you are doomed to 
receive nothing but pajamas and underwear for Christmas for
the REST OF YOUR LIFE

California 78s will have catalytic converter.  As with any Fiat 
check for rust.  For the price you two are playing with that car 
better have absolutely no rust whatsoever.  Look for bubbles on 
rear fender lips, pull up carpet and look at floors and 
especially where floors meet side sills and fire wall.  Carefully 
look for rust in suspension towers on front. For that price the 
car should not need ANYTHING and should look like it just came 
off the showroom floor.


Carl
Northern Virginia
80 spider (40 IDF/1800 head)



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