New member, new project, problem #1

[sambalee]

Hi all,

My spider project just arrived from the US (to UK) and I'm embarking in the project.

I bought cheap because I wanted a project. The car is very rust free (which is why I bought it) and it runs and stops. I only gave $2250 for it so I think that's good. Can't get anything other than a project in the UK for double that.

First issue is the drivers door. The car's had a new hood and it looks to be fitted ok and even all around, but the drivers door quarter light frame hits the roof hardware at the front so it won't close with the roof latched up



The passenger side is good and the sill to roof measurements are the same on both sides so it seems to be the door.



You can probably see the lousy fit and large gap - yes the door frame where the hinge bolts is cracked which is probably causing this, but the door height seems good so I can't see that fixing the crack (which I will) will particularly solve the quarter light issue.

Any ideas ?

thanks

Lee

[aevansgatech]

I like that color scheme. Looks great!

[sambalee]

I like that color scheme. Looks great!

Thanks, kind of why I bought it actually that blue is my favourite Fiat colour and I had an X19 in the same colour.

It's been sunny here today so I spent some time on the door. I managed to lower the quarter light a little which helped a lot, and I see that I need to fix the cracked door hinge mount which will bring the door inwards about 5mm, which brings the quarter light in as well of course.

I also spotted that the rubber wedge guides are missing on both does, so I'm putting together a shopping list

Lee

[mohle]

Not sure if my eyes are seeing something that isn't there, but does the driver door hit the front fender when open? If so, then the stops are propably broken, the hinges bent or the the upright that the hinges mount to damaged.

[sambalee]

Not sure if my eyes are seeing something that isn't there, but does the driver door hit the front fender when open? If so, then the stops are propably broken, the hinges bent or the the upright that the hinges mount to damaged.

Well spotted and yes I noticed the check strap is snapped... I've only had the car for 3 days so I'm still going though it.

It looks nice enough on the photos, but it's a real tatty project - I'm fine with that. I just wanted a zero rust car to play with. All these issues are straightforward to fix for me and it's getting warmer here in the UK so I can get to work on it.

Lee

[klweimer]

Lee,

Having a rust free place to start is a big deal with these cars. Where in the US did the car come from? Was it expensive to ship to the UK? Will you have emissions or safety checks to contend with? Just curious.

Kirk

[sambalee]

Lee,

Having a rust free place to start is a big deal with these cars. Where in the US did the car come from? Was it expensive to ship to the UK? Will you have emissions or safety checks to contend with? Just curious.

Kirk

Hi Kirk,

Yes, this is why we import stuff from California, it's not nice to be cutting large parts of the car away when you can get one that's original Also the 124 spider was never officially sold in the UK (only the coupe and saloon).

Actual boat part of the shipping was $2600 - yes the same cost as the car, but still worth it not to deal with rust, but we have a historic rate of import tax for vehicles over 30 years old which is cheap

Yes we have the usual emissions checks but not as strict as California, so it should be ok and just has to pass the emissions levels of the era. Safety likewise and I'll be rebuilding all the brakes. The UK MOT test is like any other test so brakes, suspension, steering, lights, are all checked for faults and wear.

I bought the car off ebay from a guy in Wyoming, but it was previously from California. It's super dry do just gotta fix stuff on it now.

Serviced all the locks today, strip, clean, reinstall

Lee

[sambalee]

Pull the drivers door and welded up the cracks in the hinge mount. Now the door shuts pretty well



Also welded up the check straps although they will probably snap again as they are spring steel but it will hold until I get some new ones.

Filled the doors with body wax for the UK weather