FIAT Spider Restoration: Stage 1

The family’s beloved roadster, the 1979 FIAT Spider 2000 that raised me is finally getting the treatment it deserves- an almost full restoration back to its original glory with a working roof, heater, and an absence of rust.

Dad dropped it off at our mechanic’s, an animated Italian fellow named Nino DeMayo (for real) who happens to have worked on FIATs since the days when they were still sold new here in the U.S.

Spiders are his passion, and he’s progressing nicely on ours.

Bumpers have been removed (for now), and a lot of rust has been cut out already.

By the end of the month, we’re expecting a new roof, functional heater (did I already mention that?), working tail lights, a fresh coat of paint and who knows- maybe even an inspection sticker.

It doesn’t look… too bad… as is, but I’m pretty excited to see how it turns out.  Stay posted.