Slightly O/T, but...

A friend/neighbor acquired a '79 Fiat Spider a few months ago (October), for next-to-nothing.
Body in fair shape (no GAPING holes), interior nice, engine not running...
supposedly some "electrical trouble." She thought it would be a bit of
this-an'-that to get it going, so being neighborly I volunteered to help
her as she learned about fixing Eye-Tie autos. Turned out the car had been
curbed at the oil pan... pick-up in pieces inna bottom. She'd set herself
a date for the rollout of mid February, but after finding what was
~really~ wrong, she was ready to bin the whole thing. I (foolishly) told
her if she was willing to spend the money, I'd pitch in and teach her the
REAL art of Italian car ownership. Amazingly she had a "donor" car on her
da's pitch, not much to look at, but the engine seemed in better shape
than the one we were working on, so: two T/C engines, and a bit o' time!
New rings, honed bores new bearings, seals, bench set everything including
the carb... Yesterday AM in her driveway (residential area, not a shop),
we lit it off for the first time... WOOHOOO!!! started onna key, ran
sweetly. I thought she was gonna **** 'er knickers. Lots of high fives and
giggling, and a VERY proud new Italian car owner, with now a great deal of
"Hands-On" experience with her car. I wish there were more folk who'd take
interest in their toys to the extent this one has.

Now we'll have to explain the differences between ALfa Spiders and Fiat Spiders to the rest
of the neighbors. Interestingly enuff both cars are red with tan tops, so
I can blame any of ~my~ indescreet behavior on her until they can I.D. the
differences!

;-}

--
Dr E--
mhm 17x1
SGM #3
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FWAC:"Old No.-7"
Surgeon General-Relativity
Commodore/Upper-Half/1st Virginia Volunteers/CEsium Brigade
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