Topic: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe

[evannice]

You're right JS, it would be a MUCH bigger problem to find rust bubbling up in this area later on!

Is one side of your car way worse than the other, or maybe one side was repaired previously?

Eric V.

[viotti600]

  Yes, the passenger side (it's a RHD car) A-pillar is rusty between the door hinges, & I assume the lower front corner of the rocker panel will be rusty inside as well (no outside rust visible there, though). The other side is ok.

-JS.

[evannice]

Getting the rocker panels under control.  They had to fabricate new pieces for the bottoms of the A pillars.

[evannice]

In the paint booth at last!

[evannice]

Doing up the underside and wheelwells, starting reassembly.

[zippyfiat]

It's sure looking nice!  Can't wait to see it in real person.  The engine compartment didn't require painting?

Gil

[evannice]

Hi Gil,

The white paint I used in the engine bay is not a match for the body color, so they were going to repaint the engine bay after repositioning the ancilliary bits and working around the engine.  This is a photo they just sent me, does not look like they did that yet.  Also looks like the car has become a "300".  Maybe you can tell me how it looks when you visit.

[evannice]

The spare wheel had never been repainted and it had a red stripe around the perimeter.  When we stripped the other 4, they had these stripes too, and the stripes were clearly painted at the same time as the base color.  I don't know if all these cars had these red striped wheels, and I think they look pretty goofy, but we are convinced they are correct and original so we are doing them up that way.  The shop does a lot of Alfas with Fergat wheels from the same era, so they know how to paint them in the right shade and the right flatness.  Should look good with the rechromed hubcaps.

[zippyfiat]

Hi Eric,  I got down to see your car.  It was very exciting to see it in person.  They are doing a great job and seem to be a very good restoration shop.  They were just starting to install the acoustic sound deadening material.  I've never seen the product before and will likely use it in my car too.  I like the teflon based undercoating product they are going to use.  I will like use that too.

The striping on the wheels looks a bit odd to me, but Daron was adamant that it was original to the wheels.  I can't tell if there was a stripe on mine as the paint is in very poor shape.  The tires look good on the wheels on the car and they are the same ones I was planning to use.  I understand that there is a bit of an issue with fitment of the spare tire though and a smaller width is needed.

Any chance you can tell me what the paint code is for the white paint?  It's sure an off-white looking color compared to the white in the engine compartment.

I'll send you an email with the photos I took along with some comments.  Your car is going to look awesome when done.  It's motivated me to get moving on mine.

Gil

[grant gauld]

Eric,
        Looking back your car has come a long way.Its looking great !!
 
  Regarding the wheels i am sure the red stripes are not by Abarth.I have never seen any Abarth car with them.All of the 'factory' photos in the 20 odd books and factory sales brochures have no strips on the wheels.Its not impossible but perhaps the USA dealer did them as an option when the car arrived new ??.
 It doesnt really matter if its what you like in the end.
 
 I look forward to seeing a complete car mixing it in traffic (thats when you truely get to see its presence).
 Cheers,Grant

[evannice]

Nice sound-reducing materials going in, and then some very nice correct and original looking rubber mats.

Gil, the correct original white color looked like a very light gray, listed as Fiat white #233.  I didn't like that, so I used Fiat #229 in the engine bay.  The body shop used #212 on the exterior.  See Auto Color Library online and look at the chips for Fiat in 1968.

[vetlenorge]

Your car looks just great,  I've enjoyed your photos !!  On one of the "pre-restauration" photos there seems to be av badge on the front left side of the trunk lid.  Is it a "1300" badge?  Do you have some colour photos of it, and what size is it?  Is it painted or enamel?  Best regards vetlenorge   

[evannice]

Hi Vetlenorge,

Yes it is a 1300 emblem.  I think it is plastic, and when the car comes back from body and paint, I will get you a good closeup photo and measurements.

[evannice]

Well we decided that my engine bay paint job was just not up to the standard of the rest of the car now, so they pulled the engine and stuff out again. Now it will match and be pretty and probably last a lot longer.

[zippyfiat]

You chose wisely on that one Eric!  In person, the contrast was pretty stark and just didn't look right.  It's funny how it works, every time you make an improvement to something, you find something else that needs improvement!  What'll it be next, lol??

Any idea how good the rubber floor mats look over the soundproofing?

Gil