abarth squadra storica forum

abarth cars - community => fiat abarth 1300/124 coupe => Topic started by: vamark on March 13, 2007, 03:30:09 am

Title: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: vamark on March 13, 2007, 03:30:09 am
Anybody know of this car for sale at www.yesterdaysauto.com?  Would the chassis plate or body have a unique number or stamping to denote it as an Abarth?  The Abarth Buyer's Guide says there should be an oil temp and pressure gauge.  Where should they be?  The abarth badges on the sides and lack of rear seat are not correct for this type car...right? 

Thanks in advance...vamark
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on March 13, 2007, 06:25:04 am
That link doesn't work for me, even when I take the ? mark out.
Yes, there should be an ABA serial number on the car.

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 13, 2007, 07:03:21 am
http://adcache.collectorcartraderonline.com/10/3/9/88022439.htm

I just purchased this car today and then was looking around online to find more information and found this forum and this post!  The car looks authentic and it also looks like it needs some work to return it to stock configuration.  I'll post more photos and description when it comes home to my garage here in San Diego.

Best regards,
Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: guy moerenhout on March 13, 2007, 08:32:20 am
the suplement instrument that where sale like a lambo our somethings like this where like a option and not standard .I sold several and only one had this .The red car looks good .Beter is not to overrestore the car and drive it .The are made for it and it was one off favorits from C.Abarth .On this car there where NO ABA no on .There was only a Indentification plate from Abarth on.PS its one off my favorits to and share drivetrain with the Francis Lombardi Scorpione S (not SS)
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on March 14, 2007, 03:27:57 pm
Nice looking car!  Not a bad price for the real thing.  It must have been repainted in red.  They only came in white or red, and the white ones had the red emblem on the front grille, and a red interior.  The wheels and hubcaps look original.  Too bad there aren't engine and interior photos.  There is no Abarth number stamped on these models, but there are numerous body modifications that identify it as a real Abarth and not a fake.  Mine does not have an oil temp. or pressure gauge.  I do not think the Abarth badges on the side are correct and were probably added when the car was repainted.  There should be a stock rear seat in place.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 15, 2007, 02:04:57 am
Hi Gil,

Thanks for the online eye!  I have owned a variety of Fiats and Alfas but never a Fiat Abarth, so I am grateful for any input about originality.  What exactly is the the ID plate in the engine compartment supposed to say?  Chassis # and engine#?  And will it just say Fiat even if it is an original Fiat Abarth?  I have spoken with the dealer and with the previous owner, and they confirm that the car was originally white.  He took out the back seat when the vinyl cracked ad built a wooden box shelf and covered it with carpet so he would have a little cargo area.  He says it just lifts out and he still has the seats and will include them.  I agree with you that the C pillar scorpion emblems are not correct.  I am in the San Diego area, where are you, and do you have one of these cars?  I will try to figure out how to post photos when I get the car.  Then we'll see just what we have, good and bad!

Best regards,
Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 15, 2007, 09:42:36 am
Evan,

 First off, nice to see you bought the car - congrats! =)

 The ID plate that's on the left wall of the engine compartment is the standard FIAT-issued alloy tag as used on all Fiat 850 Coupes. The tag on this car should be stamped with an early-model 850 Coupe chassis code "100GC" followed by the chassis serial number. Just below that it will likely have the European Coupe engine code of "100.GC.000", then below that is the Spares number. It is a Fiat tag, & has nothing to do with Abarth. (Remember, the car was first assembled by Fiat as an 850 Coupe, then shipped to Abarth for transformation into a 1300/124).

 Gil is correct: THERE WAS NO ABARTH ID TAG ON THESE CARS. Abarth did not use seperate ID tags on the 850-based cars like those that were used on the Fiat 500/600-based Abarth cars. That is why I looked for Abarth-specific body-reinforcement details in the photos when you emailed me about this car last week (which Gil also mentioned & knows about first-hand, now that he finally has a "real" car for himself - haha).

 Funny about the original paint being white & not red (I told you so! LOL). As Gil stated, the white cars usually had the red lettering strip along the top of the front grille (the red cars had a grey/silver lettering strip with red letters).

 The emblems on the car should be a large (~70mm tall) Abarth shield in the center of the front grille (with horizontally-striped tri-color top & 2nd series Scorpion design), a small rectangular "1300" badge on the front.driver-side edge of the hood (alloy frame with plastic insert), & the individual chromed "FIAT ABARTH 1300" letters/numbers on the right side of the rear body panel. I could not get the side-view photo of your car to download completely, so I haven't seen the other (C-pillar?) emblems you mentioned.

 To answer your questions about Gil - he lives in Canada & recently bought an original 1300/124 Coupe.

Regards,
 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 15, 2007, 04:30:49 pm
Hi JS,

Wow, that is the information I was after!  And thanks so much for looking at the photos before purchase.  We are nearly neighbors, so I hope to see you with the car, perhaps at the cars and coffee meet in Irvine.  I'm sure that I at least need to service the fuel system before driving up there.  I'm sure I will find more confusing items and would welcome your experienced eye.

Eric Van Nice
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on March 17, 2007, 04:53:27 pm
Hi Eric,

I just came across a website that seems to have photos of your car,

http://www.automaniaphotos.com/Galerie_Photos_Fiat_Abarth_1300.htm

There aren't many of these cars in the US that I know of.  There are only 3 -  Oscar R. in Texas (the original owner too), Kent B. in Colorado and Merkel Weiss in Calif.

I'd be interested in hearing how original your car is overall.  Does it have the original engine and accessories for example?  Mine came with a 1438cc pushrod and aftermarket intake manifold (Faza I think) with a single Weber DCOE, both good upgrades, but not original of course.  I have to thank J.S. for selling me some of the missing parts I needed for my car over the past couple of years, even before I had the real thing!!

Gil



Gil




Title: Grant Gauld-- info needed Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on March 17, 2007, 09:54:56 pm

Yes, there should be an ABA serial number on the car.

What I was referring to was a tag in the engine compartment listing the engine number with an ABA prefix. 
I can't seem to find the files now, but I'm pretty sure Grant Gauld sent me a digiphoto of the number plates in the Series 2 124/1300 he had showing a number plate with the ABA engine prefix.  Or maybe he just described it to me.

It's too bad I didn't see these posts a few days ago, as I was at Merkel's house Thursday night and could have taken some digiphotos of his car's number plates. He is the second owner, I believe, and knows the first, so whatever his car has is for sure original.

It would be cool to get your car  together with Merkel's at some point and take a photo. (He's in the Los Angeles area.) There is also a 1000 OTR that showed up at Merkel's gathering a while ago.

Grant?  Am I remembering correctly?

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 17, 2007, 10:18:31 pm
Hi Gil,

Thanks for the link, that is indeed the car I just bought.  They tell me those photos were taken at a car show in Minnesota August 2006.  It makes me cringe to see it out in the rain; I can just hear it rusting.

I have an idea how your car must scoot with that 1438 in it!  Back in the late 1970’s I had a 1972 124 sedan and when it came time for a rebuild,  I called fellow San Diego area Fiat-Abarth crazy guy Greg Schmidt to see if he had an engine or an idea.  He said to come on over, he had  a mildly souped up 1438 pushrod for me.

When I got there, the engine happened to be in the back of an 850 spider.  He drove me around Pacific Beach scaring the daylights out of me.  Wow, that car was fast.  We pulled the engine out of that car and put it into my 124 sedan, and I’m sure he put something even wilder into the 850.

That is interesting that there may only be three others in the USA.  Merkel and JS are nearby.  I think I saw somewhere that there were 200 made.  Seems like most of them must have been modified and raced and crashed and rusted by now.  I will let you know what I find in the Minnesota car when it gets here.  I may need some help to figure out how to post photos on this site.  I would love to see photos and hear about your car as well.

Best regards,
Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on March 18, 2007, 04:58:46 am
At his house on Thursday Merkel said he thinks there were about 100-130 made.
His engine has been knocked out to about 1750cc, he said.  It goes quite well indeed.

Jim
Title: Re: Grant Gauld-- info needed Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 18, 2007, 11:05:09 pm

[/quote]
It would be cool to get your car  together with Merkel's at some point and take a photo. (He's in the Los Angeles area.) There is also a 1000 OTR that showed up at Merkel's gathering a while ago.
[/quote]

Hi Jim, that sounds like a photo opportunity that we will need to make happen!  I see in his latest newsletter that a beautiful 100 OTR radiale showed up at a driving event.  It would be fun to get these cars all together.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on March 18, 2007, 11:22:07 pm
Eric,

I sent you a personal message about how to contact Merkel for a gathering of the cars.

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 21, 2007, 01:48:42 am
Hi Grant,

Thank you for sharing your information.  I can't wait to see the car and dig out the ID numbers!  I am also using this post to see if I can figure out how to attach a photo.  Sorry if it doesn't work.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on March 21, 2007, 04:11:40 am
Looks like a beautiful car, Eric!  Those are my favorite wheels for that car--the deep-dish steel ones.

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 07:59:24 am
Hi gang,

Well the car is in my garage in San Diego now, and tonight I had a chance to look around and take some photos to share.  It has a dead battery and sediment in the fuel system and a brake fluid leak so I have some sorting to do.

But it clearly is the real deal.  ID plate says 3937 OM at the top, 0132481 in the middle, and 0791411 at the bottom.  Stamped into the sheet metal below the ID plate is 100 GC 0132481.  Engine block stamped numbers are 124 with a small capital A  000 (indicates correct as original 1197 block), then 0157856.

I'll post a few photos and then follow up with more description.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 08:03:20 am
ID plate photo did not come through, I'll try again here.

Weber 32 DCOF looks correct, no air cleaner, just velocity stacks and screen.  Starter and generator look correct.  Someone has rigged an electric fuel pump to feed into and through the mechanical pump still in place, presumably gutted.  Coolant header tank looks right.  Exhaust looks right.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 08:07:46 am
Dash gauge cluster, steering wheel and shifter knob all look right and are in great shape.  There is a mish mosh of switches and lights to the driver's left that look wrong to me, what do y'all think?  The dash wood and emblems to the right side look wrong to me as well.  The footwells have the big wide plastic covers to make room for the larger wheels and wheel wells.  There is brake fluid dripping out of a hose connector below the reservoir on the driver's left shoe area.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 08:09:51 am
More interior shots.  Back seats were included sitting on top of the carpeted lift-out shelf.  Not bad, just sunburned.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 08:13:45 am
Correct black plastic covers under the front hood trunk area.  C pillar emblem not correct.  I love the Fergat 5.5" wide wheels with the teardrop vent holes.  Front tires are 175/70-13 (same diameter as stock 155/80-13) but rears are 165/70-13.  Is this on purpose?
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 27, 2007, 08:21:04 am
There were many boxes of spare parts and literature, including what appears to be correspondence with the Abarth register from the very beginning.  Register number 021 in the windshield.

Very straight and solid and rust-free car, shame about the Earl Scheib red paint job over that lovely white original color with side stripes.  I'll be sorting it out in the next few weeks.  After I get it running and driving I'm sure more issues wil reveal themselves.  If it turns out to be mechanically wonderful, then I will think about returning it to the original white color.

JS and anyone else in the Southern California area, you are welcome to come poke around the car and check out the really cool piles of period literature.  Just shoot me an email.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 27, 2007, 09:12:55 am
ID plate photo did not come through, I'll try again here.

Weber 32 DCOF looks correct, no air cleaner, just velocity stacks and screen.  Starter and generator look correct.  Someone has rigged an electric fuel pump to feed into and through the mechanical pump still in place, presumably gutted.  Coolant header tank looks right.  Exhaust looks right.

If you prefer an aircleaner vs. the stacks, the Fiat 1100R & early 124 Sedan (& maybe some 1200/1400 Cabrio's?) used this same carb and had a nice round/oval steel air filter housing (with removeable lid) that mounts vertically & should fit right in there. You may also consider adding a heat shield between the exhaust manifold & the intake manifold (especially if running with stacks only).

That wiring mess near the fuel pump looks scary (wince).  Header tank & exhaust...mmmmm...dreamy. =)

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 27, 2007, 09:27:35 am
Dash gauge cluster, steering wheel and shifter knob all look right and are in great shape.  There is a mish mosh of switches and lights to the driver's left that look wrong to me, what do y'all think?  The dash wood and emblems to the right side look wrong to me as well.  The footwells have the big wide plastic covers to make room for the larger wheels and wheel wells.  There is brake fluid dripping out of a hose connector below the reservoir on the driver's left shoe area.

 Yup, looks good here. The dashboard wood inserts have been replaced on your car (originally thin wood veneer with thin metal frame/surround). Those switches & lights are all wrong, should have the standard 3-rocker switch unit as on all Fiat 850 Coupes, with maybe one Fiat 600-style dash light just above/to the right of it (I might be able to provide you with all of these needed parts, as I have an extra dash lovingly extracted from a wrecked 1300/124 Coupe - I'll check storage to get photos soyou can see what you SHOULD have there).

I don't recall that dash emblem being there...hmmm? The footwells & plastic covers are standard Fiat 850 Coupe (the wheels obviously are NOT - haha). Dripping brake fluid indicates a need for a new hose or plastic fluid reservoir (pretty sure I have a reservoir for you).

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 27, 2007, 09:30:57 am
More interior shots.  Back seats were included sitting on top of the carpeted lift-out shelf.  Not bad, just sunburned.

Nice! The back seat looks to be in good shape, just needs recovering. Most Coupes get that sunburned area over time. ;)

The shift knob is aftermarket (I've got 2 of the same as yours).

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 27, 2007, 09:37:46 am
Correct black plastic covers under the front hood trunk area.  C pillar emblem not correct.  I love the Fergat 5.5" wide wheels with the teardrop vent holes.  Front tires are 175/70-13 (same diameter as stock 155/80-13) but rears are 165/70-13.  Is this on purpose?

Front trunk looks nice & tidy, including the leather tire-restraining strap (see Gil, THAT'S where it goes!). Wheels are sweet...the hubcaps are usually missing on many cars. Score!

Yes, that emblem is incorrect for the car, especially not on the side of the car! (it's for the front of a different car). Want to sell/trade it? (I'm in need of that one). I have restored 1300/124 front emblem, and/or 2 unrestored ones. (nudge, nudge)  ;)

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on March 27, 2007, 03:59:55 pm
Your car looks to be pretty nice!  I'd say that you have made a great find and purchase.  The paint job doesn't sound impressive and it looks like they coated anything that needed freshening up.  Are you thinking of returning the car to it's original condition?  You are lucky to have most of the original special parts, like the hubcaps for example.  I'd kill to find a set of them....

Someone told me that the original air filter housing were a real PITA and that many owners simply removed them.  It was something about the filters were difficult to access or to find replacements?

Have you had time yet to check the body out?  How is it as far as rust goes?

J.S. -   I thought that the leather strap you sent me was simply an Abarth accessory for tying up bundles of the alloy coolant pipes!  :)  Seeing Eric's photos just made me realize that I only have 4 of the original Abarth steel wheels.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 28, 2007, 03:25:54 am
Hi Gil, I don't see any rust or uneven rockers or anything, but I know that nasty surprises are often discovered at stripdown time.  I'll probably go back to the white paint with stripes, but I want to sort it out and drive it around first.  Tell me about your car and post some photos!

Hi Jeff,  I look forward to shopping at your 1324 restoration headquarters.  Holy cow, you must have a bunch of cool stuff stashed!  Definitely interested in an air cleaner and a correct dash layout.  I'll probably take out the electric fuel pump stuff.  You are welcome to the badges.  I'll look around a bit more and send you a want list.  I'll inventory the spares and send you that list too.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 28, 2007, 09:11:50 am
Seeing Eric's photos just made me realize that I only have 4 of the original Abarth steel wheels.

Gil

Gil,
 I was talking with a friend of mine recently, & he casually mentioned that he has a set of 4 (or 5?) of these wheels that he's thinking of selling. If there are 5, I can probably get you a single wheel for your car. They wouldn't be dirt-cheap necessarily, but fairly priced. I'd have to ask him about the hubcaps - not sure if he has them. I probably won't be in touch with him until next Monday/Tuesday, though.

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 28, 2007, 09:44:21 am
Hi Jeff,  I look forward to shopping at your 1324 restoration headquarters.  Holy cow, you must have a bunch of cool stuff stashed!  Definitely interested in an air cleaner and a correct dash layout.  I'll probably take out the electric fuel pump stuff.  You are welcome to the badges.  I'll look around a bit more and send you a want list.  I'll inventory the spares and send you that list too.

 "1324 RHQ" - haha. Hardly! I used to have lots of neat stuff stashed, less so now that I've pared down the number of vehicles/projects that I own - I've come to realize that there are only so many cars I can "save" & only so much time/$$ that I have to do it with. I've slowly cleared out a lot of the "neat, but non-essential-to-my-own-cars" stuff, and am now trying to re-focus my time/$$ towards the cars I have that I want to complete. Got some cool & rather rare stuff for sale on eBay yesterday, & will likely add more tomorrow. Gotta sell that stuff & buy the parts that my cars need, instead! =)

 You were asking about 1300/124 Coupes in So. Cal.... there are 2 other complete cars in the L.A./O.C. area, & I know of one more that is basically only a rolling chassis/body with the rust-repair/bodywork nearly complete, just needing paint (engine/trans & all interior/exterior trim are were lost - long story). The 2 complete cars are owned by 2 very private individuals who have asked that I keep their names/etc. confidential. One car is a very nice running example, the other needs restoration (barn find). Both cars are white with red interior & have the wide steel wheels like yours.

Ok, I've probably said too much already! LOL

Cheers,
 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on March 28, 2007, 03:16:47 pm
Thanks for the help/info. J.S.  Yes, please let me know.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on March 28, 2007, 03:47:20 pm
Hi Eric.  You are very lucky to have such a good body!  I'm not sure on the history of the use of the side stripes on these cars.  I don't think they all had them, so perhaps it was an option?  Personally, I'd rather leave them off, unless you are convinced your car had them originally and you want a historically accurate restoration.  My car is white, but I'd prefer the red.  But, I will go for the what the car originally came with.

I bought my car from Mahlon Craft who has been well known in the Abarth circles for a long time.  He has a pretty good website if you have not seen it yet.  He sent me some photos, but I cannot access them at the moment, as they are on my old PC which is currently in storage (am building a new house).   I can't seem to get my digicam working on the PC I am using at the moment, so photos are going to have to wait a while.  My 1300/124 has a pretty rough body. I have two very good rolling coupe shells, so I may do some "cutting and pasting" of sheet metal to restore the body.  As you probably know by now, these cars have some unique modifications made by Abarth that would be difficult to duplicate, so you can't just transfer everything onto a new body.

My car came without some of the very important Abarth 1300/124 parts like the gauges, alloy coolant pipes and front grille.  Fortunately, I already had these (except a couple of small cooling pipe pieces, which I just got.)  I was planning on building a replica, but now will have the real thing!  I have to thank J.S. for helping with some of these missing parts.  I have the 1438cc engine in the car, and a single sidedraft Weber DCOE.  The intake manifold seems to be a FAZA aftermarket part.  I do have other important original Abarth things, like the 3.89 ring and pinion set, radiator and radiator shrouds.

I  have a "new" Delta reground camshaft with a performance profile that I will use.  I have a set of NOS heavy duty sway bars and new Koni shocks to use.

Sidebar story:  I had found a couple of the plastic "1300/124" emblems that go on the front grille, from someone in the U.S.  When the arrived in the mail, the end of the package was clearly missing and the contents were gone!!!  Can you imagine postal workers delivering that?  I was rather upset, as these parts were original and irreplaceable.

Some day, I really want to visit someone who has an original 1300/124...   I would like to get various original details done correctly.

Gil

Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 30, 2007, 09:39:22 am
Sidebar story:  I had found a couple of the plastic "1300/124" emblems that go on the front grille, from someone in the U.S.  When the arrived in the mail, the end of the package was clearly missing and the contents were gone!!!  Can you imagine postal workers delivering that?  I was rather upset, as these parts were original and irreplaceable.

 Not nearly as upset as I was...I'd had those trim strips safely tucked away in my collection for quite some time. It still pisses me off to think of the bonehead postal worker(s) that just passed along the damaged/empty container without even noticing the contents were missing! Argh... =(

I'll keep my eyes out for another one, but don't hold your breath! LOL =)

-Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on March 30, 2007, 10:13:33 am
Hi Gil, I don't see any rust or uneven rockers or anything, but I know that nasty surprises are often discovered at stripdown time.

 Besides the floors & rocker panels, the #1 place I'd check out for rust is the A-pillar, specifically in the area between the top & bottom door hinge. There's a hollow area in there that loves to collect dirt/water & then rust from the inside-out. This is a PITA area, because there are multiple layers of sheetmetal joining right there.

Definitely interested in an air cleaner and a correct dash layout.... You are welcome to the badges.  I'll look around a bit more and send you a want list.  I'll inventory the spares and send you that list too.

Here's what your dash should look like:

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/1300dash1.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/1300dash2.jpg)
(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/1300dash3.jpg)

  On the far left of the dash, note the round pushbutton (for w/s washers), the triple rocker switch unit & the single Fiat 600-style indicator light. This is what should be there on your dash instead of all of those switches & lights that you have. Also note the wood veneer & thin metal surrounds of the dashboard's horizontal insert strips. If you need/want these for your car, let me know. Maybe we can do some parts trading? =)

Cheers,
 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on March 30, 2007, 07:19:51 pm
JS- thanks for the great photos.  I dug through the boxes of parts and found some of the missing items, also found and snagged the three switch cluster on ebay.  I still need the wood veneers and the thin chrome metal surround pieces.

Looks like my list of other missing stuff is pretty short:  there is no sheet metal floor on either side of the engine compartment, and no air cleaner.  The 32 DCOF is old and full of crud, Pierce manifolds has them for $60 new, so I ordered one.  I will order a new mechanical fuel pump and lose the electrical "improvements".  Brake fluid reservoir looks fine, it is leaking from some questionable clear tubing and clamps.

Here's an overview of the stuff in boxes that you may be intersted in:  engine to trans bell housing and clutch to tranny input shaft.  I don't know how to tell if they are stock 850 or if they are 124 to 850 bits.  Tail lights and front marker lights.  A nice gauge cluster.  Sun visors.  Axle boots and joints.  The rest of the stuff is old and crusty and probably stock things like windshield wiper motor and mechanism, wiper arms, fuel pump, coil, coolant T piece, rear main seal housing, nuts and bolts.

Here's a photo of the front grill emblem, it looks right to me.

As for the ID plate, I am intrigued that the ID on the metal plate matches the ID stamped into the sheet metal and they both are 1324xx numbers.  Seems most likely to me that Fiat designated these cars for assignment to Abarth and stamped them 1324xx before letting them go.

4/27/07 RETRACTION:  it is pure coincidence that this car's ID# starts with 1324.  I had ASSUMED that they all were, but have since been set straight by other owners.  As at least some of you already knew, Abarth just got some finished 850 coupes from Fiats from time to time and these ID plates are just 850 coupe ID plates.  This ID# just identifies this car as a 1967 850 coupe.  I am trying not to put misinformation into permanent cyberspace!

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 13, 2007, 10:54:24 pm
A couple of photos of the front radiator with the plastic cover pieces removed.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 15, 2007, 02:54:51 am
I got the car running this week but it sounded and felt like an unbalanced washing machine.  Pulled the head this afternoon and found a very bent pushrod, a very stuck valve, and a somewhat dinged up tappet.  The valves and seats and head and pistons and bores look very nice, and everything came apart without trouble or broken fasteners.  So it's off to the machine shop for the head, and I'll get the gas tank out next for cleaning and sealing.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 21, 2007, 12:51:03 am
Getting the gas tank out is more challenging than I thought!  Here is some progress today.  I could have just pulled the transmission, but this gives me a chance to check out al the engine bay bits and pieces and clean it all up before reassembly.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 21, 2007, 11:15:32 pm
Okay, now the transmission and fuel tank are out.  Those of you who can pull the gas tank by pulling the transmission alone like in the shop manual, I am very impressed!  It was hard enough with the engine and tranny both out of the way.  Now I can see a small spring hanging from a metal brake line above the transmission and connected to nothing.  I am guessing that was somebody's attempt at a clutch return spring.  There are coil spring spacers of some sort, connected incorrectly, some are just bouncing around loose.  I will have to see if this was an attempt to compensate for weak springs.  My "to do" list is growing.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 22, 2007, 08:58:53 pm
I see I forgot to show the bent pushrod that was the cause of all this dismantling.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 27, 2007, 08:19:06 pm
Destruction continued this morning.  Got the right rear suspension out and will get the left out this afternoon.  There is lots of surface rust, but I have not found any structural rust yet.  Lots of wire brushing and rust killing to do here, and wow there are a lot of coolant pipes and hoses under there!

Anybody know the correct coil spring free height for these cars?  These are 8.7", and the shop manual specifies 9.37" for the 850 coupe.  There were spring spacers installed wrong which fell out on the ground as soon as I touched them.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on April 29, 2007, 03:07:27 am
Eric, the 1300/124s used a different spring from the normal 850 coupes.  They are stronger to carry the extra engine weight.  I am guessing that the springs are likely a little shorter.  It may be a while before I am able to dismantle my 1300, so cannot confirm the spring length.

Gil (in Canada)
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 30, 2007, 05:57:53 am
Thanks, Gil.  Are there supposed to be rubber seats above and below the coil springs?  Mine only had uppers.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on May 01, 2007, 05:29:33 am
Eric, there should be the seats top and bottom.  You don't want steel wearing against steel there.  The seats do disintegrate from age and wear....

I envy you being able to work on your car!!

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 01, 2007, 06:39:34 am
Thanks for the info, Gil.  I enjoy fiddling with the car a couple hours at a time until it begins to resemble actual work, and then I come back to it another time.  Tonight I took apart the rear brakes and the clutch to have a look-see.  I got stuck at the point of trying to remove the flex couplings because I did not have a big enough socket.  It appears to be about 32 mm.  I'll see if I can pick one up after work tomorrow.

Don't forget to send some photos of your project, too!

Eric in San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 05, 2007, 01:51:13 am
The fuel tank is out being renewed, the head is at the machine shop for new valves and guides because they were stuck with old gunk.  The surface-rusted suspension and engine bay bits are at the blast shop.  And now I have peeled away pretty much everything from the engine bay and back 1/2 of the underside of the car.  Next will be repairs and cleaning up of wiring harness and coolant pipes and hoses.  Then the grungy business of getting down to good metal surfaces!

The engine cross member bolts were spinning and I thought there must be cage nuts that had rusted or come loose.  Turned out that looking in through the holes where the tail lamps and the coolant header tank mounted, you can see and get to the reinforced plates on the frame.  And there were no cage nuts, just through bolts.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 19, 2007, 04:03:07 am
Okay, several evenings of wire brushes and paint stripper have resulted in this.  This part is not fun, so I am breaking it up by refinishing the removed parts.  I have accumulated almost all of the rubber bits that are being replaced just because as long as I've got it this far apart, I might as well...
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe REAR SUSPENSION
Post by: trevor on May 24, 2007, 02:05:25 am
Hello,   
            I ask whether anyone could post photographs or drawings of tubular REAR suspension trailing arms in a Fiat 850 chassis/body pan
         
            I understand tubular trailing arms similar to late Corsa type were installed by Abarth in at least one series of Fiat 850 chassis/body pan,  that of a 1969 Fiat Abarth OT1300 Scorpione SS  (Francis Lombardi).

            References to the tubular trailing arms in a Scorpione SS  are:-
            Greg Schmidt  "Fiat and Abarth Tricks"                             "....special rear suspension with CV axles (like late Corsa)  and rear disc brakes........"
            Al Consentino  "Abarth Guide" page 327                            "....front coil-over-shocks and tubular rear trailing arms......."
            Al Consentino  "Abarth King of the Small Cars"                 "....has the 1000TC Corsa suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, special halfshafts and constant velocity joints......
            Peter Vack       "Abarth Buyers Guide"                               "....at rear tubular trailing arms, dual CV joints, and... disc brakes"
         
            Many thanks for any images, or advice on where to seek such information.
            Trevor
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe REAR SUSPENSION
Post by: viotti600 on May 24, 2007, 12:27:30 pm
Hello,   
            I ask whether anyone could post photographs or drawings of tubular REAR suspension trailing arms in a Fiat 850 chassis/body pan
         
            I understand tubular trailing arms similar to late Corsa type were installed by Abarth in at least one series of Fiat 850 chassis/body pan,  that of a 1969 Fiat Abarth OT1300 Scorpione SS  (Francis Lombardi).

            Many thanks for any images, or advice on where to seek such information.
            Trevor

Hi Trevor,

  I may have a few photos of the OT1600 Sedan rear suspension for you. Similar to the Corsa/Scorpione SS, but perhaps a bit different (I've not compared them). It will be a few days before my scanner is hooked up, then I can the pics & send/post them.

  Yes, the Scorpione SS had the tubular rear trailing arms similar to the late Berlina Corsa. A few years back (1998?) I assisted at a friend's shop, & there was a real SS there for repair/restoration. I got a good chance to see all the differences (mods) done to the front/rear suspensions - AWESOME! :) The work never got completed on the car (the shop closed down), but I'm fairly sure the car is still here in the Southern California area, sitting in the owners garage, unfinished. I've often thought of calling him up & making an offer, but then I don't (can't) fit in the car, so....no reason for me to own it.

  This particular car was an original Rich Motors (old California Fiat/Abarth importer back in the 1960's-1970's) car, & while the car was at my friends shop I had the chance to "reunite" the car with Mr. John Rich himself...boy, was that a great day! :) John even showed me where/how he personally modified (ie: hammered!) the floors & inner rocker panels in order to gain more head/seat room in the car for it's new buyer/owner (at the time, not the same as current owner). Neat-o. ;)

  Also, if you go to Paul Vander Heyden's website (scuderiatopolino.com), there is a page on remaking a Corsa rear trailing arm. Also a shot of the OT1600 Sedan rear suspension (I may have more detailed pics though?). A cool read..."warm fuzzies". :)

Cheers,
 -Jeff Stich.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: trevor on May 24, 2007, 08:52:32 pm
Hi Jeff,
Glad to know you have  images of tubular rear suspension for Scorpione -Fiat 850 (amended chassis), and I appreciate your willingness to share them.  I look forward to seeing them.   Many thanks    Trevor
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: SCORPIONE1300SS on May 24, 2007, 11:51:57 pm
Hello my name is MARC I 'm in FRANCE .
I restaure a scorpione ss .
I have got some photos of my  tubular rear suspension .
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: trevor on May 25, 2007, 05:17:25 am
Hello Marc

Great photos of the Scorpione SS rear tubular trailing arms. Much appreciated.

One question if I may. Do you have a photo of the points on the chassis for the inner and outer trailing arm pivot bolts, which would show if these were "lowered" (ie., moved further below the chassis pan) as were the equivalent in the corsa tubular trailing arms?

Many thanks for your help.

Kind regards    Trevor
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Paul vander Heyden on May 29, 2007, 01:30:59 am
Trevor,

Let me introduce myself.

I am Paul  Vanderheijden from Scuderia Topolino.  I have a project in hand at the moment to make an exact duplicate of the "pendolare" suspension, as found on late model TCR and other Abarth automobiles.  I have a page dedicated to this project on my website (www.scuderiatopolino.com)

I have put together some historical information as well as photos of the pendoalre installation.  Part of the project is to make paper templates of the attachment points and to make accurate representations of the locations of the mounting points as well.  You may be able to get some information from this information.

If there is more that you need, please do not hesitate to send me an email  Paul@scuderiatopolino.com

Regards
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 02, 2007, 05:00:31 am
Now the underside and engine bay are refinished, and the gas tank that caused all the trouble is all cleaned up inside and out and reinstalled.  There are hundreds of bits and pieces to clean and refinish and reinstall before it's back on the road, but reassembly is more like progress than disassembly any day.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 03, 2007, 09:41:20 pm
Some reassembly progress this weekend.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 22, 2007, 11:53:09 pm
Okay, the left rear suspension is now all rebuilt and reinstalled with new brake hard pipe and flex hose.  Transmission is reassembled with axles and all new boots and mounted back in the car.  The right rear suspension is at the blasters.  I took the sump and the front and rear seal covers off the engine to replace the gaskets and seals.  There were big chunks of metal from the chewed up tappet, and it was neat to see a capital A stamped on each conrod end, I presume the mark of Abarth.  The final part I've been waiting on is a new clutch pressure plate, and it is now on its way, and then I'll be able to put the engine back in.  More photos then.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 06, 2007, 09:49:54 pm
Here's a detail I found interesting and not well documented.  The air cleaner was really big and crammed in behind the fuel filler, so Abarth made the fuel filler housing detachable.   It was removed and replaced with only 3 sheet metal screws every time one had to change the air filter element.  You also had to disconnect the fuel filler hose from the fuel tank inlet.  And for clearance, they banged a depression into the surrounding sheet metal, you can see it here.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 10, 2007, 03:10:35 am
And now here it is after blasting and powder coating the sheet metal surround and the filler pipe, cleaning up some and replacing other hoses and fasteners, and reassembling with care.  Modest progress, more to follow.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 10, 2007, 03:31:28 am
Another photo.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 13, 2007, 07:01:20 pm
Okay, got the rest of the suspension and brakes back in this morning.  Getting some new and some prettied-up peripherals lined up for the engine installation.

Eric in San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on July 15, 2007, 05:46:44 am
Hi Eric, nice work!  Where did you get the new muffler from?

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 16, 2007, 01:51:04 am
Hi Gil, I got it from Chris Obert and I don't know where he gets 'em from.  I just tried to put it in today and found that the spacing of the manifold to downpipe flange bolt holes is way off.  There's no way to bot it in as is.  I don't want to send it back and try another, so I'll take it and the old system down to the local old school muffler shop and see what cutting and pasting they can do for me.

Got the engine back in and much of the surrounding stuff connected up now.  I am stuck on a couple of things: one of the head bolts won't torque down so I'm thinking it is stretching and I need to get a new one before attempting to start the engine.  And the accelerator cable fell apart when I went to reinstall it.

It's always something, right?

Oh, and I just noticed a very cool stamped ABA number on the engine block.

Eric in San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 16, 2007, 01:53:23 am
Grant asked for some photos of the coolant pipes routing under the car to the front radiator.  You can see I have some work to do on the front 1/2 of the underside one of these days.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on July 16, 2007, 08:05:41 am

Oh, and I just noticed a very cool stamped ABA number on the engine block.

 That's the Abarth engine type code - "204". There might also be another stamp elsewhere on the engine - a circular one with ABARTH written along the top arc, a number in the center & something else written along the bottom arc. Here are some (rather poor) shots of this on an old OT1000 block I used to have:

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/stamps.jpg)

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/stamp.jpg)

Notice the "ABA 202B" engine code, along with standard Fiat 850 engine code & serial number. The round stampings were along the edge of the timing cover area (you can see the outline), as well as on the crankshaft itself (this is on an 850 block, not a 124 like yours). Easy to miss unless you look really close!

 The car's coming along nicely, keep up the good work! If you want to email me your mailing address again, I can send the dash metal/wood trim you needed. I get nervous having it lying around the garage where someone else might accidentally do it harm!


-JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on July 17, 2007, 03:50:50 pm
Hi Eric, those photos of the coolant pipes are helpful for me too.  My car came sans coolant pipes, but I was very fortunate to have already bought them from JS.

Does anyone know where to get the rubber/flexible hoses under the car?  Someone told me that the hoses were standard 600 upper rad. hoses, so I bought a bunch of them.  The correct ones seem to have a cloth sort of covering.

My car also came without the clamps to secure the pipes  under the car.  If you happen to have one out of your car, could you perchance post a photo?

Regards,
Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 17, 2007, 08:33:27 pm
Hi Jeff,

Thanks for the additional info on the AB stampings, very cool.  I sent you an email about the bits and pieces.

Gil--

I do not think the hoses and clamps on my car are the ones that originally came on it.  They look ugly, but are actually in very good shape, so I think someone must have gone through them not too long ago.  They look like generic auto parts store materials.  I'll post a photo or two later and you can see what you think.

Eric in San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 17, 2007, 10:53:45 pm
Here are photos of the thermostat and associated hose styles, and a couple photos of the hose clamps that were on the car.  I don't see any ID on them, but I'm putting them in a tumbler to see how they clean up.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 17, 2007, 10:56:20 pm
And here is the engine bay ready to put the bodywork back on.  And one of the historic photos I'm aspiring to!

Eric in San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 18, 2007, 02:18:43 am
Cleaned up the coolant pipes and hoses and put them all back together with new clamps.  Bled the brakes and put the wheels back on and put it back on the ground.  Figured out there was no spark because I put the distributor back in one tooth off, so there actually was spark, just not where I expected to see it.  Body panels and bumper back on.  Old exhaust back on because the new one didn't fit.  Battery with cutout knob back in.  Put gas in the tank and oil in the engine and tranny.  All electrical checks out OK except the license plate lights.  They worked when I fussed with them off the car, bet it's just a bad ground.
 
Can't put coolant in or start it until I get a new head bolt, and can't drive it until I get a new accelerator cable, but that should happen this coming weekend.  Then I will find out what else doesn't work!
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on July 18, 2007, 04:03:07 am
Does anyone know where to get the rubber/flexible hoses under the car?  Someone told me that the hoses were standard 600 upper rad. hoses, so I bought a bunch of them.  The correct ones seem to have a cloth sort of covering.

My car also came without the clamps to secure the pipes under the car.  If you happen to have one out of your car, could you perchance post a photo?

Gil,

 Here is a photo of the 1300 alloy pipes that I had (which you now have). Note the pipe on the top/right has a metal mounting bracket (ring with a tab with a screwhole in it). That is the only "bracket" per se that I recall. The 2 long pipes under the car are held in place (up/under the floorpan) by running through 2 holes cut through the floor pan's cross-brace, as in Trevor's photo. It's been years since I was under a 1300, but if I recall most everything else is held in place by itself (after tubes/hoses being all connected).

 The radiator hose you mentioned is likely the top/upper hose that connects the cylinder head outlet pipe to the radiator inlet pipe (on a Fiat 600) - it's a short, accordion-type hose. A similar top radiator hose was also used on Series 1 Fiat 850 cars (1967-68 here in the USA, maybe 1964-68 in Europe?). I've pointed out this hose being used in at least 3 locations on the 1300 pipes in the photo. I don't know anything about the other hoses.

I had to keep this photo fairly large for detail sake, sorry for those on dial-up (like me)! ;)

(http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i205/viotti600/1300pipes1b.jpg)

Cheers,
 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on July 18, 2007, 04:08:25 am
[The 2 long pipes under the car are held in place (up/under the floorpan) by running through 2 holes cut through the floor pan's cross-brace, as in Trevor's photo.

Oops, I meant in Evan's photo. ;)



 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on July 18, 2007, 04:21:53 am

My car also came without the clamps to secure the pipes  under the car.  If you happen to have one out of your car, could you perchance post a photo?

Hmmm...Evan's photos show 4 C-shaped brackets mounted to the underside of the floor, holding the 2 long pipes in place. There are 2 brackets just behind the front swaybar (1 per pipe), and 2 brackets just behind the rear footwells (under the rear seat). Gil, these should be easy enough to fabricate using some flat metal stock bent into the correct shape (to fit around the pipe), no?

-JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on July 19, 2007, 04:43:56 pm
Thanks Eric and J.S. for the helpful info.  I think it was Mahlon Craft that attempted to describe the bracket/hanger to me in writing, but a photo is way more helpful.  I was picturing that the clamp I need (have not been under my car yet to investigate) was a "J" shaped clamp.  It was described to me as being something easy to make up from flat metal.

Someday, I would really like to visit someone with a 1300/124 and see some of the correct parts in person.  I know of the whereabouts of of 5 of these now in the US, so I could have a nice road trip around the US!

I doubt Abarth used a special hose for the coolant pipes.  I will have to take a closer look at ones on the pipes from J.S.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 21, 2007, 05:38:52 pm
Hi Gil,

I was slow on the uptake here-- you wanted photos of the clamps that hold the alloy coolant pipes to the underbody, not photos of old hose clamps!  Sorry.

Here are a couple that I snapped this AM while crawling under the car to replace an incorrect bolt at the transmission gear selector shaft (another story, thanks Trevor).  These were ugly but turned out to be quite sound and cleaned up well.  (Rock tumbler followed by degreaser, rust killer, prime and paint).  They are like a half circle of a band to hold the pipe with a square flat ear to hold the bolt.

Eric, San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on July 23, 2007, 05:18:59 pm
Hi Eric, no problem.  Actually, you simply pointed out that your hose clamps are not original!  The original ones would have been the type that has the twist on pin.  (Not sure on the correct name for them).  Anyway, it appears then, that there is nothing really exotic/rare about the pipe clamps.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 23, 2007, 07:29:13 pm
Hi Gil,

I call those "Sardine can" clamps.  I still have some left over from doing up a Giulietta spider a few years back.  The work fine until you go to loosen them for some reason and then they can be a bit shaky when you tighten them back down.  But they are cool when you really want "the look".

I have a pinhole leak in that really pretty newly blasted and powder coated coolant header tank.  Grrr...

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on July 23, 2007, 08:52:22 pm

I call those "Sardine can" clamps.  I still have some left over from doing up a Giulietta spider a few years back.  The work fine until you go to loosen them for some reason and then they can be a bit shaky when you tighten them back down.  But they are cool when you really want "the look".

Want to trade for the dash trim? ;)

I have a pinhole leak in that really pretty newly blasted and powder coated coolant header tank.  Grrr...

J.B. Weld to the rescue! Hahaha!

-JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 03, 2007, 01:34:08 am
Okay, now the car runs and drives pretty well, time to tackle the dash.  Someone had hacked in a bunch of non-standard switches and lights.  There was a manual switch and light for an electric fuel pump which I got rid of.  And a manual switch and light for the radiator fan which I will see if I can wire back up the was it was intended.  And you can see a bunch of bad splices, dead end wires, bogus fuse holders, the washer tubes hacked, and some nifty lamp cord.  Grrr...

In the second photo you can see JS's dash trim looking pretty in its new home (thanks JS!).  And the third photo shows the left side dash bits and pieces ready to be reassembled as per stock specs.  The wood is 1/32" basswood and I am waiting for the stain to dry right now.  Looks like a pretty good match.

Eric, San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 03, 2007, 10:37:50 pm
Looking better today.  First photo shows al the wires and tubes that belong and none that do not.  Turned out that the temp sensor in the radiator is always "on", and that must be why someone had spliced in a switch in the dash.  I'll get a new temp sender and be happy I don't have to rewire the fan and relay connections!

Second photo shows the "stock" Fiat Abarth appearance now.

Eric, San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on August 04, 2007, 10:13:41 am

The re-worked dash looks great - nice job! All nice & tidy as it should be. ;)

Cheers,
  -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on September 12, 2007, 11:45:48 pm
Update:  All back together and sorted out now, I am very pleasantly surprised at how well this car drives.  The ride is smooth and comfortable even though it is so low.  It really helped to take the new Cofap shocks back out (way way too soft for these springs) and put the cleaned up RIV shocks back in.  The conventional air cleaner makes the idle and choke functions much happier than the velocity stacks.  Quieter too, now the only noise is the exhaust.  This car is so much more pleasant to drive than the Alfa GTV that it replaced, both on surface streets and bumps and on the freeway.

Now it's time for body and paint work.  First we are going to find and kill all the hidden rust, then we are going back to the original white color with red side stripes!

Eric, San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on September 13, 2007, 06:00:50 am
Sounds good, Eric,

Can't wait to see it!

If you're free the first weekend of November you may want to check out the Best of France and Italy car show the Fiat club here in the LA area organizes.

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on September 13, 2007, 07:08:30 am
Hi Jim,

See you at Woodley Park!  Last year I was there with my GTV.  The year before with a 124 spider.  Probably will not have the 1300/124 finished by then, but I'll still be there looking for your car, it's the best event by far.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on September 14, 2007, 06:58:23 am
I look forward to meeting you!
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 07, 2007, 12:12:44 am
Update:  Pulling out the glass and the interior panels and headliner.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on October 07, 2007, 10:04:32 am
Eric,
  If you haven't found the glass you needed, I think I found some of it. I have the roll-up window for the door (both sides), but the rear 1/4 glass I have is the opposite side of what you need (passenger side). I do have the driver side rear 1/4 glass, but the metal frame is missing the 2 metal tabs on the front edge that serve as pivots for the window.

 If you want either of these, let me know & perhaps you could pick it up at Woodley Park in a few weeks. ;)

Cheers,
  -Jeff.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 08, 2007, 03:36:50 am
Hi JS,

Thanks for the glass offer, but I did find what I needed.  It appears that there is no difference between the left and right rear window glass pieces.  I was looking for a left rear piece because it looked to me that a right rear piece had been put in its place.  When I checked with a parts car, it had the same thing.  It's the same piece of glass with the same mark in the same place, so the left one looks inside-out.  So I am planning to use the pieces I have, unless you think I have got this all wrong?   I did find a decent driver's side door window to replace the one with weld spatter.

See you and the other Fiat Abarth and Alfa nuts soon!

Eric, San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 08, 2007, 05:23:16 am
Update:  bad paint job is off now.  Looks like a plucked turkey to me.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 21, 2007, 03:42:26 am
Epoxy primer is on now.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on April 02, 2008, 03:48:24 am
Front suspension and brakes have now all been taken apart, R&R'd, replaced with care just as rear had been done previously.  Going through panel by panel finding all wavy spots and filler over holes and repairing with proper metal work.  Can't believe it has been 4 months, but they are doing a very nice job.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 01, 2008, 07:27:00 am
Looks promising.  They did not find significant rust areas, just a few small cut and patch places.  Mostly they have been straightening out panels to get rid of the "sack of potatos" look.  And they spent some time (and a lot of skill) making the driver's door fit right.  They expect it to be in primer by end of next week.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on May 01, 2008, 08:22:26 am
Lookin' good so far! ;)

Just curious...what shop are you having do the body & paint work?

-JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 01, 2008, 05:28:24 pm
Hi JS,

It's Vintage Customs near Seattle.  They do a lot of Alfas and assorted similar cars such as old Lancias.  They post many challenging projects on the Alfa Bulletin Board for us hobbyists to watch and learn.  They work together with a suspension and racing shop called Group 2.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 20, 2008, 06:23:12 am
Okay, body panels are straight as can be now and the car went to primer today.  Here it is just before primer.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 21, 2008, 12:46:44 am
Hi gang, a question of originality for you please.  I told the body shop that the C pillars should not have emblems, but they tell me that the holes that are there are "factory stamped" in their opinion.  (I am talking about flat areas behind both of the rear side windows, 2 holes each).  My reference photos show no emblems, and the ones that were on this car were modern repros.  What do y'all say? 
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on May 21, 2008, 02:03:05 am
 No, there are not supposed to be any emblems in that C-post area. The only emblems on the car are on the front grille (large Abarth shield with tri-color top that I sold to you), the front corner of the hood (the rectangular "1300" badge) & on the rear body panel (the chromed "FIAT ABARTH 1300" lettering).

-JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 30, 2008, 11:13:38 pm
First round of primer is on and they are blocking it flat as can be, then a second round of primer will go on before paint.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 30, 2008, 11:21:36 pm
Very early in this thread JS warned me that the 850 coupes liked to rust in the door frame pillars.  Today I was talking with the shop and they mentioned that they had indeed found and repaired some ugly spots there but had not mentioned it to me.  They were kind enough to go back and find photos of the areas for me to see.  Here they are.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on May 30, 2008, 11:26:21 pm
Nasty areas cut out, new metal fabricated and welded in place, then on with the priming and blocking.  They also treat all enclosed areas with body cavity wax prior to undercoating.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on May 31, 2008, 06:10:38 am
sounds like your body shop is doing a really good job!

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on June 01, 2008, 12:28:28 am
Wow, Eric, that is looking great!  Can't wait to see it painted.  I have also heard that the 850s like to rust in the A-pillar (from inside out).  I had someone once tell me that Fiat filled them with foam, but I don't think that is the case.  Are you going to spray the cavities with any kind of rust inhibitor?  I was thinking of Waxoyl or something similar for mine.  I think there are a couple of good ones on the market.

I should think of a good excuse to go down to Seattle so I can check out your car in person, lol.

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 01, 2008, 01:58:27 am
Hi Gil,

Yes, the body shop is going to treat the inner voids with Waxoyl or similar so there won't be any further rust issues.  I am planning to take a trip up there once they get the paint on so we can talk about details in person.  I'll let you know when that is coming up, maybe you would like to have a look with me.

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on June 01, 2008, 04:57:35 pm
Hi Eric, please do let me know when you are planning to go to the shop.  I'd love to check things out.  I've always enjoyed going to Seattle - Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square, clam chowder at Ivar's on the waterfront.

BTW, we drove down to San Diego 3 summers ago and visited a friend.  We got to see Balboa Park and Old Town - really nice.  We were only there for 2 days, so didn't have time to see much.  Of course, that was before you had your 1300....
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 24, 2008, 03:39:31 am
Well the car never quite made it to the paint booth.  They found some more hidden rust at the bottom of the A pillars and rockers, so this will take some more time to repair well.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on June 24, 2008, 07:13:39 am
Ack! Now ain't that a pisser? So close. Oh, well. Better now than later, eh? ;)

I fear my car will be much of the same once I dig into it, but only on the left side thankfully.


Cheers,
 -JS.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 24, 2008, 05:52:07 pm
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on June 24, 2008, 06:44:51 pm
  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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on July 03, 2008, 07:27:15 am
Getting the rocker panels under control.  They had to fabricate new pieces for the bottoms of the A pillars.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 03, 2008, 04:56:31 pm
In the paint booth at last!
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 18, 2008, 01:09:41 am
Doing up the underside and wheelwells, starting reassembly.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on October 19, 2008, 06:00:40 am
It's sure looking nice!  Can't wait to see it in real person.  The engine compartment didn't require painting?

Gil
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 20, 2008, 06:50:38 am
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on October 24, 2008, 07:10:05 am
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on October 25, 2008, 08:36:36 am
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
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: grant gauld on October 25, 2008, 12:07:29 pm
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
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 03, 2008, 02:40:34 am
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: vetlenorge on November 07, 2008, 05:28:09 pm
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   
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 07, 2008, 08:25:04 pm
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 14, 2008, 06:39:33 am
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.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: zippyfiat on November 15, 2008, 05:14:17 pm
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
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: vetlenorge on November 22, 2008, 10:40:13 pm
Since the engine is out - can I ask for mesurements of the engine mount cross bar?  Best regards - keep up your fantastic work, your great photos is much help for me !! 
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: abarthje on November 24, 2008, 12:38:03 am
hallo to all abarth-entausiasts on this forum.

i’m  also rebuilding a 850 coupe 2e series with double headlights.
i learned a lot already abouth the car on this forum
if anybody have those mesurements of the engine mount cross bar, i't like to have them too!
a original 1300/124 is verry rare so i started with a standard 850.
i want to build it as original as posible.
so i have another problem!
On the 1e serie’s 850 the vin-number was on the left side of the enginebay, Abarth did not change that.
On the 2e serie’s 850 the vin-number was on the firewall behind the exhaust in the enginebay, Abarth had to change that because that part was cut away to make room for the bigger exhaust of the 1300cc engine, so Abarth had to relocate the vin-number.
i can't find any documentation or pictures where Abarth did put the vin-number.
So if anybody ownes a 2e serie’s 1300/124, i would be verry happy with the info or a picture.

 regards and thanks,   Patrick
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on November 24, 2008, 05:47:19 pm
Hello Patrick and vetlenorge,

I'll get you a diagram and some measurements when the car comes back from the body shop.

Start a thread and post some photos of your projects as well!

Best regards,
Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on December 05, 2008, 06:32:31 am
Okay, the engine bay has been repainted to match the rest of the car. The current holdup for reassembly is the headliner. Upholstery guy's first attempt did not fit and had to reorder material and try again.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on December 07, 2008, 06:03:33 am
Eric,

The engine and engine bay look beautiful!
You must be really proud

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on December 07, 2008, 07:22:51 pm
Hi Jim,

I've seen your car at Woodley park and it looks great!

I am looking forward to bringing this car to local events and driving it with the rest of you!

Eric
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: abarthje on December 08, 2008, 01:58:11 am
Hey Eric,

the enginebay looks great with the engine in it!!!!
on the 2e series coupe the batteryis in the front of the car.
are the any reïnforcements made in the enginebay or in the wheel arches to hold the engine mount crosbar?
it looks if there are extra spotwelds yust above the the crossbar.
can you make a detailt picture of that?
i hate to see the crosbar thorn out by the power of the engine!
did you thake the mesurements of the crossbar??

i will start a new tread the moment i start with the work.
at this moment i'm collecting al the parts i'll need for rebuilding mine coupe.

i do have a few pictures........

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-ZUGMNSVS.jpg)

(http://www.mijnalbum.nl/GroteFoto-CXTH3TX3.jpg)

there is a verry lot of work to be done!!!!!!
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on December 08, 2008, 06:31:14 am

on the 2e series coupe the batteryis in the front of the car.

The the 1e serie’s 850 had the battery in the front also.

Abarth had to move the battery to the rear on the 1300/124's. (To make room for the fuel tank?)

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on December 08, 2008, 06:36:36 am
(To make room for the fuel tank?)

Jim

To correct myself-- I see the fuel tank was in the rear of the 1300/124.  What is where the battery used to be?-- I guess it must be the radiator and spare tire?

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: trevor on December 08, 2008, 08:58:59 am
Jim,
Some images of front trunk.
Trevor
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: abarthje on December 12, 2008, 01:20:33 am
This is how it looks under the hood of a standard Fiat 850 Coupe!
under the black cover is the battery directly above the frontaxle.

(http://www.scuderiax19.de/X19Hamburg/850Coupe/20070516_Koferraum.jpg)

the 2e series coupe also had the battery in the rear!
i was mistaken by some pictures i saw of a crossbar from a scorpione 1300 (wich is also build on a 850 chassis).
i think on a sorpione 1300 the battery has to be in  the front of the car.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: grant gauld on December 12, 2008, 05:40:47 pm
All fiat 850 cars have the battery in the front.As does the Abarth 1000 OT,OTS,OTSS and OTR.This includes first and second series.

The 1324 or OT 1300/124 has the battery in the rear (first and second series) as does the 850 T.
Grant
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on December 13, 2008, 06:36:45 am
All fiat 850 cars have the battery in the front.As does the Abarth 1000 OT,OTS,OTSS and OTR.This includes first and second series.

The 1324 or OT 1300/124 has the battery in the rear (first and second series) as does the 850 T.
Grant

What is an 850 T?
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on December 13, 2008, 09:54:11 am
What is an 850 T?

A minivan built on an 850 platform (similar to the 600 Multipla).
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: grant gauld on December 13, 2008, 10:33:14 pm
Actually an 850 T is the same shape as a 600T 'minivan' (i had both).It is a box like shape.Not really the 'rolling toaster' shape of a Multipla.
I am sure Jeff knows this as well.
Grant
ps GMR has both shapes.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: viotti600 on December 14, 2008, 11:20:05 am
Actually an 850 T is the same shape as a 600T 'minivan' (i had both).It is a box like shape.Not really the 'rolling toaster' shape of a Multipla. I am sure Jeff knows this as well.

 That is correct. My comment regarding the 600 Multipla was concerning the general layout of the vehicle, not the actual body appearance. ;)
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: grant gauld on December 14, 2008, 05:37:26 pm
"Touche"
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on December 14, 2008, 07:34:28 pm
Headliner is in now.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on December 14, 2008, 07:38:53 pm
And hey Grant, those door limiters cleaned up and fit just fine.  Thanks again!
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: abarthje on December 14, 2008, 11:23:35 pm
Hey Eric,

i have just one word..... WOUW............
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on January 20, 2009, 05:21:04 pm
Bumpers and trim going back on, replacing the rear "parcel shelf".
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on January 23, 2009, 03:16:53 am
1300 stripe decals going on now.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on January 23, 2009, 03:24:59 am
The interior needed very little, just a couple of seams restitched and the back window shelf material and the upper panel on the rear seat were sunburned and crumbling, so they were matched and replaced.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on February 08, 2009, 06:34:58 am
I have received some photos of this car from a previous owner circa 1973.  Too cool!  I see several items of interest to me.  The hubcaps did indeed have red painted center emblems behind the raised scorpions.  There were no red stripes painted on the wheels.  The 1300 side stripes were thinner, smaller font, and mounted higher on the car than the decals we sourced from Berni Motori.  The paint was already quite nicked up, and both doors were pretty well dented.  The rocker trim was still present.  I see the big clunky fender mirrors that flattened the character lines that the body shop had to recreate!

The sender believes that the car was delivered with dual sidedraught Webers and a 4 into 2 exhaust setup going through a very small ovoid Abarth muffler.   Says the coolant hoses were a constant leak and repair issue.  He says the first owner broke an axle shaft and the transaxle was damaged at the same time and the car never shifted right after that.  Still true in 2009 by the way, even after I have gone through the linkage bits quite thoroughly.  I have a happy transaxle waiting in the garage for a R&P swap when the car comes home.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: naegeli on February 08, 2009, 09:50:04 am
according to the image on page 276 of the FAZA car guide, these side decals are exactly where they have to be...do you have the hubcaps? i have a set.
have a nice sunday
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on February 09, 2009, 05:13:11 am
Hi naegeli,

Yes, I agree that the side stripes in the old photos are right and the new decals are significantly different.  We won't be changing them now that they are done, though.  Thanks for the hubcap offer, but I do have a nice rechromed set.  They just need the center emblems painted now.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on June 11, 2009, 01:27:42 am
Okay, the windshield and back glass are back in.  The new gaskets fit well, the old trim survived the process thanks to the care and skill of the glass guy, the glass did not break, and the old Abarth Register decal is still intact.  Hooray!  There were a variety of delays, but it is looking like I will be driving the car soon.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 04, 2009, 05:28:18 pm
Vetlenorge, this photo is for you.  I measure the outside dimensions as 122 mm wide and 23 mm high.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 04, 2009, 05:45:20 pm
Hi gang,

Well the car is back from body and paint now, and it looks very nice.  I have a long list of relatively small problems to sort out such as lights that no longer work and the left side of the dash got crunched so I will have to redo that for a second time, but it runs and drives really well.  I am going to post a bunch of photos and then I will sign off.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 04, 2009, 05:48:14 pm
More photos.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 04, 2009, 05:49:30 pm
More photos.
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 04, 2009, 05:57:11 pm
Finally, I would like to thank the many of you who have been most generous in sharing your knowledge, patiently discussing minutia, and digging out some obscure bits and pieces for me.

This was not my thread to begin with, but I will bring it to a close now.  I won’t plan to post more photos, but I will answer questions and take photos for anyone who asks.

I look forward to seeing some of you at Cars and Coffee in Irvine, Balboa Park in San Diego, Woodley Park in the Los Angeles area, and on some California driving events.

All the best from here,

Eric Van Nice
San Diego
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: guy moerenhout on August 04, 2009, 06:02:30 pm
almost as nice like a nice woman
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: Pantdino on August 05, 2009, 02:25:07 am
Then car looks great!
Will you be able to bring it to the Best of France and Italy show this year?  I believe that is November 1st

Jim
Title: Re: 68 Fiat Abarth 1300 Coupe
Post by: evannice on August 05, 2009, 05:01:05 pm
Guy-- glad you like it, I think...? ITS ONE OF MY FAVORITS _guy

Jim--  I enjoyed meeting you and seeing your car there last year, and I am planning on bringing this car up there this year.  It has become the best event around for interesting little cars and plenty of them.
Digital2