Gengis's Coupe Resto:

[gengis]

Thought I would share some of the details of my ongoing restoration of my Coupe 2000ie, which I bought in December 2012.  I had attended to most of the mechanical issues by January 2013, so it was time to look at the bodywork.  There were a lot of panels which had micro blistering paint, body ripples where the trim had been aggressively re-installed, evidence of previous work!
As for rust... door bottoms, bonnet, rear quarter panel, and some scabs at the lower windscreen and sunroof edge, all in all...not too bad.  More was revealed after stripping previous re-spray...the rear panel, boot floor, and n/s sill, still not too bad.  There was also some panel damage to both rear quarters, and rear panel.
I have decided to go for the cleaner look of the series 2 Coupe, and managed to get a good second hand bonnet with the flat hinges to facilitate the fitment of the earlier grill.
With all the metalwork done and some rudimentary panel beating and filling, the car is now at the body shop for finishing and paint.  I now have the doors, bonnet, bootlid, and sunroof back from the body shop and stored in the house...still don’t know how I got away with that one! 
I’m hoping to get the body back soon, as I would like to visit the Betameta 13 in June as I will be passing by en-route to my holidays.
See Photos...

[gengis]

More Photos...

[gengis]

Duh...I've put this in the wrong category.  Could an administrator relocate please.

[J3SHF]

Looking good, the rear turrets look pretty good from the pictures, keep the pictures coming.

[VXdeMayo]

Dear Gengis,
Do I spot the suelte rear of a Pinifarina Spyder in the background? That's just like ours!
If you don't manage to get the Coupe ready in time, bring that instead, we can show a matching pair. (Same colour too!)
Great work,
Best
Chas and Anne.

[gengis]

Hi Chas...Yeah it's my Fiat Spider (Feb 1982) One of the last made by Fiat, before Pininfarina took over production for a further two years.

[gengis]

Finished rebuild today...Yippee. Time for a couple of shakedown drives before next week.  see photos.

 

[rossocorsa]

Looking quality! I really must stir myself to blow the cobwebs off mine trouble is it is now literally in pieces and I've kind of bitten off more than I feel I can chew!

[VXdeMayo]

Well done Gengis, great result. Another Beta able to hold it's head up in public whilst having fun this summer!
Are you bringing it to Betameta13 next week? Will be good to see it.
Best,
Chas and Anne.

[gengis]

Thanks guys...Had a good run in it today, but unfortunately the car was running rough on the way back.  Had to replenish some coolant...restart...white smoke from exhaust...radiator expansion tank pressurizing.  Looks like I have a failing head gasket.

With a week till I go on my touring holiday, I will be concentrating my efforts in getting the Spider ready for the trip.  So I will be at the Betameta (Sat) in a Fiat.

[rossocorsa]

not the end of the world I suppose and shouldn't be too bad to fix

[MattNoVAT]

Looking very good indeed Gengis, I hope the overheating issue turns out to be something other than the HG, theres nothing like swanning around in your newly restored car!

[Pee Vee]

nice work!

[Ammy]

Had exactly the same symptoms with the Spyder but took some months to get there.  Changed the head gasket and cured the problem but never did find the area where it had failed.

[VXdeMayo]

Dear Gengis,

Hope the initial shakedown runs on the Coupe went well this weekend? Are you any closer to making a decision about bringing it this weekend? Will be great if you do.

Anyway on matters concerning Fiat 124 Sport Spiders, as you know we have one very similar to yours, and when we bought it the previous owner included a spare rear exhaust silencer with the car. He had not fitted it as he had already had a twin branch Ansa Chrome tailpipe that he fitted instead. I think it has done only about 100 miles or so and is very clean indeed. We are not needing it so would you make use of it? If so I can bring it up with us this weekend. I enclose a couple of photos, one of which has all the part numbers for the various pattern manufacurers etc. If you are interested let me know. We will let you have it cheap!

Look forward to seeing you this weekend.
Best,
Chas and Anne.

[gengis]

Hi Chas, 

See reply #9...I will be taking the Spider as the Coupe isn't in fine fettle.  Got a couple of jobs on the Spider to do..rear brake adjust and oil change.  Thanks for the offer of the back box, but I've had a custom made stainless system on it since restoration (2003), in fact I was trying to get one made for the Coupe before the HG failed.

Praying for good weather...and a decent ipod playlist!

[VXdeMayo]

Dear Gengis,
That's great that the Spiders' coming, at this rate we will have a "Sporting Fiats" sub section within the photocall, (what with Theo's lovely 131 Sport as well). Make a great pic!
Best,
Chas and Anne.