1980 Orange - after HEART SUGERY.... patient got new life from doctor Lad!

[Jan-in-UK]

My 1980 orange rebuild project was finaly brought in the UK this morning. I was waiting for quite a while as it was rebuilt all over last 2 years and was ready to go few months ago. I had no time but finaly got managed transport for it and here he is. After 2200 miles trip on a trailer through winter Europe it appeared to me dirty as hell and looking like a rubbish not nice view but quite funny. I have never managed to get 126 so dirty by driving it but after quick wash and dry it went to sleep in my tiny garage looking way better.

Huge but huge thank you to Lad from and his girlfirend for their help with my 126. They came to pick up the german looking engine I had for sale and Lad was so kind to help me with exhaust swap from factory one to the "abarth" looking sport one. Not onlu he did fought some problems with fitment but he did it outside as my garage is too small for any jobs being done inside.... Brrr. Cold as hell. I was moaning, supplying coffee and Lad's girlfriend didn't kill us so we all are fine. Exhaust sounds the dogg!!! I love this sound.

I have no idea what I will do with my orange as it was loads of effort and loads but loads new parts used to get it to ist actual shape. My first idea was to sell it on but as longer I am watching it as more i love idea of adding few smallaccesories and having fun in summer. We will see. Just in case I will register it this week in the UK. Below you can find few pictures of 126 being dirty, being semi-washed and finaly quite nice looking guy in its 30'. Will try to load more pictures into online album as I think snow is a very nice background for making them good link will be of course posted.

[defender90]

 Love it! very very nice.

[Jan-in-UK]

Thank you. It still needs some final touch up - mainly small bits like new lamp covers, one dorhandle cover missing etc etc. But I am on the case and some shopping done in Poland today. Plus few bits from my new-old stock and it should really look nice

[michaelodonnell500]

I'll have to come round for a look, that car is a beauty!

[Jan-in-UK]

You know where to find me Michael, do you?

[michaelodonnell500]

ill give you a call in the week

[Jan-in-UK]

I have just recieved full box of parts and acessories from Ricambio. Well, nice shiny things but £200 is gone Another box is on the way from Poland with much much more - another £250. So having some additional spares and gadgets for £450 + freshly built engine (on the way next weekend) I hope I will finaly have one of these fiats I always wanted to have. Will post some progress here when done.

Today I did fit new das gauges (in miles) and sorted out all wires and bulbs (wasn't done properly) and now we have quite english LHD in miles Original handbook and parts catalogue (both pictured and they were issue 12.1980) were wery helpfull. If somebody would need some original part number (if not regarding LHD parts) let me know and I will have it for you. Pictures below. Not much to do but took me almost 2 hours to sort out and with my current job it is miracle I found 2 spare hours anyway







    

[Jan-in-UK]

What a lovely day for a ride we had today I spent about 2 hours driving orange around Berkshire, lovely day. When I back I did few other details, step by step I am getting there. Well, couldn't fit white wall rings as it was too late (local tyre shop was closed) but I did replace one old cable (earth for coil) and use this opportunity tu "tune up" coil and the bracket a little bit. I also did put brand new "old stock" front indicators with new seals. Finaly I did went to the shop and got 4 never-rusting screws for air vents on both sides. Plus brand new chrome window winders. It really gets it there slowly, she will be a real beauty before summer will come.
I also had a crazy idea to take off dirty seatbelts and wash them in a washing maschine (my other half said I am completly nut). They are fresh now with realy nice grey colour and will be back in as soon as they are dry (other half said to iron them if i am 1000% fiat nut ). Well, quite a few new bits is waiting to be fitted but sunny day was so short. Few pictures below.













    

[Jan-in-UK]

And I couldn't resist to put exhaust cover. It was dried for 2 days on my kitchen heater to cure black paint. Well, engine bay will look nice. Especialy with new engine coming next week, lots of chrome under engine lid it will be... mniam.

[ciaoflyer]

That is cool!

[Jan-in-UK]

Today due to a lack of time and shi***y weather I have no time to progress as I would like to. But did spend quite a moment today to clean and connect properly all fuse cables as last time I discovered sometimes light blinks for a secon - fuse was as old as fiat. So I did clean and re-connected cables, replace all fuses with new one and finaly painted fuse box as it looks a little bit better now in my opinion. Pirelli sticker added for "character" and just because I really love pirelli logo (collecting stickers of pirelli by the way).

[Chris Lakin]

these are the sort of jobs everyone needs to do, but never get round to it. best i do is spray a bit of WD40 on the connectors! 

Good job done

[Jan-in-UK]

HI HI HI, I did spray well, still loads of these small jobs to be done

[Jan-in-UK]

I did have few hours free this morning. By accident so took 126 to local specialists to fit white walls bands. Effect pleased me so much I still watch the same few pictures on my iphone. all day long. I would never say such a small thing can make a car totaly different

[stuey]

a little nose down lowering and that would be perfect (mind you i re-iterate that since its orange then its perfect anyways!)