Derelict 850 Spider

[Ananda]

Just noticed that a childhood friend of mine has an extremely derelict spider up on his property. My friend inherited quite a few cars and motorcycles when his dad died last year. Don’t think anybody even noticed the Fiat. I had been up there countless times Since I was a kid but that was before I knew a Fiat from a fence post. It actually looks pretty good considering it’s been out in the weather top down for probably 30+ years. The head is off the engine. I just got really excited when I saw it because I love fiats now and am wondering if it might ever be more than a sculpture hidden away in the mountains of Northern California. Wish I had gotten some
Pics. I’ve wanted a rear engine Fiat since I learned about them.
Out of curiosity, what are the vents in front of the headlights?

 

[Ananda]

He also has a 2001 Maserati Spyder and a
Ducati among the herd. Actually they all belong to the mom who won’t touch or get rid of them.

 

[DSpieg]

The 'vents' under the headlights are non-functional, they are supposed to make the driver believe he/she is driving a Lamborghini Miura

 

[Ananda]

The 'vents' under the headlights are non-functional, they are supposed to make the driver believe he/she is driving a Lamborghini Miura

LOL, that’s perfect. Now I have to have it!

 

[Jeff Stich]

The 'vents' under the headlights are non-functional, they are supposed to make the driver believe he/she is driving a Lamborghini Miura

They actually are functional. Simple aesthetics aside, the vents allow water to drain from the dished headlight area, while also allowing heat (from the headlights) to escape from inside the headlight bays (earlier covered-headlight cars didn't have a sealed divider wall between the trunk & headlight bay, allowing the heat to dissipate into the trunk area).

 

[DSpieg]

Well I'll be darned.....Learn somethin' new every day here on the XWeb........
Still Jeff, I am a bit skeptical - heat from those dim headlights? Not enough to warm a squashed mosquito, methinks. And seems to me the headlight 'scoops' would gravity-drain as soon as the car is stopped. But no matter, we're driving baby Miuras!

 

[Ananda]

Next time I’m up on the reservation I’ll take a bunch of photos and see what you all think in terms of it’s state of repair.

 

[Daniel Gibson]

I know all about derelict spiders. I would love to see pics of the one you found.

 

[Ananda]

I know all about derelict spiders. I would love to see pics of the one you found.

Planning to go up next week, stay posted.
Sadly, it was being used to store pieces of what appears, to a layman, to be a junk pile. I’m sure to the experienced mechanical hoarder it is actually a field of treasure. I opened the door which clicked open beautifully but I couldn’t close it again because the truck door and whatever else piled into it was pushing against it from the inside.

 

[Ananda]

These were taken last June.
The owner, my friend’s mom said there was no rust, which may have been true 35 years ago but now you can pretty much see the ground wherever you look.

 

[Chaostoy]

That poor little 850 makes me want to rescue it, even if only for parts for mine! Thanks for posting, and I feel better about the condition of my little green one now.

 

[johnph]

Perfect project for the person who knows how to rust repair sheet metal and wants to make a vintage racer... 903 ground pounding ccs.

 

[Ananda]

Perfect project for the person who knows how to rust repair sheet metal and wants to make a vintage racer... 903 ground pounding ccs.

I would love to be that person, but I’m not (yet)
I need more optimistic spark which is what got me into the X1/9 on the first place even though I was never a car guy

 

[Daniel Gibson]

If it is decided to scrap or part it out, I would love that luggage rack for my slightly less decrepit car!

 

[Ananda]

If it is decided to scrap or part it out, I would love that luggage rack for my slightly less decrepit car!

Chances are high that I could grab it next time I’m up there. All the chrome bits looked pretty sharp iirc.

Perfect project for the person who knows how to rust repair sheet metal and wants to make a vintage racer... 903 ground pounding ccs.

you aren’t too far away, any chance you want it?

 

[WOOM]

Any chance you could grab the deck hinges?

 

[Ananda]

Any chance you could grab the deck hinges?

I shall inquire

 

[WOOM]

I shall inquire

Appreciate it.

 

[Dave Bassett]

If it is decided to scrap or part it out, I would love that luggage rack for my slightly less decrepit car!

Did you get a luggage rack? Do you want mine?