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o hai, long time reader, first time caller. thought id better put some detials of my current project etc. i already have a thread on this car here where you can follow the detail of my trails and tribulations to date: http://www.turbo124.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=8003 but this forum is more local, active and wide ranging, so better introduce my self proper like. 2009 was a crappy year, upshot = tax refund. was looking for a datsun 1600, but came accross this beastie. Has same 1.6l engine capacity, twin headlights, rwd, & 4 box family 'sport sedan' underpinnings, and more or less same propensity for tinworm differences are many, but mainly rarity, italian style/quirks, extra cam, 4 wheel discs, solid axle w/ leaf sprung rear, and factory air horns runs the 1608cc version (80x80 = perfect square) of aurelio lampredi's famous FIAT twin cam, but is NZ assembled (CKD) early base model, so only 4 speed, big clock in the dash where tacho should be, and a solex twin throat carb. The Special had 5 speed and Weber carb, tach, air con, more chrome, nicer/black interior etc etc. Much of the engine & etc is common with the 124, and later 131, 132 and Argentas, so these bits incl performance mods are relatively easy to find - body parts are another story tho. Many of you will also know of the 125T, a NZ dealer developed version for the B&H race series. Yellow & black, Hi-comp pistons, hot cams, twin 40 sidedrafts, 5 speed, large capacity tank, lower/stiffer susp etc. They were supposed to sell 200 to homologate them, but only 70ish ever got made, apparrently FIAT found out and stopped it, but who knows. Plans are to - restore/upgrade (body, brakes, interior etc) - improve the engines performance - this base version produces 90HP (DIN) - the same capacity engine in the 124 sport (w/ twin sideys etc) came from the factory with 145HP - lower as per 125T - for the purpose of classic family 'goon (massive boot + roofies) and/or weekend cruiser Anyway, this was as purchased off t-me in April 2010. Had $500 worthof head work, new ball joints and some bodywork done and then has been shed stored since 1993. 135,000 miles. Still registered tho. getting it home from palmy: And have spent the last 9 months, on weekends etc getting it from this: to this: So i can start on the real work of chopping out the FIAT dust (those pesky russians!) and replacing it with shiny new stuff. The car is remarkably original and pretty solid, apart from the 20 year old body work 'repairs' which involved wire brushing the rusty bits, a bit of hammer work, brazing some metal on the underside and covering with copius amounts of filler. The car would be in far better condition if they had have just left it alone Work so far has included - sourcing 3 sets of rims (hey first things first!) - cleaning 40 years of grime off. - conversion to electric fan from belt driven (good for a few HP at least) - plugs/points/leads - cam belt/tensioner/timing/alt belt - new water pump - all oil and fluids - new brake pads, flex hoses, resovoirs, refurb calipers - new speedo/tacho, recover dash face from faux woodgrain to black vinyl, steering wheel - chasing down various missing trims and etc. Basically i wanted to get the car all together so i knew what it would be like (as it looks ok in teh photos aye), before concentrating on getting the rust out. Car now runs/stops and drives very nicely and Im looking forward very much to going further than the end of my road in it. Rust is all cut out now and i have been folding up repair panels, but have managed to get a parts car - a shell i had got some trims etc off previously, which is solid in a few of the critical areas that mine is fucked, so i will be using as much of that as i can. Will be purchasing a wee MIG welder and getting stuck in real soon... EDIT - discusst viewtopic.php?f=18&t=25706 EDIT2 - not thumbs, chrono order, moar photos