MOFLO has been a "Family Affair" since I found out about it on Mirafiori about four years ago. This is our third MOFLO and in many ways each event is better than the one before it. This year the whole family participated with two fiats and Karen's MINI Cooper - S as the "Truck" chase car. My son Kris just turned 16 and tested out for his driver's license the day before we left for MOFLO so he was able to drive his '76 model himself. Last year we were short drivers and trailered Red and Karen rode with Kris so he could bring his car. I bought my first Spider in 1968 at the age of 20. Kris got his first spider at 14 and has been working on it ever since.

Red here is a 1971 1608cc small bumper spider. I prefer the early cars as I'm from that era and they look "Right" to me. Kris thinks his "Federal Bumper" 76 is fine. I agree.

I've owned red since 2000. It is the product of an older mechanical restoration in 1987. Since then, the paint is showing signs of minor blistering and the occasional rock ding on the front that spiders seem to be prone to. The engine and drivetrain are strong and smooth. Since I've owned the car, I've been on a mission to correct some improper trim pieces and lights. Most of the chrome, rubber trim, and badges have been replaced with new pieces.

The car is correct and original now except for the hood, and I have the correct one waiting for a new respray. The older restoration paint is mostly intact with good shine although it is not the correct tint of red that is annoying, but probably only to me. Others say it looks fine. Red's current condition is best described as excellent mechanically and very good cosmetically. He has placed third at a local carshow with only minimal prep work. He draws admiring people wherever I park him and only Karen's MINI Cooper draws more attention. The biggest project this year has been counstruction of a barn for better storage of the cars and other toys that we've been accumulating over the years. You can see pictures of the new barn here.

The 1608 was the strongest motor offered in the spider with 110hp which tops all except for the Turbo. However I have done some minor mods to the car but only factory euro Fiat equipment, or period correct pieces that were available from dealers here in the USA. Modifications I've added to Red include dual 40 IDFs with factory manifold and turtleback aircleaner, Abarth steering wheel and mirror. New dashboard and complete interior and carpets. For tunes a Kenwood head unit with Eclipse 61/2 speakers and electric antenna. This winter I re-did the dashboard and shift console with walnut peices that I made in the shop.

The wheels are Western Minnilite copies that I bought new in 73 for another car currently awaiting restoration. They were under water for over three months in the flood of "93 and only needed a mild buffing to restore them to like new condition.Red will have a set of Fiat/Roosevelt wheels for next year's event. Red is a "daily driver" that is used for weekend drives to the harbor or just for a quick ride along our local country roads. He has done well at local car shows, but the intent is to only bring him back to presentable condition. Not a concours condition restoration.

Red has a webpage and you are welcome to come visit and check out what is going on in the Midwest with our spider projects. Just click on any of the pictures and you will be taken to his webpage.