I recently traded a used Bus engine for a '76 Fiat 124 Spider Convertible
(also sold as an Alfa Romeo Spider).  Yes, I guess I'm a glutton for
punishment.  But after having VW busses as my daily drivers for years, the
prospect of owning a car that could actually get out of its own way (almost
as much horsepower as a Westy and 1/4 the weight) was a lure too great to
pass up.  (Of course, the fact that I got the car for practically nothing
didn't hurt either!) So it's not going to replace my VW's but will certainly
be a neat toy to tool around in for short trips, etc. when I don't need the
features of my Westy or my Crew Cab.  Boy is it fun to drive!

I was surprised, upon discovering a Fiat BBS, to notice some contributors
who were also VW enthusaists; I even recognized a couple of customers of
mine!. There are indeed some similarities between the vehicles. Generally
low parts prices;  widespread part interchangeability between models/years;
few local parts or repair specialists, hence heavy reliance on the internet;
quirky design (i.e. rear-engined Fiats, or even air-cooled older ones);
quirky operation (the heater controls on the Spider are as counter-intuitive
as the ones on my Vanagon!).  Of course, many differences too.

Since there were Vanagon owners on the Fiat board, I wonder if there are any
Fiat owners on the Vanagon list - in particular, listmembers who either have
used Spider parts or know of a local junkyard that does.  I would be
particularly interested in trading either new VW parts, or a credit at The
Bus Depot, for used Fiat parts that I may need.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot, Inc.
  (215) 234-VWVW
  www.busdepot.com