Ragno Volante - "Flying Spider'
My son and I acquired this Spider in July '06 from my father. My then four year old son named her the Flying Spider "Ragno Volante".
As you can see from the pictures below it needed a bit of restoration work.
Mechanicals
The engine has been rebuilt with high performance cams, valves, pistons, Weber, etc. It also has free flowing header, intake and exhaust. New brakes were also installed with new master cylinder, cross drilled slotted rotors, racing pads and braided SS lines. I forgot how much fun it is to restore an old sports car. I recently upgraded some of the instrumentation with 140 MPH speedo, voltometer and mechanical oil pressure gauges.
Interior
I removed the entire interior, cut out any rust and then coated the entire floor pan with sound proofer and dynomat. Then hand cut all new carpet including the trunk. I also recovered the dash, center console, door panels and rear quarter panels. Racing seats with 3 point retractable racing harnesses replace the worn stock seats and belts. I decided to add a bit of elegance to the interior by milling book matched mahogany strips for the door panels and the ash tray. I also replaced the wood in the dash and console to match (not pictured). A Momo Mahogany E-brake handle from a BMW was modified and fitted. A new Luisi mahogany 12.3" steering wheel with Abarth horn button has been installed. Drilled aluminum MOMO Tecnica pedals have been added. A Nardi shift knob tops off the 5 speed tranny.
Tunes
The stereo is a Phase Linear head with bluetooth matched-up to 5 1/4 Polk Audio speakers in the front and 6 1/2 in back with two Jensen 300 watt amps to drive them. A Kenwood amplified woofer was also stashed in the trunk. At least now if I want, I can hear tunes with the top down. Most of the time, I prefer to hear that Italian engine sing.
Exterior
The outside was transformed from blue to Flame Red. She also received a set of Hella driving lights, converted the original head lamps to halogen, chin spoiler and 15" EXIP wheels wrapped with toyos. VITALONI Californian Mirrors replaced the baby turbos. I also completed the Abarth bumper install recently. What a change in the car's personality.
Suspension
The suspension was completely rebuilt. Ragno now sits on a set of VAS performance springs which dropped her about 2" to the European spec.
Future Mods
Roll Bar
Forced Induction???
I am amazed at the interest this car has been generating when I take her for a spin. It's really
cool to see such interest in Fiats.
