Much ado about turn signals

How nicely things conclude sometimes.

In the video posted some time ago featuring all the parts that are yet to be mounted, one of the more noticeable parts are a pair of round turn signals with black frames. In the first pics I posted of my Fića on the old owner's yard, it is evident that it then had that same type of turn signal.

So what's so odd about this then? And how can turn signals at all be any interesting, for that matter? Well, read on to find out.

Fićas made in the eighties had these same black-rimmed turn signals; I wasn't so sure that mine exited the factory with them. I decided to investigate, and I found an assortment of photos of Fićas of very similar vintage to mine. One of those was this Fića to the right.

Ergo, my Fića should have turn signals with aluminum frames – just like the ones under the headlights in this photo – and not the black ones it was bought with. All I needed to do was to find such turn signals, get them over to the restorer, and tell him to put those on the car instead of the black ones.

How hard can that be?

Getting ever closer

I received some shots of the finishing touches they did on the car; they've evened out the metal they have repaired and sanded down some parts, though there are a few bits still left to be sanded. There's only a few weeks left until the restoration will be done completely! (at least that's the plan...)

Pictures of the above follow.

Fića opinions (review from 1971)

Here is a review of the Fića from 1971 - a good way to see the perspectives people had back when it was new.

It is the way it is: we all look at it with our noses up high, we try to reject it, but regardless the Fića is celebrating its sixteenth birthday. What was once the Fiat 600 and now the Zastava 750 has retained that magical attraction which lures buyers. So what does all that mean? It means keeping a steady hand when it comes time to take out your wallet.

It's still the cheapest car (besides the Trabant) in dealerships, in insurance offices, and in service bays. If some spoiled young woman were to slam its door out of protest, one can only keep cool: unsatisfied and snobby candidates are not worth getting oneself into a fit, because in the end, she was just dissatisfied with the car...

It's all in the details

I've received some video footage of my car! Well, parts of it. Below is footage of some components that are yet to be mounted. The first video contains parts and the second contains the upholstered interior, ready to go.

From ugly duckling to swan

Here's the car with its preschool friends fellow Fićas in the painting bay, who are ready to be...well, painted.



Note the new floorpans!

All is fall...er...being welded into place

The Fića is finally starting to look like a car. Almost. The sills, floorpans, and fenders have been welded into place, and the rustproofing and bodywork are done. Here are some pics:



Next up is the primer phase, before which the body must be smoothed out.