Fiat Skunkworks 2019

In February of 2019 Lou made a return visit to the Midwest Bayless Fiat skunkworks for some fine-tune adjustments to the Spider 2000.  I served in my standard capacity as chase car.  

The GPS routed us through Lebanon, Ohio and directly past the historic Golden Lamb Inn & Restaurant (background, below) on the drive to Columbus.

Tempting though it may be to stop there for a bite, on these visits to central and northern Ohio we save up our appetite for destruction of the all-you-can-shovel buffet at Der Dutchman.  Pro tip - don't leave Der Dutchman without a half pound of maple fudge. 

Somewhere outside of C-bus we stopped for fuel.  Exiting the gas station Lou was flagged down by a very animated - and large - human being;

This gentleman flipped his lid at the sight of the Spider 2000.  Evidently, this man and his brother used to repair cars and his favorite cars to work on and drive were Fiat 124s and Spider 2000s.  Dude was ecstatic.  He told Lou allllll about it.  He went on.....

.....and on.....

.....and on.....

.....and on, Mr Jiggy Fly.

We did eventually arrive at the skunkworks.  Outside and exposed to the elements were a couple of Spider bodies sans..... just about everything;

The shop was busy that day (as it is every day).   You couldn't swing a cat without hitting a Bertone-designed Fiat X1/9;

#proof

If Midwest Bayless has a niche specialty that differentiates, it's stuffing Honda/Acura engines into X1/9's and re-purposing them into race cars.

Roll the credits!