Hi, All – thanks for all the great responses.
No, Mike – you didn’t take over my post. You just added some really interesting information.
Mike – I lived in Italy also. Milano for three years in the early 60s.
Went to high school and learned to drive there – in a 1961 Ford Galaxy. Talk about intimidating all those little FIAT 500s and 600s!
But, in my short stay in Milano, I really developed an appreciation for Italian cars. While I was there, I got to drive FIAT, ALFA, Abarth, Maserati, OSCA and Innocenti. Never a Ferrari or Lamborghini (I wouldn’t be the least bit interested in driving the latter)
Will – regarding your comment on cruise control for my Ferrari. Remember, it’s my everyday car and on long trips, my right foot gets tired. I’m also in the process of rebuilding the suspension, installing a new stereo and remote door locks.
Chuck –addressing your somewhat negative comments on the PA-151 and the Cessna 172 (I just acquired one, by the way), I flew my Piper from February, 1990 until I sold it in December, 2016. Many hours in IMC and some into icing (Not intentionally!). I never had a problem for two simple reasons: I never exceeded my piloting skills nor did I ever exceed the limits of the aircraft. If there was a hint of inclement weather on my route of flight, I stayed on the ground. But, I have gone over weather as well as around it.
Back to the original post, the abandoned Piper. The plane has not moved in more than 20 years. The engine has not run in more than 15 years. From what we could ascertain, the plane would need a major engine overhaul, all new instruments and avionics, paint, various sheet metal work and other parts. It definitely needs a new/rebuilt carburetor, starter, magnetos and alternator. There is no possibility that the plane can in any reasonable way be restored, unless someone is willing to put 30 to 35 thousand dollars into a plane that will be worth maybe 20 when finished.
I found out that it will have to be moved soon. I will probably move it to a local aviation scrapyard and part it out.
By the way, it still has air in the tires because they were inflated a week or so before I took the picture.