New to forum. Hey all!

[pope]

Hi every one,
Im from Motown and have had the '81 F.I. spider for 21 years. I stripped the car down to bare pieces last summer to start the resto this spring. Everything is in boxes, with a bare metal body sitting on jack stands. I have been strategizing the final design. I have both bumpers for sale if any one is interested. I will also put in the for-sale area for sure.

Question? My title says a 1980 and the tag on the car says a 1980, but when I look up the Fiat vehicle ID # in the charts, it puts it in the 81 class? What gives!

Thanks guys

[rlux4]

Welcome Pope, Wow, 21 years. You must be pretty familiar with your car! You have a very ambitious project ahead, can't say I envy you. Good luck. Ron

[So Cal Mark]

welcome! as for the year model, Euro mfgs typically didn't go by year models like US mfgs. They made running changes, so chassis number is needed for replacement parts. What is the date of mfg on the door vin tag?

[pope]

Helllo,

The white tag on the inside of the drivers door jam says 1980 and 124cs000171734. same as on the engine and also on the metal tag near the windshield. When you go to the charts and look up 171734, it falls in the 1981 model year! Which is correct? Since it is F.I., I think its the same spec for either year.


And yes "rlux4" after 21 1/2 years, I know every thing about that car, and could put it together blindfolded. This time, I am going to address the major weak spots about the car, trans and rear end, find a match from one of Detroit finest and install.

Thanks

[mdrburchette]

If your car was an 81 it would have a 17 digit VIN. Yours is probably a late model 80 with fuel injection.

[pope]

MODEL YEAR CHASSIS TYPE BEGINNING SERIAL NO ENGINE TYPE ENGINE DISPLACEMENT
124, 2000 Spider 1985 N/A 5506060 132.C3 1995cc
124, 2000 Spider 1984 N/A 5503666 132.C3 1995cc
124, 2000 Spider 1983 N/A 1967897 132.C3 1995cc
124, 2000 Spider 1982 N/A 1938507 132.C3 1995cc
124, 2000 Spider 1981 N/A 171001 132.C3 1995cc
124, 2000 Spider 1980 N/A 157654 132.C3 1995cc


I know that the 17 digit VIN was mandatory in 1981, but all of the charts in every book, catalog or web site that I have seen use the above stats. I have a 171734....making it a 1981? Wierd hey!

Oh well, thanks all

[racydave]

Howdy. There is a good Fiat club out of the Detroit area, In fact the last two years our national event was held in Dearborn! Love the area, exept for the left turns! Welcome ( my pic is from Frankenmuth )

[pope]

Hey Dave,
Ahhh...the old Frankenmuth Holz Brucke, know it well. I probably have a 1 1/2 to 2 year project ahead of me though. I have already started on thing I can do inside because of the bitter cold, I think it about 3 degrees out. (wheres global warming when you need it)

I know everything about my car but occasionally will need help with doing some things that I want to change on the car.
Then I'll hit you guys up.
Thanks

[mbouse]

hey pope! welcome to the forum. i STRONGLY suggest that you get in contact with the gang at F.L.U.I.D. (Fiat Lancia Unlimited in Detroit). this is the oldest FLU chapter, and has a 50+ member roster of VERY active, VERY friendly, and VERY supportive Italian car owners. Their goal is the same as ours, to help you make the best out of your Spider ownership.

visit http://www.flu.org for more information, or better yet, send me an email and I can put you in contact directly with some great folk there. in your email, be sure to tell me where in detroit you live so i can better point you in the right direction for a FLUster that lives nearest to you.

dave mentions our frankenmuth cruise, which was only one event from this past FIAT FREAK OUT; held in Pontiac two years running. we saw over 100 Italian cars there this past July. Fiat 500, 600, 850, 124, and X 1/9's....plus Lancia Scorpions, and Alfa Romeo's. What a blast.

it was 1 degree positive farenheight today here in southern michigan. stay indoors today and watch football instead. Go Giants!! bury brett....