Thats just crazy talk!

[pope]

For all these years, I thought I had a '80 California Spider. My title shows 14 digits and 1980 as the title year. Sifting through boxes yesterday I found the aluminum firewall plate with the VIN # on it.


On that same plate, toward the bottom, it says that "something, something for spares and # 1950826. Does anyone know what that is in reference to?

[So Cal Mark]

in the Fiat parts book and micro fiche all parts applications are by before or after spares #xxxxx rather than model years for the very reason you just wrote about

[pope]

update: I received an email that ineffect kicked me out of the 1980 Fiat Spider Club of America. They just tossed me to the street.

I then received an email welcoming me to the 1981 Fiat Spider Club. Hooray!!!!!! LOL

[Danno]

update: I received an email that ineffect kicked me out of the 1980 Fiat Spider Club of America. They just tossed me to the street.

It was with regret that I had to send that. Although, I was a little glad. I was getting sick and tired of your prancing around bragging about how awesome your FI system was on your 1980, when some people happen to actually like their carburetors.

You'll like the pretentious bunch in your new 1981 Club, but stay away from the Anniversary and Turbo guys, they are all bad news....

[pope]

Yah, thats going to be one heck ofa going away party though.

[rlux4]

Darsy, please note that Danno said GUYS, that excludes you as one of those Anniversary types.
This is kinda like CYA, only in this case it's CD'sA.
I got you covered buddy.
Ron

[KRegester]

You may want to run that VIN on the carfax site.
http://www.carfax.com/cfm/general_check ... tner=car_q


My 1980 has a VIN is ZFA124CS00017####
spares 1951357 and it fails on VIN check.

I tried to get into 'The 1981 Club' but didn't know the secret handshake and they bounced me.

-=Ken=-

[pope]

I dont know if I trust Car Fax with Fiats and Car Fax says that only cars from 1981 and after are in their system.
IAP has on their website that any Spider # after 171001 is a 1981
IAP has on their website that any Spider # after 157654 is a 1980

My number is after 171001, so I an assuming it is a 1981.

Mark, what type of info do you have on this subject. Something tells me that Fiat did not go to the 17 digit code till '82 when the serial numbers started with 1938507.

Facts on the VIN #s state that VIN numbers are unique 17-digit serial numbers assigned to all cars manufactured after 1981. Two other facts. I read that Fiat changed the body style code from CS2 to CS0 to comply with the 17 digit scheme. Second, the tenth digit is suppose to be the year of manufacture, except that no 0 or O is allowed in the tenth spot from the governing body. Mine has a 0 in there which is not legal in the 17 digit serial
Thanks

[mdrburchette]

Before 1981 VIN #s had 13 digits. The 10th digit on an 81 should be a "B". What is the manufacture date of the car? Should be located in the left door jamb.

[pope]

Hi Denise,
Previous to 81, there were 14 digits in VIN #'s. Three digits were added to the beginning of the number to Identify manufacture and country.
The door plate says date of manufacture is 01•80, with car type 124 CS0, and No. 171734
The windshield plate says 124CS000171734.
Every list that I have ever read that lists year and production for Fiat Spiders puts my Number as a 1981.

Go figure!

[mdrburchette]

Pope, sorry to disagree with you but I have 9 Fiats sitting in my yard right now, ranging from 1970 to 1982. Earlier than 81, the VINs are showing 13 digits on the door plate and the VIN tag itself except the 70, which shows 12 digits. In 1981, it was mandated for manufacturers to go with the 17 digit VIN with the 10th digit showing the year model. Some manufacturers (I don't know if FIat was one) had a 17 digit VIN before 81. With the manufacturer date of 1/80 on yours and no "B" as the 10th digit, I would bet yours is an 80 model.

[pope]

Your right. My '80 has a 14 digit number on my title and my VIN plate, earlier had 13 and 12 and 11 and downwards. Older cars had even less digits. My door tag only has 7 digits, which is the production number. No wonder they went to a 17 digits for standards.

[afields]

My 1980 FI Spider has a manufacture date of 2-80 and Vin of 0173008 on the drvier's door jamb and 124CSO-00173008 on windshield tag. This puts it in line with the 1-80 manufacture date of your spider Pope.

AFields

[pope]

You can thank me. They built mine first (January) to get all the bugs out and then they built your Spider (February). I hope you like your defect-free Spider. You owe me a beer for that one.

[afields]

Defect-Free!!?!! Geez, 2-80 must have been a good month at FIAT! Someday, I'll get you that beer though, even if Detroit's a long way from sunny Florida!