Fiat 124 Sport Spider

Thursday 28 October 2010
The 124 Sport Spider (called the 2000 Spider from 1979 to 1982 and the Pininfarina Spider Azzura from 1982 to 1985) is a 2+2 convertible sport car that was marketed by Fiat from 1966 to 1982 and by Pininfarina from 1982 to 1985. The bodies were made and assembled by Pininfarina during the entire model run, from introduction at the November 1966 Turin Auto Show, until production ended in 1985 to build the Cadillac Allante.
A majority of the cars were exported to the United States. The car was sold in Europe and the U.S. from its introduction until the 1975 model year when it was modified to comply with new U.S. regulations and no European version was produced. Sales in Europe resumed when Pininfarina took over production in 1982 under the name Pininfarina Europa Spider.
Introduced for 1967, the Sports Spider and the Fiat 124 Coupé were related to the 124 sedan in name and through the use of much of the mechanical running gear and, in the case of the Coupé, a shared platform. However, the Sports Spider utilized a shorter platform along with a shorter wheelbase. Fiat designed and manufactured the Coupé in-house while the Spider's monocoque was designed and produced by Italian carozzeria Pininfarina — at the time Pininfarina's most successful commercial venture.
There are several very active enthusiast clubs for these cars in North America. FiatSpiders Forum is a great source for Spider background, ownership and upkeep along with FIAT America, that was established in 1969. Club Fiat Lancia Unlimited was founded in 1983 after Fiat left North America. FLU hosts an annual national convention called 'The Fiat Freak Out' that draws several hundred cars.

Technical data:
- engine: 4 cylinders
- capacity: 1995 cc
- horsepower: 102 HP
- gearbox: 5+1
- top speed: 190 km/h