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17/06/2010
By MURRAY HUBBARD
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When it comes to automobiles we owe the Americans a lot of thanks... no, not for those massive, gas-guzzling, chrome plated, two-tonne, raucous V8-powered, soft-suspension, handle-like-a-truck. gaudy, finned monstrosities we all love. There's another group of cars the US is responsible for: ones that appeal to those yanks who have a sensitive new-age appreciation of fine machinery.
Take this 1977 Fiat 124 Sport Spider. If not for the US market this car probably would not exist. Like many European marques after WW2 - and in this case we are talking well after – there was a recognition of demand for alternative sports cars in the land of opportunity. Not everyone wanted a Corvette, Caddy, Cobra or a '57 Chevy convertible. So makers from Jaguar to Austin Healey, Alfa to Fiat produced models, not quite exclusively for the US market, but largely for that large car-buying nation who could afford luxuries like two door sports cars. So in this way the US assisted greatly in keeping European and British car companies afloat at a difficult time for Europe after WW2.
We found this Fiat 124 Sport Spider at the MacLeans Bridge, Brisbane, Australia meet in 2009. The 2 + 2 convertibles were produced by Fiat from 1966 to 1982 and by Pininfarina from 1982 through to 1985. Some were sold in Europe, but the lions share went to the US. They were not sold new in Australia. The Sports Spider and Coupe were derivatives from the 124 sedan and shared much in common mechanically with the four door. The Coupe even used the same platform as the sedan. The Sport Spider was shorter in length and wheelbase and used a monocoque body designed by Pininfarina.
The car was introduced to the world at the Turin Auto Show in 1966 and available from 1967. To start with the 124 was powered by a four cylinder double overhead cam, with aluminium crossflow head derived from the sedan. Over time it grew from 1438cc to 1608cc in 1968, down to 1592 in 1973 and up to 1756cc in 1974. This is the engine that sits under the bonnet of our featured 1977 car. In 1979 the motor grew to 1995cc.
Other changes took place as the engine evolved, including replacement of carburettors with fuel injection in 1980. Turbo chargers were added during 1981 and 1982 when Fiat and Legend Industries combined to produce a high-performance model. The Fiat 124 Sport Spider that Fiat had confidence in from the start. As one Fiat sales brochure proclaimed:
“This is a sports car with a present and a future: Built to perform with power and precision; styled by master-designer Pininfarina to endure as a classic. It has only one conservative feature: It's moderate price. To drive it is to know the full meaning and measure of the total sports car experience. A 1756cc twin overhead cam engine teamed with a 5-speed synchromesh transmission delivers a cyclonic surge of power to the radial-ply tires in touch and in tune with the road.
“The steering and stick shift respond instantly. The electronic tachometer reports accurately. And you command the performance surrounded by the rich wood grain, luxurious bucket seats and complete instrumentation of a genuine sports car cockpit. Disc brakes on all four wheels are standard equipment. Discover the new FIAT 124 Sport Spider – and let it transport you into a new way of living.”
SPECIFICATIONS: 1977 Fiat 124 Sport Spider
Engine: in-line four cylinder, twin cam 1756cc
Power: 87 kW (118 bhp) @ 6000 rpm
Torque: 153 Nm @ 4000 rpm
Bore 84 mm x Stroke 79.2 mm
Transmission: Five speed manual all synchromesh.
Final Drive: 4.3: 1
SUSPENSION:
Front: Independent wishbone control arms with coil springs and anti-roll bar
Rear: Rigid axle with coil springs and transverse panhard rod
Brakes: Four wheel servo assisted disc brakes with anti-lock rear wheel compensator
Weight: 995 kg unladen
Wheels: 5 1/2” x 13”
DIMENSIONS
Length: 3969mm
Width: 1.613mm
Height: 1251mm
PERFORMANCE
0-100 km/h: 10.8 seconds
Top speed: 172 km/h
ECONOMY
23 mpg (approx. 10 litres/100 km) |
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