Published on: 11/23/2015IST

ALL-NEW FIAT 124 SPIDER

Fiat will unveil its MX-5-based 124 Spider at the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show. The name evokes memories of an incredibly popular sports car, especially in the United States. We chart its history, in pictures.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER

The original 124 Sport Spider enjoyed an astonishing 19-year production life, making its debut at the 1966 Turin Auto Show, before bowing out in 1985.

FIAT 124 SALOON

As its name suggests, the pretty 124 Sport Spider was based on the humble, rear-wheel drive 124 saloon, one of the most successful cars of all-time.

LADA RIVA

Which means the Fiat 124 Sport Spider has something in common with the Lada Riva. Italian chalk meets Soviet cheese. Or something.

FIAT 124 COUPE

The Fiat 124 Sport Spider shares its platform with the equally elegant Fiat 124 Coupe. In the case of the Sport Spider, the floorpan was shortened by 5.4 inches.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER

In its day, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider was rather advanced. At launch, the 124AS was powered by the 89hp 1,438cc engine, also found in the 124 saloon.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER

Thanks to its saloon-car origins, the 124 Sport Spider was also roomier than its contemporary rivals, offering spacious front seat accommodation and even two small seats in the rear.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER

There was also a large, if shallow boot, properly comfortable seats and even a five-speed manual gearbox, at a time when a four-speed ‘box was the norm.

RIVALS INCLUDED THE MGB AND TRIUMPH SPITFIRE

The Fiat 124 Sport Spider felt far more advanced and spacious than its rivals from Great Britain, which included the MGB and Triumph Spitfire. The Americans loved it.

PININFARINA DESIGN

The original design is the work of Pininfarina, more specifically Tom Tjaarda, an American of Dutch origin, who grew up in Detroit.

FERRARI 275 GTS

It’s easy to spot the resemblance to the Ferrari 275 GTS, also one of Tjaarda’s designs.

CHEVROLET CORVETTE RONDINE

But the Ferrari 124 Sport Spider was also influenced by the Chevrolet Corvette Rondine. The concept was based on the Corvette C2 and designed by Tom Tjaarda.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER

The numbering system for the 124 Sport Spider is easy to follow. For example, 124AS means 124, A for first series, S for Spider. The 124BS was the second series, 124CS the third, and so on.

THREE ERAS OF 124 SPORT SPIDER

You can split the life of the 124 Sport Spider into three eras, namely: 1966-1975 - using engines from the 124,125 and 132 saloons; Post 1975 - US-spec cars with emissions control; 1978 - fuel injected engines plus later production by Pininfarina.

PININFARINA PRODUCTION

Two things of note in the previous slide. Firstly, the fact that Pininfarina took over production in 1982. The Italian firm had designed the original car (seen here), but took over production when Fiat rationalised production. This also meant Bertone produced the X1/9.

PININFARINA SPIDEREUROPA VOLUMEX

The Pininfarina-built car, which was known as the Spidereuropa in Europe and Spider Azzura in America, spawned the supercharged Spidereuropa Volumex. They were badged as Pininfarina cars.

THE SUPERCHARGED SPIDER

The Spidereuropa Volumex utilised a roots-type supercharger, as seen in the likes of the Lancia Trevi, Lancia Beta HPE and the Fiat Argenta (pictured).

THE 124BS

In 1969, the Sport Spider 124BS arrived, now sporting a 1608cc engine, alongside the smaller 1438cc unit. Note the bonnet bulges, needed to house the twin carburettors.

FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER US-SPEC

Going back a few slides, the other point to mention is the success in the US. The vast majority of cars were exported to America and this photo shows the larger US-spec bumpers, seen on later cars.

LEFT-HAND DRIVE ONLY

Fiat never produced a right-hand drive Fiat 124 Sport Spider, but there’s a surprisingly healthy number of left hookers in the UK. That’s because (whisper this), the Fiat is arguably superior to the Alfa Romeo Spider.

RUST IS THE BIGGEST ENEMY

Sadly, like so many other cars from the era, rust is the biggest problem with a Fiat 124 Sport Spider. If you fancy importing one from the US, head for a dry state.

FIAT 124 ABARTH RALLY

For homologation purposes, the 124 Abarth Rally was unveiled. The road-going version was essentially a 1.8-litre 124 Spider with uprated mechanicals and a lighter body…

FIAT 124 ABARTH RALLY

It also featured a permanent hardtop, independent rear suspension, Abarth alloy wheels and Recaro bucket seats.

 

THE FIAT 124 SPORT SPIDER CONTINUED TO EVOLVE

In later life, the Fiat 124 Sport Spider continued to evolve, with safety regulations and emissions legislation blunting the car’s performance.

FIAT 2000 SPIDER

In 1979, the 124 Spider was renamed the 2000 Spider. The car featured fuel injection, but it still felt slower than the 124s of old, with seemingly more focus on fuel economy.

FIAT SPIDER TURBO

Perhaps bowing to public pressure, Fiat of America called upon Legend Industries of New York State to build 1,200 turbo conversions.

FIAT UNO TURBO

Warner IHI of Japan supplied the turbo, as the firm was already involved with the development of the Fiat Uno Turbo.

EARLY ONES ARE BEST

There’s little doubt that, thanks to the purity of design, the early cars are the most coveted. Assuming rust isn’t an issue, a Fiat 124 Sport Spider could, ahem, make you jump for joy.

ALL-NEW FIAT 124 SPIDER

Fast forward to 2015, which sees the imminent arrival of the new Mazda MX-5-based Fiat 124 Spider. This photo shows the Mazda MX-5 Spyder concept, unveiled at SEMA.

ALL-NEW FIAT 124 SPIDER

The new 124 Spider is likely to be powered by Fiat’s 1.4-litre turbocharged engine and will launch in the autumn of 2016. The car will be unveiled at the Los Angeles Auto Show and we’ll bring you the latest news as soon as we have it.

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