The iconic Fiat Cabriolet is 50 years old. It drove through the formative decades of the last century and has been back on the market since last year. Over the course of four generations, the Fiat has evolved and can look back on many successes.
Turin Motor Show 1966
"The Turin Motor Show under the sign of optimism" was the title of the 48th edition of the event in the Turin exhibition halls in 1966. The Motor Show greeted visitors with lights and colors. The shiny paintwork of the cars reflected the bright neon lights, which were intended to multiply the effect - it was the 1960s and waves of enthusiasm were sweeping Italy. The currency crisis of 1964 - 1965 came to an end and automobile production rose by 8 percent in 1966.
Over 650 billion lira was invested in the renewal and development of the plants at the time in order to meet a new demand that was increasing year on year. Alongside jobs, cars were the primary indicator of a country's prosperity and condition. While the desire to own one became more common, there remained a certain conservative mentality that viewed automobiles as a short-lived luxury. Which was ultimately wrong. Today we know that vehicles have helped to shorten distances, promote travel and foster mutual understanding. It was sometimes seen as an accessory, but as a means of transportation, the car was almost always a work tool, a calling card and a springboard for ambition.
Fiat presented three completely new models in the exhibition hall - the Fiat Dino, whose production started at this time, the Fiat 124 Familiare, an estate version for five people, and the Fiat 124 Sport Spider, which took center stage. This model was the pinnacle of development in the exciting convertible segment, which Fiat had occupied since the end of the Second World War with models such as the 1100 Spider, the 1200 and the 1500.
The 124 Sport Spider was built for drivers who wanted great performance at a good price - in other words, a sporty car. It was modern, had a personal style and delivered amazing performance. The 124 Sport Spider was an evolution of the sedan but also a true sports car. Fiat commissioned Pininfarina, a long-standing partner of the car manufacturer and a respected name in automotive design worldwide, to design the car.
The 124 Sport Spider from 1966
The model basically came with the technology of the Fiat 124 saloon, but was designed with many sporty features from the outset. The look of the front headlights is unmistakable, as are the two slightly upward sloping side fins. The Spider variant was equipped with the same rear-wheel drive with the 124 AC.000 engine, a four-cylinder with a bore and displacement of 1438 cc. The engine developed an output of 66 kW (90 hp) at 6,500 rpm, enabling the Spider to reach a top speed of 170 km/h. Other features of the sports car included a five-speed gearbox as standard, radial tires and a two-spoke steering wheel.
The elegant style, good engine performance, stability and safety of the model promised sales success and a brilliant image right from the start. The 124 Sport Spider was priced at 1,550,000 lire, around half a million more than the saloon. "Cromodora" alloy wheels and the hardtop were available for an additional 65,000 lire. Around 25,000 units of the first series were produced until 1969.
The second series for the "American Dream"
Fiat worked on the development of the model that was launched in the USA in 1968. The Americans loved the proportions and the typical Italian style of the Spider, whose soft top could be opened quickly from the driver's seat. The second version was launched in October 1969, again at the Turin Motor Show, as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the model range. It retained the rear-wheel drive and the typical sporty driving feel, despite the large number of front-wheel drive cars presented at the show at the time.
You could order either the traditional 1.4 liter or the new 1.6 liter engine. The latter, also with four cylinders and two overhead camshafts, had a displacement of 1,608 cm3 and an output of 81 kW (110 hp). The top speed was 180 km/h. From a visual point of view, there was a new radiator grille with a honeycomb look. The most obvious difference was the two significant oval bulges on the hood, which were required for the larger engine. The rear lights were modified and a reversing light was added. The Roadster continued to develop with its elegant Pinifarina design and was very successful - around 27,000 units were produced between 1969 and 1972.
The third generation in the seventies
The 1970s were full of major cultural and social changes. The development of the automotive industry swung from stagnation caused by the oil crisis and political unrest to maximum production efficiency and economic recovery. The Fiat 124 range was completely renewed and a number of improvements were introduced to enhance performance, comfort and elegance.
Fiat introduced a new generation of the Spider in 1972 - The style was basically unchanged, the most significant changes were to the engine as both the "1600" and the new "1800" engines from the Fiat 132 were used in the Fiat 124 Sport Spider. They both had double overhead camshafts, overhead valves and Weber or Solex carburetors. The power output was 108 hp and 118 hp with top speeds of 180 and 185 km/h.
After 1972, the model was also remembered for its glorious racing successes. Eddy Merckx lived up to his nickname "The Cannibal", winning the Tour de France and the Giro d'Italia, in addition to setting the speed record in the classic Milano-Sanremo. Mark Spitz set new world records in all seven events at the Olympic Games in Munich, while the Italians Mennea and Thoeni made a name for themselves in athletics and skiing. The Fiat 124 Abarth Rallye for the Group 4 racing series was launched in the same year as the road-going version. Compared to the production car, the Fiat 124 Abarth Rally Group 4 benefited from a more powerful engine, fiberglass roof and hood, aluminum doors and a significant weight reduction. Tuned by the Abarth Racing Team, the car made its debut in the 1972 season and was used in races until 1975.
Production of the 124 Sport Spider continued from June 1974 to 1982 for exports to the United States, where the model was still very successful. In 1981, Pininfarina presented a new model called "Spider Europa" at the Geneva Motor Show. The appearance was essentially the same, with upgrades in safety and comfort. The last development came in 1983 with the 136 hp "Volumex" with turbocharger. Designed primarily for the US market, it continued the model's success with over 200,000 units sold worldwide, 75 percent of which were in the US.
The Fiat 124 Spider returns
Last year, the new Fiat 124 Spider was unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show. Following in the tradition of its legendary namesake, it has set itself the task of fascinating a new generation with its typically Italian style and performance. Who knows if it will be as successful as its predecessors...
