What's different about '74s?

[perthling]

A post on another forum got me thinking about the vagaries of the 1974 model. As you probably know this was a bit of a transition year and had some unique features.

So far I'm aware of the following features of the '74 model:
First of the 1756cc engine (CS1 spec) but last of the blade bumpers
Bumpers mounted on rubber blocks and tubes rather than dumb irons (earlier) or compressing tubes (later tube style)
CA/MD versions had long rubber blocks in place of overriders (different bumper design)
Tall thin overriders on front bumper, small rectangular style on rear
Rear overriders located nearer to edge of car than earlier models
Rear springs lower (or front springs higher) than earlier models
'1800' badge in block style mounted to left rear near trunk lock rather than right rear fender above taillight.

Any other unique features?

[124ADDHE]

Only year with 34dmsa carb, last year of fresh-air vents, had electric fuel pump and 4-2-1 exhaust

[perthling]

Fresh air vents? Not sure which ones you're referring to.

Regarding the 4-2-1 exhaust, that wasn't exclusive to 74s as I understand, this was part of the changes when the 1756cc was introduced but carried on for more than just the '74 model year. However, happy to be corrected. And the electric fuel pump also carried onwards from '74 if I'm not mistaken; only earlier models had the mechanical pump in the block.

[124ADDHE]

The fresh air vents were a really nice feature, the drew fresh air from under the cowl ( just like the intake for the heater matrix) on both driver and passanger sides and alowed an optional fresh blast of air. You are totally correct about the exhaust and fuel pump though. I don't know what year that the oil pressure gauge was abandoned, it is on my 74 but not on the 78. Also my 74 had that ?vitantonio? Mirror.

[perthling]

Ah, you mean the ones with the spring-tensioned lever, located above the knees under the dash. Didn't realise they ceased after '74.

The Vitaloni mirror on the thin stem was fitted to earlier models as well as the '74.

[manoa matt]

76 models had fresh air vents under the dash and a electric fuel pump.

[Exit98]

Yup, what Matt says.

My very early 76 has the air vents. Its got an electric fuel pump too though I'm not sure its stock.

[mikeg]

The real transition year was 1973 at least in the US. Mid year the engine was switched from the 1608 cc to the 1592 cc, appearantly for some tax rule in Italy where they needed to be under 1600 cc. This engine was the precursor to the 1756, and had many of the changes that were seen on the 1756, it was the first to have the 4-2-1 exhaust and the duel point distributors. This model also had the bumpers mounted on rubber blocks. This change protected the bumper from damage as it just folded down on impact. I have first hand experience, well the wife does actually, she was driving the first time this happened. This '73 model was also the first with the small bump hood and the '73 and '74 were the only models with the small bump hood where the Fiat badge was on the gril and not the hood. I bought one of the last 4 '73 spiders that were shipped to Houston, the next shipment were all '74s.

[124ADDHE]

Mike, didnt the fiat grill-badge only come on the units with the honeycomb grill? My 74' had the badge on the small-bump hood and the pressed-steel grill.

[perthling]

This '73 model was also the first with the small bump hood and the '73 and '74 were the only models with the small bump hood where the Fiat badge was on the gril and not the hood. I bought one of the last 4 '73 spiders that were shipped to Houston, the next shipment were all '74s.

My understanding was that the small bump hood came in with the BS series Spiders, which had the badge on the grille. Then the CS and CS1 Spiders changed to the aluminium grille and the badge moved to the hood.

Again, maybe Fiat were using up the last of the BS series hoods on the start of the CS models, so there was a bit of a corssover?

[SLOSpider]

Only year with 34dmsa carb, last year of fresh-air vents, had electric fuel pump and 4-2-1 exhaust

My 75 has fresh air vents and im pretty sure my 76 had them too.

[mikeg]

Well, Fiat is known for using up inventory or pulling parts from next year's model to finish building cars, there are a number of '78s out there with spider 2000 doors for example. Since I bought the car new all I can attest to with any certanty is how mine was equipped. It had the aluminum cross bar grill, and a large round mounting plate on which the Fiat badge was attached. The hood had the small bumps and no dimple for a hood badge. As a result of those great rubber mounted bumpers the hood had to be replaced about 1975 or 6 and the replacement hood had a dimple for the badge that the body shop filled with bondo. Something you just can't forget.

As far as bumps on the hood, it was started on the BS cars, I stand corrected. The 124 CS was, according to Tipler's book, intorduced in July of '73. My guess is that these cars or at least mine (purchased on September 28, 1973) had the BS hood with a CS1 grill, so the badge had to go on the grill as there was no dimple in the hood. The CS spiders only were in production for a very short time as the 1974 models were I believe CS1s.