front bow will it fit

[dartme]

Does anyone know if a front bow from a 1977 will fit on a round corner '79? The front bow on my '79 is trash and I have a front bow from a '77 will if fit? Im going to get a new top so i need to know if i should just buy a bow from a '79 or use the '77? Thanks

[narfire]

I believe you can swap the bow out but as you mentioned you'll have to get a top to fit the older bow. Someone with a better memory than mine perhaps could comment on the latch screw width on the different year bows, I thought there was a bit of difference there as well.
Chris

[manoa matt]

"From what I've heard" regarding top frames is: The top bows can be interchanged, however the three lateral cross bows that comprise the main structure of the top frame are about 1/2" taller on the later (79-85) cars than the early top frames.

Therefore if you were to install a 77 top bow on a 79 frame, then purchase a 77 top and install it. It might be too small due to the taller cross bows.

You may want to call a top manufacturer and ask how drastically the top dimensions differ between the two styles, if at all. Its possible they would make you a custom top, or confirm there actual no difference in the top dimensions.

http://www.germaneximportsinc.com/

[baltobernie]

Someone with a better memory than mine perhaps could comment on the latch screw width on the different year bows, I thought there was a bit of difference there as well.
Chris

Sometime during the 19 year production run, Fiat switched to a different spacing on the latch screws. This was only for a year or two, then they went back to the previous style. Sorry I can't be more specific. I guess you just make sure your latches will fit the new bow; I think the "mainstream" size is 40mm on-center