71 Spider engine identification

[V12StealthHunter]

Hello chaps,

I'm trying to determine if my newly acquired 71 Spider has all of its original engine.

The bulk head VIN plate is stamped as follows;
124 BS1 00409xx
125 BC.040
18234xx

The top of the cylinder head has these markings;
FIAT 4
124 AC S 62
4239436

And just above the oil filter it says;
125 BC .040
04806xx

And the emblem says 1600.

Not entirely sure how to read all this data because none of it matches up.

From what I can gather, it is definitely a 1608cc block, but I'm confused about the cylinder head.

Is this the original engine?

[BEEK]

yes, you have a 1608

[spiderrey]

Is there anything on the plate that tells if the car came with a 1438 or a 1608 engine? Just curious.

[bradartigue]

Is there anything on the plate that tells if the car came with a 1438 or a 1608 engine? Just curious.

BS1 = 1971 - 1972, factory 1608cc. Some had flat hoods, some had smallish humps
125BC 040 is a 1608 and the correct motor for the year

[spiderrey]

All 71s came with flat hoods. Some early 71,s still had the 1438. Most were 1608 though. I have an old article some where that shows the info on the engines. They even ran the two back to back to compare them. So I guess the answer to my original question is no.

[bradartigue]

All 71s came with flat hoods. Some early 71,s still had the 1438. Most were 1608 though. I have an old article some where that shows the info on the engines. They even ran the two back to back to compare them. So I guess the answer to my original question is no.

But weren't the early 71s with 1438s BS and not BS1?

70/71/72 are all mixed up years, I've noted before I had a 1970 with a serial number in the 1971 range and a 1438, but it was titled as a 70. This is the disparity between rolling production changes (as FIAT did at the time) vs. model year changes. It makes it interesting.

[vandor]

Brad,

Do you have that serial number?

I believe in Europe the 1608 was an option for a while. I've seen a Euro 1438 Spider that was way into 1608 territory VIN wise.

[mscafide]

The 1971 model year began with the 1438 but in March the 1608 became available. I worked at a Fiat dealer part time while in school and traded my 850 spider to get one.

Mike

[spiderrey]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Exactly. What he said. I got into spiders back in the 70,s. I was probably the first guy or one of the first guys to drop a 2 liter into an early car.

[georgeramos]

The door tag in my 71 reads January and I have a 1608. that said it ay not be the original motor to the car...not sure

[bradartigue]

Brad,

Do you have that serial number?

I believe in Europe the 1608 was an option for a while. I've seen a Euro 1438 Spider that was way into 1608 territory VIN wise.

124BS - 023755
Motor 124AC.040
MFG Date 12/69

According to a couple of sources I have 023755 is mid way through the 1971 model year, and this car surely is not given the mfg date. My theory is that, for one reason or another, bodies were not stamped with the door jamb plate until the end of production.

This is one car I should have kept, Ive told the story before, the guy who bought it was sentimental about buying it as the first car he bought with his own money was a positano yellow 1970 sport spider. He never drives it...makes me kind of sad. I used to pick it up to take it to car shows but haven't done so in years.

[georgeramos]

brad, you should ask him to sell it back to you. Sounds like you'd be a better caretaker at this time.

[bradartigue]

brad, you should ask him to sell it back to you. Sounds like you'd be a better caretaker at this time.

Tried to contact them several times. It sits in a garage. I'm guessing at some point they'll contact me.