Unusual starting routine

[Spiderwebster]

I'm new and I think I posted my first post in the wrong area. Sorry about that, but I have since figured things out. Anyhow, this is my issue:

I recently purchased a 1975 124 Spider. Although I’ve owned more than 30 cars this is my first Fiat. My question is this: when starting the car the first turn of the key to the start position initiates what sounds like an electric motor (fuel pump?) and the engine does not turnover. Back off the key and on the second turn to the start position the starter engages and the car starts. This 2 twist process happens every time. Is that normal or do I have a problem?

Thanks.

[majicwrench]

Certainly not normal. Fiat starts like any other car.

WELCOME!
Keith

[btoran]

pump the gas pedal twice and turn the key and you should be good to go. to the left and below the steering wheel is a throttle knob that you can pull out and set by turning it a quarter turn to the right. this helps in cold weather starts.

check the fuel pump in the trunk. it should be activated by the key. however, a previous owner may have installed a toggle switch for the pump or re-wired it somehow in the ignition switch for security purposes.

[Spiderwebster]

Thanks. And I've been wondering what that object in the trunk was. So that is where they put the fuel pump. Easy to get to. Great.