International Auto Show 1968

[4babycar]

Recently I searched the google images looking for cool spider pics and came across these two so I thought I would pass them along. Enjoy!

http://cachens.corbis.com/CorbisImage/1 ... 588391.jpg
http://cachens.corbis.com/CorbisImage/1 ... 88391A.jpg

Also, my wife found this video on you tube too -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ot3INGoc2xM

[pope]

Here are more viewable versions of those pics. Here's my mom doing her best to show off the Spider. Yes, later she will take it out back and wash it. Ya gotta laugh at the windshield hat w/ windshield wiper. Discoball headlights, and wheels on the shoes

[engineerted]

Wow !! they did have B cup hoods in 1968.

Ted

[4babycar]

Thanks Pope - I started to post the pictures but I thought the information on the webpage on where these pictures came from and exactly what these Ladies are supposed to be doing was worthwhile information too. So to save on some clicking.....

"Model with Fiat Car
Original caption: Peggy Walton, dressed like a car for her role as Miss Fiat, stretches out on the hood of the car that inspired her costume during preview of the International Auto Show. The car, a Fiat 124 Spider, is being introduced here for the first time. The show opens March 30th.
Image: © Bettmann/CORBIS
Collection: Bettmann
Standard RM
Date Photographed: March 29, 1968
Location Information: New York, New York, USA"

[So Cal Mark]

since she is dressed as a car, I could supply the missing shifter

[rlux4]

Would that be the "Michigan Shorter Shifter"?
Ron

[pope]

LOL, Ron, your best one yet!

[So Cal Mark]

none of 'dem shorter shifters here

[mdrburchette]

They sure knew how to model cars back then! You boys just won't do.

[perthling]

Back nearer to topic, I'm surprised to see the front overriders fitted to that car. I thought they were only introduced later (around '74) to the US cars to pre-empt the raised ride height of the 75-on models.

[pope]

I think that is a common misconception that keeps repeating around the web. I think what happened in 1974 was a rubber block that attacked the bumper to the car. I was suppose to cushion the crash a little, but I dont think did at all. I think overriders were always an option, as I have seen them on cars from 68 to 74. Maybe California and Maryland mandated them in 74 along with the rubber bumper support.

[perthling]

The CA/MD cars overrider doesn't fit over the bumper - it actually bolts onto the bumper mount and the front bumper is in three pieces (I think) rather than one piece with the rubber over the top. The '74 bumper support brackets are different from other years too.

So, were the 'slim' overriders as pictured available as an option in Europe and US or just US?

[mdrburchette]

Every Fiat I've owned from 68 to 72 has had these overriders. I don't know how much they protect since when they get bumped, they bend into the metal between headlight and grille or into the taillights.

[pope]

This is the California/Maryland bumper change.

[So Cal Mark]

is that car dressed as a lady?