When Azurra and steering wheel Sig

[evm1024]

Two questions - What year was the first azurra? Which is to say, is my 83 an azurra or just a Pininfarina? And along those lines the car has a spedo that only reads in KM (no miles on it). Is that common.

Second question. The steering wheel has an engravement. I can't make out the word. What is it? I've seen a photo of another car with the same engravement.

Thanks, Ethan

[pope]

83 was the first year for it. Azzurra is the name of the car. It is the same car as the Fiat spider with a few minor changes. Azzurra was the name of a racing yacht that Italy entered into the 1983 America's Cup. That is why the sail logo on the badges.

All of the cars dating back to 1966 were designed and built by Pininfarina in their factory with Fiat supplying the drivetrain. Usually North American cars (Canada) had Kilo on outer ring and MPH on a smaller inner ring. That could me a european speedo.

Opps, forgot about the steering wheel. My 1980 has it and it is a Ferrero Steering Wheel. I know that The Pantera GTS and the Lamborghini Mura also had one. I think it was a high end wheel back then. GIULIO FERRERO was the mans name who's company produced these wheels.
Not sure when they started, but the later year Spiders all had them.

[So Cal Mark]

I recall seeing some of the wheels with a signature engraved. It may have been Nardi. Fiat changed steering wheel vendors a couple of times

[evm1024]

The signature looked like it started with a B or F or perhaps even a P. I just can't get any of the words that you would expect to fit. I'll have to post a photo.

Thnaks, Ethan

[Europa]

If the speedometer reads in KM, wouldn't it be a Spidereuropa rather than an Azzura? Easy way to verify is to look for the Azzura emblem (as Pope mentioned) on the hood and trunk. If the car has the Azzura emblem then it's an Azzura; if it's a Pininfarina emblem then its likely a Spidereuropa.

Azzura Logo (from cartpe.com)


Pininfarina Logo (from cartype.com)


http://www.cartype.com/pages/417/fiat_related_emblems

[evm1024]

THe internal badge says spidereuropa. The emissions statement says Canada. Badges.... Perhaps changed. Fiat on front, Farina F on rear and vary faded.

I know the story of the Azzurra and the sail. That actual race that brought Italy into the limelight was on June 18,1983 - My car appears to be made before that date.

So what is the diference between Spidereuropa and Azzurra perhaps it is just the date?

--Ethan

[pope]

I dont think that they ever sold a spidereuropa here in North America. It was badged Azzurra her. Spidereuropa was europe.

[Darsella1]

1983-1984 USA versions are referred to as "Azzurra's". Europe & Canada versions were "Spidereuropa's" and in KM. They are the same from what I can tell. 1985 cars were all called "Spider Pininfarina" or a Pininfarina Spider. Owner's manuals were different. Often the badges are replaced with incorrect ones due to fading or accidents - they could not import or sell them them with Fiat badges. Not all of them had the Spidereuropa or Spiderpininfarina interior dash badges. Some came with plain Pininfarina badges. They re-used parts just like Fiat did!

They all have the sailing ship badge on the trunk. The 1983 cars have a round "F" badge on the hood vs. the others have a square one.

The steering wheels looked the same, they were not made by Nardi (oh how wish they would have). The final cars in '85's wheel was made by Momo.

[pope]

Well there ya go, sounds like you have a Canook car.

[evm1024]

Darsella, Thanks! I was hoping your would join in.

So my car is a Canadian "Spidereuropa". That clears up some of the confusion. Round front and rear badges, faded. When I replace them I'll put an F in front and perhaps the sail in back. The car predates the race so I expect that it shipped with a F in the rear.

The wheel is the stock looking wheel with the addition of the signature. I had thought that perhaps the prior owner had put it there till I saw another wheel with the same signature on eBay.

--Ethan

[pope]

Ethan, all the steering wheels after 1980 for sure and maybe earlier were the Ferrero wheel that you have, and they all included the signature.

[evm1024]

Bingo, Ferrero it is. News to me. Now that adds to my stock of Spider lore.

Thnaks!

[So Cal Mark]

I have a couple of NOS sail badges in stock if you're interested, still packaged in the original bags

[Darsella1]

Sorry- off topic!!

Actually, all the '83 cars did have the sailing ship badge on the trunk. The name "Azzurra" came from the ship Azzurra I 4. Perhaps they just didn't like Canadians (sorry- I couldn't help it).

I read that they started the America's cup idea/challenge or whatever in 1981. I think the F badges look better- the sailing ship badge kinda looks like the new Pepsi logo.

I need to replace mine and I have a new badge but can anyone chime in as to how to attach them? They are different from the Fiat badges. I called everywhere and nobody sells any clips that would even work. My square badge is still McGuyvered on with some interesting washers & sticky tape. The badges that came with the car were poorly glued on (it came with an '83 hood & badge, which is bizarre because the accident actually happened & was fixed in Italy).