I have a 73 barn (garage) find that I am restoring ,but the car was off the road since 1987 and lots of parts are missing.
I now have a chance to obtain a 79 for parts only that is complete and was wondering if they have the same body shell?

I'll eventually be going the other way- 72 into a 80 shell. I believe many parts are interchangable but rear lights are different, rear suspension/trailing arms are different. I'm hoping the consols are the same, or fit the same anyway. I believe the trunk and hood will fit but the hinges are different, windshield...think so, wiper valance,think so. Tranny, yeup but I think the bell housings are different (size?) The rear pumpkin is different so the drive shaft is a bit shorter I think in the 72. Seats..yeup.

I'd be interested to hear how you're getting on ... i'm rebuilding a 72 BS1 and have a 75 CS1 that i'm using for parts (plus EBay Europe) ... i'm finding lots of differences between each car ... between what people, books, workshop manuals and fiat says ... i think it's a case of suck it and see, does it look right for you and then check on this forum thats it's safe!

At least you had about 200 000 sold in the USA and lots of parts specialists - here in the uk i appear to have EBay (i'm currently waiting for 25 bits to arrive from around the world) and one really reliable parts place in germany (spider point) who appear excellent but expensive ... but i'm loving the search

nick