Original Factory Options?

[Leesfer]

Does anyone know where I could find the original Fiat spider catalogue for the FI spiders?

Or does anyone know if leather was a factory option?

[spiderrey]

the only cars that i know of to ever come with leather were anniversary models. and it wasnt an option

[So Cal Mark]

the later Pinin models had leather front seats

[kristoj]

I have a Motor Trend article from 1981 reviewing the Spider Turbo and it states leather seats were an option. Since Legend performed the turbo conversions on this side of the pond long after they left the factory, that would mean leather was an option on non-turbo models as well.

[bradartigue]

I have the original brochure scanned online

http://www.artigue.com/fiat

Scroll down somewhat and you'll find it.

Leather was available on the 1982 anniversary edition Spider. It had leather seats, a brown (as opposed to black) dashboard, a leather strip on the bottom of the dash, anniversary edition badges, 14" cross wheels (the only year they were available), and I think the armrests were leather.

Turbo Spiders were off the line Spiders that were shipped to the turbo manufacturer here in the USA and then modified and sold. They were not stock FIAT Spiders but were marketed in the USA as such.

[spidernut]

When I bought my '81 new, I had the option of vinyl or leather front seats inserts. Only the back rest and seat bottom were leather. The sides and backs were vinyl. It was a $250 factory option. I loved them too! It also had the accent strip across the lower rim of the dash.

[ANALOG]

My February 1980 Spider has the optional factory leather interior. There's a leather strip along the lower dash, leather door handles, leather seats, leather center console. It's not an LE model. Here's a pic:

http://gallery.italiancarclub.com/michf ... 3.jpg.html

[spidernut]

Could you take detailed pictures of the console and arm rests? I'm trying to find a detailed shot of how each are sewn together for my upholstery shop to replicate. I really liked the upholstered console on my 81 and hate the hard plastic replacement I have.

[radiopilot]

My recently picked up spider has the stiched arm rests, but the consoles are the padded version? This is stange since most are indicating this was an option, why only the arm rests and not the entire consoles/dash?

Anyway... I plan on restoring the interior and plan on sewing new armrests so I'll take the old one apart and post the pattern so anyone that wants to rebuild theirs in leather has the opportunity to do it also.

Nick