Original wheel options for 1974 Spider?

[perthling]

Okay, I'm starting to prepare for my rolling restoration of my Spider. When I got it it was fitted with the steel wheels and large stainless steel hubcaps with the six-spoke 'star' design as fitted to the 1974 coupes. I did acquire a set of Fergat Cromodoras (CD26 - http://www.histowheels.com/Cromodora/Cromodora-CD-26/) and had them restored, but they were so good it was a shame to put rubber on them when they weren't quite the correct wheels for the car.

So my question is: were alloy wheels an option for the 1974 Spider, and if so, were they:

a) the CD11, 13" x 5.5 rims as per the 1974 CC coupe?
http://www.histowheels.com/files/cromodora-cd-9-12.jpg
b) the CD5, 13 x 5s with the smaller chrome caps?
http://www.histowheels.com/files/cromodora-cd-5-1.jpg
c) the CD3, six-slot 13 x 6 (?)s as per the 124BS?
http://www.histowheels.com/files/cromodora-cd-3-1.jpg
or d) something else completely?

Hope you can assist. Cheers!

[ga.spyder]

I have no idea which is the correct wheel.but I really like the CD 26 wheels.They look great on the car.

[perthling]

I was planning to use the CD26s but found out they were an option for the Simca 1200 and Moretti 850. It looks as if I have sold them to the only Simca 1200 owner in Australia...

My plan B was to use some CD11s but the set I was considering has just been sold with another car (not mine). I do have a set of the CD5s but have always preferred the CD3s which are much less common in Australia. But I'd be keen to fit the original style if I figure out what they were. Someone must have a brochure from the period?

[kmead]

In the US, there were no "official" wheel options, Fiat's importer Roosevelt Motors and then Fiat America were not that organized to actually have a factory option. There were many wheels offered but for the most part there were few cars delivered with alloys (especially later 75-79).

Dealers would offer a variety of wheels. The CD5 (5"wide) was a very common dealer added accessory during that period over here. I never saw pics of the CD3 or CD11 in the US. Keep in mind there were very few 6" wheels available for small cars back then and 70 series tires were "low profile" at the time, most were 80 series at the time.

[perthling]

My (eventual) plan for the car is to revert it to 'enhanced' European spec (small repeaters, higher compression 1756cc engine). I'm not sure if Fiat was still selling Spiders in Europe in 1974 or whether the US-only sales had started by then, but they were still campainging the Spider in the Rally Championship so I'd imagine Spiders were still available - if on the wane ahead of the push for the 131 as the rally face of Fiat. If a 'standard' 1974 Spider was still available in Europe, it would be interesting to know if European dealers had different wheels available.

Of course, if there was really no such thing as a European 1974 spider, then I guess I can go with whatever I like and be secure in the knowledge I won't be offending any (other) purists out there!

[stefhahn]

Hi -

here you find the specs and many pictures of a 1800 Spider, the series that was still sold in EUrope - a rare find today, as 1975 the delivery to Europe was stopped - http://www.fiat124spider.it/1800s3.asp
The correct wheels seem to be the CD-3

ciao,
Stefan

[red107]

Are you sure 1975 was the last year for 1800 in Europe. My parents bought theirs/mine at the dealer in Ramstein village. Granted its a 2000. It was purchase December of 1980. I still have the sales receipt in DM.

[leeputmanjr]

Here is my '74 with CD-3's...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leeputmanjr/3806653736/

I have no proof, but my 'understanding' was that these rims were available on the Spider through '72. Individual dealers, though, may have had them available still.

That's MY story, and I'm sticking to it!

-Lee

[Exit98]

HI Lee,

Don't know if this is relevant, but I know for sure these were the wheels fitted to my 1972 (1608) 124 which I purchased new back in the day. They were an option.

Less sure, but I seem to recall that they were not available much after 1973.

Nice car by the way.

Doug

[stefhahn]

Are you sure 1975 was the last year for 1800 in Europe. My parents bought theirs/mine at the dealer in Ramstein village. Granted its a 2000. It was purchase December of 1980. I still have the sales receipt in DM.

Yup, I am sure -- the US army GIs were able to buy them (as they got a US army license, not a european one) - and also some got here by individual import - but they were not sold by the Fiat dealers anymore. That restarted with the DS in 1982 or 83.
ciao,
Stefan

[red107]

Just talked to my father and he said there was some issues. He said they initially wanted a X19 but couldn't get one in Germany. The dealer offered the Spider in US spec only. He said you had to sign paper saying you would not sell the car for two years. You could sell it to another service member within that time. We got ours US specs. From the fiat dealer in Ramstein village in December of 1980 it was the 81 year model. We moved from Germany in 1986. I went back in 96 and the dealer was still there and he was able to give me the some of the service records. Not all just from 83-86. I was amazed that he still had them.

[katsi]

I have a 79 (at tweener built in sept of 78) that came with the CD3's and frickin points I put in the electric ignition and, I really like the wheels. I need to have them cleaned up though. See Avitar.

[kmead]

Just to follow up.

I would have to agree with Lee, I wasn't looking too closely at the rim when I responded with CD5, more the chrome cap which is the same used on the CD3 and a few of the other wheels.

Most of the cars I have seen with dealer/factory alloys came with the CD3s.

Some of the early cars, my 1969 coupe for example, had a set of what I believe were CD26s with the word Fergat cast in and a very apparent star shape to the ribs and the same chrome hub cap.

I believe Merkel still has that set (he bought the car for the wheels and essentially gave me the car).

My apologies for the error.

[perthling]

Well I'm not sure if the potential buyer of my CD26s will come back to me, but if he does I've just come across a set of CD3s in Australia which would need a bit of a cleanup, but look all right (and have the centre caps to boot). Interesting to hear that the CD26s were fitted to some Spiders - I have seen a pic of an AC with them fitted too but not sure if that was original. The dates match anyway - my CD26s are stamped '68' on the inside.