Convertible top frame differences

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
BammBamm
Posts: 240
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:23 am
Your car is a: 1982 Pininfarina Spider
Location: az

Convertible top frame differences

Postby BammBamm » Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:26 pm

My 1982 di spider needs a new convertible top frame. I found a good one at a u pull it junk yard from a 1978. Will it fit?
Bill Woodbury
Design Engineer
Zero Shock Seating
1982 Spider 2000

User avatar
v6spider
Posts: 1035
Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2006 6:57 pm
Your car is a: 4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider
Location: Mount Vernon WA

Re: Convertible top frame differences

Postby v6spider » Mon Mar 06, 2017 5:39 pm

It's a good question.. I'm thinking anything 76 to 82 should work.. body's prior to that year range are different..

Cheers!
Rob
http://www.v6spider.com
4.3L V6 Powered 1972 124 FIAT Spider

rridge
Posts: 161
Joined: Thu Aug 10, 2006 11:59 am
Your car is a: 1981 Turbo Spider

Re: Convertible top frame differences

Postby rridge » Tue Mar 07, 2017 3:04 pm

During the 1978 model year a change in top detail was made. The design of the front sheet metal bow was changed. The position of the latches may be different. The bow over the drivers head may have been arched a bit more to provide more headroom. It was a rolling change. There was not a clean transition date. The easiest way to spot the difference is at the front corners. The early top has sharply pointed corners. The late top has rounded corners. A further point of confusion is that the hollow sheet metal bows often rust out and are replace with other second-hand bows. An old style frame that's been fitted with a new style bow is a headache to fit a top to.

BammBamm
Posts: 240
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 1:23 am
Your car is a: 1982 Pininfarina Spider
Location: az

Re: Convertible top frame differences

Postby BammBamm » Wed Mar 08, 2017 9:33 pm

Great. As long as some of it is the same, I will go get it. Mine is badly rusted at the windows and all the metal is pitted. Thanks for the tips.
Bill Woodbury
Design Engineer
Zero Shock Seating
1982 Spider 2000

User avatar
manoa matt
Posts: 3441
Joined: Thu Oct 26, 2006 4:28 pm
Your car is a: 1978 Fiat 124 Spider 1800
Location: Honolulu, Hawaii

Re: Convertible top frame differences

Postby manoa matt » Thu Mar 09, 2017 3:27 pm

There was some talk years ago about the 79 and later top frames also being 1/2" taller than the pre 79 frames.


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