General 124 AC history

[mihailou]

Since my first query yielded prompt and accurate info I'm chancing my arm for a follow up.

Parts salesmen I've spoken to advise that my car is a 1973 model with the 1608 engine.

From my observations ( timing belt, radiator hose ) I think it's a 1592 engine unless there has been a transplant at some stage.

I can't seem to get any reliable info on original build details from searching so was hopeful someone has access to records.

Details are

Engine No 125 BC 0649140

Stamped on body 124 AC *0080759*

Head No Fiat 124 AC 4198994

Many thanks in appreciation

Dave Hewitt

 

[124BC1]

124AC stamped on body is the chassis number and indicates a Series 1 (AC) car, so to confirm this, your car should have only 2 headlamps not 4 as on the series 2 (BC) and series 3 (CC) models. The chassis number should also be repeated on a stamped aluminium plate (originally attached with 2 x No.2 Philips headed sheet-metal screws) which should be iirc fitted just below the stamped-in chassis number. This additional al. plate includes some additional info., possibly? the engine (Motori) number(omitting the engine type no.), possibly the Paint Code? and a number to be used when ordering spare parts (not to be relied upon nowadays).

The engine number beginning with 125BC is a 1608cc engine from a later Series 2 (BC) car.

All AC models were fitted with only the 1438cc (124AC) engine. BC models could have the 1438cc (124AC) or 1608cc (124BC) engines.
CC models were fitted with either 1592cc (132AC) or 1756cc(132AC1) engines.
So your engine can't be 1592cc as it's numbered 125BC.

The cylinder head type 124AC was fitted on both the 1438 and 1608cc models, the subsequent part number 4198994, varied over time (e.g. 4232870 and 4239435 were used subsequent to your engine). They are all the same cyl. heads.

It's difficult to accurately date chassis numbers or engines numbers (engine no's are usually some way ahead of chassis no's in each car). But by way of comparison, my 1969 registered (but could have been built in 1968)AC had a chassis no 124AC 0092xxx), which suggests your car is late 1968/early '69 - is any date shown on the Rego documents?

As regards the engine that is currently fitted, this is a 1608cc from a later BC model. My 1972 registered (but possibly built in late '71) BC Series 2 has an engine no. of 125BC 0652xxx. Which suggests that your current engine came from a 1971 BC car.

Here are some links to pages that might be of interest:-

Model Identification: 124 Series

Fiat DOHC Lampredi engines - Oldtimer-shop

I think this is a good point to start writing about this great engine designed by genius engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.This 4 cylinder DOHC, inline engine was very advanced for it’s time and it was widely used in different Fiat group … Read more

oldtimer-shop.eu

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/model/fiat/124_coupe.html#gsc.tab=0

 

[mihailou]

124AC stamped on body is the chassis number and indicates a Series 1 (AC) car, so to confirm this, your car should have only 2 headlamps not 4 as on the series 2 (BC) and series 3 (CC) models. The chassis number should also be repeated on a stamped aluminium plate (originally attached with 2 x No.2 Philips headed sheet-metal screws) which should be iirc fitted just below the stamped-in chassis number. This additional al. plate includes some additional info., possibly? the engine (Motori) number(omitting the engine type no.), possibly the Paint Code? and a number to be used when ordering spare parts (not to be relied upon nowadays).

The engine number beginning with 125BC is a 1608cc engine from a later Series 2 (BC) car.

All AC models were fitted with only the 1438cc (124AC) engine. BC models could have the 1438cc (124AC) or 1608cc (124BC) engines.
CC models were fitted with either 1592cc (132AC) or 1756cc(132AC1) engines.
So your engine can't be 1592cc as it's numbered 125BC.

The cylinder head type 124AC was fitted on both the 1438 and 1608cc models, the subsequent part number 4198994, varied over time (e.g. 4232870 and 4239435 were used subsequent to your engine). They are all the same cyl. heads.

It's difficult to accurately date chassis numbers or engines numbers (engine no's are usually some way ahead of chassis no's in each car). But by way of comparison, my 1969 registered (but could have been built in 1968)AC had a chassis no 124AC 0092xxx), which suggests your car is late 1968/early '69 - is any date shown on the Rego documents?

As regards the engine that is currently fitted, this is a 1608cc from a later BC model. My 1972 registered (but possibly built in late '71) BC Series 2 has an engine no. of 125BC 0652xxx. Which suggests that your current engine came from a 1971 BC car.

Here are some links to pages that might be of interest:-

Model Identification: 124 Series

Fiat DOHC Lampredi engines - Oldtimer-shop

I think this is a good point to start writing about this great engine designed by genius engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.This 4 cylinder DOHC, inline engine was very advanced for it’s time and it was widely used in different Fiat group … Read more

oldtimer-shop.eu

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/model/fiat/124_coupe.html#gsc.tab=0

124AC stamped on body is the chassis number and indicates a Series 1 (AC) car, so to confirm this, your car should have only 2 headlamps not 4 as on the series 2 (BC) and series 3 (CC) models. The chassis number should also be repeated on a stamped aluminium plate (originally attached with 2 x No.2 Philips headed sheet-metal screws) which should be iirc fitted just below the stamped-in chassis number. This additional al. plate includes some additional info., possibly? the engine (Motori) number(omitting the engine type no.), possibly the Paint Code? and a number to be used when ordering spare parts (not to be relied upon nowadays).

The engine number beginning with 125BC is a 1608cc engine from a later Series 2 (BC) car.

All AC models were fitted with only the 1438cc (124AC) engine. BC models could have the 1438cc (124AC) or 1608cc (124BC) engines.
CC models were fitted with either 1592cc (132AC) or 1756cc(132AC1) engines.
So your engine can't be 1592cc as it's numbered 125BC.

The cylinder head type 124AC was fitted on both the 1438 and 1608cc models, the subsequent part number 4198994, varied over time (e.g. 4232870 and 4239435 were used subsequent to your engine). They are all the same cyl. heads.

It's difficult to accurately date chassis numbers or engines numbers (engine no's are usually some way ahead of chassis no's in each car). But by way of comparison, my 1969 registered (but could have been built in 1968)AC had a chassis no 124AC 0092xxx), which suggests your car is late 1968/early '69 - is any date shown on the Rego documents?

As regards the engine that is currently fitted, this is a 1608cc from a later BC model. My 1972 registered (but possibly built in late '71) BC Series 2 has an engine no. of 125BC 0652xxx. Which suggests that your current engine came from a 1971 BC car.

Here are some links to pages that might be of interest:-

Model Identification: 124 Series

Fiat DOHC Lampredi engines - Oldtimer-shop

I think this is a good point to start writing about this great engine designed by genius engine designer Aurelio Lampredi.This 4 cylinder DOHC, inline engine was very advanced for it’s time and it was widely used in different Fiat group … Read more

oldtimer-shop.eu

https://www.automobile-catalog.com/model/fiat/124_coupe.html#gsc.tab=0

Many thanks for your comprehensive reply.

The body shell is an AC but the engine transplant confirmed my suspicions.

Aluminium plate is unfortunately missing in it's varied life.

My suspicions were aroused when the bottom radiator hose for a 1608 block did not fit but one designed to fit either a 1438 or 1592 did. ( another possible alteration ? )

For interests sake and possible clarification I checked the window glass etching ( which also may not be original )

Details on the glass are

S Gubain
IGM 0593 VT
D39
Plate AS2
M8

Once again thanks

Dave Hewitt

 

[rogerbeattie]

Hi Dave

Plenty of guys in Australia with comprehensive knowledge of 124 coupes ..... as President of the Fiat Car Club of Victoria I can assure you I get tired of hearing them drone on about all the subtle differences over the years.