General Schumacher Questions

[Realbosstime]

Hi I am a newbie here and have a few specific questions as I am interested in a Schumacher GP version.

Were the Schumachers fitted with a unique body kit? I only ask as I have seen Schumacher editions have oval stickers on the skirts, were these just stuck on over the Abarth badge or are the skirts unique to the Schumacher?

Also I see some have optional leather seats, if I buy one without these, how hard are they to come by? Are they hen’s teeth or not?

Finally is there a VIN - model log somewhere? What I mean is how do I avoid the risk of buying an Abarth that has simply been kitted up retrospectively?

Any other tips or advice would be useful.

 

[jonti]

I believe non-Schumacher skirts e.g. fitted to Abarth are a very slightly different shape, if you compare pictures.

They also had an oblong Schumacher hatch sticker, not available or even listed by Fiat, although it could have fallen off.

As they only come in a lighter red shade than other Stilos (in the UK at least), have a numbered plate on the dash and don't have the extra equipment of the Abarth (just climate control, a tacho and a speedo) I can't imagine you could buy a non Schumacher by mistake. On the GP you have alloy pedals and the stainless exhaust.

I thought they were all cloth, leather was on more luxurious Stilo versions including the Abarth, but someone may be able to confirm what I've said.

 

[Davren]

Were the Schumachers fitted with a unique body kit? I only ask as I have seen Schumacher editions have oval stickers on the skirts, were these just stuck on over the Abarth badge or are the skirts unique to the Schumacher?

The Schumacher side skirts have different part numbers to other versions, so will be different. They also have the oval MS Limited Edition badges on the rear end of the skirts.

All items marked with LV25 or LV43 in the "Compat." columns of the parts catalogue pages below, are unique to the Schumacher version.
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[Realbosstime]

Thanks for this, I may be wrong but I am thinking the Schumacher logo was just stuck over an Abarth logo on an Abarth skirt though, for the following reasons:

1. I have seen Abarths and they have the same shaped skirts as Schumachers
2. There was a Schumacher on members cars which I commented on as it originally had the Schumacher skirt logos (item 9 in your first parts diagram) but at some point with a later owner the skirts were missing these and the Abarth logos were visible. In the later owner photos one of the Schumacher skirt oval logos was on the boot making me think perhaps one had peeled off and the owner had removed both and popped one on the boot.
3. In the first parts diagram you shared both the non-Schumacher and the Schumacher skirts have the same base part number, its just that the Schumacher logo (item 9) is added to the base skirt.
4. The Abarth logos seem to be recessed into the side skirts not just stuck on a flat surface. I would find it hard to believe Fiat would use a custom skirt for 200 cars when those skirts look identical to the Abarth ones. If they were dramatically different then yes but they seem identical and as I say the parts diagram lists the same skirt minus Schumacher logo as a non Schumacher skirt.

As I say I could be wrong but from what I can see I think this is the case.

Useful feedback on what to look for so will keep an eye out and see what comes up. Thanks very much.

 

[Yellow Peril]

On my Shcumi I removed the oval badges from the hatch and side skirts. In the place where the side skirt badges were, I found an inset into which an Abarth badge would fit perfectly...which is what I used instead of the MS badge.

Never heard or seen of a leather interior, so I'm guessing if there are any they will have been swapped from a 'standard' Abarth.

 

[Davren]

The diagram shows the shape of the skirts are different. Item 1 on the left of the diagram is for the Schumacher. Item 1 on the right of the diagram is for any other 3 door Stilo, including the Abarth.

They do not have the same part numbers. As I said above, LV25 and LV43 are for parts that are unique to the Schumacher, therefore, part numbers 735405415 and 735405417 are designed for the Schumacher. Part numbers 735359548 and 735359534 are for all other 3 door Stilos.

The body shell is the same, so anyone could fit whichever version they want, to whichever car they have, and stick whatever badges they want on it.

200 is the number of Stilo Schumachers that had the Prodrive modifications, not the total number of cars produced.

Leather upholstery is not shown as an original option for the Schumacher, but as Phil says, it could probably be retro-fitted.
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[Realbosstime]

The diagram shows the shape of the skirts are different. Item 1 on the left of the diagram is for the Schumacher. Item 1 on the right of the diagram is for any other 3 door Stilo, including the Abarth.

They do not have the same part numbers. As I said above, LV25 and LV43 are for parts that are unique to the Schumacher, therefore, part numbers 735405415 and 735405417 are designed for the Schumacher. Part numbers 735359548 and 735359534 are for all other 3 door Stilos.

The body shell is the same, so anyone could fit whichever version they want, to whichever car they have, and stick whatever badges they want on it.

200 is the number of Stilo Schumachers that had the Prodrive modifications, not the total number of cars produced.

Leather upholstery is not shown as an original option for the Schumacher, but as Phil says, it could probably be retro-fitted.
.

Thanks, I have just looked at Abarth versions Vs Schumacher ones and yes the Abarths had those other different shaped skirts. However as Yellow Peril says, behind his oval Schumacher badges were the recesses for the Abarth badges. Sounds like Fiat prepped these skirts for Abarth badges at least but then stuck Schumacher decals over these. I saw a Schumacher a while back with Abarth logos on the skirts and thought it may have been fitted with Abarth skirts but I can see now the shape of the skirts were Schumacher ones but like with Yellow Peril’s experience the Schimacher decals must have come off. Interesting quirks of manufacturers!

 

[Realbosstime]

Schumacher skirt

 

[Realbosstime]

Abarth skirt

 

[Realbosstime]

Funny the Abarth skirt doesn’t have an Abarth badge but the Schumacher one has recesses for the Abarth badge behind the Schumacher decals!