Re: 105 trailing arm changes, again

[JHertzman@domain.elided]

Dana Loomis adds:

" A number of fairly significant changes, like the switch from floor-mounted 
to suspended pedals, from small to big tail lights, and others, occurred 
during the 1750's model run.  Early 1750s, through 1969, are more like the 
1600s, while the '71 models resemble the 2000s, with 1970 being the 
transitional year.  It appears that the 1750 Spider at least began production 
with the small-bushing trailing arm and that the 1750 GTV got the big bushing 
from the outset.  I wonder if the Spider was changed sometime during 
production of the 1750 version or with the introduction of the 2000, and how 
the 1750 berlina fit into the picture."

I have a strong impression that the several changes Dana is referring to 
occurred in one fell swoop, rather than dribbling in with burps and hiccups. 
A tight reading of Fusi supports this assumption. The Berlina "versione 1970" 
photos correspond to the long list of changes he describes as having been 
presented at the 1969 Turin show; the GT Veloce "versione 1970" photos 
correspond to a similar text list without explicit mention of the show; and 
the Spider "versione 1970" photos correspond to a similar but shorter text 
list without explicit mention of the show, but including the coda tronca.

The parts books I referred to are ones I got from ARI in 1972, and are 
copiously furnished with dated update pages throughout, while innumerable 
parts are listed as this number up to chassis number xxxxxx, that other 
number from chassis number xxxxxx+1 onward. All of the changes Dana mentions, 
pedals, taillights, left and right air cleaners etc are represented, and the 
Spider bodywork section has separate sections for the coda rotonda and coda 
tronca. While I cannot be certain, I have a wagering confidence that the 1750 
Spider stayed with the same bushing throughout the run.

Why this difference would exist is open to speculation, but the coupes and 
sedans were built at Arese and the Spiders at Pininfarina's plant, which may 
have had some bearing. As a "roof" person predisposed to being somewhat 
dismissive of Spiders I suspect that the generally heavier loads and heavier 
uses of the Berlinas and coupes, as year-around primary family cars, the 
police and similarly more demanding uses of the Berlinas, and the 
specifically more competitive character of the coupes, might have led to 
making the changes on the two roofed cars and leaving the Spiders as they 
were. It is possible that the Spider go to the big bushings at the same time 
as the other "versione 1970" changes, and the parts-book people simply left 
it out carelessly, but I doubt it. I don't have a 1750 Berlina parts book, 
but I would bet that it has the big bushing.

Lest these opinions seem too distorted, it may be appropriate to remember the 
production proportions which may have led the company to view the different 
cars differently than some of us might; 5.6% of the 1750s were Spiders, 46.5% 
of them going to the USA; 28.5% of the 1750s were GT Veloces, 5.5% going to 
the USA; and 65.8% were Berlinas, 1.75% of them coming to the USA. Alfa looks 
like two different companies, viewed through different lenses, depending on 
what part of the world you live in.

Cordially,

John H.
Raleigh, N.C.

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