Hi,
I have a 1996 Coupe 20VT with a genuine mileage of 69,500. The car was registered in December 1996 and I bought it about 10 years ago and am the second owner. It would appear there are very few (around 25) of these early ones still around from the site howmanyleft.

From what I have read on this site it would seem this would have been part of the first batch of 20VT to be made.

Can anyone please tell me more about this particular model, are they as rare as they seem and what changes were made to the 20VT after 1996?

I would love any help on it's history.

Thanks
Dave

There are a couple of minor differences

1) Engine tie bar (back left corner of the engine as you look into the engine bay) is different - uses a pressed steel mount (later ones use a cast aluminium mount)

2) Gearbox - stronger design and different change mechanism - early 5-speed boxes are sought after by the big power hunters

3) rust-proofing - no solid evidence to back this up, other than the fact that the seriously rusty Coupes always seem to be the later ones

4) Exhaust manifold - used the "mk1" version with no extra bracing on the 5th branch and a one-piece flange (later versions had bracing and then a slotted flange)

5) rear brake calipers were steel - later models changed to alloy

I'm sure there are many more detail differences

Thanks Nigel.

One question off the history bit do you have, or know where I can get a couple of items?

1. a cover for the drivers side windscreen wiper locking nut.
2. to one side of the rear widow there is a small rectangular hole that had a push in blanking. This seems to have been lost at some time.

One more thing: the oil temperature gauge was replaced with a voltmeter although I think this happened a bit later (99?)

The voltmeter was changed in late '98, as was the location of the dash gauge water temp. sensor. The bleed nipple on the water rail was also replaced by a pipe at or around the same time.

Not sure, but might still be available through FIAT dealer - part number 82444928


Is it that someone removed and blanked off the rear wiper? - not sure if there was a recognised FIAT part to cover this if it is. Here is a link to a thread relating to the rear wiper removal.

remove rear wiper

HTH

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the reply. The blanking piece is inside and my mistake it is on the off side



All the best
Dave