While the Fiat 124 Spiders were produced from August 1966 thru November 1985. The Spider 2000 CS2 editions were run from 1978 thru 1979 and the CS0 editions from 1979 thru 1982. There were also the Spider 2000 Turbo Editions, also designated CS0, that were run rom 1981 thru 1982. The CS2 2000’s were Weber carbureted, the Bosch L. Jetronic Fuel Injection began with the CS0 series. The CS0 editions from 1981 to 1982, the final year of production, had the IHI Turbocharger added to the Bosch Fuel Injection.
In the United States, beginning in 1981, Fiat authorized the installation of Turbochargers by Legend Industries with the new car warranty remaining fully in force. While the performance was enhanced, the turbocharger placed additional strain on the bottom end of the engine and remainder of the drive train.
The Fiat Spiders (and the coupes, not profiled here) were innovative in many respects. To mention a few; for example, for sports cars in this affordable a category, it was uncommon to find a 5-speed manual with four-wheel disc brakes. Both were standard on the Fiat 124/2000 models. The engine was designed by a former Ferrari engineer of note, Aurelio Lampredi and the body was designed by renowned auto architect, Pinin Farina who had done and does many designs for Ferrari.
The top end on these sweet cars ranged from 102 to 109 mph depending upon the variant.