'73 Coupe with 1608 engine/1592 listed on VIN plate

[SuperCoupe]

Hi All,

I ran into an interesting situation maybe others can shed light on. My car is an early '73 Sport Coupe with a 1608 engine installed, but on the VIN plate it says it should have a 1592 engine. OK, that may not be so unusual in a 45 year old car to have an engine swap, but my car also does not have the wiring for an electric fuel pump, which a 1592 should have. Looking at the parts microfiche I fall under the VIN cutoff for a 1608 (production number 0208743), so that all makes sense that I have a genuine 1608 car except the VIN plate has the 1592 engine listed.

Anyone see that before? Did they just kick the car out the factory with the wrong engine listed on the VIN plate and call it a day?
Thanks!

[GeorgeT]

Are you certain that VIN plate is the correct plate? The fasteners aren't original. Does the VIN on the plate match the one in the dash?

[SuperCoupe]

Hi George,

Yes, that's the curious issue. The VIN plate matches the chassis stamp and the VIN tag in the window. There is no fuel pump relay or wiring for a pump in the harness. According to the Fiat manuals, the 1592 cars have an electric pump. My car falls under the 211,479 production number cut off for 1608 cars. The VIN plate looks legit and original, so just a curious situation. Wonder if anyone else has a seen this.

[BEEK]

that engine code is for the euro 1592 not the US spec one. that is also interesting

[SuperCoupe]

that engine code is for the euro 1592 not the US spec one. that is also interesting

Good catch! This car had a European rear plate on it when I got it (the standard US style license plate light assembly was relocated on the bumper. I have since put it back where it belongs;)). I am wondering if it was a European delivery car.