Spare tire holder?

[VXSpider]

Ok I have a question about the spare tire holder on my BetaZ I have a rubber strap that holds the tire in place I understand how it works but the Fiat service shop here in GA the owner drives a Beta coupe and he has never seen a strap to hold the spare tire in place he said even the Beta Zagato he has at his does not have a strap it has a device that bolts to the body and has a knob that rotates to tighten the spare down.

any help is apreciated.

[KeppelmanJ]

Yes. Someone handy may come up with a photo. There is a threaded stud which comes backward from the pressed sheet metal behind the rear seat and pivots above the top of the tire. There is then a bracket which slides onto the stud and which is pressed onto the outside shoulder of the tire, held in place by the knob you mention. I've never seen a strap on a coupe spare. An owners manual may have it pictured.

[SubGothius]

My '79 Zag has the rubber strap setup, but the spare does tend to shrug off the strap and work itself free. The coupes I remember seeing used the knob and clamping-plate setup. Perhaps in later production, Zags eventually ditched the former for the latter?

[Jim Keller]

Yea, the Coupe has the threaded stud with turn handle and clamp, I have never seen a Zagato with that, if someone has one, it was modified by someone, they all have that anoying strap that works up off the tire while driving around and makes an un-expected boom in the trunk when your driving around making you jump in fear of something happening to the car! LOL, BTDT a bunch of times.

Make sure you Never EVER armorall or tire shine the spare! the strap will never hold agin! LOL, BTDT! bad mistake!