As we touched on yesterday, the North American automotive players struggled in the 1970s to adapt to changing consumer demands. The Japanese automakers ultimately succeeded in taking on the domestics, but Italian car companies had a similar advantage - rather than shrinking down their offerings and downsizing their powertrains, they were simply loading their current products onto ships and delivering them to the North American market.
The Fiat 128 Coupe is a reasonably sized vehicle for personal use in Italy, where a contemporary Mustang would have met difficulty in navigating narrow and crowded streets. And its 1100cc SOHC 4-cylinder was a continuation of Fiat engineering success, rather than a rework of something from the European division, as was the Mustang's Lima 4-cylinder. Though less appreciated among enthusiasts today, the 128 brought front wheel drive to the market back in 1969, when American cars were roasting their rear tires with power from 800cfm double pumper carbs.
With the weather today hovering in the mid-seventies Fahrenheit, we've chosen a mid-seventies Fiat to share today. Interestingly, the 128 served as the first mainstream application of Dante Giacosa's front transverse FWD layout - a layout that Fiat had fine-tuned in its Autobianchi subsidiary before introducing into the more mainstream Fiat brand. That basic architecture would later make its way into the middle of the Fiat X-1/9.
Those interested in a more pure sporting experience will surely prefer the Fiat 124 Sport Coupé. On paper, the twin cam mill and the RWD layout come across with more sincere sporting intentions. But, as seen in the X-1/9 and in 128 sedan race cars, the SOHC powertrain has bonafide credibility on the track.
Click to view listing
Year: 1975 Model: Fiat 128 Coupé SL Engine: 1500cc 4-cyl Transmission: 5-speed manual Mileage: 2,800 mi (advertised) Price: Auction
1975 FIAT 128 SL Coupe (California Car)
Clean and in good condition, with a nice paint job original color( not a show car). 14x6 Cromodora wheels and new tires, front spoiler, Italian Bumpers.
Abarth valve cover and strut tower. Headers with a 1.5 engine from a Bertone - approximate 50K on engine with electronic ignition. Nice interior with a clean and original dash, headliner and carpet. CD player car stereo and all the electrical in working condition, lights , windshield wipers..
CAR SOLD AS IS , 40 plus year old old vintage Italian classic. Highest bidder needs to make a $500 deposit within 48hrs of ending of auction and the full payment within a week otherwise i have the right to sell it to next highest bidder.
Good Luck...
Click to view listing
We can't tell whether this example originally had the 1100cc or the 1300cc engine, as the S and SL models came with a choice of either, but the owner mentions that a 1500cc engine from a Bertone is present. If the buyer is interested in originality, a suitable 1100cc or 1300cc engine shouldn't prove difficult to source. The seller reports a recent paint job in the original yellow, and claims that all electronics are in operating condition.
Many of these 128 coupes perished to rust, we'd have to imagine, so the rare California car such as this one is always worth consideration. We continue to believe that SOHC Fiat engines are dead-simple to work on, so if the car is mostly devoid of rust and has most of its trim? We'd recommend taking a closer look at purchasing. With sporting touches such as the 14" Cromodora wheels, 1500cc engine swap, and Abarth valve cover and strut tower brace, not to mention the yellow pain, this car puts off a very fun vibe.
