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FIAT 124 Sport Coupé -
1966
A car more worthy than the FIAT 124 hardly seems to be envisioned: four corners, four wheels and a roof over it. By this simple and practical concept the real existing socialism was taken with where this model was taken over as LADA however not the automobilistic aesthete. So it is a bit astonishing what else Fiat put on the platform of the 124. Best known derivate is the built until the mid eighties Spider, which even today has many supporters. By far more rare today is the 124 Coupé what is not substantiated by the sales figures. From 1966 to 1976 with 280,000 specimens it was 90,000 more frequent sold than the Spider though a briefer construction time. That was probably caused by practical reasons. Differently from the filigree roadster its body work was obviously expansive and stubby what ennobled it to be a real four seater. After all the back offered similar space conditions as in the VW Beatle. Like the Spider top designer Pininfarina took care of the appealing appearance of the Coupé. (Mistake, the design of the Coupé is by Fiat Centro Stile) [Remark of the translator: the original German text is quoted from an oldtimer periodical] The sportive character was not only shown in the apperance. So there have been -even not today taken for granted- for disc brakes on board and the flounce was graced by a sporty drawn dashboard including a compact sporty steering wheel. Even a fully synchronized five gear box -at Mercedes partially with surcharge obligation until the beginning of the 90's- had always been on board except the very early models. A lively journeyman also the engine was: a four cylinder light metall engine with two overhead camshafts was top modern at that time. Even the sectionally englishmen (remark by the translator: sorry for that) enacting a long sporty car tradition by themself were not be sparing with praise for the Italian. Absolutely and objectively confessed it is outstanding not to say exceptional, not in what but in how it is able to perform, so far a british car magazine. |
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| Series 1: bit narrow-chested | Series 2: double headlights and 1.6 litres engine ensure a sportive note |
Series 3: 1800 cc and 118 PS |
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So much virtously the sale numbers evolved in the early 70's outdoing the MG's by far. If the number of the existing Coupés keeps within limits today it might the reason of the used materials: the imported steel from Russia had been of doubtfully quality and opened the floodgates for rust. So the veteran friend is not really soothed by the fact that the most spare parts thanks to high volume series of the brother 124 are to get relatively for a good price. But all worries are swept away when you run the car through the bends. 118 bhp with quite a good ton unladen weight give the Coupé a remarkable dynamic in its top motorization wherefore the good prepared chassis does its part. It springs tightly but with a sane portion of rest comfort. The 1.8 litre of the last series sprinted to 100 km/h in about 11 seconds. Its top speed was despite or just because of the contemporary fastback at only about 185 kilometres per hour. At the start of the series there only a 90 bhp unit was availabe which suffered above all from its poor 1400 cc. It became better with the facelift of 1969 which gave more space under the front bonnet. Now a 1600cc engine with 100 and 110 bhp was available. As new optical detail double head lights had been introduced. Since 1972 the in its main features rather elegant Fiat drifted a bit into the muscle-car corner. Thicker bumpers and a bonnet with powerdome already affected it very american. It was only a little step to the US-export version. Completly new was the offer in motorization: the 1600cc now produced 108 and the 1800cc 118 bhp. Original German text: Motorvision www.motorvision.de |
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1966-1976 Motorizations: 1.4 litres, 90 bhp 1.6 litres, 110 bhp 1.8 litres, 118 bhp |
| Technicaly mostly identical: 124 Coupé and Spider |