FIAT should've done it this way.
- Thread starter SaparotRob
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
MiTasol
Captain
The original was fun to drive except for the ejector doors - hinged at the back you had to be very sure they were latched before moving.
There was a Fiat 500 with a Ford Fairlane 500 engine among the all-comers race cars in NZ in the early 60s. A real pig with so many universal joints between the steering wheel and steering box that it was reputedly very "touchy" to drive.
There was a Fiat 500 with a Ford Fairlane 500 engine among the all-comers race cars in NZ in the early 60s. A real pig with so many universal joints between the steering wheel and steering box that it was reputedly very "touchy" to drive.
Thumpalumpacus
Lieutenant Colonel
I've owned one Fiat, a 1975 124. I had to replace the clutch-cable (a cable-driven clutch in 1975!) every three or four months when it would snap due to metal fatigue because of poor design. That car taught me how to power-shift a standard transmission.
I took to keeping a spare in my trunk toolbox ... had to change that bastard out a few times on the shoulder of the 101.
I took to keeping a spare in my trunk toolbox ... had to change that bastard out a few times on the shoulder of the 101.
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 6,588
- May 13, 2018
I had a 1952 Fiat 1400 for a time. It had the mocks nix sticks turn signals and a fairly large four cylinder engine. Speedometer went to 140 Km/hr which impressed everyone, not knowing it was really 86 mph. Having a fourspeed trans and a straight pipe from the manifold to rear bumper, it always sounded faster than it was which added to the impression of speed. I measured the engine compartment and found the early GM V-6 or the small aluminum Buick V-8, from the GM compacts of the early 60s, would have fit with little problems. Except the price for the little V-6 & V-8.
Thumpalumpacus
Lieutenant Colonel
In one sense my 124 wasn't a bad car, for user serviceability. I had to buy a set of metric sockets, but in trade I got a roomy engine compartment that didn't require yoga, a wiring layout that was very straight-forward, and if the spark plugs were hidden under the manifold (and they were), at least the manifold-cover was easy to pull. Carb in the open for easy servicing, etc.
But at no time when I owned it did I ever feel comfortable with driving a 100-mile round-trip at freeway speed. Except for that clutch-cable (which threading it through the engine-bay was a bitch), it was very easy to work on.
cammerjeff
Staff Sergeant
I probably owned 20 Fiats in the late 70's and early 80's. My 1st job out of the USN was as a Mechanic in a Fiat dealership. Being in Michigan most Fiats were missing the bottom 2 inches of sheet metal before they had 70k Miles. When a repeat customer would trade in a rusty 70-80k on them they would give the customer a decent trade in amount, but they would not put the rusty cars on the used car lot. So they would offer them to employees for $50. So I would buy mostly the sports cars, X1/9's and 124 spiders, but I also had a 124 coupe, and a Brava. The 124's and X1/9's would usually have brand new Perelli Tires on them. worth considerably more than the $50 I paid for the cars. So when they broke down and I could not strip the needed parts off one of my previous purchases. I would buy another running Fiat for $50.
I really enjoyed the Brava Sedan, everything worked (probably the only one I could say that for.) It had working A/C. power everything, 4 wheel disc brakes, and a 5-speed manual. It handled great, the 2.0 liter engine reved well.
I still would like to own a mid 70's 130 coupe, with the free reving SOHC V6 and a 5-speed manual. And of course it wold have to have the bright Orange velore interior!
I really enjoyed the Brava Sedan, everything worked (probably the only one I could say that for.) It had working A/C. power everything, 4 wheel disc brakes, and a 5-speed manual. It handled great, the 2.0 liter engine reved well.
I still would like to own a mid 70's 130 coupe, with the free reving SOHC V6 and a 5-speed manual. And of course it wold have to have the bright Orange velore interior!
Very much like a Beetle except the Beetle had a higher reliability rating (and a clutch cable but they didn't break as often).
Thumpalumpacus
Lieutenant Colonel
I heard they had electrical issues, and had an employee or two plead that for a call-out, so I gotta take your word for it. Of course, a German car being more reliable than an Italian job fits the cliche, but take no umbrage, it's a common European joke I first heard 35 years ago --
A European's idea of Heaven is where the English are the police, the Germans are the mechanics, and the Italians are the cooks.
A European's idea of Hell is where the English are the cooks, the Italians are the mechanics, and the Germans are the police.
There were problems with the valves burning in Australia because the settings were 4 thou " cold which was ok for Europe.
Being air cooled this was too tight for Australia, especially in summer so the setting went up to 8 or even ten and it was all good.
Electrics were ok but the battery placement was under the back seat. The back seat had springs. If things weren't done properly
events could become shocking.
The Golf (rabbit?) was a big change for the better from the Beetle.
Being air cooled this was too tight for Australia, especially in summer so the setting went up to 8 or even ten and it was all good.
Electrics were ok but the battery placement was under the back seat. The back seat had springs. If things weren't done properly
events could become shocking.
The Golf (rabbit?) was a big change for the better from the Beetle.
special ed
1st Lieutenant
- 6,588
- May 13, 2018
My sister had a 124, maybe 131, which broke the timing belt. My father always liked working on cars and began the belt replacement. found that on Fiats when the belt brakes, the pistons hit the valves bending them. Not like the Ford Pinto or the little Chevy Vega. The belts could be replaced without engine teardown.
MiTasol
Captain
Some Japanese engines have the same problem of the pistons assaulting the valve gear. I had it happen but I cannot remember what sort of car it was - a company fleet car. Being a manual the car decellerated very rapidly before I could put it in neutral so the car tailgating me customised the back of the car as well. The car was a write off just from the engine damage as the cost of a new engine installed was more than the car was worth.
PlasticHero
Senior Airman
Frantic Italians Attempting Transportation
