Learn me some Fiat 131.....

Found this on the local CL:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/cto/4875459061.html

Cliff notes: - 1979 Fiat 131 - Ran when parked - Little to no visible rust - automatic( ugh! )

I like the body style of this. Is this basically the uncle of the yugo that we got in the US? Do the same performance mods apply? How would this as a daily? What does the parts availability look like? Is there any performance potential w/o a motor swap?

Edit: Looks like they made an abarth version of this car. Crap... now I want it... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6mo7vfveLI

That thing is COOL! Too bad about the transmission though.

The engine is a twin cam (TC), like the spider/2000/124 got. TONS of performance info out there on the TC, and I bet a manual from a spider would fit right in there.

In reply to Mezzanine: I see alot more spiders in the JY here, than 124s( ie 2 versus 0 ). What year spider would I look for? I hate that I went to youtube now. That engine sounds amazing!

My wife would love that!

Yugos are based on the 128, so it's more a cousin .

They're a development of the 124, basic mechanicals shouldn't be much of a problem but I'm not sure how good or bad the 131 specific parts availability is. Plus, there's the issue of the slushbox - European cars of that age usually don't work too well with slushboxen.

For performance, the engine is the standard Fiat RWD twink and there's a ton knowledge out there on how to make them go.

Does this have the rust issues that I hear fiat is famous for?

I had one many years ago. I saw it as a viable alternative to the 2002, 510, AE86 type car. Coil sprung stick axle in the rear struts up front. Not really similar at all to the 124. Which is double wishbone up front.

Totally practical sedan shape with quirky italian zest and verve. I liked it a lot and would have another in a heartbeat. A late 124 spider donor for a 2.0 twincam and 5 speed would make it a keeper for life for me.

mrwillie wrote: Does this have the rust issues that I hear fiat is famous for?

It's a Fiat, of course it does . They really only got better when it came to rust prevention in the mid to late 90s.

My younger brother had one for a couple of years and he couldn't kill it, so that's saying something. The interior plastics weren't great even by the standards of the 1980's, though. The drivetrain is the same as the Spider so parts for that are reasonably easy to come by and the same hopup tricks will work. It was a good bit of fun to drive (5 speed).

If it runs and drives that's not a bad price. Gather up the bits to make it a 5 speed...

BoxheadTim wrote:

mrwillie wrote: Does this have the rust issues that I hear fiat is famous for?

It's a Fiat, of course it does . They really only got better when it came to rust prevention in the mid to late 90s.

Crap.... I hate rust.

the 131 had a different transmission than the 124. It may look similar, but it's internal mechanism is completely different.

The 124 Trans uses springs to keep it in gear. The 131 uses springs to get it out. This makes the transmission in the 131 stronger.

Not saying you cannot use the 124 transmission, and it will wake up the 131 as the brava used more prosaic gear spacing than the more frantic spider, but do not expect it to last as long as a proper 131 box. Also, the 124 shifter will be back to far in the car if you think you can just drop it into place. Being a sedan, the shift extension is shorter in the 131 than in the 124

Short version: 131 and 124 transmissions aren't really interchangeable, nor would you probably want to. The 124 trans is not the sturdiest of gearboxes.

That's a Brava so it has the long stroke (but non-interference) 2.0 engine. It also has a truly abominable intake manifold to squeak past emissions. Swap on a 1.8 intake and carb for better performance.

The rear differentials in the Brava are not known for durability. The earlier 131 rear is actually better. The slushbox 131 I once drove ran pretty well and was spunky. Not sure if the Brava is the same (and I believe the rear axle ratio is different/more leisurely also).

They always rust over the rear wheels. Rockers, floorpans, front strut towers are all additional trouble spots. Parts availability these days will be poor except for a few vendors who bought out dealers and are still saddled with 131/Brava parts. You'd think they would be willing to get rid of the stuff for pennies since there are approximately 18 of these cars still on the road but they will still charge you real money. When you get bored with it you'll also have a tough time finding a buyer.

I really liked these cars back when they still roamed the earth; the bodies were solid and vault-like. They were a bit heavy and like most Fiats kind of underpowered but were better cars than most people expected. Now they are just an oddity.

I'd be all over that and be building a rally replica with 124 bits. Then go do the Orange Blossom Tour and show up at the Mitty. I loved those cars back when they were the hot rally weapon.

I would love a 131... and it would be fun to mess with the 510 guys

Back in 1979 FIAT ran a two-car team of rally Abarths in both the SCCA and NARRA national stage rally series, both in full Alitalia colors, both full FIA-spec. One was for Jim Walker, the other for Danny "the Cop" Goodwin (he was an Alaska State Trooper). Not much in the way of results - had to contend with Buffum's TR8, Millen's late 510, and Blok's Arrow - but wonderful sound, and impressive to watch, as both drivers were plenty comfortable with driving sideways. Ah, the good old days before all wheel drive.

So is a trans swap any more difficult on this than anything else of that vintage?

I like these but a 124 coupe would be my preference, i was one of those in a bad way.

I don't even care. The last picture in the ad sold me. When do you pick it up?

kanaric wrote: I like these but a 124 coupe would be my preference, i was one of those in a bad way.

Me too, but the last time I saw one was 1986.

I actually sat in one on a used car lot in the early 1970s.

A college friend of mine actually had a 131 wagon taht he bought new. I thought he had lost his mind, but he loved it.

Just out of curiosity, what are good sources for manual trannys for these?

Also, I'm going to pass on this. I'll post it in the classifieds later. Thanks for all the input.

I think you can still get 131 boxes brand new from Fiat of Australia. When I was looking to upgrade my spider, I looked into getting one with the "abarth" shifter that more or less dropped the shifter into the same hole that was already in the spider's tunnel.

Shipping would be a bear though