Nice picture...

[kev131]

Found this on the French Fiat 131 thread that's been going for years...

[sid131]

saw that one before, whats the story with the ill fitting rear bootlid, there are other cars on the forum with the same bootlid that doesnt fit properly

[chris131]

The abarth style bootlids just don't fit right. They're made of fiberglass, poorer quality and no were near as good as the originals. I have the same problem with the bootlid on my car 

[Walezy]

This bootlid might be a copy of group 4. I made a mould from original group 4 car and it has the same shape(also does not have a hole for lock) I am not sure what was the purpose of that but I have not altered that shape and left it the same way.
I will be making a new mould probably soon so i can make it the same way as it is in standard steel bootlid but this will not be original then.

[sid131]

its things like a ill fitting bootlid or bonnet thats not lined up or door lines that are not straight that destroys a cars looks, thats part of the deal getting all the panels lined up perfectly before & after painting, anything else is just cowboy work & not professional.

[mirafioriman]

I think you will probably find that the panels on many 131s never lined up properly when they were new

[Walezy]

In that case most new Renaults are crap cars nothing is really lined up properly. As for perfect fit of the parts in a bit more expensive cars, I deal with Lambo and Ferreari parts all the time and work with those cars and all i can say is that NONE of them had the bodyparts fitted properly. Gaps between panels are never perfect but this is probably caused by very limited production but on the other hand when paying this much for those cars we should expect them to be the highest quality.

[sid131]

I think you will probably find that the panels on many 131s never lined up properly when they were new

David they were not that bad, what i mean is just one look at a car & you see the line is off at the wing, door, quarter or whatever thats cowboy work people should not accept it, when i worked at the coachbuilding if i did that standard i would get the gate, when lining the celica panels up i had to dremel a few mm of the door hinges holes, & when doing pauls 127 we had to space behind one of the hinges & do a bit of pulling to get the 6mm gap correct, sorry but i cant stand bad work when a premium is charged. well thats finally off my chest, i say when restoring a car get it better than new! now you know what i mean.

[eugene]

Well said Sid .Eugene

[theredx19]

Well it was anItalian thing poor panel gaps but lots of power sure to build a good Stratos replica you have to fit the panels poorly to make it look original, hard one to call but to do a good job you need to do a bad job

[sid131]

Excuses always excuses, i rest my case.

[theredx19]

Not excuses but which finish would win concours 

[gay131lover]

not everyone is blessed with hands that to make everything perfect we all have our own faults and failings as i have myself if it makes you sleep better at night finding faults in everyone elses work  i pity ye all like works of art like i would;nt tell someone if they were 5 stone overweight that they were fat if they are happy the way the are thats their lives same with cars or anything to many condasending people i feel like a parrot will people ever learn

[mclements131]

agree wit u friend. this why i dont come here much times people very  jugmental and  picking falts out of  evrything  quit uncooth sad

[eugene]

As a tradesman myself,and regarding my own work,i would prefer to lose money,work longer hours to get the job finished to a high standard.
Why?
Because if i do bad workmanship,i won't be a happy myself,the person who i did the job for won't be happy and i as a tradesperson will get a bad name.
My view comes  from a tradesperson  and i'm sure every other tradesperson would agree  with me .Eugene