Hi Gerry
This is the series 1 version of the better known 130TC (which was only made in series 2).
In my opinion it was a direct replacement for the Mirafiori Sport as the Regata range did not have a sporting variant.
The Fiat press release at the time of launch indicated that the company had high hopes for the car expecting it to be a competitor for the Alfa Romeo Alfetta GTV 2.0 and the Porsche 924 - Lofty ambitions for a car that was based on a family hatchback. I'm not sure that the buying public agreed with this market positioning and I don't know if the car sold in any great numbers - LHD only so no UK or Irish sales - Pricing was probably the inhibiting factor. Looking at the finish of the car it was less of a competitor for the contemporary XR3i and Kadett GTE of the time being more restrained in it's sporting attributes.
The later 130TC became much more overt with it's sporting intentions and lost the appeal of the earlier car in my humble opinion.?