131mirafiori forum

Fiat 131 Abarths set for 2014 R.A.C Rally Championship

http://www.racrallychamp.org/News.htm#Fiat 131 Abarths set for 2014 R.A.C Rally Championship

I presume this isn't a joke...?  ???

If not, it sounds very exciting news. The name Theaker rings a bell - Is the chap  a member on here?

It would surely be great to see three cars. I would like to see real pictures of them. :o

Hi Kev,
It is not a joke, I sent Kevin Theaker many parts...also saw the pics of cars, wonderful work...

Hi Yagmur,

Could you share these pictures with us? Do you have any knowledge about engines, suspension, etc?

Brilliant , seen the RAC rally years ago at Klumber Park ,and always wanted to see the historic rally and in our 40 th aniversary year could be a trip out for us in a cold november in a welsh forrest !

These 2 pics are taken from the rally forum. :)

(http://distilleryimage8.s3.amazonaws.com/93632c5cd4c711e2ad1922000a1cbd31_7.jpg)
(http://distilleryimage9.s3.amazonaws.com/d26cf6f659c111e39ac2124aba1d8069_8.jpg)

I was in dalby forest watching the RAC a month ago giving some support to a crew in a 2 stroke saab that I've done a bit of work on. The leading car overall was an escort Kevin prepared and it was leading by a country mile.

With the same build quality and development as his escorts, I'm sure the 131s will be up there with them.
Bring on next year! 8)

Looks wonderful. I wonder about the specifications. Hicky, do you know anything about the technical side of these cars?

Afraid not Mike, but I wouldn't mind going to have a look at them and getting some info about them.

I don't live so far away from his workshop, so I could be there in a hour or two.
I wonder if he'll welcome me with open arms if I go over in the 131! :D

Just as long as he doesn't start stripping it down outside his front gate for his next project! ;D  ;D

Everything you'd want it to be, including the wheels.  ;D

Excellent!

Has he allowed for the choice of fitment of the navigators seat in the rear compartment though?! ;) ;D

I think this is the guy who purchased Jonathan (Sage)'s Stradale and is using it as a pattern to remanufacture lots of replica parts. If it is the same guy, (and I suspect it is as Jonathan (131grp4) has posted above - nice wheels by the way JS! ;D) he also bought the green Special that was for sale on ebay in the late summer in Farnham, Surrey, which he was going to convert to another replica. Seems he's buying as many old 131s as he can to convert - not sure I like the sound of that. :-\

(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/sidta23/1010544_10151902373437756_847060871_n_zps88fbc083.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/sidta23/media/1010544_10151902373437756_847060871_n_zps88fbc083.jpg.html)

Excellent!  8)
 
Any idea where  the photo was taken from Sid?

I got it from Yagmur he asked me to post it!

Nice one.  :)

A friend of mine reckons it could've been taken at the autosports show at the Birmingham NEC.

Might be going there this weekend then! ;D ;D

Nice...very nice. Now let's see what's under the floor and under the bonnet... ;)

Autosport Show...

Am I the only person who wonder's why these people sell themselves as "131 Rallye Specialists" (with the word Rally spelt the Ford way and not the Abarth way) yet they don't make themselves known of their won accord on this forum?

From the limited amount I have been able to find out about RSD they cut their teeth on the nemesis of the 131, the Ford Escort and have only been into 131s for the last few years. I can't find a website for them either - can someone tell me whether there is one please?

If they were to show themselves here they might gain sales as well as additional support for their cause.

I think this is the best you can find.....RSD RallySportDevelopment.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rallysport-Development-Ltd/659061257469794

wow looks very nice, i am speechless and also Walter was there to give a look!

With the man himself  at autosport internation motor show  at the NEC..this weekend til sunday
(https://scontent-a-ams.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/734083_662454637130456_1333725566_n.jpg)
  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rallysport-Development-Ltd/659061257469794 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rallysport-Development-Ltd/659061257469794)

I must admit the thought hasn't come up to mind yet, Simon. But i must agree with you. The name "specialists" is a bit bold, i think.
Would you consider yourself a specialist, having a real Abarth? Could i consider myself as one? What makes one a specialist?

I followed the link and found myself at a facebook page. Again pictures from the car. But nothing about specs. Again, I would really, really like to see what's in the engine bay and under the floor panel.

I recon none of the so called specialists is a meber here. Otherwise at least one of them would comment, i think.

 Hi to all,
I know that RSD using period Cima rally gearboxes and trying to use period engine parts...

Not everyone wants to be known. I think sometimes people in this type of business like to be 'unknown'.

I don't follow your logic in this case Dave, as clearly RSD are more than happy to have a stand at an International Car Show, along with photos of their car and staff taken at said show with icons of the 131 rallying scene - certainly looks like they are making themselves "known" to me. Also, there is a Facebook page for them too, which exclusively publicises their 'Abarth', along with numerous articles on the internet which says they plan to campaign a 131 Abarth in the Welsh Rally (and others) during 2014.

Look, don't get me wrong, the more interest there is in the 131 and Abarth, the greater the likelihood that the model will survive, and manufacturers and the wider Classic Car scene will understand their worth and (hopefully) more will be saved and I'm all for that. My concern arises from the fact that these RSD cars are likely to be almost identical to the real competition and factory Stradale cars and potential purchasers could be fooled into buying something they are not.

Further, if this company is remanufacturing 131 Abarth components I for one would be interested in knowing as they could potentially be manufacturing parts that I need to keep my Stradale on the road.

Mike, I have owned my Stradale for almost 10 years now and I'm still learning about it and Abarth in general. No, I would certainly not call myself a specialist.

I'm almost of the mind to drive to the NEC tomorrow and take a closer look.........

IMHO there are many people on this forum that could be deemed specialists in 131's.

Many of you shouldn't be so modest or shy.

If certain people on this forum are not specialists then who in the world is.

Tickets for the Autosport show are ?34 on the door - I guess my curiosity will have to wait :-\

This car has had a lot of parts manufactured/copied from original parts and is faithfully built to the correct spec.

Heres my take on it. everyman and his dog will tell you that rallying from the old days is better than now.

historic rally is big business, and now there is a surge and an interest for the other cars that were big in that era, it was only a matter of time before someone who spends 100k on escort and fancies something different. So RSD being widely regarded as one of the best rally car preparation companys in the uk, where you going to go if you want a 131 building if you can not go to a car supermarket to buy one  

So principly he is a business man, who has seen a hole in the market, that is saturated with mk2's.
by the way one of his mk2's won the RAC last year.

So well done i think, he has not built one, but three, in a stupily short time have it at the autosport show endorsed buy some rally driver from the 70's and 80's who name escapes me.

Because its a bussiness, there is the performance issue. he is in it to win it, i hate cliche's.

Perhaps if we wernt so negative, he would be on here. i really like this forum but there is a pattern forming as regards Famous 131's not being on here jrt corse and pialo diana and now RSD.


regards sach.              

Sach, I don't think this forum is being in any way negative towards RSD or it's products. I'd be extremely interested to see their products and share in their success and I personally wish them all the very best of luck in being successful with their 131 'Abarth' this season. 8)

I am fully aware of their success with the Mk 2 Escort - their cars are extremely well prepared, I'm sure it will be mirrored in their 131s.

Alan, I'm sure that the car is a very good copy, but my point is, it is just that, a copy. It is not an Abarth Works car - although I understand that this first car is actually the ex-Jonathan Sage Stradale, which left the factory red.

Just to say I admire them for taking the gamble to produce which I am sure to be as good examples that can be made today. Originality in competition cars difficult anyway once they have been re-shelled or re built cease to be original. They look blooming good to me anyhow. IMHO

Good luck to them may now go and watch some classic rallying and see the Escort lose again.  

This could turn out to be one of the most interesting discussions on here for a long time.

Personally I'm delighted to see this development after years of seeing Mk 2s dominate classic rallying. Whether Kevin Theaker is in this for business or passion is largely irrelevant to me. In reality, Fiat's motives in the 70s were largely based on hard nosed business principles ie how to sell more 131s....luckily the execution involved a great deal of passion! :)

Part of the appeal of 131s and particularly the Sports and Abarth versions (for many of us I suspect) is their exclusivity compared with the Ford equivalents. Having someone now "manufacture" cars being badged as 131 "Abarths" feels a little uncomfortable to me because there were only 400 or so 131 Abarths made and that's it. Any car that is made to look or perform like a factory Abarth now is not an Abarth to me.

If any of these are wrapped around a tree, that's probably a good thing!  :)

EDIT: In case my last statement is misunderstood, as these cars will be at increased risk of being crashed, through competition use, if they are wrapped around a tree, it's better that we have lost a replica or remanufacuted car than an original.

Hi guys I have been rallying a fiat 131 since 1990 and have had to make and develop every piece and I mean every piece of this car ,I have spent a fortune on this car for my pleasure and because I love 131's I have been a member on this site for a long time but because of what I call 131 snobbery I have never posted a picture and this car was built to a standard like Sid's car but for rallying and I would say that's why you will probably never see RSD car's on here, we should be full of praise for this project because the escorts have taken over every form of motor sport and I am sick of being told 131's are crap and how good an escort is.
 I have been talking to him over the last year and can tell you his work is of a standard most on here would struggle to attain.
 So come on give the guy some credit he has already said that the 131 suspension is far superior to an escort.

Ps the car at the show was a rolling car (no engine or diff fitted) and no I wasn't at the NEC show.

PPS Rant over.

Hi Alan.

Are you suggesting that this site is part of 131 snobbery? If yes I think that is a regrettable generalisation. Yes you'll get some "honest" comments from individual members about cars but if one puts one's car in public that's to be expected I think. Most people appreciate that there are few perfect cars out there.

Most members are friendly and avoid offence and that's a climate that most people want to promote. I'm sorry that you feel that you can't share your car with us on here. I have often wondered why that is the case but it's now clear why. Maybe you might reconsider as I personally would love to see it and hear about your flying of the Fiat 131 flag in competition. I'm sure I'm not alone..... :)

In case you think my comments are part of the "snobbery" Ill restate that I think this is a great development for us 131 fans. ... :)

Alan,

I can only echo Kevin's comments. I am sorry that you think there is some kind of 131 snobbery on this forum - that is most certainly NOT the aim of Kevin, Theo and I who set it up many years ago.

I too would love you to share your car here, but understand if you feel that someone might comment adversely.

I don't think it very fair of you to say to us 'give the guy some credit' - I think from the research that I have done personally RSD appear to be extremely professional in their approach and car prep - it's a shame that you think they'll take any comments as negative criticism.

I've been flying the 131 flag at classic car shows since 1986 and had my first 131 article published in the classic car press in 1991, so I share your battle weiry view of the Ford marque, especially the Escort.

Owning a genuine Abarth Stradale the question I hear most often is "Is that a real one?". Cars like those being produced by RSD only serve to fuel that opinion. I've had to work bloomin' hard for lots of years to achieve and sustain my 131 ambition - and IMHO, these RSD cars will only serve to further muddy the waters of what is genuine or not. I don't think that's snobbery, I think that's pride of ownership.

This is a 131 forum if it started life as a 131 of any model and has been changed/modified/altered they are no less welcome than a standard car, in fact you don't have to have a 131 to be a member just have an interest.
Their are purist members of this forum and their are those that will chop and change cars ;D
Every car forum I have ever been a member of have similar comments about originality or otherwise etc in some thread somewhere.
RSD for me are doing what they want to do, If not genuine Abarth Chassis maybe they should consider following the escort route and just call them  131's.
An excuse to post my interpretation of a 131 ;D

(http://i435.photobucket.com/albums/qq71/parrish_028/P3261302.jpg) (http://s435.photobucket.com/user/parrish_028/media/P3261302.jpg.html)

Come on Alan lets have a picture.

Thanks Steve. 8)

The old bus is still looking well Steve. :)  8)
Do you get out in it much or are you too busy with the rest of the fleet?

Wayne,
don't want to hi jack this thread so I have sent an e mail.

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1527067_663081273734459_1128189137_n.jpg)

 And lets hope they turn up at the Castle coombe rally day next sep on Andys stand with all off us   :) :)

how many orginal rs bda escorts are still ralling and how many are 100k replicas with zetec engined ?

Ok in my opinion they are most probably replicas. They're not works cars. They could be ex works cars if they were originally genuine fiat or Abarth cars that were originally rallied by the works team.

At the end of the day who cares? There could be 131s for people to see in historic rallying events which is great for us 131 fans to watch and will ensure younger people know all about the 131.

+ 1  ;)

Hi All,

I've had a lot of communication with Kevin over the last 2 or 3 years since he first rang me. If I had the money, I'd have one in a heartbeat.


Regards

Jonathan

This has become a most interesting topic, right now. Personally i think it's wonderful to have someone to bring the 131 back to attention in any way possible. This has Always been my intention when i started a club in Holland, back in 1991. Sadly people lost interest in the wonderflower and so i had to call it to an end.
I'm almost sure i am the only one here in the west of the Netherlands driving a 131. For daily use anyways. I get positive reactions to my 1600 CL almost every week. Now working on my Racing to get it roadworthy. That car even brings me more reactions.

But back to these cars where the topic is about. Why not call them 131 Rally instead of Abarth? After all, they are remakes and, in my opinion, don't deserve the Abarth badge. But they are made for rallying and to kick some Escort ass  :D
I'd love to learn more about their performances.

Why people on here so hung up on the word Abarth...
Kevin who I have met ,talked to & bought some stuff from, at no point try's to say his cars are anything more than as near exact replicas to the original cars of the 70s as possible...
It's very unlikely that RSD will put up indepth information on his engines on this
Site as  he will probably be told how ,the engines are not as they are suppose to be or that it's replica cyclinder heads he is using instead of originals...
Or information on his suspension set ups for the same reasons..
The cars RSD are turning out are as good as the cars were in the 70s built by Abarth ,
Only difference is there built in England by RSD.. In fact his cars are probably better turned out than many restored original Abarth cars today,
And they must be be well turned out as I believe his cars are in excess of ?120,000 & he as sold 3 to my knowledge ..
They can't be called 131rally as that would imply they are replica road cars & they are nothing like a stradale road cars ,they are replicas 131 abarth works cars ...
I know RSD look in on here an odd time... You gotta ask yourself why he doesn't become a member.?..

People all over the world build replicas of cars from cosworth replicas to manta/ascona replicas, 037 replicas, S4 delta replicas, RS200 replicas etc etc etc, the only people I see hung up on wording are the ones that can't seem to allow someone use the word Abarth..
Abarth is just another tuning company and if someone is building a replica of a 131 Abarth car ,obviously the easiest way of getting across what it is , is to say it's an Abarth replica, so even my car out in my garage will still be referred to as a 131abarth replica even thought it will only be a visual replication of a Tarmac car & as for the cars RSD are producing these too are replications but to a seriously high standard in every way.. But he is not trying to sell them off as originals couldn't even if he wanted ,sure chassis numbers wouldn't be correct & if your chassis numbers don't match Abarth numbers listed you don't have a genuine car, So why not call them 131abarth cars we all know they are replica's ,RSD know there replica's & anyone buying one will for historic rallying will know what they are buying..
So please do we have to listen anymore about whether anyone's car should be allowed to have Abarth in it's name... Can We all agree if it wasn't built in the 70s in Italy by Abarth & have a genuine Abarth chassis number it's are replication of the car to what ever standard the owner decides to achieve ..
Mirafiori76  please note this is not written as a remark back at you ,but as a remark to everyone on here that makes a dig about using the word Abarth ,it's just it annoys me everytime I see someone on here that make a remark about replica 131 rally / stradale / Abarth cars..
If your lucky enough to own a genuine Abarth car , treasure it, mind it & never sell it cause you guys are the luck ones , the rest of us build Replica's... ;D
It just happens that RSD build the best one's... Near perfect in fact..

Now my rant is over , do you think RSD will give me a job after reading this? :D

For some time i thought if it would be wise to make another comment here. Or any comment in any other topic as well. Here is my vision:

To start of with your very first question, Dave. The name Abarth is a mythical word for lots of people. Especially for those who know what it stands for. It stands for that little bit of extra to affordable, classic  Italian cars. For those who can't afford a Ferrari or Lamborghini or whatever.

I simply wanted to express my enthousiasm about RSD and the fact that they bring back the 131 under attention in rallying. I really don't care how the cars are called, Abarth, Rally, replica or whatever. Just the fact that these cars are there is enough for me.

Yes, i feel offended.  Is it because my native language isn't english and that people understand me wrong? Do i use the wrong words? Yes, i had some misunderstandings with some members here on the forum. I appoligize for that. I also appologize to these members, in public and in this topic. No names, they know who i mean.

Yes, i am one of the Lucky few to own a Racing and an original group 4 Abarth rallycar. In that i probably stand alone. I also owned a Stradale for almost 6 years. My intention was to share experiences with others, when i became a member here. I received a lot of positive reactions but also a lot of negative replies.
For example, a short while ago one member asked me  why my Abarth isn't finished yet. I started working on it back in 1999. The reason is this: first it's very hard to find parts. Second, i am not a rich man and i need to reserve money or sell stuff to collect money to buy parts. That's why the car is only 80 % done.
I hoped to get some information from people here, or from RSD, to be able to finish my project. But all i see is people who anvy others for having "a better car" or having an Abarth for that matter.
I don't consider myself as having a better car. I am just someone who is Lucky to rebuild himself a car that was threefold world champion.

I'm Always excited to see any kind of 131. Be it a basic 2 or 4 door up to the 031 or 035. But i don't like some owners. Why must there Always be competition?

Having said this i am really considering to withdraw myself from the forum. I have Always meant well, but it didn't Always turn out well. If there is anyone out there to tell me why i should stay then please tell me, because for now i am really sad.

Anyway, i wish every 131 enthousiast the best of luck.

Mike

Mike,
do this in your signature! so the most know what you mean.  ;D

" I am only responsible for what i write and not for what others understand. "

i personally found your comments very interesting not always mine opinion  ::)
but so is it on discussions in forums!
this is the place to be,  if you are an real 131 fan.

Racing killer Enzo  ;)

Mike - You must stay on the forum. You enjoy it too much.....and add more value than 90% of the 900+ members. End of that debate as far as I'm concerned.

A contributor can write 1000 words on a thread most of which is fine with everyone ...but one little word or phrase can unintentionnally rub someone the wrong way. I've done it myself.. and experienced it in return. It's one of  the little "challenges" with forums. As Enzo says, smileys often add clarity where intention/meaning is concerned.

If any of us were to have any of the conversations that we've had on here over the years (and we've had some exciting ones) face to face ...and with one of Heini's now famous car park beers in their hands....I wonder how differently they would have happened.  ??? Much friendlier I suspect. It should be the same on line. It's also easier for us native english speakers - I do envy the standard of english that so many members have here.  :)

Dave - I don't really think that the content of this thread should make KT feel unwelcome ...although I can't speak for the man. If the car is as good as you say (and I don't doubt you for a second) I think his contributions would be valued by most if not all on here.

If you don't get a job there, I'm sure you're eligible for a "trade discount" by now!!  ;D

My rant maybe a little strong  ::), but I do take the point that Mike makes that it's hard to get your point across if you are using a translator or not native English speaking ..

I am a f**ker for speaking my mind...  :-X ,

 

Dave, PM send back to you  ;)

Solved. :)

Kev, i'm still here. ;)

Speaking your mind is welcome here. That's what this forum was set up for. Diversity is the name of the game and we are all passionate about 131s, lets not change that, even if we don't always agree or share the same opinion.

I'm glad you are still here Mike, you too Dave  8)

Thanks Simon. I appreciate your comment. Glad you are also here  ;)

I was offended once as well,as non native English speaking person I did not understand some local dialect and thought they where making fun of me!

So if the native English people just for a second think if you where going to write in some other language you just learned in your public school that it can be some wrong words and miss understanding more than often!

I think the key is to be humble and respectful to all members even if we disagree in any matter and remember that we are all here for the same reason to enjoy our common interest and love for the modell 131 regardless if its a rotten CL or a works grp4.

I don't like the thought of any member leaving the forum,we can all contribute in some way to cherisch the 131.

Cheers Alf

nice video from test run!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMB6x3z30f4

Enzo  :)

Yes good to see it getting DIRTY  ;) ;)

inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnKx8ZcfZL0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnKx8ZcfZL0)

Hi all.

The RSD fiat is featured in this months pacenotes magazine if anyone interested.

sach