131mirafiori forum

Well it was in a domestic garage to be honest.. but an actual Irish one owner absolutely genuine and original top of the range and last of the RWD Fiat twin cams ....originally heard about over two years ago. Two years of trying to get to see it resulted in a viewing just before Christmas and eventual purchase 2 weeks later.

The owner (aged 76) was a long time Fiat fan and bought this car in 1982 just to chauffeur his Mum around. It was put off the road in 1996 probably around the time she became too ill to travel in a car and he replaced his daily driver (a 126) with a Cinquento Sporting which he still has and is in mint condition.

It was rust proofed at new by Fiat (costing ?300) and garaged all of it's life. The owner even kept the factory plastic on the doors and carpets and in the garage, it was covered in sacks, blankets, etc to stop it deteriorating.

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210441_zps7d5dd2c9.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210441_zps7d5dd2c9.jpg.html)

The owner had tried to sell it once without success. After all, this was Fiat's lemon car and when new, you couldn't give them away. Luckliy for me, he gave up and mothballed the car....just after a full service, four new Pirelli tyres and a Bosel exhaust system.

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210472_zps321affb5.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210472_zps321affb5.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210443_zps24b98334.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210443_zps24b98334.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210446_zps626251ec.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210446_zps626251ec.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210445_zpsdb4d5f18.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210445_zpsdb4d5f18.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210451_zps2a6605e0.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210451_zps2a6605e0.jpg.html)

I had regular long conversations with the owner and luckily convinced him that I would be a good custodian for his long cherished Fiat twin cam. A deal was done and the car was collected last Sunday week. It was looked after by a fellow Fiat enthusiast before the journey south from Monaghan to Limerick. This was completed at 7.30 am on Thursday and after some re-commissioning the car was running and driving that night. It's still having work done and should be on the road soon. Just waiting for some parts to arrive.

Sometimes you get a really good feeling about a car and although I've not driven it yet, I have listened to the engine and it is sweet and quiet. I think that mechanically, it will be very fresh. Pity about the "plough on steering" and "oops was that a corner" suspension that the car is "blessed" with but condition wise I've been very lucky to find one in this condition. Even better, it's in my favourite Fiat colour of Azure blue. Now I have my 138 feet of stainless steel all wrapped around what I think is now, belatedly, an Uber cool motor. I'm also unlikely to meet another one of the road!  :D

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210460_zps12a8d707.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210460_zps12a8d707.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210482_zps5769cd4e.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210482_zps5769cd4e.jpg.html)

Here are some pics from the pick up. It was probably it's first bath in 18 years and it wasn't long before the dust and straw was washed away. The car came with both sets of original keys, original brown tax book, mint handbooks and still smelling like new ...and the good wishes of the previous owner.

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210672_zps0c3ad34a.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210672_zps0c3ad34a.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210686_zps4bc6c7d2.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210686_zps4bc6c7d2.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210679_zps41df39bc.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210679_zps41df39bc.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210717_zps174be682.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210717_zps174be682.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1210733_zpse1c57c13.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1210733_zpse1c57c13.jpg.html)

Thanks to Chris for the introduction. Whilst my collection is not complete (will it ever be?) I'm delighted to find this car and I'm sure I'll get as much fun from it as I do my 131s.  :)

Outstanding condition  :)

Congratulation again  ;)

Wonderful condition  :o

Thank you for sharing this interesting story and these nice pics  :)

You have got yourself a beautiful car Kev  8)

That's definitely 10 out of 10 for persistence  ;D and the old owner can rest easy that his car will be well looked after   

Finaly got your 132 and what a beauty ;D

Fantastic Kevin, I am in love..............................

These cars drive so comfortably great. I hope you start loving it as the opposite of a Sport.

Enjoy it, I hope to see it soon!

Great find Kevin !!! I'm sure it will be cherished.

 Yes well done ,an autobarn cruiser ,ill never keep up now,
 now get some rockin big alloys like parrish's would look so cooooooooooooooooooooooool ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Congratulations Kev, love the colour ;)

Wow, congratulations Kev.  A true time warp car.

I love the part where you have to put forward a compelling case as to why you should be allowed to buy the car - sounds more like an adoption  :D  I've had to justify why I should be allowed to buy some of my 131s in the past so I know how you feel  ;)

Your very welcome Kev :) when the owner told me he had a Argenta locked away in his garage ! That he owned from new :o I knew it was the Argenta of you Kev ;D

Well done on your acquisition Kevin .looking forward to seeing it in the tin !
I looks amazindly fresh after 18 years in storage, it must have been a well
ventilated garage .

Garage is filling Kevin whats next  :)

wow,, you lucky so and so  ,,,a good car going to a good home,,, wear it well kevin

Great find! It looks like new! :o

Thats some find there Kev Best of luck with it

Thanks for all the nice comments guys.....I'm really thrilled to find this.

Driving impressions to follow once she's ready for the road, especially how she compares with a Supermirafiori!! One immediate comparison is how firm the front seats are. They feel like a 70s BMW! Also, the instrument binnacle is properly illuminated .....in a nice orange.

The car is a "no pets/kids/smoking" survivor and the owner told me I was the first to sit on the back seat.

There are a couple of electrical challenges eg some of the gauges don't work yet and the check control panel is dead.

Parts are so much cheaper than for 131s. Two new and boxed rear lights from Austria...?20! The boot lid Fiat badge is unique to the Series 1 and mine is a bit faded... ?12 on Subito. A full set of chrome centre caps from Germany...?40! Happy days..... :)

It's funny how you knew I was going to end up with it before I did!!  :D

Jacquie has taken one look at it and rolled her eyes! Can't see the appeal...and I can sort of see her point if view. It's a barge! However, she did christen the car...the name occurring to her almost immediately....namely, SuZY! ;D

Many, many congratulations Kev. A real find - and in Ireland too! 8)

I love the colour, as you know  ;D Looks like a thing of beauty, I'm sure it will be a wonderfully worthy addition to your ever expanding fleet of interesting cars. Can't wait to see it in the metal.

Enjoy it buddy.

Health to drive her Kevin , looks good.. ;)

what a great find
the rarer the better ,
health to drive!!
kevin

Nice one there Kevin. The shot from the rear makes it look very like the Lancia Trevi. Enjoy. Mike

 well done kevin,nice car .it has been a long time since one of those on the road, look foreward to seeing it during the year, seamus

Are the headlights the same as a mirafiori Kevin?

I've heard that said Enda - although they generally don't say that when advertised on Ebay.

Series 1 Argenta headlamps are the same as the 131 although the mounting brackets are different, but you can swap those over. Series 2 Argenta headlamps however are unique and more or less impossible to find in RHD :'(

Good luck with the Argenta Kevin :)
there is another SuZY lol!
(http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e354/sidta23/BILD7618_zpse0157f70.jpg) (http://s43.photobucket.com/user/sidta23/media/BILD7618_zpse0157f70.jpg.html)

That Ritmo will be nice when she's done.

Got the car back on Friday last so spent the weekend starting the deep clean. It didn't take much effort to remove the evidence of use although there is quite a bit of cosmetic work to get her looking like I want. Primarily the bumpers and side trims need lifting...or replacing. The standard speakers sound dreadful and she'll have a modern radio soon. I had the wheels powder coated and lacquered and then treated to a set of new chromed centres. Five new Pirelli P6's are on their way and a new rear boot badge was a major find on Subito.

Mechanically she drives very well. The engine fires instantly and ticks over evenly. The handling is a lot better than I expected and this is still on the original suspension. No funny noises from anywhere and all of the electrics now work. A fixed faulty earth behind the clocks brought everything to life.

I'm delighted with the paint condition. It's a deep and lustrous shade that can't be far off what she looked like when new. In fact almost everything is blue and what might have looked too chintzy inside when the car was launched, now has a unique and stylish feel. The outside has a few small chips here and there but it looks to be an honest car. For the 14 years it was in use up to 1996, it covered less than 4000 miles a year. Just enough for the previous owner to take his Mum to mass and the shops!  :)

For re-commissioning she has had:

All new fluids using Miller oils.
All new belts and cam belt tensioner.
All brake hoses replaced with new
Master cylinder
Recored radiator
All service consumables
Ignition lead pick up
Bosch wiper blades
New Bosch battery

Here are some pics from the weekend....

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-11.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-11.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-7.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-7.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-9.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-9.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-8.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-8.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-10.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-10.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-14.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-14.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-12.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-12.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-16.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-16.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-17.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-17.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-19.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-19.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-18.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-18.jpg.html)

I love the 'sexy' shoots with the rain water trickling down the paintwork Kev!  ;)

Looks fantastic kev  ;)
 You never know  you may be up for a swap :D

Suzy had her first outing last weekend. She ran well and is a very different experience from the 131. She encourages more sedate progress but can pile on th speed if you want. A few more jobs done include new cooling hoses 5 Pirelli P6s and a pair of rear lights bought cheap on Ebay.  :)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-21.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-21.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-20.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-20.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-23.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-23.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-22.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-22.jpg.html)

Nice to see it back on the road id say she gets some looks & " what the hell is that car"? ;D

Exactly Nick ....I've seen some quizzical looks! I don't want to hear "is that a Lada" though? :)

I'm wondering if I should consider lowering her. There's a big gap at the top of the wheel arches.

Very nice! It just needs a few passengers and the ride height would be fine  ;)

looks very nice Kevin ..

I wouldn`t touch such an original survivor  8)

You know me and I am sure you recognized that i don`t take liberties with the originality especially when it comes to the engines  ;D 8)
but I would never change anything on my green 131s...a one owner car with only 34000Km  :)

Thanks Dave. I'm sure you are right Heini...with one exception...which should allow me one too!!  :)

Ivor (jack1) and I met up today to see each other's cars.....both in the best Fiat blue colour.... :)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-25.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-25.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-24.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-24.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/image-26.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/image-26.jpg.html)

very nice and mint condition, love the blue interior in so good shape. Is the car more roomy than a 131? How about rear seats, I think 131 has too little height room for the rear passengers.

Loads of room in the rear - Foot and head. Someone commented that it had more room than an S Class Merc!

Here are some photos re-created with the originals in mind....32 years later... :)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/img318_zps7c6b5270.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/img318_zps7c6b5270.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1040638_zps01944b35.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1040638_zps01944b35.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/img320_zps94e4ea68.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/img320_zps94e4ea68.jpg.html)

(http://i934.photobucket.com/albums/ad181/kev131tc/P1040647_zps6797d22f.jpg) (http://s934.photobucket.com/user/kev131tc/media/P1040647_zps6797d22f.jpg.html)

very nice idea  :)

Blue is the colour for a 1980's Fiat ;D

In between getting ready for 3MA I've been doing a few other jobs on Suzy.

This is what 14 years of rural Irish roads does to Fiat wheel arches. Luckily the arches are solid and now ready for some Dinitrol. Where the paint has come away I'll apply some rust bullet. Next door neighbour has just installed a lift so that should be a relatively easy job.

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/imagejpg4-1.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/imagejpg4-1.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/imagejpg1-3.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/imagejpg1-3.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/imagejpg2-2.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/imagejpg2-2.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/imagejpg3-1.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/imagejpg3-1.jpg.html)

Front and rear bumpers arrived from Italy and I'm hoping to have the 8 plastic side trims shortly.  :)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/imagejpg1-4.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/imagejpg1-4.jpg.html)

Good man Kevin getting your hands dirty drop out the shock & spring & give them a proper clean & please put the alloys back on the racing & not those English 14" steels ;)
Argenta will be better with those new plastic parts ;D

Shock and spring will come out when shock's are being replaced. Have a knock in one.

Will do the rust prevention and bumper replacement at the same time.

I've not seen a 14 inch alloy I like yet so will stick with the cloverleafs ...The 13s look too small and the 70 tyre profile as fitted by Fiat too high, in my opinion.

looking good Kev, with the plastics done it will look like new  ;D

Hi All.
Congratulations Kevin on the Argenta and good to see you getting your hands Dirty ;D.
Kevin bye my estimation there is still room for another car in the Garage ;) how long more
before it is Full?. Great to see all the work you are doing on the car it is a Credit to you I
am looking forward to see it in the Flesh.
      Willie.

looks like Monaghan is THE place for the Fiat twincam barn finds ;)

(https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/6877000943/in/photostream/)
(https://flic.kr/p/btGrJa)
https://flic.kr/p/btGrJa (https://flic.kr/p/btGrJa)

 Needs really big alloys , but keep the steels in the garage for the purist in you

 come on kev your the photo shop king 17" x 7" cross spokes

some thing like this

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1.0-9/10009832_257500024429330_786226136_n.jpg)




And Argenta girl ?

(http://img2.mmo.mmo4arab.com/dn/images/dn2013/argenta/argenta3.jpg)

 this is the only one i could find

(http://gomotors.net/photos/a5/16/foto_5e3ba.jpg?i)

And

(http://www.dearcars.com/img/catalog/gallery/fiat/135.png)

(http://www.motorbase.com/uploads/2006/12/02/fs_16072006_001_.jpg)

and i bet you've already got this .

(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSuuWuP3PXf2Akkt9ZITCcEq7k7CJo6Z-3BMCi_4gE5Lujvy6eM)

I agree it would look wonderful on some bad ass big rims ...it's certainly got the wheel arch space and ride height!! :)

I haven't met Argenta girl. Can she supply the wheels? :)

If there's an Argenta Girl do you think there's a Mirafiori Girl too? I do hope so. ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D I think Enzo had some friends at Christmas time who could have been Mirafiori Girls.  ;) ;) ;) :P :P

There are Trevi girls  ;D

Oooooooooooooooo nice.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D How much did you have to pay them to look enthusiastic about a car they knew nothing about?  ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D

They certainly weren't a full time fixture on the Lancia Stand last year ;D

I spent (much to the annoyance of my mate) a great deal of time lusting after the Beta's and there were no ladies present  :-[

I assume these 2 got lost on the way to the Jaguar Stand ;D

The ladies were neither lost nor paid to be there; they simply appreciated a nice car  ;D ;D ;D

;D ;D ;D 8) 8) ::) ::) :-* :-* :P :P

so you don't saw this?
Enzo  ;)

Blimey! If every Lancia Beta came with one of those I'd buy one!!!!! Or perhaps two....... ;D

One would be more then enough for me :)

And that would need to be weekends only :D :D

lol ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

Nice exhaust 😜.   

Well back to boring cars...and plastic...my consignment of plastic Argenta parts arrived today from Italy..along with a few other bits and bobs that I needed for Suzy. New electric window switches (one was faded and the other had a loose connection), a new sensor to fix the coolant message to the check control panel (immediate fix from a constant red to a green warning light), top shock mounts, etc.

Thanks to Ricambi Storici (Emanuele) who is a member on here.  :)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/P1210932.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/P1210932.jpg.html)