Front Grille

[kev131]

This is a subject that has caused me some conjecture as well and to answer some of the questions posed to the best of my knowledge (and confirm some of the others)..

I believe that all Sport grills left Fiat painted a light colour grey. Why do I think they were painted? - Because when I bought a new one, still in Fiat wrapping (although not sealed), the colour on the outward surface was darker than the other side. Of course I could have been swindled by a restored one but it's such a good job and bears no sign of weathering or wear anywhere, the chances are that it is as Fiat intended.

The WR versions? I agree with Theo that they were most likely painted in Germany - I would say that from the photo provided, that the black version is the only one not painted a non standard colour.

On the arches sometimes referred to silver or light grey - I believe that they were painted - See attached picture of the blemishes on this car for illustration.

[theredx19]

I will check this out for you over the next week or so as I have some of the old Fiat tech books but one of them is a very rare body, trim and tech spec book, It list every series of 131 the differences between all models including colour of trim for each model as it was used to help define models for warranty payments 

[Thotos]

 when I bought a new one, still in Fiat wrapping (although not sealed), the colour on the outward surface was darker than the other side.

I almost agree with that Kevin. I bought two new grills in sealed Fiat wrapping (still have one in fact) and the reason the outer surface is darker is because it's smoother. The inside looks lighter because of the rough texture of the plastic. But the 131 Sport when new had a metallic grey paint on them. By the way, the reason I bought a new grill all those years ago is because it was cheaper to buy a grill complete with the badge on it than to buy the badge on its own!

Regarding the trim, I would agree that Silver trim as seen on Orange Sport/Racing must have been painted but I wonder if the Grey trim on Gunmetal cars was unpainted. We only had black trim cars in the UK so I've never seen a new or nearly new car with trim other than black.

[markwilliams131]

look kev black a gold sport

[Aussie131]

Hey guys, i was wondering if any of u fantastic gentalmen want to sell any of your spare racing grills and light set ups, if so how much $$$

[mick131]

I can't remember the size of the standard 131 Sport discs. A good place to get good quality standard discs and pads is Mintex. They do "brakes in a box" which is a matched set of discs and pads. I have Bravo discs and callipers at the front of my car and have used the "brakes in a box" from Mintex and can confirm that they are very good (and certainly much better than the other type that I had smoking in Ireland in 2007!)

You can contact Mintex on:

TMD Friction UK Ltd.
PO Box 18, Hunsworth Lane
Cleckheaton
West Yorkshire
BD19 3UJ
Tel: +44 (0)1274 854000
email: marketing@tmdfriction.co.uk

I live within 5 minutes of this place, thought they had moved to Leeds