131mirafiori forum

Ebay never ceases to amaze me - It's a constant treasure trove.  :)

This Rover looks like a lovely buy for someone - I remember liking these when they came out.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=200790495023&nma=true&rt=nc&si=oQxKNv9ZMC03zHWOZeLKFYP44pY%253D&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

And this Lancia Beta 2.0 RHD was a steal for someone provided it was solid - At the low mileage stated there's a good chance it was.... :)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_trksid=p4340.l2557&item=221075973124&nma=true&rt=nc&si=oQxKNv9ZMC03zHWOZeLKFYP44pY%253D&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc

Lancia looked like a nice car. I've always liked those.

As for the Rover, looks like a nice example of a terrible car ;)

The Lancia sedan was just an ugly car, the HPE was slightly better, the coupe was spot on. This would be a better buy than the sedan.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1980-LANCIA-BETA-2000-coupe-cheap-classic-barn-find-dry-stored-15-years-/280934056242?_trksid=p4340.m1850&_trkparms=aid%3D222001%26algo%3DSIC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D43%26meid%3D1144453114774012571%26pid%3D100011%26prg%3D1028%26rk%3D3%26

I have to disagree. I think the Beta Berlina is a beautiful looking car ;)

You can think about a Beta sedan a lot but the sedan here is definately a better buy as the coupe Tas. The berlina is an original low miler whereas the coupe is a car as found a lot, just a scruffy old car from a certain type. This one requires a full resto, so a better buy ???
I prefer the ugly but nice condition berlina over the scruffy but beautiful shaped coupe(although I prefer the blue metallic car I own over the red which doesn't suit the car really in my opinion)

Please keep on posting interesting finds Kev and others!

Here's a very interesting car (although not on eBay) which I know well and it's in 'Albert condition' too  ;) ;D

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C320372 (http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C320372)

Nice Theo!

2 that would get me interested if I had the cash and the room.

http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/hawker/cars/fiat-131-supermirafiori-2000-tc-1984/1005156412
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Maserati-425i-Biturbo-Rear-5-Speed-Manual-All-options-Leather-not-Alfa-Fiat-/190704156609?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item2c66da7fc1

That Red Beta Saloon is a fantastic looking car. I for one really covet these.

A fantastic buy if it actually changed hands at ?2,700. Lucky new owner. :) :)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-Fiat-131S-Rare-TRUE-SURVIVOR-has-been-storage-since-1985-BARN-FIND-/190711010317?hash=item2c6743140d&item=190711010317&pt=Salvage_Parts_Cars&vxp=mtr

Apparently Tas that 131S was made in France...... ??? ::)

must be one for you Simon, a father-son project. ;D
And indeed very special, a Fiat made in France and not even a Simca. At least the seller sounds very friendly and doesn't ship. What an idiot text when you offer something...............

Yes I noticed that, which makes it a very rare beast indeed, and as such would make it a very good investment.  ;)
What engine was in that model, the pushrod 1600 or a twincam. Over here the 131s had the pushrod motor.

This is a nice example from an Alfetta GTV 2.0, And also very good presented. That is for sure where most people fail when they wanna sell, the presentation. It is in my opinion incredibly silly to show a car for sale with unsharp, dark, too light pictures. Also you see 10 pictures from stupid detalis or only one side because the car was parked in a garage. And sometimes it is presented better but you never get any response on your mail ???

This looks really good:

http://www.vanderheijdenautos.nl/vk.html

http://www.vanderheijdenautos.nl/vw.html

http://www.vanderheijdenautos.nl/tk.html

It's all about presentation, this cars you can buy from the pictures in my opinion.

Hi Tas,

The engine (if still original) should be an 1800 TC, similar to that used in the 132/124 but of lower compression and modified (stranged with air injection etc) for the USA market. In certain States the engine was modifed for unleaded too but not sure if that's the case of New York State.

We only had the 1300 and 1600 OHV (pushrod) engine fitted to our Series 1 131s in the UK and Europe, with the TC coming in the Series 2 Supermirafiori in 1978.

This was not a car to set the pulses racing but when the mark 5 Cortina was being phased out and while the motoring public adjusted to a front wheel drive jelly mould Sierra, Datsun stole a march in the showrooms and this viersion of the Bluebird appealed to many whose Cortina allegiance was over.

Although my father had a company Fiat, the engineers all had Ford Cortina estates (and before that mark 2 Escorts). I can even remember Ford Anglia Estates but I can't be that old!!

Anyway, the company swapped over to these Bluebirds as each sagging and worn out Cortina came up for renewal. They even made the leap to dIesel at the time too. These Bluebirds were the new Cortina in the early 80s in Ireland. For anyone who remembers them fondly here's a chance to buy some history...... :)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1981-DATSUN-BLUEBIRD-GL-BLUE-/221119259190?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item337bbc2236

A friend of mine's father had a bluebird. I've driven a few but they don't really excite me. I've always found Japanese cars pretty boring and bland :(

The Sierra was one of Ford's last RWD cars if I remember correctly.

I always hated Bluebird's >:( I have never liked Datsun's/ Nissan's you could not make a more boring car if you wanted to make one ! I would rather walk in the rain then drive one !  

What do we think of this lovely BL car ? !!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/mk1-morris-marina-tc-coupe-stunning-concours-condition-/251140254575?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item3a79202b6f

That's sad. What's worse is 23 bids have pushed the price to over 4300 pounds. I hope one of the bidders is Clarkson, so he can drop a Piano on it or something similar.

That would be an awful waste to drop a good Piano on one of these lovely cars !

Poor Piano :'( :'(
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/minicacj/och1.jpg)

You're right Dave. It was the Cavalier I was thinking of. Still, adoption of the Sierra was slow and sales of Bluebirds flourished in Ireland.....especially in this colour.  :)

I agree it was blandness personified but it's still remarkable to find such an original and low mileage survivor......

The Marina is also interesting because it is a mark 1 ...although less so as it is restored rather than conserved. Cars like the condition the BB is in fascinate me as I just can't imagine people having a car for so long unused. :)

Cavalier was RWD also.   ;)

Not the 1981 J car I was referring to - I had 1. :)

Just on Cavalier's, my Dad had a Opel Ascona the Irish Cavalier. Our first 131 was brought to replace our Opel Ascona that had got blown up, its a good job it did as we would have never had 131's. I have never been a fan of any GM Opel's/Vauxhall's.

This is the type of Ascona we had, I think their a better looking car then the Cavalier.
http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/vintagecars/3687078

Here are two Interesting cars on Ebay :)

Rare to find Alfa's like these :)
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-ALFA-ROMEO-ALFASUD-TI-105-SILVER-/280954601059?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item416a32fe63

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1979-Alfa-Romeo-Alfetta-GTV-One-owner-From-New-The-Best-in-The-World-/280956736365?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item416a53936d

I really like the Opel Ascona B, as it was called here. A friend of mine has an orange one, in very good condition; will have to make pictures of our cars standing side by side  :)

The Vauxhall Cavalier was a bastard of Manta B and Ascona B (Front end Manta, A pillar onwards Ascona), looking quite ridiculous.

Here's a picture of the Ineptitude (still in her blue livery, in 2008) standing side by side with Walter R?hrl's Ascona 400 (yes, the original one, living in the Opel Museum now) before the start of the Rallye Vorderpfalz Classic:

(http://www.oelprinz-online.de/images/rallye2008/vc2008_01.jpg)

I can only refer to the UK, but it appears that Japanese Cars were more popular in the early 80's then they have now.

Perhaps they had more appeal. Although they have never interested me, some of them from this era weren't bad lookers.

When Vauxhall launched the 1981 FWD Cavalier it was a revelation in this sector.

In 1990 aged 17, I bought my neighbors 82 (2 owner) GLS 1600 Hatch that was a real pearler and really shifted / cruised superbly. I will dig out the pictures.

It had a factory sunroof, alloys, velour interior (was packed with sound proofing) a decentish radio cassette and 6 pack instrumentation. 

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1984-TRIUMPH-ACCLAIM-HLS-GOLD-CLASSIC-CAR-/350594364399?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item51a10d73ef

A bit late on but, bluebirds were crap! Typical Taxi car here in the midlands....might of had the japanese reliabilty but still pants!

My dads older brother had a 1987/8 zx Turbo with twin pee shooter tail pipes at the time 131 S3 2000tc B89 NLA was in daily use.

Crap power for an 80's Turbo and when the 131 was wound up the bluebird never got away nor did it pass.

Me and the next door neighbours were left to school in my Dad's 131, and were picked up after in the neighbours Mk1 Ford Sierra :(, I have always hate Ford's even as a child. The Sierra was replaced with a dsl Bluebird, from bad to worse >:( but lucky enough sometimes we would have to walk home and this was more fun then the drive home in the that hen box of a Bluebird !

I would rather drive a Regata all day long, then drive a Bluebird for one mile.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1989-VAUXHALL-CAVALIER-SRI-8V-IN-GREY-SHOW-WINNER-GENUINE-8K-MILES-FROM-NEW-/110950182829?forcev4exp=true#ht_500wt_922

I had a more basic one of these as a company car in 1990....they were a lovely car when they came out and really gave Ford a bloody nose in the showroom battle ...until the Mondeo was launched..

This is an interesting opportunity for any fans of the car.... :)

Kev

This is a rare opportunity. I owned a late one of these CD Spec for 10 months in 1998  :-\following an awful relationship with a Rover 827 Vitesse ??? ??? :'(.

I was not impressed with the driving experience of my 2.0L Cavalier (30,000 Milies in 10 months) before my license was withdrawn for 10 months following some speeding offences.

When I got my license back I bought a 2.0Litre Vectra. Superb A Road and Motorway Car and vastly better then the Cavalier  :D

Kev you poor thing having to drive that rubbish :( In 1990 their was only 3 car's I would have driven, a BMW e30 320i SE / 325i SE very expensive back in the day, in FWD less expensive car the Toyota Carina II, or a Honda Accord :)

Not a Bluebird Christopher ;D

O yes a Bluebird and it has to be a dsl one too ;D ;D What a drives car they were ;D

Back in 1990 I was not lucky enough to be 'blessed' with a company car - I was driving my first 2000TC Series 3 Super XPE613Y as a daily driver - which after 3 years of hacking about in was decidedly tired ;D which was much better than any Sierra, Cavalier or Bluebird - even when the Super was 'tired' ;) ;D

C.A.C

Your right about the E30 320i. I had an 86 Black SE Model between 1993 and 1997. It was a UK Car that was being used by an Expat in Portugal. With 2 owners, full history and only 66,000 miles it was a great car :) :). Superb motorway cruiser, just watch in the wet  :o :o. A real lack of power under 3,800 revs was also a slight pain.

I sold it to my best mate with 132,000 Miles. I then had to look at the thing looking great and purring away whilst I suffered with the 827.

It was only when I got the 2 litre Vectra in 1999 that I thought I had a car comparable with the 320i.

Happy times  :) :)

Another stunning survivor.....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Escort-1300XL-120-miles-from-new-/290826849200?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item43b6a18bb0

I do especially like this quote from the ad:

I like that quote and idea too. This car was sold at auction recently, great to see another dull car survive and what a fun to see it again ;)

Last chance to buy a new one ...

http://www.ebay.de/itm/261146124703?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

and another station wagon, maybe one for Albert`s growing family  ;)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-Other-124-S-1971-FIAT-124-SPECIAL-ESTATE-STATION-WAGON-VAZ-LADA-500-850-128-131-600-?cmd=ViewItem&hash=item4abfd31fd0&item=321045864400&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

Thanks Heini ::) ;) :)

Big demand for this original unrestored X1-9...!  :o

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Fiat-X-1-9-1-Serie-rostfrei-84Tkm-unrestauriert-/121047796538?pt=Automobile&hash=item1c2f02cb3a

Worth every Euro and some.

The colour isn't first choice, I always preferred the bright Metallic Green or Blue.


1978 was a great year for Fiat 131 Super & Sport, S3 132, X19, 127 Sport etc etc

Wonderful. I always liked the X1/9. I don't fit, but if i could i would have bought myself a good one years ago.
This is really a fine example and indeed worth it's price.

lovely condition  ;D

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Raritat-Ford-Knudsen-Taunus-Coupe-V6-GLX-mit-nur-026500-km-original-im-KDA-/290892633063?pt=Automobile&hash=item43ba8d53e7

Fabulous car and condition. Thanks for the link... :)

Original with low milage

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Wartburg-353-Bj-82-mit-erst-3976-km-wie-gestern-ausgeliefert-Museumsstuck-/190832484349?pt=Automobile&hash=item2c6e809ffd

If ever a car had Albert's name all over it ...this is it!  :)

Looks like new, two stroke engine if memory serves......

Great the Taunus GXL and Wartburg, that car must have been cocooned, I am afraid I cannot keep it as new as it is only with storing. Nice next to your green 131 Heini!

Wartburg.
Yes three cylinder two stroke, some fairly advanced features which were necesary for a two stroke such as a freewheeling clutch, three sets of points all set up individully from the nose of the crank (no timing to alter), a coil for each of the three plugs. A split roller bearing crank, a super smooth engine, front wheel drive, body seperated from the chassis by anti vibration pads. Couch like seats. And some lovely colours mine was Orange ;D and independant coil springs all round.
Approx 12k revs! I still maintain to this day that a Wartburg could beat anything from 0-30 due to the fast climb rate in revs and the gearing.
The two stroke engine required a petrol oil mix direct into a single tank, many engines were damaged due to so called twostroke petrol pumps which dispenced petrol and NO oil including my engine, however i did get it rebuilt, for a while i believe a Renault 12 engine gearbox was offered as a conversion or maybe even an option.
I can still smell the car now ;D

not on ebay but also nice condition

A lot of bids and about 20000?  :o

http://allegro.pl/fiat-126p-1979r-fabrycznie-nowy-101km-maluch-i3267412169.html

I like that ;D look at all that plastic on the seats :o

Nice, that thing is new.
Is that an exhaust pipe or a drinking straw ?

Nice find, the 126, Ela came accross it today on a polish newssite, expect because of the ridiculously never shown before biddings on the car. 1 euro is around 3,5-4ZT................................

not 131, but very nice condition and rare  ;)

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Renault-Fuego-TURBO-ungeschweist-org-052500km-1-Lack-2-Hand-rostfrei-Sammlerzust-/151091769829?pt=Automobile&hash=item232dc571e5

M E G A K R A S S   :o

(for our English speaking friends: "REALLY PHAT")  ;)

Lovely Fuego - I was smitten by these when they were launched - Great to see such a lovley survivor.  :)

very nice condition  :)

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Steyr-Fiat-127-SAMMLERSTUCK-Joungtimer-Oldtimer-49753KM-ab-1-EURO-/130993751527?pt=Automobile&hash=item1e7fd605e7

Now that's how to photograph a car for sale on the web!!

Lovely condition. Look at the length of the gear lever!! This was my first car...but it wasn't in this condition!  :)