131mirafiori forum

Does anybody have any information concerning this very modified 131? I only know it had a Ferrari engine. Looking for more pictures too.

Second picture I have. That's all.

Hi Mike,  The first picture was taken at Kyalami in South Africa.  This car had a twin turbo Ferrari engine in and was VERY quick.  It was driven by Basil van Rooyen and Dave Charlton.  I have many pics and some info about this car.  It was eventually destroyed at the end of the long main straight at the old Kyalami track.  Even have a picture of that also (the wreck)

Willem

Here is one of the pics I have.  Have more if you want to see.(http://i774.photobucket.com/albums/yy23/131R/B10121980GPManufChallengeFiat131.jpg)

Hi Willem,

Thanks for your reply. Looks like a silhouette racer, don't it? Sure I would like to see more pictures. I noticed that the car looks different from the on I posted.
Do you also have information of the second car? This is a four-door.

Mike - Is the second car a Seat from some Spanish racing series - I have a model car like it in that livery.

Yes Mike it was a silhouette racer.  They continuously developed that car during that year and it looked different at each race.  Look here.

Remarkable that they put the "plain Jane" basic grill on her....or maybe they expected that to be the biggest seller and were after brand recognition......I wonder whether an aggressive 4 headlight grill would have prompted cars in front being lapped to pull over more quickly than this "smiley faced" car.  :)

And another look.  Not the most beautiful Fiat I ever saw.  I agree with Kevin the 4 rounded headlights would look a bit better.

Great pictures, you guys. I think the car is rather ugly. But that makes it a very interesting one. Does anybody know any specs about this one?
The use of the standard grille and headlights is strange yet different. I must say it makes this car a special one. I must also agree that the Special grille with four lights has always been the best look for the race 131"s.
The second car is a SEAT? Any specifications about this one?

Could have know this car was in South Africa. I just noticed the bonnet. This one was a leftover from the 031 project because of the V6 130 engine. Air intake in the middle of the bonnet. I know Fiat wanted to put feet on the ground in SA in the early days of 131 rallying.
Here is a picture from a magazine of an Abarth gr.4 with the intake in the middle.

I will post you a colour picture of the above.

That'll be great. Thanks

It could have been made up from the leftover parts, or its the 2nd 031 heavily modified (only no1 of the 2 original remains today).
Who knows? but its an interesting car either way and a shame that it was wrecked.

Gremlimo,

What do you mean, ther were 2 031's? I always thought it was a prototype, thus just 1. Something I missed? Shame it was wrecked. What happened?