131mirafiori forum

"It's easy to go along with the crowd,
And find later on that your say ain't allowed
Oh that's the way to find what you've been missing

(http://www.oelprinz-online.de/images/fiat/the_proof.jpg)

So I'm heading out to the highway
I got nothing to lose at all
I'm gonna do it my way
Take a chance before I fall
A chance before I fall!"

(http://www.oelprinz-online.de/images/fiat/the_proof2.jpg)

After two long years, the "Ineptitude" prowls the German Autobahn on her own wheels, not stashed away on a trailer. Pics taken on returning from Enzo's workshop, a 200 km trip to check the car's streetability. And, although I drove gently, revving the new engine no more than 4000 RPM, I can already say: She goooooeeees! And she's loud now, with all soundproofing taken out, the twin Webbers breathing happily and the dual exhaust roaring. She turned into a nice little mean machine - exactly the 131 I always wanted to have (not being into Abarth bodywork). So, I think she's ready to be taken to England in a few days  8)

Looking forward to the trip! And again, mille grazie to Enzo who did a marvelous job!

(http://www.oelprinz-online.de/images/fiat/the_proof1.jpg)

I saw the car at Enzo some 2-3 weeks ago. He is doing very very nice work!

See you soon in the UK. I am also nearly finished with the car I wanna take ;D

Excellent work Enzo and Robert 8) ;D

Looking forward to 3MA11 ;)

I bet it didn't take long to take the soundproofing out  ;D :D

If there was one thing I didn't like about my Sport was the noise  on a long motorway journey ::) ;)

I remember reading the Which Report (My Dad was a subsriber) from 1981 that had a long term running report on the 131 Sport comparing it to the BMW 316 and Golf GTI that stated that the noise levels in the Fiat were 'Unbelievable' ::) :o.

I still have the report that was very comprehensive in comparing the cars. The Fiat came a resoundng bottom  :o >:( :'(

Well, as she was intended (still is, by the way) to be used rather for rallying than for motorways, I think it was right to take all unneccessary weight off her. But you are right, the England trip will be followed by a visit to the otologist, I'm afraid  :o

Hi Rob - I thought I had all the road tests of the 131 Sport - I wonder could I get a copy of this Which report please? I can remember reading somewhere else that the interior decibel level was the highest recorded in any production car of the time.  :o

I remember reading the Which report but I thought was later than 1981 as I owned my Silver Sport at the time of reading. I believe the word they used was unbearable for the noise level in the back of the 131 Sport.  :-[

The soundlevel in the back of my car is much better with changed bearings :D
And who sits in the back ;)

That was my comment back when I read the article too!  ;D
I also remember the article claiming that the worst speed for noise was 70mph (the motorway speed limit in the UK) as everything resonates, they claimed. I often wondered if the argument would stand up as defence for speeding "I'm sorry officer, my car is unbearably noisy at 70mph, as Which magazine will confirm, so I had to drive at 90mph..."  ;D

This Which Article (July 1981) together with my car and motorbike magazine collection (Hundreds) are in archive boxes in the attic of our Main House in Chester. The report is very comprehensive and an excellent read. Together with this article as I can recall are photocopies of What Car? reports for the following:

1) Fiat X19 Long Term Report

2) Alfa Guilietta Long Term Report (1979 Car)

3) New Car Fiat Argenta pitched against a Renault 18 and Honda Accord

4) Used Report - Lancia Beta

I am coming back to Chester at the end of July and will post the Which Article together with the much promised photos of my 131 Sport and various other 70's and 80's Italian Cars. If anyone wants a copy of the other articles as cited please advise and I will post them accordingly.

With reference to 3 above and the Argenta Road Test it won resoundingly  ;D :D ;D It is a shame that it was not a great sales success and ended up in the 'Dogs' section in the back of Car Magazine. :'( ::)

As of today, the "Ineptitude" is street legal, after nearly 10 years of decommissioning she now proudly wears her new number plates  8)

All set for 3MA11!  8)