131mirafiori forum

Guys !

A question on the hood vents in Fiat Abarth 131 Rally (stradale or corsa) .

I noticed that the most of the  (well done) replicas as well as original stradale and corsa versions had black plastic vents on the hood. The standard  which I on my hood are regular integral part of the hood and are made of steel)  I have never seen one up close. Is it just a apperance itrem , or is it a modification of the standard hood. The stradale version was all steel body except for the additions : hood air catching vent, wing extensions and spoilers, etc 

If I understand correctly in corse version this might have been due to the fact that the hood was fiberglass and they had to inplant these ? But what is the story on Stradale ?

It ooks like the hood was cut through (removng the bottom cup which prevents rain water of getting into the engine bay and a plastic grill was mounted in tis place.

Does anybody have detailed knowledge on this and or have any close up picture of this element in original stradale ? ( or or a replica based on the original ?)

Miro

Ps:  On some of the stradale versions I see that on the front wings , just above the Bertone emblem there was a large round "C " emblem.   Where these only on some versions ( which , and why ) , what does it  signify ? 

Miro
 

Hello miro,

the stradale version, Build in 1976-1976 are 400 Produced.   
In 1976 Fiat (with the help of Bertone) built a special short-run of Abarth Rallye versions of the 131 to comply with International rallying homologation regulations. Using a combination of two door saloon bodies with special lightweight body panels, a 2.0 litre twin-cam and a Colotti gearbox the 131 Abarth Rallye provided excellent performance.

The "C" is the old Logo from Colotti!

On the Belgium Car you can see The logo Bertone and the "C"

Enzo 8)

Here's my thoughts. :-\

The 400 or so 131 Abarth cars had a bonnet that was ALL fibre-glass bonnet (hood) (not just the air scoop), wings and boot lid with aluminium skinned doors. The bonnet was not made of steel.

My Stradale (a genuine Stradale and not a replica) has the fibreglass bonnet with the screwed on black metal vents as photographed. The only steel body panels that are exposed are the roof and front and rear panels. You can also see in the pics that I took 5 mins ago that my bonnet also has the 'bottom cup' still in place.

ALL 131 Abarths have the Bertone designed body work, regardless of whether they are Corsa or Stradale cars. Be under no illusion, the 400 cars that were used as the basis for the Abarth all had production 131 Special chassis underneath and all initially had the same Bertone 'add on' body parts. In fact the Stradale has the same wiring loom as the 131 Special!

Yes, these 400 were built for homologation BUT the Corsa cars were taken from their number NOT built in addition to it.

The spares number of the Abarth gives the clue. My car is 211 from the original run - unless it's a fake ::)

Also, the 2.0 litre twin-cam in ALL 131 Abarths from 1976 are the same 16v unit, and bear very little resemblence to the standard 8v unit that was in mass production later. In fact my 16v unit uses the same cam belt as a 1,585cc Twin Cam.

The 'C' logo I'm not sure about, but am making further research.

Hi Simon,

that's all correct  :)

Is this your chassis number 2039*** and a spares number of "0000211" ?

Look Picture with "C" in Italy.

Enzo 8)

Hi Enzo,

Yes, that is my chassis number and spares number 8). I understand that all 131 Abarths either had 02039*** or 02040*** chassis numbers, which is another way of detecting a replica. ;D

I know that the Stradale was available with either a Colotti or standard FIAT box - (from the 1800TC 132 of the time I believe) but I don't know how to tell which one is fitted to which car. I always believed that my Stradale had a standard FIAT box, and as my car does not have the 'C' badges this could be true, but do you know of any other way of telling them apart? My car has had paint over the years and it could be that the 'C' badges were simply not put back.

It would be interesting to know for sure. ;D

Hi Simon,

It is not imposible to say how many Car's have the Colotti-Box,? Fiat & Abarth have no Documents,? but it was only a hand full ( maximum 50 Cars) with this Gearbox.

The Colottibox T 209 in the Abarth's has a fantastic Sound.

And it is also Imposible to find a Colotti-Box under 5000.- ? or 10000.-? you now the Price's

The Diff. kost 4000.-?

And the "C" have take away the Dealers,? or the Owner,? and a lot off Car's are New Paint.

Bertone Sticker are also not on all the Car's.  You have it?


Enzo 8)

Yes, mine still has the original Bertone badges ;D, as well as some horrible and worn out enamel Abarth badges that were fitted by the previous owner ::) I'll get round to removing these one day ;)

Hi Simon,

The Abarth Badge has a warm glow from a well used patina,  it look,s  Original from 1976.
Please not removing these.
I must say it, you are a lucky lucky Guy,  to have one Original 131 Abarth.

Enzo  :'(

   

Simon, Enzo!

Thanks a lot for clarifying the C badge question and details on original stradale.
Also thanks a lot for clarifying the air vents situation .


Simon, why do you say that your Abarth badges were put on your car by previous owner. It seems original had such badges on the wings.

I could not get the "Bertone" and Abarth rally emblems ( were the same Bertone  badges put on the other Bertone cars ?) So I had some made based on drawings in an original 131 Abarth spare parts list  , but am an not about tyhe sizing.

Simon, could you post a picture of Bertone and Abarth Rally emblems next to measuring tape  I could verify mine are correct and make a proper replica ?

Pictures of your stradale are great  Please post more !!!! All details are very interesting from engine bay to chassis to interior.

I have never seen an original up close.


Miro

So there's another good reason to join the 3ma meeting(s); :D if you still need one that is.? ;D We had THREE original Abarth Stradales at 3ma07 in Killarney.  :o

Well, it does not look good for Torino.

The engine will not be ready before early May and  the car diff /suspension mounting will not be ready before mid May.Considering I need to break it all in and make sure it actuallty is a reliable setup.  The opening is getting smaller...

Miro
   

Ah Simon you have to get the plastic tray for the battery just to stop any rust there but mind where the plug leads are rubbing off the cam-box just to save any problems on the 3ma run....

Printed in my work shop