131mirafiori forum

This unloved Fiat twin cam replaced the 132 just when Britain was going to war over the Falklands...and Fiat UK must have held their heads in their hands when they discovered the new name!! On top of which, the styling looked so bland compared with the series 3 132, sales were a flop all over and sales of the Argenta were even  dwarfed by the 132, itself no big world seller. I can remember one of the selling points was that it had so many metres of chrome/aluminum strips, maybe 100 metres of it had been put on the car...? ???

Nevertheless my Dad bought one in 1982 to replace his awesome black 131 Sport!!!  :o The list price was ?10,000 and we got ?5000 for the 131 which was 3 ys old with 70,000 miles up. A good trade in value although the dealer mark up in those days was pretty high.  :)

(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l250/kev131/P1030686.jpg) (http://s98.photobucket.com/user/kev131/media/P1030686.jpg.html)

It was metallic gold (our first metallic painted car) and with the switch from the traditional 4 round headlamp styling of our last 4 Fiats, the front of the Argenta failed to inspire. Dealer options included a passenger door mirror and mudflaps and the Radiomobile radio cassette was replaced with a more advanced Pioneer unit and 4 speakers (the ones from the rear parcel shelf I still have). I added 4 chrome wheel rings but the shape of the car combined with that "old folks home" colour was a dispiriting sight in the driveway. To give it it's due though, it could out accelerate any of the fast Fords around bar the XR3 and often towed home my broken down 128!!  ;D

Nowadays Argentas still don't sell and a succession of what appear to be lovingly maintained examples continue to pop up in Italy, occasionally in Germany too. I keep toying with the idea of adding one to my collection. The size of the car combined with that engine and an appeal that sometimes only people like Albert, Dave and some others can see, keeps drawing me back. I've added some pictures below of what look like nice cars. You do get a lot of car for your money if you can find a nice one....

(Try to) enjoy the pictures.....!! ;D

Brochure picture....

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/fiat_argentaSilverLaunch.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/fiat_argentaSilverLaunch.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/2076265775.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/2076265775.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/eb19_27.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/eb19_27.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/6778768671_01979b7c4b_z.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/6778768671_01979b7c4b_z.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/DSC04444.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/DSC04444.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/2013-03-20140451.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/2013-03-20140451.jpg.html)

I think there will be an Argenta in your garage soon Kev :)

I just love them always have. Particularly the series 2 it's just beautiful!

I think the S1 is nicer :) the brown/bronze looks nice 8)
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/minicacj/6778609091_668408d7fa_o1_zps59c5327e.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/minicacj/media/6778609091_668408d7fa_o1_zps59c5327e.jpg.html)

But S2 in white with these alloys is very nice too ;D
(http://i739.photobucket.com/albums/xx34/minicacj/6460043515_f2d875b5a8_o1_zps6c433a83.jpg) (http://s739.photobucket.com/user/minicacj/media/6460043515_f2d875b5a8_o1_zps6c433a83.jpg.html)

Both are nice imho, indeed I am a fan of many unloved and underestimated cars. I really love the interior from the 1st series with the velours from the last 132s i.e., also the sunvisors are unique to the series 3 132 and 1st series Argenta.
For my collection I prefer an Argenta 2nd series Volumex.................so keep me informed when you know of a really nice example for sale :)

Have you still got the one you bought in Essex , i only saw it once then t reapperd in your stable ....
  
 this one made to look  cooler with the wheels and yoko's

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/DSC04444.jpg~original)

Albert there's only james nicoleson you got realy nice voli one

Yes I still have an Argenta. Series 1 auto in silver.

Standard story, this car was for sale 2 years ago, 74000kms, didn't (wanna) buy then, but now........

Look at all that plastic ;D

Plastic fantastic! ;)

Did you notice the series 1 bumper at the back?

Saw the car as well...here's a similar one. Might be as good... :)

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-argenta-1985-vicenza-78969785.htm

Saw that one too recent Kevin, there's one little detail..... no Volumex
When you look ast all the pictures it misses the right front indicator at the last picture. At all the car looks good indeed

http://www.subito.it/auto/fiat-argenta-2000i-conservata-asi-1982-alessandria-76359447.htm

 We had one many years ago..........................
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm115/chrispaull_photo/Fiat131CoverNote1_0006_zps23eb87b6.jpg) (http://s294.photobucket.com/user/chrispaull_photo/media/Fiat131CoverNote1_0006_zps23eb87b6.jpg.html)
(http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm115/chrispaull_photo/Fiat131CoverNote1_0011_zps00b85dc3.jpg) (http://s294.photobucket.com/user/chrispaull_photo/media/Fiat131CoverNote1_0011_zps00b85dc3.jpg.html)

My dad had it first, he got it as an ex demo, had air con and cam driven dizzy......:)

Saw it at Brooklands ...probably around 1994 Chris....Didn't realise it was an auto though.

I spoke with the owner (probably you) who told me that it had major bodywork from Fiat just before the 6 year rust warranty expired....!  :) Enjoy the pics...

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/img349.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/img349.jpg.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/img348.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/img348.jpg.html)

Yep, that was me, you have better pictures of it than me..lol.............:)

Now you have them too...what happened to it...?  :)

Sold it to a guy called Craig Donald up Scotland way to make way for a croma turbo.......

Ah - so maybe it survived, having that second lease of life from Fiat.... :)

Last taxed in 1999 according to the DVLA so possibly long dead. Might be laid up in a garage somewhere of course.

Found these pics on the web and I've attached the link to where I found them. Nice work being done here and an interesting background story as why an Argenta was chosen as the subject.

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/attachment-1.png~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/attachment-1.png.html)

(http://i766.photobucket.com/albums/xx305/kev132/attachment.jpg~original) (http://s766.photobucket.com/user/kev132/media/attachment.jpg.html)

http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?290697-Fiat-Argenta-2-0-TC-85

I found the old magazine article referenced earlier - 138 feet of stainless steel was fitted to each series 1 car!

On the same car, I've also been looking to establish what colours the car came in but I can't find any mention of colour choice in the Fiat brochures that I have. Does anyone know what was available, particularly in the series 1? Gold, Silver and Blue metallics seem to have been the most common. Cheers...

Spaciest Argenta I ever saw...............................

http://www.subito.it/auto/collezionismo-carbonia-iglesias-80859624.htm

It was searcing quite a while but finally I found an Argenta VX, good mechanically and underneath but in need of a respray. The search for new parts is started, if possible lights, bumpers, strips, chrome, wheelcovers, switches etc etc.
But I am very happy to have found one finally.

Congratulations Albert. Ricambi Storici (Ele) should be able to help with that shopping list.  :)

No tinted glass? My first Swiss 131 had the same clear glass.....  ???

I do love 1980's FIATs!  8) ;D

Perhaps the Swiss had a law that prohibited tinted windows back in the day Kev. ??? Don't think it applies now though.

Congratulations Albert ;) if you need new spare part i have u will come

Hi all.It is funny how Fiat used different names in other countries.In South Africa I remember going with my dad to the local dealer to buy a Fiat 131 mirafiori CL and on the showroom floor they had a 132 Elita with all the bells and whistles of the day.This was in 1979.

Well done Albert :)

Thanks guys, quite a way to go to have the car back in Original condition, but this one is saveable.

Looks like I start to get Argenta mad, here is another one, yes again a version with compressor, this time the italian version SX with different interior and AC. Man, I was searching to find an example like this, really really hard to find. This one also needs work but it will be back in it's full former glory in the (near) future.

a few more pics

You lucky boy   ;D ;D

Silver looks good on it :)

Nice.. :)we didnt have Argenta in Cyprus as i remember.. :-\

congratulatio ;) ;)

Bought last week and straight into the collection another Argenta SX, italian Volumex version with airconditioning, really near mint condition with 73000km on the meter. This one wil stay, probably the other SX shown here on the pictures above will be for sale for a real lover!
With the car came a huge pile of parts, so huge I have to go back to pick up another half :)
Enjoy the pictures and feel free to PM me with questions!

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Even the underside is clean and mint ;)

Wow Congratulations Albert! Amazing condition. ;)

Well done  :)

Great find.....Fiats in this condition keep turning up...😊

Wow Albert! Another great find. 8)

Sold it to a guy called Craig Donald up Scotland way to make way for a croma turbo.......
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Just noticed this - that is me! I am afraid it was not me that bought the Argenta! I wish I had though! I've got a few 132 2000s but no Argentas in the fleet - yet!