Fiat 131 Abarth - Built for the Agnelli family

[mirafioriman]

I would class this as an 'original' car because that is what it is the way it was built. It was just built differently for a particular purpose. A bit like Albert's Volumetrico a one off. I wouldn't expect everyone to like the differences from standard but I'm sure the original owners did.

I would say there are very few manufacturers that still supply parts for a car that they stopped producing about 25 years ago it is not just Fiat that this applies to. It is one of the facts of life for classic car owners. If parts were still available for everything many more old cars would survive and would be in better condition. Classics would then just be run of the mill cars and no longer something different.

[simon131]

Tristan, the Rally grille on a road car is actually a Racing/Sport grille on a Stradale I think we are even.

I didn't think my Stradale (a road car with a Rally grille incidentally ) looked that bad, but if you can source me a genuine Stradale grille for reasonable money rather than a modified 131 Special one, I'd be very interested

On the subject of sourcing things - I don't suppose Tristan you've had to find a source for the road springs of any of the cars in your photo have you? I'm in need of a full set for my car as they have 'sagged' over the last few years and the usual people have drawn a blank. Any ideas? I could get them made but I don't have the original specs - do you?

I am biased and I quite like the red car below over most others Perhaps not the 'most original' but a fully serviceable 'real' Fiat Abarth 131 Rally Stradale nonetheless and I love it

[theredx19]

Simon can you not get the springs made if you get all of the specs lenght and weights etc... but if you need to know how an original Stradale should look and drive I think a holiday near Pat is called for as I dont think anyone on this planet can find fault with his baby 

[simon131]

Yes, if I get the weights and lengths I can get them made - but I don't have them, hence my request to Tristan.

I don't need to spend time near Pat thanks, I've seen his car in the metal before.

I know how an original Stradale should look, I have one - all I need is new springs

[jasonh131]

don't speak the lingo
http://www.bielstein.com/ABARTH/abarth.html
 

[simon131]

That looks promising Ja, thanks.

I might have to get our German 131-friends Rene and Gerald on the case for me, cos I don't speak the lingo either

[theredx19]

Now Simon when I say the car is original it is a bench mark for others as Pats car I feel is better and more original then the one in this thread, it has an original unwelded body, original oil tight engine and all the interior is time warped original Abarth which this blue one doesnt have so on that basis I beleive it is one of the very best in the world.....

[Tristan]

Hi Simon , please don't think I was running down your car , I love all Abarths , from Autobianchis ot 131s , including yours .
 Andy got his suspension refurbed , I think by Mr Mourenhout..    , other than that it's not so easy to get Abarth type coils "off the shelf" as they are the smaller diameter style as is common now . There's a company called Faulkner in the UK , as seen in Demon Tweaks catalogue , they might be worth a shout?

[simon131]

Thanks for your reply Tristan . I'll do a search on Faulkner and see what happens. Must admit to being a bit reluctant to use GMR as he is usually rather expensive

Cheers, Simon.

[Tristan]

TBH I wouldn't be as worried about the expense as his somewhat lackadaisical service! I'll have Andy's car here for chassis tuning soon , and can do some measuring for you . In about 2 weeks .

[simon131]

Thanks, that would be very useful.

[miro-1980]

Simon,

Check with these guys.

http://montehospital.com/pdf_files/suspension_and_steering.pdf

Although this technically is for Lancia Monte Carlo, but a lot of fiat/lancia  parts are interchangeable and this guy who runs it also know a lot about 131 an 124.

Let me know of the result , if you do     

[simon131]

Thanks Miro,

I'll let you know if I use them.

Rear dampers for the Monte appear rather expensive tho - they want ?195.00 each

[sportman]

i have original 131 abarth stradale schoks for sale not new but ok.

[simon131]

Thanks Sportman I'll bear that in mind - but I need springs and not shocks.