Italian Magazine Article: History of the Fiat 131

[kev131]

Apologies for being a little quiet on the forum recently but I'm just back from the annual 2 week pilgrimage to Italy (thinly disguised as a holiday with my wife - but in reality an excuse to soak up Fiat Classics at every opportunity). In fact, of the 14 days only 3 were given over completely to Fiat related activities but the eyes were always roving!!

This year we spent 2 weeks in an apt overlooking Lake Como in the north of the country. I can't recommend Italy enough as a holiday destination and we always come home thinking that we would like to live there permanently some day!

Back to the 3 days, 1 was spent looking at a Fiat 131 Racing that was for sale and at the same location stumbling across a 131 Abarth in mid restoration (photos to follow in a separate posting), the 2nd day was near Vicenza visiting a company called "Racing Cars" who specialises in classic Italian cars as well as racing cars. I came across what I was told was a Fiat 125 Abarth rally car that was for sale at ?25k - Lovely car and prepared to a high standard. A 131 Volumetrico and a Maratea were for sale.

Day 3 was the Monster Auto Jumble at the Imola race track - I only had 3 hours but you need 3 days to see everything properly! Heaven...! And I managed to pick up a set of 4 brand new Sport headlights and mounting brackets

Back to the subject of this topic, the Italian classic car magazine "Automobilismo D'Epoca" just happened to be running a giant artilce on the history of the Mirafiori so that was a "must have" purchase - I've scanned the article for the 131 community - Unfortunately though - The photos are good... but you will have to translate it yourselves...!?

[mirafioriman]

Looks like a great article! I missed that one. We have passed Imola, but not actually stopped there. I would like to visit an Italian autojumble. Are parts expensive there or reasonably priced?

[bellamacchina]

Welcome back Kev,

You didn't tell more about the Racing you looked at?? You had a nice holiday?
Nice article, I know this is quite an interesting magazine next to Ruoteclassiche.

I hope to go to the big jumble and show in Padova, the best show  I know. Imola is also great with a lot of secondhand stuff. In Padova is also a big offering of classic cars. Prices are vary very much. You can have good luck and buy very cheap but there are also a lot of things expensive till very expensive. The problem is always that the part you want is elsewhere unobtainable. BUT, don't expect bargainprices at italian autojumbles.

[kev131]

Hi Dave

Parts are generally not priced and it gets tiring to continually ask "Quanta costa" and then not understanding their answer until they write it down.

A brand new badge for a Fiat 124 Special T grabbed my attention and I asked "QC"? The english speaking companion was asked to tell me in english and he said one fifty so I dutifully handed over a a 2 euro coin to much merriment - He meant to say ?15.00 euros - And much to my merriment... I handed the badge back!

Later I spotted 4 brand new Sport headlights with rubber mounting brackets - "QC" produced ?90 which was a good price judging by Ebay, I declined and the price came down to ?80 but still I declined - I popped back later and offered ?60 and stole them away for that. Result!

That was the exception though and most things seemed expensive - Maybe later in the weekend prices ease a little?

Albert - When is the Padova event? And the grey Racing - It was a good car and drove really well - I'll post some details soon.

[bellamacchina]

Padova is from 26 till 28 October. Really great, I was there last year!

Oh, have a look at Autoscout24.com. There is a italian Racing, grey, stands already in Germany, 115000km with Factory airconditioning, Asking price 5700,but negotiable. Interesting?

I'm interested in the car you drove!