What if...

[mick131]

.... Abarth had developed the 131 beyond it's last competitive rally spec ?.

Would it have evolved as the Delta did into a Group B car, albeit it name only, or would the 031 have been it's ultimate ?.

[simon131]

A very interesting subject this Mick

I suppose the natural progression would have been for Abarth to develop the engine with superchargers and turbos, as they did for Lancia on the 037.

Then the next rallying 'norn' was four wheel drive, as adopted by Audi and Lancia initially and then taken up by all

I'd love to see a 131 fitted with the 037 engine and Integrale four wheel drive system. It would go like a rocket!

In fact didn't the 037 have four wheel drive? Perhaps we should just re-shell one of those Could someone approach FIAT Auto for a few bob sponsorship for this World Beating Retro-Classic??

[Tristan]

037 was only ever RWD , mid rear engined Si. We have one!

[simon131]

I stand corrected. Thanks Tristan (My knowledge of Lancias is extremely limited - as I've just proved

I that case I'll re-shell an Integrale and stick a supercharger on the original 2000 turbo'd unit.

[Tristan]

I always did maintain that the 131 Abarth was the Impreza of the 70's , all scoops and fury.... How cool a 4wd would be!

[mick131]

You know I had thought about using the Integrale's running gear/engine as did my brother, but it was just too expensive to get a complete car ( even a written off one  .

My shell is pretty much bare and if I I could have got my hands on one for a small fee then I'd certainly have given it a go.

I then realised that it was one of those thought's you get when you think you have nothing else on the car to do !!.

Still would be a very interesting project. Guess you would have to look into track dimensions/driveshaft layout/suspension etc but I bet it could be done.

[barry]

Hi guys it's quite funny seeing this thread because i had the same idea so went out bought a very rotten integrale think it was kept on the beech. Any how had it sat next to the 131 to do some measuring, the lancia is roughly 3inches wider track but the engine bay seemed to be the biggest problem the width between suspension turrets is too close without major cutting and remodeling so i decided just to use the engine and running gear including diff, brakes etc but have two wheel drive. Once i started stripping the lancia that also made up my mind because they are pigs to work on have to take the front suspension off to get to the alternator, so nice longitudanal engine with space either side for me. barry. 

[gerafiori]

i wonder how would an alfa164 q4 work, this would give u the v6
4x4 set up, might be easeir than an integrale?
gerry.............

[barry]

Hi Gerry iam not saying that integrale instal wouldn't work it was just too much messing for me, but the numbers arn't too far out the front track on the 131 is 1376 lancia inte 1426, the back is 131 1319 and lancia 1406 but the wheel base is very close the 131 2490 the lancia 2480. Things like props and driveshafts can modded by the the right people the lancia diff is totally different so i gave the two props to a company with the measurments and bingo they didnt bat an eyelid. Barry

[gerafiori]

i rthink u would have a lot of welding to do in relation
to the grales engine mounts{5 in total}.
i just sold my grale parts car today;
oh no maybe i should have kept it, this thread is
getting convinceing
gerry....................

[jasonh131]

Making a space frame frontend is the way to go,if your good at welding , a mate has done a few on pro-steet yanks firebird and mustang ,he just took the panels off ,cut
every thing upto the bulkhead . then starts welding tubes and mounting plates for every thing u need , rose jointing mounts and elongated holes to measure it all up to adjust all angles it looked so simple?

[mick131]

i wonder how would an alfa164 q4 work, this would give u the v6
4x4 set up, might be easeir than an integrale?

Gerry..I'll have a word with my brother as he's an Alfa nut and was going to buy one but bought a V6 instead. Years ago I bought a Fiat Coupe 130 engine with autobox, but soon realised it was far too heavy for the 131 .......

Had thought about spaceframing, as below, but would need something to practice on first.. haven't got the guts to just start chopping mine as yet  .

[gerafiori]

the last sport i sold was getting cut both ends for a
space frame, this is beyond my skills
that a fine picture of a space frame job looks like
a alfa v6 in it
reg gerry...............