131 Abarth in RAC

[131grp4]

Hi All,

I've had a lot of communication with Kevin over the last 2 or 3 years since he first rang me. If I had the money, I'd have one in a heartbeat.


Regards

Jonathan

[mirafiori76]

This has become a most interesting topic, right now. Personally i think it's wonderful to have someone to bring the 131 back to attention in any way possible. This has Always been my intention when i started a club in Holland, back in 1991. Sadly people lost interest in the wonderflower and so i had to call it to an end.
I'm almost sure i am the only one here in the west of the Netherlands driving a 131. For daily use anyways. I get positive reactions to my 1600 CL almost every week. Now working on my Racing to get it roadworthy. That car even brings me more reactions.

But back to these cars where the topic is about. Why not call them 131 Rally instead of Abarth? After all, they are remakes and, in my opinion, don't deserve the Abarth badge. But they are made for rallying and to kick some Escort ass 
I'd love to learn more about their performances.

[daverwd]

Why people on here so hung up on the word Abarth...
Kevin who I have met ,talked to & bought some stuff from, at no point try's to say his cars are anything more than as near exact replicas to the original cars of the 70s as possible...
It's very unlikely that RSD will put up indepth information on his engines on this
Site as  he will probably be told how ,the engines are not as they are suppose to be or that it's replica cyclinder heads he is using instead of originals...
Or information on his suspension set ups for the same reasons..
The cars RSD are turning out are as good as the cars were in the 70s built by Abarth ,
Only difference is there built in England by RSD.. In fact his cars are probably better turned out than many restored original Abarth cars today,
And they must be be well turned out as I believe his cars are in excess of ?120,000 & he as sold 3 to my knowledge ..
They can't be called 131rally as that would imply they are replica road cars & they are nothing like a stradale road cars ,they are replicas 131 abarth works cars ...
I know RSD look in on here an odd time... You gotta ask yourself why he doesn't become a member.?..

People all over the world build replicas of cars from cosworth replicas to manta/ascona replicas, 037 replicas, S4 delta replicas, RS200 replicas etc etc etc, the only people I see hung up on wording are the ones that can't seem to allow someone use the word Abarth..
Abarth is just another tuning company and if someone is building a replica of a 131 Abarth car ,obviously the easiest way of getting across what it is , is to say it's an Abarth replica, so even my car out in my garage will still be referred to as a 131abarth replica even thought it will only be a visual replication of a Tarmac car & as for the cars RSD are producing these too are replications but to a seriously high standard in every way.. But he is not trying to sell them off as originals couldn't even if he wanted ,sure chassis numbers wouldn't be correct & if your chassis numbers don't match Abarth numbers listed you don't have a genuine car, So why not call them 131abarth cars we all know they are replica's ,RSD know there replica's & anyone buying one will for historic rallying will know what they are buying..
So please do we have to listen anymore about whether anyone's car should be allowed to have Abarth in it's name... Can We all agree if it wasn't built in the 70s in Italy by Abarth & have a genuine Abarth chassis number it's are replication of the car to what ever standard the owner decides to achieve ..
Mirafiori76  please note this is not written as a remark back at you ,but as a remark to everyone on here that makes a dig about using the word Abarth ,it's just it annoys me everytime I see someone on here that make a remark about replica 131 rally / stradale / Abarth cars..
If your lucky enough to own a genuine Abarth car , treasure it, mind it & never sell it cause you guys are the luck ones , the rest of us build Replica's...
It just happens that RSD build the best one's... Near perfect in fact..

Now my rant is over , do you think RSD will give me a job after reading this?

[mirafiori76]

For some time i thought if it would be wise to make another comment here. Or any comment in any other topic as well. Here is my vision:

To start of with your very first question, Dave. The name Abarth is a mythical word for lots of people. Especially for those who know what it stands for. It stands for that little bit of extra to affordable, classic  Italian cars. For those who can't afford a Ferrari or Lamborghini or whatever.

I simply wanted to express my enthousiasm about RSD and the fact that they bring back the 131 under attention in rallying. I really don't care how the cars are called, Abarth, Rally, replica or whatever. Just the fact that these cars are there is enough for me.

Yes, i feel offended.  Is it because my native language isn't english and that people understand me wrong? Do i use the wrong words? Yes, i had some misunderstandings with some members here on the forum. I appoligize for that. I also appologize to these members, in public and in this topic. No names, they know who i mean.

Yes, i am one of the Lucky few to own a Racing and an original group 4 Abarth rallycar. In that i probably stand alone. I also owned a Stradale for almost 6 years. My intention was to share experiences with others, when i became a member here. I received a lot of positive reactions but also a lot of negative replies.
For example, a short while ago one member asked me  why my Abarth isn't finished yet. I started working on it back in 1999. The reason is this: first it's very hard to find parts. Second, i am not a rich man and i need to reserve money or sell stuff to collect money to buy parts. That's why the car is only 80 % done.
I hoped to get some information from people here, or from RSD, to be able to finish my project. But all i see is people who anvy others for having "a better car" or having an Abarth for that matter.
I don't consider myself as having a better car. I am just someone who is Lucky to rebuild himself a car that was threefold world champion.

I'm Always excited to see any kind of 131. Be it a basic 2 or 4 door up to the 031 or 035. But i don't like some owners. Why must there Always be competition?

Having said this i am really considering to withdraw myself from the forum. I have Always meant well, but it didn't Always turn out well. If there is anyone out there to tell me why i should stay then please tell me, because for now i am really sad.

Anyway, i wish every 131 enthousiast the best of luck.

Mike

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

Mike,
do this in your signature! so the most know what you mean. 

" I am only responsible for what i write and not for what others understand. "

i personally found your comments very interesting not always mine opinion 
but so is it on discussions in forums!
this is the place to be,  if you are an real 131 fan.

Racing killer Enzo 

[kev131]

Mike - You must stay on the forum. You enjoy it too much.....and add more value than 90% of the 900+ members. End of that debate as far as I'm concerned.

A contributor can write 1000 words on a thread most of which is fine with everyone ...but one little word or phrase can unintentionnally rub someone the wrong way. I've done it myself.. and experienced it in return. It's one of  the little "challenges" with forums. As Enzo says, smileys often add clarity where intention/meaning is concerned.

If any of us were to have any of the conversations that we've had on here over the years (and we've had some exciting ones) face to face ...and with one of Heini's now famous car park beers in their hands....I wonder how differently they would have happened.  Much friendlier I suspect. It should be the same on line. It's also easier for us native english speakers - I do envy the standard of english that so many members have here. 

Dave - I don't really think that the content of this thread should make KT feel unwelcome ...although I can't speak for the man. If the car is as good as you say (and I don't doubt you for a second) I think his contributions would be valued by most if not all on here.

If you don't get a job there, I'm sure you're eligible for a "trade discount" by now!! 

[daverwd]

My rant maybe a little strong  , but I do take the point that Mike makes that it's hard to get your point across if you are using a translator or not native English speaking ..

I am a f**ker for speaking my mind...  ,

 

[mirafiori76]

Dave, PM send back to you 

[mirafiori76]

Solved.

Kev, i'm still here.

[simon131]

Speaking your mind is welcome here. That's what this forum was set up for. Diversity is the name of the game and we are all passionate about 131s, lets not change that, even if we don't always agree or share the same opinion.

I'm glad you are still here Mike, you too Dave 

[mirafiori76]

Thanks Simon. I appreciate your comment. Glad you are also here 

[131 Lover]

I was offended once as well,as non native English speaking person I did not understand some local dialect and thought they where making fun of me!

So if the native English people just for a second think if you where going to write in some other language you just learned in your public school that it can be some wrong words and miss understanding more than often!

I think the key is to be humble and respectful to all members even if we disagree in any matter and remember that we are all here for the same reason to enjoy our common interest and love for the modell 131 regardless if its a rotten CL or a works grp4.

I don't like the thought of any member leaving the forum,we can all contribute in some way to cherisch the 131.

Cheers Alf

[Fiat 131 Abarth#2]

nice video from test run!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMB6x3z30f4

Enzo 

[jasonh131]

Yes good to see it getting DIRTY  

inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnKx8ZcfZL0

[sdebez]

Hi all.

The RSD fiat is featured in this months pacenotes magazine if anyone interested.

sach