131 In USA - Philadelphia, PA

[pintopower]

I found this on Ebay. Any one in the US in that area of the counrty interested? I know a great deal of shippers that are very low priced! It is in pretty good shape, car came from California.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Fiat-1978-FIAT-131-BRAVA-NO-RESERVE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6218QQihZ010QQitemZ200215009801QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[simon131]

I am seriously confused about US spec 131s.  This car shouts series 1 from every part of the interior. The dash (note the radio and switch positions and heater controls), the glove box (no sliding lid), the gear lever and centre console are all series 1 - and yet it has series 2 rear lights. The fact that it's only an 1800 TC would also say to me that it's pre-1978 as most series 2 Bravas were "2 liter", and yet it has a post-'78 rear end The ad says it's a 1978 car, and it certainly has series 2 panels (i.e. no front to back groves on the bonnet and boot lid) yet the dials are exactly the same as both of my series 1 131 Specials (green pointers), which are pre-1978. It's almost a series one and a half

COOL I wonder how much shipping is to the UK

[pintopower]

Here is what I do know:

According to a 1978 131/Brava Owners manual, the 131 was the base model carried over from '77, hence the interior. The "high end" 78's were known as the brava and did indeed have the 79 Brava interior. All US (as far as i know) 131's had the Series 2 tail lights but did not have the Mark 1 hood to trunk lids. Who knows what fiat was thinking.

[mirafioriman]

This now belongs to a forum member I believe. See it in another post.

[pintopower]

Really? Where? Whats his name? Ill look...

[runswithscissors]

Here is what I have found so far. I have not dug down to the "block casting number " yet.
Year 1978 '1/2
Chassis Type- 131A3
Chassis Number- 0406292
Engine Type- 132A1031.6 (031.6 designates catalytic converter as far as I can tell)
Spares Number- 03922909
Paint Number 238
Curb Weight (full tanks)- 2430 lbs
add air conditioning-           70 lbs
add catalytic converter-      10 lbs
HP w/cat- 83 bhp (a loss of 3 hp) w/cat
TQ w/cat- 86 ft. lbs. (a loss of 4 ft. lbs.) w/cat
This being a California car of the period, it is really "choked down" with smog control. There is a sticker on the rear side glass stating emissions.
Bore 84mm
Stroke 79.2 mm
Displacement 107.13 cu. in. (1756cc)
Compression 8 to 1
Head casting no. 4372291
Other casting ID 134AS
Comments- 1977 124 Spider
Gear Ratios
1st 3.612 to 1
2nd 2.045 to 1
3rd 1.357 to 1
4th 1 to 1
5th 0.870 to 1
Reverse 3.244 to 1
Rear Axle 4.44 to 1 (9/40)
Steering lock to lock 3.4 turns
A complete Factory Service Manual came with the car along with a ton of other stuff.
Now back to the EVO to get ready for www.rallytennessee.com (all tarmac)
  

[runswithscissors]

BTW, Simon I think you were dead on with a "series one and a half"!

[simon131]

Hi Charles,

I'm really pleased that the car has stayed in the hands of an enthusiast , but I think it's a bit of a shame that you're going to change it so much for rallying. Still, at least the car will be used and hopefully loved - which is the most important thing.

It's great to see such cars regularly used - and it does wonders to the values - all over the World. There is a small, but every increasing, well informed group of 131 owners in North America now, and I'm proud that Kev, Theo and I have set up this forum for you to share your experiences with us, and vice-versa

I'm certain that with minimal effort you'll be able to get another 40 bhp from the 1800 TC engine, especially if it's stripped of all of it's 'emissions control' gear and fitted with a decent carb and cams.

Interesting how Fiat slowly changed models from an earlier version into what would be the next 'evolution'. They did it with the Uno and the Croma for sure, but I didn't know that they had also done it with the 131. I've never before seen a factory 131 that had a series 1 interior but with series 2 panels. I must say though that I love it and would dearly love to own it

Good luck Charles, and welcome to our community .

[runswithscissors]

Thanks Simon, yea I'm torn about taking such a "cream puff" down to turn it into a rally car. I have a lot of decisions to make about the future of the car. The more I study and dig for information, the more I lean towards finding another shell to build a proper rally car with. The imidiate plans are to clean it thoroughly, wax it, drive it a while and let it rest beside my dad's 1969 Alfa Romeo Spider Volece.
I'm grateful to have such a wealth of information available thanks to Kev, Theo and yourself.
Charles

[bellamacchina]

A great car you have there. Like a few other forum-friends I also think you should keep this example as original as possible as it shows nice and interesting details. Most good condition 2 doors are already changed into a Sport or Abarth replica. I make myself strong for keeping the original and good condition cars that way and use restorable cars for joy and pleasure. Be sure they are actually very scarce yet. This forum is the place to look for them as there is always an enthusiast there spotting something interesting wherever on the www!

Do your best with this beauty, put off if possible the unnecessary stuff and fit a good carb. An 1800 revs so beautiful then and is a pleasure to drive!

Good luck wished by this dutch enthusiast!

[italianxrays]

Charles, to simply acknowledge your lovely ORIGINAL car, to echo all comments keep it original PLEASE
I love my 4 door supermirafiori because it IS a sheep in wolfs clothing.
Compared to the sport or racing version you get similar power softer handling maybe but nice chrome detail around the windows and I find the seats quite comfy even compered to my old sports.
With a small amount of engine and head work, twin carbs, lumpy cams etc the 2 litre flys.
The 1800 engine is a very nice motor of course.
Keep all posted on progress and decision ( Abarths are unique from their suspension set up and everything else, personally I feel replicas are OK but a bit like the chap I saw who turned up at a Ferrari meet in his Toyota  250GTO replica - just a bit naff !!! This is an extreme example I know and just a personal view.
Pics posted very soon when my car comes out of her long hibernation, but Forum members cars will put her to shame.


Cheers



Ian

[bellamacchina]

Every 131 still in existence is 1 Ian, be sure of that. It took most members a hell of a lot of time or/and money to get the best possible result.
I am very interesting what you have to show!!  In my opinion you are right about this beautiful preserved example. Keep it this way and make it even better!

[runswithscissors]

You guys have swayed me. Naa, I already decided to keep it as is this afternoon, even with the "choked down" California emmissions, as an example like this is truley a rare find these days and will only get rarer as time passes. This decision was even made after the 4 year old battery decided not to let me take her a spin this afternoon. I lucked into a rolling shell that needs floors and sills if I can persuade the gentleman to part with it. We had a tentative agreement prior to me finding the yellow car, so everyone please wish me luck. I'll build an asphalt eater out of this hopefully. Vrrrrm, Vrrrrm.
Charles