Tofas - Turkish 131s

[Administrator]

Forum member Yagmur from Turkey has gone on a walkabout with his camera and sent in by email photos of 131s still in use as everyday cars in Turkey:















And below are a couple of SERCE or 124 to most of us! According to Yagmur, Tofas produced the Turkish 124 from 1971 to 1976 at which time they started producing the 131. Then in 1983 they started productıon of the 124 again with a changed front end (as seen below), different dashboard and with a 1300cc 131 engine and McPherson suspension.

Production of the 131 by Tofas in Turkey continued until 1988 after which time they started producing 131s with a new body (same mechanicals and even some same body panels) until 2000. But Tofas never made 2 door 131s or any fitted with twin cam engines. We believe that the Tofas designed 131s are now made under licence in Ethiopia. See forum message Where to buy a new Mirafiori - Yes NEW!

Our thanks to Yagmur for sending us all the photos and information on the Tofas Fiats. If any of you are wondering what SERCE means, according to Yagmur it's the name of a small bird.

[mirafioriman]

Looks like Turkey is the new 131 fans holiday destination. Heaven for me with all those 131 4 doors about!

[simon131]

Can we go to Turkey for our holidays next year? Can we? Can we? Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssssssseeeeeeee I promise I won't buy too many - honest!

[Upprcalypse]

Nice pics!

A turkish friend of mine once told me that all Tofas cars were (are?) named after birds

[kev131]

I'm thinking of a politically incorrect answer here but I'll hold my fingers away from the keyboard! 

I've had 2 holidays in Turkey and these cars are very common. A huge number have been modified and seem to have lost their "Fiatishness" somehow as a result. Never saw a 2 door as Yagmar says.

Not sure I like the front of the 124 clone. Seems to have followed the endemic 80s rush to change every round shape into a square/rectangular one to appear modern. The old round headlighted 124 is much more appealing to my eyes.

[kev131]

Here is a Seat version of the 124. It's OK from the side but the front and rear styling is a fast-track to anonymity.

http://cgi.ebay.it/FIAT-SEAT-124_W0QQitemZ200083370212QQihZ010QQcategoryZ18305QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem