Fiat 124 - A general query

[markcurtains]

I was wondering, was the Fiat 124 any good? It was before my time and I can't say as I ever seen one on the road. Obviously, I'm familiar with the Lads Rival which was based upon n the 124 and how generally woeful they were. So does anyone know?

Cheers.

[whiteonyx]

The 124 spider is fantastic, far better than an MGB or similar

[velocemitch]

124 Was pretty good for its day, much more advanced than equivalent British stuff, the Twin Cam engine was way ahead of the push rod units favoured by most.
the Lada had a totally different engine, thicker sheet steel and I think a different steering rack, it wasn't a patch on the Fiat.

[crostonian]

The 124 Saloon also differed to the Lada in having disc brakes all round, different suspension and a much nicer interior. The 124 came with SOHC and DOHC engines but the SOHC engine in the Lada was different, still Fiat designed but not the same as in the 124. There was also the 125 which had a slightly longer wheelbase, glitzier trim and came with DOHC engines only.

A little anecdote - a good pal of my father was the getaway driver of an attempted armed robbery in Lancashire back in the early 70s, the car was a LHD Fiat 124 - it didn't do them much good, they crashed into a tree as the driver had never driven it before and all got arrested!

[markcurtains]

Cheers fellas, I hoped for those answers. I've never really seen anything written about them. At school, a mate's folks had a Riva estate, even as a passenger, you could tell it was heavy.

[Mound Dawg]

The Fiat 124 had either pushrod 1200 or 1400 engines or 1400/1600/1800/2000 twincams.

The saloons you seem to be referring to were 1200/1400 pushrod or 1400/1600 twincam (Special T) only. I had a 1600 Special T once, great laugh as it looked like a Lada but went like an Alfa.

Also owned a 125, it's a bigger car with different suspension and a 100 bhp twincam, the only parts they really share with the 124 are the brakes. On paper 4 wheel discs sound great until you find out that they use the same discs as the 903cc Fiat Uno.

[daytona365]

Did the Italians ever make a car that ''wasn't any good'' ? If you just overlook the build quality, electrics, reliability and rust, their charisma will always shine through.

[crostonian]

daytona365 said:

Did the Italians ever make a car that ''wasn't any good'' ? If you just overlook the build quality, electrics, reliability and rust, their charisma will always shine through.

I tend to agree with this, if you consider the much maligned Alfa Arna, Fiat 132 or Lancia Dedra they still had a certain feel, they felt willing, sounded good and generally felt alive.

To go off topic slightly I would say this is the problem with more recent Fiats and Alfas, apart from the top of the range sporty models the mundane have lost that undefinable Italian zest. The quest for lower emissions has killed throttle response, made steering feel dead and induction noise has been banished, all key features that made you know you were driving an Italian car.

[Mound Dawg]

Yes, me too although I was metaphorically crucified on the AROC forum for even suggesting such a thing.

I've got a new Punto for work which replaced an old mk1. The new one is in every respect a much better car but it's a bit dull. Then old one always felt like one of those little dogs with the waggy tail that runs around under your feet begging to go for a run. The new one is just a car, admittedly a better car but still just a car.

In the olden days (fills pipe with Old Shag while the labrador fetches the slippers...) even ordinary Fiats were a right laugh, this is my last proper old one, a 125, pretty much the equivalent of a 1600E Mk2 Cortina but somehow managed to be faster than a whole herd of Triumph Stags around Castle Combe-

[Fulvisti]

The 124 sport is so good I'm looking for another 20 years after I sold my last one. I had two, I prefer the more revvy 1600, but if you can find a 1400 the AC, they'll probably have a better resale when you want to sell it.

[pixelpimp]

markcurtains said:

Cheers fellas, I hoped for those answers. I've never really seen anything written about them. At school, a mate's folks had a Riva estate, even as a passenger, you could tell it was heavy.

You're not reading the right magazine then.
Auto Italia has featured Fiat 124s several times over the past few months and the Editor Phil Ward wrote a book all about Fiat twin cams which has been reprinted.






www.auto-italia.net
https://www.facebook.com/autoitaliamagazine

[markcurtains]

Mound Dawg said:

Yes, me too although I was metaphorically crucified on the AROC forum for even suggesting such a thing.

I've got a new Punto for work which replaced an old mk1. The new one is in every respect a much better car but it's a bit dull. Then old one always felt like one of those little dogs with the waggy tail that runs around under your feet begging to go for a run. The new one is just a car, admittedly a better car but still just a car.

In the olden days (fills pipe with Old Shag while the labrador fetches the slippers...) even ordinary Fiats were a right laugh, this is my last proper old one, a 125, pretty much the equivalent of a 1600E Mk2 Cortina but somehow managed to be faster than a whole herd of Triumph Stags around Castle Combe-

That looks immense fun

[Mermaid]

The 124 was a decent alternative to the Morris Marina's of that era. Rust & electrical problems came as standard. Spacious car, the Special T was sort of OK for the era. The 1600 sport coupe, nice,
.

[Mound Dawg]

markcurtains said:

That looks immense fun

Guest appearance in someone else's track day video at 1.30. Passenger comment says it all really.

http://m.youtube.com/?gl=GB&hl=en-GB#/watch?v=...

[mmezax]

Here`s a picture of my racing Lada, should be relevant

[Mr Tidy]

Mound Dawg said:

Yes, me too although I was metaphorically crucified on the AROC forum for even suggesting such a thing.

I've got a new Punto for work which replaced an old mk1. The new one is in every respect a much better car but it's a bit dull. Then old one always felt like one of those little dogs with the waggy tail that runs around under your feet begging to go for a run. The new one is just a car, admittedly a better car but still just a car.

In the olden days (fills pipe with Old Shag while the labrador fetches the slippers...) even ordinary Fiats were a right laugh, this is my last proper old one, a 125, pretty much the equivalent of a 1600E Mk2 Cortina but somehow managed to be faster than a whole herd of Triumph Stags around Castle Combe-

That is just fantastic!
I got one many years ago when I was 18 and it was as quick as my mates' Cortina GT's and MGB's, but under the radar!
Remember it well, Olive Green with tan interior. Shame the inner wings were crumbling!
Has a 132 1800ES a few years later and that was even better - a bit quicker and it seemed to handle a bit better.
Loved those twin-cams!