131 Abarth

[Lagerlout]

Can't help myself.. Picked up this beauty in Italy.. Dream come true been a long time searching

[Lagerlout]

1976, 1 of 400 stradale homologation specials built to enable the 131 Abarth to compete in the WRC. The 131 Abarth won the WRC manufacturers title three times in 1977, '78 & '80 and won the drivers championship with Markku Alen in '78 and Walter Rohrl in '80.

The car is not 100% standard, it has cams, LSD, stiffer springs, rally handbrake, recaro seats, larger carbs and produces about 180 bhp and weighs c. 850 kg. Let's just say it goes pretty well!!

A lot of the bodywork is fibreglass. The bonnet, wings, boot lid and spoiler for example.

Here's a great video of what one is like to drive, they sound utterly incredible for such a small engine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPKuHBbq8Ng

Edited by Lagerlout on Thursday 1st March 00:22

Edited by Lagerlout on Thursday 1st March 00:24

[Lagerlout]

Wow! Thanks for all the great comments. Here's a few more pics. To answer a couple of questions, the car is set up to go properly sideways already especially with it's rally handbrake, rear neg camber and already experienced a rally hairpin in it. Bloody fantastic and what a noise. I got the car from Girardo & Co. who also along with Adam at Lancia Works History helped me find my ex-Auriol Delta.








Here's an absolutely crazy modified group 4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu9UczR7SAc&t=...

[Lagerlout]

Have you had it long? Sure I saw it going onto the M25 from the M4 a few years ago! Great car!!

[Lagerlout]

Usget said:

Lagerlout said:

... ex-Auriol Delta. ...

Is there another thread on this?!

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Lagerlout]

ess said:

Has this replaced the Integrale, or just added to the garage ?
Didn't the 131 replace the Stratos in the rally championships ? Fiat Group actually wanting to sell cars to the general public.

No way! Love both of them to bits and barring some sort of emergency they are staying put. At least until the last breath escapes my body and the Wife sells them 10 minutes later....

Yes, the 131 replaced the Stratos. The 131 the public could relate to and buy unlike the Stratos. It's also why I generally prefer Group A to Group B, I've never been as interested in cars that don't remotely resemble real cars on the street.

I was going to buy a road Delta to go with the rally cars but with the way prices are going for the limited editions I couldn't bring myself to buy one. Decided to focus again on finally trying to find a mint 131 and got lucky this time, the stradale cars are very, very hard to come by it's actually easier to find a Grp 4 car than a street car! Weird but true!

[Lagerlout]

Candellara said:

Neil, Totally totally amazing!!! Have you still got the 190 Evo 2?

Yep, yep under wraps at the moment until the weather starts getting better. Just got to sort out the trim on the door cards and the car is finished. Done a huge amount of work on it last two years to get it pristine so hope to drive it a fair bit this year.

[Lagerlout]

The little Fiat arrived and wowser cannot wait to get him MOT'd, registered and on the road

Here's a little vid of what the engine sounds like

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cakMRW0wdmE

[Lagerlout]

Love this shot!

Got to drive the 131 for the first time, handles very well and it's a quick little thing! I think I'm going to fit some proper seats to it and some harnesses but it's a lovely thing to drive, fantastic steering and changes direction incredibly well. Certainly doesn't feel like most 70's cars. Clearly the rear suspension setup has a lot to do with it which was quite advanced for the day.

[Lagerlout]

e30m3Mark said:

So what are your plans and will you be going to any Sunday Service in it?

Plans are to register and drive it, as much as possible! Am planning to take it to Auto Italia with my two Delta and works service Van. Delta is at Goodwood tomorrow with the Lancia Motor Club track day.