At a time when people were buying ordinary Ford saloons, original poster TuxMan wanted something that stood out from the crowd. An Italian car with a 2.0-litre twin-cam engine in a four-door saloon. He knew bits would fall off and it would rust at the slightest thought of rain but, as it turned out, the Fiat buying decision was a wise one.
After four years of happy motoring and memories though, the car had to go. A quarter of a century later, he found a manual Fiat 132 in Malta and has set about restoring it. It was pretty solid underneath, while cosmetically only a couple of dents and faded paintwork looked like needing work. Then he let a professional have a look... The oil pressure was very low, the suspension bent and the steering worn out. Undeterred, TuxMan sent it off for an MoT and to be registered. Then a test drive threw further problems up...
Engine out, a strip-down and inspection showed knackered crank shells and an oil pump pick up that had fallen into the sump. New shiny parts are finding their way to the 132 now though thanks to the wonders of eBay, including a pair of Weber carbs and Piper fast road cams. Hopefully, we will see this car back on the road soon and the TuxMan enjoying 132 ownership as much as the first time around.
So congratulations TuxMan, your Fiat 132 is our Reader's Car of the Week. Click here for the full build.