1973 Fiat Abarth 127 FIA-Approved Rally Car

Background
The Fiat 127 is a supermini car produced by the Italian car manufacturer Fiat from 1971 to 1983. It was introduced in 1971 as the replacement for the Fiat 850. Production of the 127 in Italy ended in 1983 following the introduction of its replacement, the Fiat Uno.

Developed towards the end of the 1960s, the Fiat 127 was launched as a two-door saloon in April 1971. A three-door hatchback, using an identical body profile but with a full-depth rear door and folding rear seat, was launched in March of the following year. This would prove to be the most popular version of the 127. This was Fiat's first supermini-sized hatchback. The 127 featured a state of the art transverse-engine/front-wheel drive layout, with the transmission mounted on the end of the engine.

The car
This original right-hand drive, UK-market example was first registered in February 1973. Under the bonnet sits an Abarth A112-sourced naturally aspirated 1,050cc inline-four, which sends its power to the front wheels via a 4-speed manual transmission.

This example is finished in a period shade of green with a gloss black bonnet, contrasting yellow and red racing stripes on the sides, bonnet and hatchback, large Abarth logos on the bonnet and sides, number 188 racing boards on the doors and a number of period correct sponsorship decals. Inside, the cabin features a black dashboard, grey carpets and door card inserts, black fabric-trimmed bucket seats with embroidered Abarth logos on the seat backs and contrasting blue fabric door pulls.

This 127's most recent maintenance was carried out in December 2019 by Grant Gauld, which consisted of a limited-slip differential being installed, a short-block Abarth A112 1,050cc engine being supplied, including new pistons, main and big-end bearings, the block being bored/honed, all new seals, the camshaft reground, and the crankshaft being machined and balanced, as well as the water pump being replaced, new spark plugs, ignition leads and coolant and an engine oil and filter change. Extensive restorative maintenance is understood to have been carried out in 2016, which included the engine being restored, a full respray and a full mechanical and cosmetic overhaul.

This Fiat 127 has been fitted with a raft of rally-focused upgrades, including quad Hella Rallye 3000 front spotlights, the removal of the front bumper, bullet-style door mirrors, mud flaps, the removal of the rear bumper, an Alcantara-trimmed dished steering wheel, Corbeau bucket seats, a roll cage, an aluminium passenger footrest, a Veglia steering column-mounted rev-counter, custom dashboard rocker switches, a kill switch, a passenger map light, Durite water and oil temperature gauges, a front steering guard, a Brantz International Driver Display, a Brantz International 2S Pro rally tripmeter, 4-point Corbeau harnesses, a rear seat ‘delete’, and a front strut brace.

This Fiat 127 is a charming and storied classic Italian FIA-approved rally car, which benefits from previous restorative maintenance and boasts period rallying provenance. Having been campaigned in the famous Monte Carlo Rally on multiple occasions, presented with a characterful period rally livery and boasting a lively Abarth A112-sourced inline-four engine, alongside a raft of weight-saving and rally-focused upgrades, it would make an endearing addition to any motorsport-themed Collection and a wonderful companion for weekend drives and classic car show visits, or as a very competitive entrant for various historic rally events

Location: Oxfordshire

Seller: Private

Photos: Professional