Fiat 131

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Fiat 131 2000/TC, Bristol, UK, 2006
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Fiat 131 2000/TC, Bristol, UK, 2006

The Fiat 131 was a small/medium family car produced by the Italian manufacturer Fiat from 1974 to 1984. It was the replacement for the successful Fiat 125, and available as a 2- and 4-door saloon and 5-door estate.

Standard 131s were often badged as Mirafiori, after the production plant in which they were produced; they had 1.3 L and 1.6 L SOHC engines. Revisions were made in 1981, and all models were produced until production ceased in 1984.

From 1978 Fiat also produced an upgraded version called Supermirafiori. These featuresd DOHC engines. Diesel versions were made, plus the 131 Racing.

The Fiat 131 Abarth was a very successful rally car, winning the World Rally Championship three times: in 1977, 1978, and in 1980 with Walter Röhrl at the wheel[1]. The official "works" cars were sponsored by Italian airline Alitalia and bore their distinctive red, white and green livery.

Contents

[edit] Model range

By the early 1980s, the Fiat 131 range comprised the following models:

  • Mirafiori with 1300 and 1600cc engines
  • Supermirafiori with 1300cc, 1600cc and 2000cc twin-cam engines. These cars also had a higher level of luxury appointments than the Mirafiori
  • Diesels: 2000cc Mirafiori and 2500cc Supermirafiori
  • A supercharged 2000cc variant

[edit] The Spanish twin

1980 blue SEAT 131, Béjar(Salamanca), España
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1980 blue SEAT 131, Béjar(Salamanca), España

Up to 1982, Spanish SEAT cars were all exact twins of Fiat models. The Spanish version of the 131 was called the SEAT 131, and was sold and produced in Spain, but only in 4-door bodies. The SEAT factories also produced the estate version of the car (called 131 Panorama) for export purposes, but these were badged with Fiat emblems.

[edit] The Turkish twin

Tofaş industries in Turkey also based their initial production on Fiat 131s built under Fiat license. 131-based models included the Murat, the Doğan and the Kartal (the estate). These vehicles enjoyed a very long production run and later replaced by newer Fiat models.

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.rallybase.nl/index.php?type=profile&driverid=3171

[edit] External links


Fiat car timeline, European market, 1960s1980s - [edit] Next ->
Type 1960s 1970s 1980s
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
City car 500 126
600 Panda
Supermini 850 127 Uno
Small family car 1100 128 Ritmo Tipo
Large family car 1300/1500 124 131
1500 125 132 Argenta Croma I
Executive car 2300 130
Coupé / Roadster Dino X1/9
Panel van Fiorino I Fiorino II