The Fiat 124 was manufactured between 1966 and 1974. The saloon superseded the Fiat 1300 and spawned station wagon, four-seater coupé (124 Sport Coupé), and two-seater convertible (124 Sport Spider) variants.
Fiat licensed numerous variants of the 124 for worldwide manufacture, including the Russian-built VAZ-2101 "Zhiguli" and its many derivatives. Known as the Lada outside the Soviet Union, these Russian variants constituted the vast majority of 124 derived production, making it the fifth best-selling automotive platform in history.
The 124 was superseded in its home market by the Fiat 131, launched in 1974.
As a clean-sheet design by Oscar Montabone, the chief engineer responsible for its development, the 124 used only the all-synchromesh gear box from the Fiat 1500. The 124 featured a spacious interior, advanced coil spring rear suspension, disc brakes on all wheels and lightweight construction.
A 5-door station wagon variant (named 124 Familiare in its home market) as well as the 124 Sport Spider variants debuted at the 48th Turin Motor show in November 1966. A few months later, at the March 1967 Geneva Motor Show, the 124 Sport Coupé completed the range. The two Sport models were powered by an all-new 1.4-litre dual overhead camshaft engine producing 90 DIN-rated PS (66 kW; 89 hp) at 6,500 rpm.
Following its introduction in 1966 with a publicity stunt, where a 124 was dropped by parachute from a plane, the 124 won the 1967 European Car of the Year award.
The 124 Special
In October 1968, Fiat launched the 124 Special; like Fiat's other Special models, it was an upmarket, better appointed and higher performance variant of the standard saloon. A month after, in November, it was displayed at the 50th Turin Motor Show alongside its larger sibling, the new 125 Special. In addition to a 1.4-litre overhead valve engine, the 124 Special notably introduced all-new 5-link (four longitudinal, one transverse) solid axle rear suspension in place of the original 3-link design. Starting from late 1968 the same improved rear axle was adopted by both Sport models.
In detail the Special's 1,438 cc type 124 A2 engine had the same bore and stroke of the Sport Coupé and Sport Spider engines (80 × 71.5 mm), but eschewed the dual overhead camshafts of the two sportscars in favour of the more conventional overhead valve setup from the 124 saloon. With a downdraught (instead of the 1.2's side-draught) twin-choke Weber 32 DHS or Solex C32 EIES carburettor and a 9.0:1 compression ratio, engine output was 70 DIN-rated metric horsepower (51 kW; 69 hp) at 5,400 rpm and 110 DIN-rated newton-metres (81 lb⋅ft) of torque at 3,300 rpm. Fiat advertised a top speed of over 150 km/h (93 mph). Besides engine and rear axle, notable mechanical changes from the regular 124 were an alternator replacing the dynamo, an uprated clutch, standard 155R13 Pirelli Cinturato radial tyres, and the addition of a vacuum servo to the all-disc braking system.
Visually the Special could be immediately distinguished from the standard model by its new, rectangular grille with four inset round headlamps. Less evident differences were larger vertical bumper over-riders, wheels with round ventilation holes as on the Sport models, new flush door handles, different tail lamps with integrated reflectors, and a central back-up light. The interior featured a redesigned padded dashboard with an oval binnacle housing two round instruments and a car radio console, a steering wheel without horn ring, new door cards, and more supportive seats.
The featured car is the pride and joy of avid car collector Dinesh Hensman, and it was his first foray in to Italian cars. At the time of acquiring, Dinesh’s 124 Special had a solid body, but had been “riced” somewhat by the previous owner. Dinesh had hit repainted in its current green colour, had the original bumpers fitted and the car was brought back to it’s original Italian understated looks. Dinesh has since brought the car to many Classic car gatherings and even drove it to Nuwara Eliya for the Mahagstotte Classic Hill Climb event.
Powertrain
Engine 1,438
cc OHV
Transmission 4-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,420 mm (95.3 in)
Length 4,030–4,053
mm (158.7–159.6 in)
Width 1,625
mm (64.0 in)
Height 1,420
mm (55.9 in)
Kerb weight 855–950 kg (1,885–2,094 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Fiat 1300
Successor Fiat 131
