The Father of All FWD Cars: The FIAT 128

70's Rally Cosplay? (RCR Reference ahah)

FIAT 128, the car that really started the recipe for front engine, front wheel drive compact family cars in Europe. The Morris Mini started the trend, but lets face it: it was too small and uncomfortable. The 128 has a capable engine, sophisticated suspension and brakes (by 1960’s standards) and even today it can still be used as a feasible option for a daily driver!
The car was promoted as the personal choice of Enzo Ferrari for his daily errands. If this is just marketing, I’m not sure, but I what I do know is that Ferrari didn’t like to have his name associated with a product he didn’t believe in.

A Lovely Drive

The engine was designed by famous engineer Aurelio Lampredi, who had already designed a new V12 engine for Ferrari, also known as the Lampredi Engine. It produces 55 HP (a surprisingly contemporary figure, if you ask me) and it is connected to a 4 speed manual gearbox, which makes it very suitable to city and B-road driving. The steering is very responsive and, for all the years it has, it’s amazing there is absolutely no play on the wheel. Everything is still nice and tight. I wouldn’t recommend taking this car to the motorway too often. It’s able to get out of it’s way nicely, but the engine noise gets really present and completely invades the cabin above 100 kph (or 62 mph). Amazingly, wind and tire noise are very low and subtle even by today’s standards!
This car has more than 300 thousand miles (450 thousand kilometers) and has been in the same family since 1973, when it was purchased brand new! It has been passed down now for 3 generations, which kind of busts the myth that FIAT can also be an acronym for Fix It Again Tony or Fix It All Times…
It’s confortable, good to drive and a great option if you’re looking for a first classic car, since it is very simple and easy to fix. Just pay attention to rust, and most of them tend to develop cracks just below the A pillar.
It seats 4 people in great comfort, has a big cargo area and you even get two ash trays in the back seat!

Bottom Up, Face Down

Video review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Maj4hkl5bc
Sounds, Acceleration and Fly-by: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdcgNQ9zZkQ

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