Fiat : 131
Model Introduction
The Fiat 131, introduced in 1974, was developed as a replacement for the 124 and quickly became one of Fiat’s most important and successful models of the era. Known internally as "Project Mirafiori," after the Turin plant where it was built, the 131 was offered in two- and four-door saloon and estate variants, with styling by Centro Stile Fiat and a body developed in collaboration with Bertone. It was a conventional but well-sorted car, featuring rear-wheel drive, MacPherson strut front suspension, and a live rear axle, and was powered by a range of overhead-valve and later twin-cam engines. The 131 won European Car of the Year in 1975 and went on to form the backbone of Fiat’s range through the 1980s.
Magazine Articles
-
Fiat, Fast and Furious
LJKS gets the measure of Fiat's latest competition car - the Abarth 131 Rally
-
Giant Test
Fiat 131 Estate v Citroen GS Club Estate v Austin Allegro 1500S Estate
-
Scoop
Fiat are well-advanced with their coupe version of the 131. Destined to take over from the faithful but aged 124 Sport Coupe, the 131 follows the pattern laid down by the Fiat 128 3P - high roofline and long cabin for maximum room and practicality. The car is a hatchback, of course. Release is likely to be next year
-
Giant Test
Citroen GSpecial v Fiat 131 v Chrysler Sunbeam v Fiat 127
-
Giant Test
Fiat 131 Sport v Ford Escort RS2000
-
Long Term Test
Our office Fiat Mirafiori estate came with the expected lively engine and fine, faithful handling - it was an Italian car. But in 15,000 miles we discovered there can be both pleasure and much pain attached to Panarama ownership
-
Blower job, Fiat style
With turbochargers winning universal acclaim it's nice to know that not everyone is so strongly committed to juggling exhaust gases. Roger Bell reports on how an eminent Italian engineer is finding a different answer