1980 Fiat 131 2000 TC Sport

Highlights

• Two-litre, twin-cam engine
• Five-speed manual transmission
• Left-hand drive
• Resprayed paintwork
• Excellent original interior

Overview

Rear-wheel drive saloons of the 70s and 80s were locked in a battle for market dominance, and manufacturers were fighting for glory in the arena of motorsport. So it was a publicity coup for Fiat when Walter Röhrl won the 1980 Sanremo Rally in a works 131 Abarth Rally.

The car offered for sale here was imported into the UK and registered in January 2022. It has undergone restoration work and is presented in very smart condition throughout. The grey paintwork has been resprayed, and the alloy wheels have been refurbished. Inside, the velour upholstery shows almost no signs of use, and the dashboard retains its original 80s gauges.

The two-litre engine features twin overhead camshafts and produced 114 bhp when new, a sizeable step up from previous models. It sends this power to the rear wheels via a five-speed short-throw transmission, allowing for an engaging driving experience.

So if you want to relive the glory days of world rallying, then this 131 is an excellent example of the kind of car you’d want to drive. With its well-appointed and classic 1980s interior, it transports you immediately back in time. And when you put your foot down and hear the twin-cam symphony being performed under the bonnet, you’ll be looking for any excuse to set a course for Sanremo and chew up some miles along the Italian Riviera.

History and documentation

• Declared built 1 Jan 1980
• First registered in the UK 15 Jan 2022
• DVLA registration confirmation letter
• HMRC VAT acknowledgement
• One key
• Sadly, there’s no original documentation but the vendor has some photographs of the car’s restoration
• The car has not had its first MOT, but should be exempt as a historic vehicle
• V5 present in owner’s name
• HPI clear

Interior

• The interior of this Fiat is in superb condition throughout
• It is very well presented for a car over forty years old
• The velour seats appear to be soft yet supportive, with the upholstery looking very clean and tidy
• Grey carpets in very good condition
• Protective overmats in footwells
• Seatbelts in the front only
• Rear bench seat
• The dashboard appears to be free from cracks or damage
• Abarth steering wheel
• Square instrument clusters with analogue gauges
• 12V socket
• The stereo and speakers have been removed, leaving the choice of sound system up to the next owner
• Window winder trim pieces missing
• The headlining is clean and tidy
• Heated rear windscreen
• To the rear, the spacious boot is fully carpeted
• Full size spare wheel under boot floor

Exterior

• Classic three-box saloon
• Unashamedly rectilinear styling
• Finished in smart metallic grey paint
• The body panels all appear to be in very good condition
• Round headlights give the car a classic look
• Headlight lenses clear and bright
• The plastic grille surround is missing from the car’s front end
• The trim pieces are well preserved, with only a few areas of fading
• 13-inch alloy wheels with Abarth centre caps, reportedly refurbished in 2022
• Full set of Nexen tyres
• The wheels are very well presented, with no kerb damage we could see
• The seller notes some small spots of corrosion around the windscreen and roof tunnels
• Underneath looks very clean indeed with a thorough dose of underseal and a variety of shiny new-looking fixings
• The seller is happy to allow potential bidders use of their ramp to inspect the underside

Mechanical

• 1,995 cc four-cylinder, twin-cam, petrol engine
• Five-speed, short-throw, manual transmission
• Very clean engine bay
• The seller tells us that there are no mechanical issues to report
• Produced 114 bhp when new
• Front engine, rear-wheel drive
• In 1980, Motorsport magazine described the 131’s ‘competition-bred’ twin-cam engine as ‘smooth and docile’

Summary

These days the Fiat 131 is seen less often then some of its contemporary fast saloons, so you can be sure this car will turn heads both on the road, and at any number of events where it will be welcomed with open arms.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.