Background
Created in 1966 to supersede the dated Fiat 1300, the Fiat 124 saloon was soon followed by three variants: a versatile station wagon, a coupé and a spider. The car made its rallying début in 1969, when several privateer drivers entered national races with the first-series 124 Sport Spider, powered by the 1438 cc twin-cam, 4-cylinder engine. Its overriding strength in competitions was its combination of robustness and optimal road holding due to good weight distribution, despite a power output of less than 100 horsepower.
The results prompted Fiat’s unofficial entry into rallying. In 1970 the engine displacement was enlarged to 1608 cc, while power output was increased to 110 HP. The 124 was further upgraded, enlarging the engine to 1800 cc and upping power to 128 bhp, which became 170 in the Gr. 4 rally trim. By the time the 1974 season arrived, the engine had been converted to 16 valves and output boosted to 200 hp.
This car
Whilst never used for the works rally entries the coupe shared the same engines and running gear as the early rally cars. This car is the third series coupe with the more powerful 1800cc twin cam engine. Built from a road car the owner has created a fully FIA compliant rally car that pays homage in livery to the early 1970’s works spiders. The twin cam engine has been uprated and the transmission and suspension have made use of the competition Lada VFTS specification parts which share the same chassis and running gear as the Fiat 124 range.
The car is currently used on demonstration events in UK and Europe and believed to be the only 124 coupe rally car in the country.
Technical specification
Engine: 1800cc 8v Twin overhead camshafts. Electronic 123 mappable distributor.
Induction: Twin Dellorto DHLA 45 carburettors.
Transmission: 5 speed Lada competition straight cut gearbox and plated LSD.
Suspension: Fully strengthened and poly bushed. Competition tarmac springs, Spax adjustable shocks.
Power output: 130 BHP est.