128 - finally

[Ulix]

I have been lusting after an early 128 4-door for a long time.
By pure luck I stumbled across an outstanding example that has had one owner who drove it 28,000 mls, then the car spent 20 years in an italian Fiat collection.
I had it delivered from Italy to my house here in Germany.
Of course it cost more than one would normally spend on a 128, but I just had to do it.
After replacing a couple of 52 year old parts, I lowered it and installed different wheels and tires.
This is how it will stay, 100% original except for those mods.
It is a 1969 model, first year they were built.
I am still totally in love.

 

[JimD]

Looks beautiful Ulix. Very nice.

 

[johnph]

I have been lusting after an early 128 4-door for a long time.
By pure luck I stumbled across an outstanding example that has had one owner who drove it 28,000 mls, then the car spent 20 years in an italian Fiat collection.
I had it delivered from Italy to my house here in Germany.
Of course it cost more than one would normally spend on a 128, but I just had to do it.
After replacing a couple of 52 year old parts, I lowered it and installed different wheels and tires.
This is how it will stay, 100% original except for those mods.
It is a 1969 model, first year they were built.
I am still totally in love.

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It is sad that first world car manufacturers no longer offer simple, beautiful, cars like this for sale.

 

[NEG]

They are cute as anything especially with the wheels and tyres, nice one Ulix

 

[kmead]

A remarkable example. Wow it is just lovely. Worth making the effort for.

 

[Agnelli]

Off the hook Ulix way to go times infinity. How did you lower it? Tell us about the engine.

 

[Dr.Jeff]

Yes, wow, it looks like brand new. Rare find. And I love the wheels and 'stance'.

 

[mlsceo]

Gorgeous.

 

[fastx19]

Awesome. Just awesome.

 

[carl]

So should we start a lottery on how long before he installs a 1500 motor, dual DCNFs and a header?
Details on how you lowered it would be swell.

 

[Ulix]

Thanks guys for all the nice words.

My original plan was a mild 1900 motor with single DCNF, euro cam and stockish exhaust with a Uno Turbo 5-speed.

But the stock 55hp 1100cc motor runs so smooth, idles so nicely and shift like butter.
So I want to just keep that.
Only on the highway do I miss hp and gears.

Details are coming up.

 

[Ulix]

The lowering.

This is what it looked like before.



In the front, I have struts for the Fiat 127, which are identical (as far as I can tell) to the rear stuts of the 1300 X1/9. These have the spring perch 30mm lower than the stock euro 128 strut.
The springs are stock 128 springs, shortened with the end bent over. These still have plenty of preload when installed on the strut.



The rear also has 127 struts, but these are only a few mm shorter that the 128 version.
The rear spring is a stock spring that has been re-arched by a blacksmith. A big press has been used on many points along its length to change its overall shape. No heat was used.



The result is a about 60 mm lower and the ride is VERY comfortable. Not very sporty, but just right for me since this is my cruiser.
The X1/9 is the sports car.

 

[Ulix]

The story of how I found it.

I had already bought the rims.
They are a german design of the 70s and were mainly used on Opels, but they were available in 4x98 at the time but are super rare. They were advertised here in Germany but were located in Portugal. I took the chance and received rims in super nice shape. The owner had used them on his BMW 2002 with wobble bolts!!! Isn't that ironic.

Then I saw this car, available in Italy:


Great color combo, 1969, first year of production (love that) and same age as me.
My buddy Ralf (green X 1900 with the Nordschleife videos) has a friend who works for a classic car dealer. He is in charge of locating cars, so he has contacts in various countries. He put me in contact with Daniele, his man in Italy. He will check out cars, evaluate and ship them for a fee. So I sent him the ad, he talked to the owner on the phone and told me the car wouldn't warrant a two-day trip to check out.
BUT, he knew of a clone car, same color combo and year in perfect condition.
He had bought it out of a collection for a buddy who also had a Fiat collection but was considering selling it.



Sounds like a fairytale and I thought I HAD to take up this lucky opportunity.
Daniele sent me a ton of pictures of the car and eventually organized shipment.



The car was everything I had hoped for.

I installed 4 new seatbelts and am now using the car for shorter trips with the family and running errands in the summer. Next year I will start an extensive rustproofing campaign to protect the car from our more humid and rainy conditions.

 

[roadster27]

Well worth whatever you paid.

 

[Lowtechprime]

She's a beauty for sure!

 

[Ulix]

Comparison stock tires to 175/50-13.
They make the look, help with clearances but result in 10% shorter gearing.

 

[Lowtechprime]

Comparison stock tires to 175/50-13.
They make the look, help with clearances but result in 10% shorter gearing.

Totally Worth it! If it becomes a problem I think a 5 speed would solve it!

 

[carl]

Just what every 128 needs, shorter gearing! But they do look great. When your butt and back get tired of the stock seats, Miata seats work great in a 128.

 

[Janis]

Comparison stock tires to 175/50-13.
They make the look, help with clearances but result in 10% shorter gearing.

Also 10% braking improvement

 

[fiatfactory]

Love it Ulix,.

The 128 would be my all time favourite Fiat model (an X19 is a 128 spyder afterall) and I've owned at least one 128 (continuously) for the last 40 plus years...Welcome to the club!

Simple upgrades will give a good boost to it's driveability. A 4/2 exhaust manifold and dual front pipe is at least 7hp if you change nothing else...

fitting a dual throat weber 32dmtr will bump it a few more to 65hp output (from the 55hp standard) thats a roughly 17.5% improvement.

and you can do it with all totally factory parts right down to linkage / exhaust heat shield / air filter box so it will still look the part.

nice find.

SteveC