FIAT 131 MIRAFIORI

2-door/4-door 5-seater saloon/estate.

Built to succeed 124 model, and ran for 10 years with decreasing success as years passed - rusting reputation didn't help. A Cortina-sized car with about as much excitement at first, but Abarth Rallye (below) and twin-cam models from 1978 helped a bit. Diesels from 1978/79, but not sold in Britain. Neat styling and road behaviour, but somehow not as successful in UK as Fiat hoped. Overhead cam engines from '81 on 'base' models. Replaced by front drive Regata (booted version of Strada).