![The real deal – the Fiat 128 Rally Classic & Sports Car – Guilty pleasures: Fiat 128 Rally](/sites/default/files/styles/article/public/2020-11/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Fiat%20128%20Rally%20guilty%20pleasure%20%E2%80%93%201a.png?itok=KepKP2d5)
It seemed no Saturday or Sunday afternoon in the ’70s was complete without a trip to the ‘accessory shop’ to buy some tat to upgrade the family saloon.
Fiat’s idea with its 1971 128 Rally was that the manufacturer would save you the bother: with its sill stripes and badging it looked like all that was missing was the fake spray-on mud splattered up the side.
The iodine driving lamps (mounted on nifty half bumpers), matt black front grille and four circular tail-lights all pandered to the then-current fashion for customising and personalising your car. Inside, its chunky, two-spoke steering wheel, tachometer and sports seats were unique to the Rally specification.
The first of the sporty 128s, it was powered by a 1290cc engine with a twin-choke Weber carb. With its higher compression it was good for 67bhp and 93mph; all this for a not unreasonable £200 price premium over the standard 128 two-door saloon.
The Fiat 128 Rally was only available with the two-door body and had exclusive features like an alternator and intermittent wipe, useful upgrades that later featured on more ordinary 128s.
![Fiat 128 Classic & Sports Car – Guilty pleasures: Fiat 128 Rally](/sites/default/files/2020-11/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20Fiat%20128%20Rally%20guilty%20pleasure%20%E2%80%93%204.png)
Buckley doesn’t mind if it’s a basic 128…