As we speak’s Good Value or No Cube 131 is a homage to Fiat’s series-dominating rally automobiles of the late Nineteen Seventies. Let’s see if this uncommon alternative comes at a successful value.
The storied automotive identify Maserati has been sullied over time by the likes of the Chrysler TC and a few Cambiocorsa-equipped Quattroportes which might be borderline un-drivable. Seemingly, one of the crucial unloved of the marque’s choices is the ’80s Biturbo. Nonetheless, that doesn’t appear wholly deserved based mostly on the extremely nice-looking 1989 Biturbo Spyder we thought of yesterday. As beautiful because it appeared, although, too few of you might muster as a lot enthusiasm for the automobile’s $24,500 asking value as the vendor. Finally, that went down in a large 86 p.c No Cube loss.
Seeing as we had a purple Italian automobile with an fascinating again story simply yesterday, I believe we must always change the tempo at present and have a look at… checks notes, a purple Italian automobile with an fascinating again story. Dangit!
Firstly, nonetheless, we have to stipulate that this 1976 Fiat 131 Mirafiori Abarth Rally isn’t the true deal. It’s, as an alternative, a reproduction homage to the 400 automobiles homologated to permit Fiat to go rally racing. Constructed by Fiat along side Bertone and Abarth, the road automobiles supplied plastic fenders, boot lids, and bonnets and misplaced their bumpers. Abarth fitted the automobiles with a twin-cam engine that includes two twin-choke Weber side-draught carbs, and because the WRC laws stipulated that road and competitors automobiles had to make use of the identical transmission, all of them had non-synchro five-speeds. The Abarth Rally was one of the crucial profitable WRC contenders of the late Nineteen Seventies, with the competitors automobiles incomes Fiat the Producers’ Championship in 1977, 1978, and 1980.
This homage automobile has all of the plastic goodies to make it look the half, but it surely’s largely customary 131 underneath all that, missing the true deal’s greater brakes, up-rated suspension, and coming with a less-taxing to drive fully-synchromesh version of the Fiat five-speed.
It does have a better-performing engine underneath the hood. The unique 1.8-liter carbureted engine has been given the heave-ho, changed by a later fuel-injected 2.0. That, the vendor notes, means it received’t move the California smog check’s visible inspection (California requires smog checks on all automobiles going again to 1976) and therefore can’t be registered within the Golden State regardless of it being proven sporting the State’s plates, albeit with outdated tags.
Different points embody some poor panel fitment, flaking of the flat black paint on the grille and window trim, and the data that it was Nineteen Seventies orange, as evidenced by the wheel arches underneath the hood. Additionally, the air consumption on the hood, which was initially positioned to feed the carbs, has no actual objective on this automobile because the fuel-injected engine has its consumption on the alternative aspect. Nonetheless, it appears fairly candy.
Issues look significantly better within the cabin. The vinyl upholstery appears to be in surprisingly good situation, as does the sprint and candy Abarth-badged three-spoke steering wheel. The shifter is typical Fiat-long, and in contrast to the factory-homologated automobiles, this one has armrests and door pockets.
In accordance with the vendor, the automobile’s alloys are “Abarth model” however lack any kind of middle cap badging. They do put on new Falken tires, although. The vendor claims the automobile “Begins, runs, and handles very properly.” The quoted 4,582 odometer studying might be not one hundred pc the entire story, however that’s all we get. Tantilizingly, there additionally appears to be a large assortment of additional components that include the automobile within the boot.
One other plus is that the 131’s clear title possible means it wasn’t constructed as a post-wreck Frankencar however as a unusual homage to the pre-Quattro period of rally racing. The asking value for that have is $19,900.
In accordance with the vendor, actual Abarth Rally editions commerce within the six-figure vary. Additionally they be aware that the value tag excludes tax and DMV charges even though the lack to move a smog inspection means the title can’t be transferred in California, the place the automobile is presently positioned.
Nonetheless, we received’t let slightly factor like authorities laws get in our manner. What’s your tackle this odd Italian and that $19,900 asking value? Does that appear like a good value for an homage rally automobile? Or is that manner an excessive amount of to faux it till you may make it?
You resolve!
San Francisco Bay Space, California, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
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