Translated from Portuguese - http://luiscezar.blogspot.com/2012_09_01_archive.html
Fiat 131 Abarth (SE031)
I knew it! I presenti ... when I wrote that the Fiat Abarth 124 Rallye was a car "wronged", losing ground to the 131 - received a barrage of messages of admirers of this Fiat Abarth 131 ... But ... I praised the 131! But ... for the Italians - passionate model - they come to the weapons - even the car being horrrrrrroroso! Ok ... Let's talk about the Fiat 131 Abarth.
This is the FIAT Abarth-131/031, Mirafiori 3500 Bertone (this Fiat has a name and surname). The story begins when Fiat decides to replace the 124 Spider, and replace it in rally competitions. In 1975 Fiat gave the start in the program, based on the chassis 131 Mirafiori Special - called secretly by SE031. Many changes have been made (leaving the square and ugliest car the 124 - the biggest criticism was the drag of face-flat model, designed by the House Bertoni). In winter 1975 Giorgio Pianta and Bruno Scabin, made the Giro d'Italia - first appearance and first victory on the Lancias and Porsches (mainly on the Lancia - the Porsche was a bonus). Under the hood (incidentally, hood and doors were all fiber) - to occupy a space in Group 4 - there was a strong V6 IDF, with 2 Weber, generating somewhere around 270bhp to 6.800rpm (with alloy wheels 15 "Pirelli tires and - of course), reaching 260kph in fifth gear (aka the ZF was the De Tomaso Pantera) - for stopping this car with 1,120 pounds: disc brakes 4-wheel ventilated in the straight way was found to put spoiler an 'effective airflow ".
The saga of the 131 began in 1976, when they were built 500 units required for the approval and registration in Group 4 (say that these units were badly finished). Joined 3 of these models in hard Rally of Morocco, on the sponsor Olio Fiat, with the members of Time: Markku Alen, Maurizio Verini and Fulvio Bacchelli - let's summarize this participation did not please the House Torinese.
In 1977 - the Fiat starts to smile (with the most intense Abarth preparation) therefore sees the decline of the Lancia Stratos and the rise of income of their cars. The first victory in a rally the international circuit happens in the Rally of Portugal - which exceeds the Fords (now arch-enemies of Fiat). They are second in New Zealand (but in front of the Ford). Successfully arrives in Canada with Timo Salonen Simo Lampinen and (in first and second respectively). In Rallye Sanremo make the call "splendida tripletta Fiat", with Jean-Clode Andruet, Verini and Tony Fassina (in the Tour de Corse Fiat gets the constructors' title, thanks to performance of Bernard Darniche and Andruet).
In 1978 new colors decorate the 131 Abarth - are the famous colors of Alitalia and enters the Time the experienced driver Walter Rohrl. This year the first victory comes in Portugal in the hands of Alen - the former pilot of Lancia - Sandro Munari - is hired to fly a 131. As they say italianaos "all'Acropoli other records una doppietta torinese" with Rohrl first and Alen second. Hard Rallye Thousand Lakes, Alen wins with an advantage, followed by Ari Vatanen - who piloted - now - one 131. The third doppietta arrives at Rallye Canada, with Rohrl and Alen and even if there was no participation in the African rally Fiat was already champion in advance this year - in front of Ford and Opel (now you understand why this car fanatics have lobbied for me to write this article?) - in the Tour de Corse: 4 cars were classified the first to fifth place (participated Darniche, Andruet, Munari - the order from first to third place, and the former driver Michèle Mouton Lancia was fifth).
| 1977 | World Rally Championship for Manufacturers |
1
| FIAT |
| 1978 | World Rally Championship for Manufacturers |
1
| FIAT |
| 1980 | World Rally Championship for Manufacturers |
1
| FIAT |
| 1980 | World Rally Championship for Driver |
1
| Walter Röhrl |
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