Monday, December 15, 2014

Rally Car Tribute Build

http://www.carbuildindex.com/37918/fiat-131-abarth-rally-car-tribute-build/


Fiat 131 Abarth Rally Car Tribute Build

This impressive Fiat 131 Abarth Group 4 replica was built over the course of 8 years using numerous authentic Abarth parts, including even a very rare genuine ex Group 4 16 valve head. It’s not hard to understand the gravitational pull behind choosing this model as the subject of a tribute build, as the factory works cars proved to be very successful during their rallying career. With the 131 Abarth, Fiat won a total of 20 World Rally Championships between 1976 and 1981 and the manufacturer’s title in ’77, ’78 and ’80 with such notable drivers as Walter Rohrl and Michele Mouton behind the wheel. With the rear wheel drive platform, it was the obvious choice to use as the basis of a race car, albeit with widened wheel arches, lightweight fiberglass panels, 4 wheel disc brakes and a screaming 140 hp at 6,400 rpm 4 cylinder 16 valve engine. Independent rear suspension replaced the solid rear axle of the road version along with McPherson struts in the front, and a 5 speed transmission rounded out the package, all items which sound like standard issue fare today but were hardware necessary to be a champion back then. Check out a few pictures and short video of this Mirafiori rally car tribute’s build in the 1978 and 1979 season’s Alitalia sponsorship livery on the following page, and be sure not to miss my previous full restoration feature of another 131 Abarth HERE.
131 beginning131 beginning 2131 during 2131 during 3131 during131131 engine 2131 engineUntitled131131131 exterior131 interior131 exterior 2

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.