Fiat 131

The Fiat 131 is a family sedan manufactured and marketed by Fiat from 1974 to 1984 after its debut at the 1974 Turin Motor Show. Available as a two-door and four-door saloon and 5-door estate across a single generation, the 131 succeeded the Fiat 124.

Fiat 131
Fiat 131 (Series 1)
Overview
ManufacturerFiat
Also called
  • Fiat Mirafiori
  • Fiat Supermirafiori
  • Fiat Brava
  • Fiat SuperBrava
  • Polski Fiat 131p
  • Seat 131
  • Tofaş Murat 131
Production1974–1984
Assembly
Body and chassis
ClassFamily car
Body style
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,490 mm (98.0 in)[6]
Length4,230 to 4,264 mm (166.5 to 167.9 in)[6]
Width1,644 to 1,651 mm (64.7 to 65.0 in)
Height1,381 to 1,411 mm (54.4 to 55.6 in)
Kerb weight950 to 1,145 kg (2,094 to 2,524 lb)
Chronology
PredecessorFiat 124
SuccessorFiat Regata

The 131 was also marketed as the Fiat Mirafiori, after the Turin suburb where the cars were manufactured. Initially, the 131 was offered with 1.3 L and 1.6 L overhead valve engines and the range received revisions in 1978 and 1981. Production reached 1,513,800.[5]

Specifications

The Fiat 131 used steel monocoque bodywork for its three-box design and used a front engine, rear-wheel drive layout, where the engine is longitudinally front-mounted. The gearbox is directly behind the engine, and a tubular propeller shaft, under the transmission "tunnel", transmits the drive to a solid live rear axle.

The engines were all inline-four types, derived from those used in the outgoing 124 range, with a cast iron cylinder block and aluminium alloy cylinder head. Initially the 131 was offered only with pushrod valve gear, which offered the innovation of being the worldwide first engine with OHV valve gear and a belt driven camshaft. Only later in the model’s life came the well known double overhead camshaft (DOHC) engines which used a toothed timing belt. Fuel supply was via a single Weber ADF twin-choke carburettor, fed from a trunk mounted steel fuel tank. Traditional contact breaker ignition systems were used, usually with Marelli distributors.

The suspension system utilised fully independent front suspension, with MacPherson struts, track control arms and anti-roll bar. The rear suspension was quite advanced (when using a solid live rear axle), in that the rear axle was controlled by double unequal length trailing arms and a panhard rod, with coil springs and direct acting dampers. This design proved far superior to many of its contemporaries, especially with vehicle stability and handling.

The braking system was also typical; the front brakes were disc brakes, using a solid iron disc and a single-piston sliding caliper. The rears were drum brakes (a technological backwards step from the 124, which used discs all round), utilising leading and trailing shoe design operated by a dual piston fixed slave cylinder. They were operated hydraulically, with a tandem master cylinder assisted by a vacuum servo using two separate circuits. A rear-mounted load sensing valve varied the bias of effort applied to the rear brakes, dependent on the load being carried (and also the pitch dynamics caused by braking effort and road levels). A centrally located floor mounted handbrake operated on the rear axle using bowden cables.

The car's interior had its secondary dashboard switches illuminated by a central bulb with fibre optic distribution to the switches.

Series 1, 1974–78

The Fiat 131 Mirafiori was introduced at the 55th Turin Motor Show in late October 1974.[7] The 131 came with a choice of a 1,297 cc (1.3 L) or 1,585 cc (1.6 L) OHV inline-four engines, both from the engine family first introduced on the Fiat 124. Both engines were fitted with a single twin-choke Weber 32 ADF downdraught carburettor. A 4-speed manual transmission was standard, with a 5-speed manual and a 3-speed torque converter automatic optional on the 1600 engine only.

The initial range comprised eleven different models.[7] There were three body styles: 2-door saloon, 4-door saloon and Familiare station wagon (Estate on the British market). Station wagons were built by SEAT in Spain, but were labelled Fiats for all non-Spanish markets. Trim levels were two; the entry-level 131 Mirafiori (also known as "Normale" or "Standard") had single square headlamps, wheels and dished hubcap from the 124, and simplified interior furnishings. Next was the better appointed 131 Mirafiori Special (or simply "S"), which could be distinguished from the base model by its quadruple circular headlamps, specific grille, side rubbing strips, chrome window surrounds, and rubber bumper inserts.[7] Inside it added different instrumentation with triple square dials, a padded adjustable steering wheel, cloth upholstery, and reclining seats.[7] Additionally the more sophisticated options—such as air conditioning, tachometer, limited slip differential and vinyl roof—were exclusive to the Special. Each body style could be combined with either of the engines and trim levels—save for the Special estate which only came with the larger engine. US market versions had a SOHC 1.8 litre inline-four and were available with a GM three-speed automatic transmission.[8]

Salvatore Diomante's Autocostruzioni S.D., located near Turin, offered a nearly 5-metre long "131 Diplomatic" limousine conversion.[9]

ModelEngine codeEngine typeDisplacement
bore × stroke		CarburetorPower
Mirafiori 1300 131A.000[10]OHV I41,297 cc (1.3 L)
75.0 × 71.5 mm		single twin-choke
Weber 32 ADF		65 PS DIN (48 kW; 64 hp) at 5400 rpm
Mirafiori Special 1300
Familiare 1300
Mirafiori 1600 131A1.000[10]1,585 cc (1.6 L)
84.0 × 71.5 mm		75 PS DIN (55 kW; 74 hp) at 5400 rpm
Mirafiori Special 1300
Familiare 1600
Familiare Special 1600
Abarth Rally[11]n/aDOHC 16-valve I41,995 cc (2.0 L)
84.0 × 90.0 mm		single twin-choke
Weber 34 ADF		140 PS DIN (103 kW; 138 hp) at 6400 rpm
US versionSOHC I41,756 cc (1.8 L)n/a87 PS (64 kW; 86 hp)[8]
  • Fiat 131 Mirafiori Special
  • The "T"-shaped tail lamps are characteristic of first series cars.
  • Series 1 dashboard, here a Mirafiori Special's
  • SEAT 131 Estate: while built in Spain, estates wore Fiat-badging elsewhere.

Fiat 131 Abarth Rally

In 1976, 400 examples of the Fiat 131 Abarth Rally were built for homologation purposes.[12] These cars were built in a cooperation between Fiat, Bertone and Abarth. Bertone took part-completed two door standard bodyshells from the production line in Mirafiori, fitted plastic mudguards front and rear, a plastic bonnet and bootlid and modified the metal structure to accept the rear independent suspension. The cars were fully painted and trimmed and then delivered back to the Fiat special Rivalta plant where they received the Abarth mechanicals.

The street version of the car used a DOHC 4 valves per cylinder derivative of the standard twin cam inline-four engine, equipped with a double downdraught 34 ADF Weber carburetors producing 140 PS (138 bhp; 103 kW) at 6400 rpm and 172 N⋅m; 127 lbf⋅ft (17.5 kg⋅m) at 3600 rpm of torque.[13] The street cars used the standard gearbox with no synchromesh (Rally type regulations required the use of the same type of synchromesh on the competition cars as on the street versions) and the hopelessly underdimensioned brake system of the small Fiat 127. Competition cars used dry sump lubrication and eventually Kugelfischer mechanical fuel injection. In race specifications, the engine produced up to 240 PS (237 bhp; 177 kW) in 1980, being driven to World Championship status by Walter Röhrl.

  • Fiat Abarth 131 Rally
  • Fiat Abarth 131 rear view
  • Fiat Abarth 131 left side view
  • Walter Röhrl's Fiat 131 Abarth (Sponsor Alitalia)

Series 2

The 131 got a minor facelift in 1978. New DOHC, or "Twin Cam" (TC) engines arrived, and these models were badged as Supermirafiori. The biggest change exterior-wise for the Series 2 was larger rectangular shaped front lights (quad round headlights in the US), new bumpers, new bigger rear lights and new interior trim including a chunky, single-spoke steering wheel.

Also in 1978, the 2-door sporting version Racing (Mirafiori Sport in the UK) with 115 PS (85 kW) twin cam engine, was launched. This car had four round headlights (the inner headlights being smaller than the outer ones, unlike any other Mirafiori model produced), different grille, spoilers and extended wheel arches, and a short-throw 5 speed gearbox. The Racing had top speed of 180 km/h (110 mph). Diesel engined versions also had four round headlights (equally sized), and a noticeable (and characteristic) bump in the hood to accommodate the taller engine. The Familiare (estate) was renamed as Panorama.

The Series 2 was marketed in the United States as the Fiat Brava (two-door only) and Super Brava from mid-year 1978 with the same 1.8 litre four as had been used in the US-market 131, but before the year was over this was replaced by the somewhat more powerful and much torquier 2 litre twin-cam four also seen in the Spider.[14] Initially, the better equipped models were sold as Super Bravas, but the base model and "Super" tag were dropped for 1979. The interim Brava version also retained the 131's interior.[15] Importantly, the air conditioning system was also upgraded to cope with the demands of US drivers. For 1980 a more powerful fuel-injected version was added (102 hp or 76 kW) while the Estate version was dropped. For 1981 the EFI engine became standard equipment and the headlamps were changed for single rectangular units, but this was to be the last year for the Brava/131 in the US.[16] The January 1991, edition of Popular Mechanics in the United States listed the 1979 Fiat 131 in the "Overall Worst" category as the most "trouble prone" car ever recorded in their Owner Report histories.[17]

DisplacementEngine typePower
Mirafiori1297/1301 ccI4 ohv65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp)
Supermirafiori1297/1301 ccI4 dohc78 PS (57 kW; 77 hp)
Supermirafiori1585 ccI4 dohc96 PS (71 kW; 95 hp)
Panorama1297/1301 ccI4 ohv65 PS (48 kW; 64 hp)
Panorama1585 ccI4 ohv75 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
Diesel1995 ccI460 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
Diesel2445 ccI472 PS (53 kW; 71 hp)
Racing1995 ccI4 dohc115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp)
Brava1756 ccI4 dohc83 hp (62 kW; 84 PS)[18]
Brava1995 ccI4 dohc86 hp (64 kW; 87 PS)
CA: 81 PS (60 kW; 80 hp)[19]
Brava EFI1995 ccI4 dohc103 PS (76 kW; 102 hp)[16]
  • Fiat 131 Supermirafiori
  • Series 2 dashboard

131 Hybrid

In 1980, Fiat presented the 131 Ibrido,[20] an experimental prototype featuring the small 903 cc engine from the Fiat 127 engine, de-tuned to 33 hp (25 kW), and mated to a 24 kW DC electric motor. Power is also provided by regeneration via the braking system. The 250 amp batteries are located in the boot, adding 175 kg (386 lb) to the weight.[21]

Series 3

The 131 was updated again in March 1981.[22] By this time, the car was no longer offered in the USA. Production of the Racing/Sport versions ceased, although these were sold well into 1982. The same 2.0 TC (twin cam) engine went to the Supermirafiori. The car was renamed 131 Super Brava in Australia. The car received a slightly updated interior (instruments, single-piece glovebox lid), whilst lower rubbing strips found their way onto all models up to CL specification. The Supermirafiori received larger lower door cladding. Mechanically, Mirafiori versions now received overhead cam engines rather than pushrod versions; a new 1.4 litre engine and a revised 1.6 litre. Also new were the clutch and gearboxes, a tweaked suspension was also introduced and the gas tank increased in size by three litres, for a total 53 L (14.0 US gal; 11.7 imp gal) capacity.

In June 1981, a new sport version, the Volumetrico Abarth, was introduced to some markets, with a supercharged version of the familiar 2 litre twin-cam. This car, also known as the 2000 TC Compressore, was built in a small series (about 200 units[23]) and could reach 190 km/h (118 mph).[24]

In 1983, the production of the saloon version was discontinued, but the estate, now named 131 Maratea, remained in production with two engine choices (115 PS 2.0 TC and 72 PS 2.5 D) until 1985, when they were replaced with the Ritmo-based Regata Weekend. These last versions featured four round headlights and the by-now familiar five-bar grille.

ModelDisplacementEngine typePower
Mirafiori1,367 ccSOHC I470 PS (51 kW; 69 hp)
Mirafiori CL1,585 ccSOHC I485 PS (63 kW; 84 hp)
Supermirafiori1,367 ccDOHC I475 PS (55 kW; 74 hp)
Supermirafiori1,585 ccDOHC I498 PS (72 kW; 97 hp)
Supermirafiori1,995 ccDOHC I4115 PS (85 kW; 113 hp)
Volumetrico Abarth1,995 ccDOHC I4140 PS (103 kW; 138 hp)
Panorama1,301 ccOHV I465 PS (48 kW; 64 hp)
Panorama1,585 ccSOHC I485 PS (63 kW; 84 hp)
Mirafiori 2000 Diesel1,995 ccI460 PS (44 kW; 59 hp)
Mirafiori 2500 Diesel2,445 ccI472 PS (53 kW; 71 hp)
Supermirafiori 2500 Diesel
  • Profile of a 131 Supermirafiori Diesel 2500
  • Fiat 131 Supermirafiori rear view
  • Fiat 131 Volumetrico Abarth

Motorsport

The 131 as a rally car

Fiat 131 Rally's precursor the 3.5-litre Group 5 Abarth SE 031 won 1975 Giro d'Italia automobilistico. The Fiat 131 Abarth was a very successful group 4 rally car, winning the manufacturers' World Rally Championship three times: in 1977, 1978, and in 1980. With this car Markku Alen won the 1978 FIA Cup for Drivers and Walter Röhrl won the 1980 drivers' World Rally Championship.[25] Between 1976 and 1981 the Fiat 131 won 20 WRC events; other notable drivers were Sandro Munari, Timo Salonen, Attilio Bettega and Michèle Mouton.

Between 1975 and 1977 the official "works" cars carried the Olio Fiat blue and yellow livery, then during 1978 and 1979 seasons they were sponsored by Italian airline Alitalia and bore their distinctive red, white and green livery.

  • 1975 "031", Fiat Abarth 131's pre-series racing prototype.
  • Giorgio Pianta's Fiat Abarth 031, in action at the Imola stage of 1975 Giro d'Italia.
  • Fiat Abarth 131 rally car with "Olio Fiat" livery
  • Fiat Abarth 131 rally car with "Alitalia" livery
  • Fiat Abarth 131 rally car with "Wreath Fiat" livery

World Rally Championship event victories

Fiat Abarth 131s recorded victories in the following World Rally Championship events:

No. Event Season Driver Co-driver
1 26th 1000 Lakes Rally 1976 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
2 10o Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto 1977 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
3 8th South Pacific Rally 1977 Fulvio Bacchelli Francesco Rossetti
4 5ème Critérium Molson du Québec 1977 Timo Salonen Seppo Harjanne
5 19o Rallye Sanremo 1977 Jean-Claude Andruet Christian Delferrier
6 21ème Tour de Corse 1977 Bernard Darniche Alain Mahé
7 11º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto 1978 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
8 25th Acropolis Rally 1978 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
9 38 Rajd Polski 1978 Antonio Zanini Juan Petisco
10 28th 1000 Lakes Rally 1978 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
11 6ème Critérium Molson du Québec 1978 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
12 37ème Tour de France Automobile 1978 Michèle Mouton Françoise Conconi
13 22ème Tour de Corse 1978 Bernard Darniche Alain Mahé
14 29th 1000 Lakes Rally 1979 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
15 48ème Rallye Automobile de Monte-Carlo 1980 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
16 14o Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto 1980 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
17 2o Rally Codasur 1980 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
18 30th 1000 Lakes Rally 1980 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki
19 22o Rallye Sanremo 1980 Walter Röhrl Christian Geistdörfer
20 15º Rallye de Portugal Vinho do Porto 1981 Markku Alén Ilkka Kivimäki

Other motorsports

In 1978, American actor James Brolin campaigned a Fiat 131 Abarth on a limited schedule in the GTU category of the IMSA GT Championship. The car carried sponsorship from Anheuser-Busch Natural Light beer, which had been introduced the previous year.

Non-Italian 131 variations

SEAT 131
Main article: SEAT 131
1980 SEAT 131, Salamanca, Spain

The SEAT 131 started its production in early 1975 in Barcelona with two versions initially offered: SEAT 131 L, featuring rectangular front lamps, 1,438 cc OHC engine and 4 speed gearbox and SEAT 131 E featuring four round headlamps, 1,592 cc DOHC engine and 5 speed gearbox. The range grew up in 1976 with the SEAT 131 Familiar, estate version offered with both engines. In 1977 the 131 Automatico (Automatic gearbox) was released and the following year a very short production of the SEAT 131 CLX 1800 was offered. Spain was the only place where the estate 131 was built, but in the export these were labelled Fiat 131 Familiare.[26]

In 1978, the SEAT 131 evolved into the SEAT 131 Mirafiori/Supermirafiori (Panorama for the estate versions), with the same changes as seen on its Italian cousin. The engines remained largely the same, but a 1.8 litre Diesel Perkins 4.108 engine was available in 1979.

A further CLX special edition was launched in 1980. Available only in metallic silver or metallic bronze colours, this 131 CLX had a 1,919 cc engine, developing 114 PS (84 kW) at 5,800 rpm.[27]

In 1981, the Diesel version was developed with a new Sofim engine. This 2,500 cc engine was much more powerful than the Perkins version (72 hp against only 49 hp) and was one of the most successful taxis in early '80s Spain.

In 1982, the SEAT 131 changed again, gathering all the body changes seen on the Fiat 131 series 3. The 131 was now available in CL, Supermirafiori and Diplomatic versions. The Diplomatic was the top of the range, with a 1,995 cc engine and features such as power steering, power windows or air conditioning. The Panorama versions were the cars chosen by the "Cuerpo Nacional de Policia" (Spanish Police force) as patrol cars.

In 1984, the SEAT 131 range was discontinued, without a direct substitute and the Fiat Ritmo-based SEAT Málaga took its place in 1985.

Murat 131
Main article: Tofaş Şahin

Tofaş industries in Turkey also based their initial production on Fiat 131s built under Fiat license. 131 based models included the Murat 131 built in Bursa, Turkey, the Doğan, Şahin and the Kartal (the estate). These vehicles enjoyed a very long production run (1986-2002 at Turkey, 1991-2009 at Egypt, 2006-2010 at Ethiopia), and were later replaced by newer Fiat models.

Polski Fiat 131p

Assembly of the 131 sedan was also undertaken in Poland by Fabryka Samochodów Osobowych (FSO) in the years 1975 to 1981, and 3102 were assembled in total.[28] They were often used by state institutions and communist party officials.[28] First series cars were available only in Special trim and were called Polski Fiat 131p Mirafiori. Cars of second series were known under the name Fiat 131p Mirafiori and were offered in L and CL trim levels.

Other producers

The Fiat 131 was also produced at Helwan, in Egypt, by El Nasr since at least 1982,[29] on the basis of complete knockdown (CKD) kits. This was followed by CKD assembly of the Tofaş Murat 131 between 1991-2009. The Tofaş Murat 131 has also been assembled in Ethiopia by Holland Car between 2006-2010.

Other CKD production of the Fiat 131 has taken place in the following countries:[29]

References
  1. Los años tenebrosos del sector automotor: 1982, El "Boom" de los Importados: Los años tenebrosos del sector automotor: 1982, El "Boom" de los Importados, accessdate: 12. July 2019
  2. Mastrostefano, Raffaele, ed. (1985). Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1985 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. p. 333. ISBN 88-7212-012-8.
  3. "Somaca Casablanca". Somaca.e-monsite.com. Retrieved 19 April 2010.
  4. "FSO Warsaw". fso-sa.com.pl. 22 November 2011.
  5. "Fiat 131". carsfromitaly.net. Retrieved 3 October 2007.
  6. Auto Katalog 1983. Stuttgart: Vereinigte Motor-Verlage GmbH & Co. KG. 1982. pp. 220–221.
  7. Villare, Renzo (30 October 1974). "Queste le undici versioni della Fiat "131 mirafiori"" [These are the eleven Fiat "131 mirafiori" variants]. La Stampa (in Italian). p. 13. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  8. Flammang, James M. (1994). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, 1946-1990. Iola, WI: Krause Publications, Inc. p. 239. ISBN 0-87341-158-7.
  9. Costa, Andre & Georges-Michel Fraichard, ed. (1981). "Salon 1981: Toutes les Voitures du Monde" (in French) (14–15). Paris: l'Auto Journal: 200. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. Fiat Abarth 131 Mirafiori—Uso e manutenzione (owner's manual) (in Italian). Fiat. November 1974.
  11. "Fiat Abarth 131 Rally—La guida pesante" [Heavyweight driving]. Autosprint (in Italian). XVI (12): 52–54. 12 March 1976.
  12. Robson, Graham (2008). Fiat 131 Abarth. Veloce Publishing Ltd. p. 21. ISBN 978-1-84584-182-9.
  13. "1978 Fiat Abarth 131 Rally". automobile-catalog. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  14. Flammang, Standard Catalog of Imported Cars, p. 240
  15. "Fiat Super Brava: Bravado or Bravura?", Road & Track's Road Test Annual & Buyer's Guide 1979, Greenwich, CT: CBS Publications, p. 139, January–February 1979
  16. Flammang, James M. (January 1992). Standard Catalog of Imported Cars (1st ed.). Minneapolis, USA: Motorbooks Intl. pp. 241–242. ISBN 978-0873411585.
  17. Lamb, Michael (January 1991). "Ask the Man Who Owns One "All Time Worst"". Popular Mechanics.
  18. R&T Buyer's Guide 1979, pp. 140-141
  19. Braunschweig, Robert; Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, eds. (6 March 1980). "Automobil Revue '80". 75. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG: 287. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  20. World Cars 1980. New York: Herald Books. December 1980. p. 46. ISBN 0910714126.
  21. "We drive Fiat's experimental hybrid electric car". Popular Science: 84–86. November 1980. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  22. Costa, Andre & Georges-Michel Fraichard, ed. (1981). "Toutes les Voitures du Monde". Salon (in French). Paris: l'Auto Journal (14–15): 170.
  23. "The Fiat 131 Supermirafiori Volumetrico Abarth". 131mirafiori.com. Retrieved 29 November 2012.
  24. Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (10 March 1983). Automobil Revue '83. 78. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag, AG. pp. 289–290. ISBN 3-444-06065-3.
  25. "Walter Röhrl". rallybase.nl. Retrieved 3 July 2007.
  26. Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 77/78. Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1977. pp. 191–194.
  27. Automobil Revue '80, p. 472
  28. Podbielski, Zdzisław (2019). Samochody montażowe z Żerania, "Auto Świat Classic" Nr 4/2019, p. 136-137 (Polish)
  29. World Cars 1982. Pelham, NY: The Automobile Club of Italy/Herald Books. 1982. p. 403. ISBN 0-910714-14-2.
  30. Tutte le Auto del Mondo 77/78, p. 197
  31. World Cars 1984. Pelham, NY: L'Editrice dell'Automobile LEA/Herald Books. 1984. p. 403. ISBN 0-910714-16-9.

See also
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