Lot 119: Fiat 130 Coupe

The Fiat 130 saloon was launched in March 1969, replacing the previous largest and most exclusive Fiat saloon, the Fiat 2300. It was a thoroughly modern car, with four-wheel independent suspension (torsion bars in the front and coil springs in the rear), standard power steering, four-wheel disc brakes.. The Coupé, based on the same platform, joined in 1971. It was designed and built by Pininfarina, and significantly different in style, including a separate interior design. Even more luxurious, it even featured a button-operated mechanism allowing the driver to open the passenger-side door. The saloon went out of production in 1976, with around 15,000 produced. The Coupé continued until the following year, and production ended with around 4,300 built in total. A completely new V6 engine, with a 60° vee angle and belt-driven twin overhead camshafts was developed for the model by Ferrari engine designer Aurelio Lampredi. It displaced 2866 cc and was rated at 140 bhp. Power was delivered to the rear axle via standard three-speed automatic transmission, with a five-speed ZF manual as an option. The engine was replaced by a larger, 3235 cc in 1970. This new engine produced 165 bhp. This rare, right had drive example, is said to have had only two owners from new and is believed to have covered only 60,000 miles. The car is doubly rare in that it is also equipped with, factory fitted, leather interior, rather than the fashionable velour of the time. The car was first owned for 23 years and has been in the current ownership for 10 years Finished in black with black leather, the car is also equipped with air conditioning and is complete with the original owners manual.