Lot 125: Fiat 131 Ararth Rally Group 4

In 1976 Fiat decided to produce a works supported rally car out of the 131 Mirafiori, which at that point was its second best selling car, it being hoped that the car's mass production would offer Fiat huge potential for marketing if a successful program could be put together. The 131's very rigid body shell was ideal for providing a solid platform for both Group 1 and Group 4 modification and the specific model chosen for the task was the 131 Sport 2000 TC powered by the two litre, twin overhead camshaft, four cylinder engine. The result was the Fiat Abarth 131 Rally. The production car, which developed 140bhp at 6,400rpm, had a top speed of 118mph and could reach 60mph from rest in 8.2 seconds. With the works cars boasting between 225 and 240bhp from their mechanical Kugelfischer fuel injection equipped engines, the 131 Abarth proved to be the success for which Fiat had hoped. By the time Abarth 131 Rally was retired. it had chalked up three World Rally Championships, in 1977, 1978 and 1980, and numerous rally victories. Its drivers, which included Fulvio Bacchelli, Markku Alen, Michele Mouton and the legendary Walter Röhrl, were rewarded with World Rally Driver's Championships in 1978 and again in 1980. Chassis number 2045674 is the ex-Fulvio Bacchelli works car, presented in the correct Olio Fiat works team livery of dark blue and yellow. It underwent a comprehensive restoration by Abarth guru Volta of Turin in 2006 and it has been rarely used since. As a result, this car is described as being in excellent condition throughout and it comes complete with Italian registration papers as well as ASI homologation papers. These Fiats were the kings of the rally scene in the late 1970s and are eligible for a host of historic events. A must for the serious rally car collector. Il telaio 2045674 fu la vettura di Fulvio Bacchelli, presentata nella livrea Olio Fiat blu e giallo. Nel 2006 è stata restaurata dal guru Abarth di Torino Volta e da allora è stata usata solo raramente. Ci viene descritta come in condizioni eccellenti sotto ogni profilo ed è offerta completa di immatricolazione italiana e omologata ASI. La 131 fu regina del rally negli anni '70 e pertanto eleggibile per un gran numero di eventi storici. Un must per un serio collezionista di auto da rally.