When I was a lad, one of my most prized possessions was a 1:24 scale diecast model of a Fiat 128 Rally Car. It featured big wheels, simulated mud splatters, and I could swap the normal wheels and tires for the studded mud tires mounted on its roof rack. Therefore, I have always held a fond affection for the 128. This 1974 example was imported from Belgium to its current location two years ago, and while it has been converted into a Race Car, it has only faced the green flag once. It presents well and is ready for action with a new owner behind the wheel. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Araknid78 for spotting the Fiat listed here on eBay in Caldwell, New Jersey. The auction opened at $10,000, but there have been no bids as it heads into its final hours.
Launched in 1969, the Fiat 128 represented another example of a European manufacturer producing a very small car with impressive interior space. Like the legendary Mini, the 128 featured a transverse four-cylinder engine driving the front wheel, with enough interior room to accommodate four adults. This 1974 example arrived from Belgium in 2024, and it presents beautifully. The seller has invested a considerable sum into this classic, and it shows. The dazzling red paint is excellent, cloaking panels that are as straight as an arrow. The seller supplies a couple of underside shots, confirming that this Fiat is rock-solid. Enormous fender flares cover significantly larger wheels and tires, while the trim and glass are spotless.
Fiat wasn’t the first manufacturer to produce a car with a transverse engine sending its power to the front wheels. It is now a widely adopted industry standard, improving packaging efficiency and increasing interior space. This car would have left the line with a 1,290cc powerplant under the hood, and if the exterior “Rally” badges are accurate, the motor delivered 66hp and 65 ft/lbs of torque. The listing indicates that the motor’s capacity is now 1.5-liters, and that means that this four could have started life in an X1/9. If so, that would provide an immediate power boost to 89hp, although with the obvious upgrades to carburetors and other components, I think we can aim much higher. The power and torque will probably still be quite modest, but with the featherweight 128 tipping the scales at around 1,800 lbs, it should provide entertaining performance. It is unclear whether the car features a four-speed or a five-speed manual transmission, but either would work effectively with this engine. The seller confirms that this Fiat is a racer, but has only had one start. It appears it is a turnkey proposition, and the upgrades and modifications are verified via receipts and invoices.
This Fiat’s interior reflects its competition leanings. There are body-hugging bucket seats, racing harnesses, a sturdy roll bar, a suede-wrapped wheel, and no carpet, sound deadening, or upholstery. The dash is devoid of luxury features, with every spare spot occupied by gauges monitoring the car’s mechanical health. It would be noisy when the driver cranks the motor into life, but since their focus would be on maximizing performance, the builder shed every excess ounce to help the car’s cause. The overall presentation is tidy, and if the buyer elected to return this Fiat to our roads, fitting carpet and sound deadener would make it more civilized. Otherwise, this gem is ready for track action.
This 1974 Fiat 128 is a sweet Italian classic with many strengths. Perhaps its greatest isn’t the performance gains from the mechanical modifications, but its rust-free status. It would be a rewarding Track Day car, but returning it to active service on our roads should be relatively straightforward. It has generated moderate interest since it hit the market, and I’m surprised it hasn’t received any bids. Perhaps people are waiting until the final minutes before making their move. Do you think that could be the case?
I bet this sounds wicked!!! I drove a Fiat 124,128 and 131. All fun cars to drive on the back roads with curves. My Cousin took me for a ride in her 124 or 128 back in the 70s sorry minds a little fuzzy not sure which model. . It was in Mt. Kisco NY on some big curves back roads. Damn that girl can drive and not once that Fiat left the road. It felt like it was on rails. Ok. They didnt have a lot of horsepower but man they could handle. I would love to have this one since its 40 mins away. But being a Senior and not 25 can change your prospective. I really hope some young person who would appreciate a real funcar to drive would get this. I love the way the engine looks. I would say with no problem that’s putting put 100hp or more. You don’t see cars like this anymore. Oh when I was 17… i worked at a Fiat dealership in Manhattan NY. Had to drive a Spider to Great Neck NY in the snow. I learn to drive stick in one block and did great the rest of the way self learn! Miss those days. Good luck to the next owner. 🇺🇸🐻
The model that eventually became the Russian LADA when Fiat sold the tooling to them! More Russians died in those Ladas than any other vehicle, and still do.
Hate to be that guy but the 124 became the Lada (RWD) not the above 128 (FWD). Owned a Lada up here in Canada and while crude as hell it was a trooper!
That was the 124 not the 128.
Very cool car, always liked these, great to see one not rusted away and in rally gear.
Ride my 250klx regularly thru Tioga co PA where the STPR rally was held just last week, this car would fit right in. Nothing better than a quick small car on dirt mountain roads, except maybe a enduro bike. Slide my 5 speed focus thru them often, wish I had more clearance like this car.
Yes, this is more rally car than race car. (Extra lights add weight to race car!) This would be fun on a,vintage Pro-Rally. Do they still have those?
Stpr has all sorts of classes. See people running professionally, and 240z’s, suv’s and even vw bugs over the years. Just need to safely gear.
Tried to follow some drivers going to stages on my 250, pro class subarus, they left me in dust and exhaust fumes.
S.T.P.R. ????
Not familiar with that.
I always wanted to get a bumper sticker that says –
“I’M PRO RALLY & I VOTE”
STPR = Susquehannock Trail Performance Rally?
Bought a 128 SC new in 1974. I’m not going to tell you what I sold to purchase that as 21 year old. The 1300 SOHC screamed redline, but the body/metal screamed “save me”. And no matter what I did, I couldn’t. The irritating part on the SC was that the rear pop out windows were glued onto their opening arms and once the glue failed, they would not retake the glue that helped keep them closed. The dealership was of no help. Good to see one of these in this shape, but $10k to start seems more than a bit high. Which you may have to be to pay that kind of money for it.
I still have that 1/24 scale model lol
These are such cool little cars
I hope it sells to someone who can enjoy it
You can keep the Spiders, I always thought the regular Fiat coupes, sedans and wagons were so much more cooI without being so cutesy.
I had that diecast model of the muddied up 124 Rally too. Loved it to pieces! Got it from my neighbors who travelled to Italy every once in a while to see their grandparents. They either outgrew it and gave it to me, or they knew I liked it better than they did and just let me have it.
Some decent pictures of the overall look of the car might help buyers see what it actually is.
Two dual-choke side-draft Webers on this ‘way oversquare mill screams, “Twist the tiger’s tail, it can take it!” Wild cam too? That, plus the strut tower braces and the huge gumshoes says this thing means business.
The paint’s a reshoot as evidenced by the overspray on the resonator. ‘N the rear panel shows some strangely shaped reflections. I.e.; it’s been wrinkled.
Nice write-up Adam. And thanks for the acknowledgment
Old greybeard STPR?
What does that stand for?
Thanks!
Susquehannok Trail Perfomance Rally. Near Wellsboro Pa. Run on private and some state forest roads.
https://www.stpr.org/
That is a ” current venue” event. I used to run those in 1980. A lot of fun. But I’m fairly certain that my old body would not tolerate that run. There was 6″ of clearance to the roof of the car to my helmet. But, even with 6 point harneses I had a scratches on my helmet from the roof of the car. Even with continually cranking down on the harness on the straightaways. And bruises on my sides from the high bolster rally seats. Not a vintage rally. Thanks for the reply.
Very cool I’d park in my garage reminds me of the Alpha 2000 my roommate had in college
Bidding ended on Fri, Jul 17 at 12:41 PM. 0 bids. The seller has relisted this item here.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/227435666026
Same price
eBay does show a single bid at this point in the second listing!
Looks like the listing ended with no bidders.
It’s been relisted