My Little Fiat 127 1050CL, Love it, hate it, love it again, for sale, not for sale, big dreams and all that Jazz,
Unfortunately this has been a recurring theme in my life, buy a car, get really involved then find an excuse to sell it, abandoning the dreams in the process to start all over again... It’s like an illness!!
I’m determined to see this one through and actually enjoy it!! Finances are tight but Rome wasn’t built in a day!
THE CAR...
Picked it up in December 2018, one owner from new and if I'm honest a bit of an impulse buy (aren’t all the best ones). A life time of Classic Fords have come and gone, amongst those some other weird and wonderful cars but now somehow ended up with a Fiat 127, always love Small cars, so this is perfect!
Car had been in a locked garage for around 12 years until Italicar picked it up, body wise it’s had a repair to the Cill and a NOS bonnet fitted by Italicar, mechanically it’s had fluids and service and was then put through an MOT which it passed, they then decided to put it up for sale, that’s where I come in.
Phone call was made, deal was struck, phoned my Dad and booked 2 train tickets from Essex.
Arrived on a cold rainy day at Norfolk station, coffee and pastry in hand ready to see this little Fiat.
My Dad really is the best but has literally no filter, so my joyous bound towards the car was met with his usual smile and comment “What the f*ck have you bought this time?” I have to admit, first impressions were mixed, body looked solid and interior had a wonderful charm to it but it had surface rust dotted all over, no scabs or holes so thankfully perfect to treat! Sat in the car and actually felt quiet spacious especially as I’m 6ft 3, only problem was the headlining sagging that badly that I had to really stoop and it was weirdly heavy, remained optimistic as only a 2 ½ drive back to Essex in a car that had not driven more than 5 miles in about 15 years!!
Engine fired up, ticking over nicely, I jump in, Dad hops in both slouched down in a car ready for the long drive back, still with that typical look that parents give and not the I’m proud of you one, first couple of miles were fun, scary but fun, brakes were there but didn’t install me with much confidence, engine revved along nicely, 10 miles in and its starts to rain, badly. I deployed my 2 speed window wipers in the hope they would actually do something, turns out perished window wipers do absolutely curse word all apart from smear! Cruising down the A12 at what felt like a million miles an hour (actually about 50) in the pouring rain and not being able to see is not an experience I would recommend but the rains passed and no internal leaks to report, although the windows were really starting to mist up, “Don’t worry son, il put the heater on” and with that, cable snaps no heating, hot or cold, no worries, we have a sponge and quarter windows so we can make do!
After the rain had cleared it became a much nicer place to be, trundled home the 100miles and didn’t miss a beat!
Having 2 kids and this being my side of the family car situation the lack of rear seat belts were a bit of a problem for the misses as until there fitted the car can’t really be used for outings (understandably) so that will need addressing..
Car has been used daily for the last 4 months, it’s been a joy but have started to notice some issues, fuel gauge stop working, speedo then went, radio cuts in when it wants to, seems to work better when the cigarette lighter is pushed in?? These electrical gremlins aren’t really much of an issue, it was the water pump and head gasket shitting itself that really concerned me, and car is now having a rest until work is completed.
Spoke with the local Fiat club and paid my membership, guys have been really helpful so far
Although my plan to lower the car and band the steels were met with “it should be kept standard”
I don’t think I will listen to that bit of advice….
I originally wanted to keep the patina and just modify suspension, engine etc. but it will be getting a respray as some point, I really wanted to put an UNO turbo engine in there, maybe one day I will.
I’ve recently made a couple of little purchases, Port and polished head, cat cam, bike carb/exhaust manifold, forged pistons, cam pulley and various other bits.. This engine was from a 105bhp race engine which I think will pull the car along nicely, would like to possible super charge it like the old minis seem to do. Could it be done? I don’t know. Would 105bhp be enough?
Would love to know what people think? Any ideas welcome with regards to any part of the car! Even show me some of your Fiats?
Unfortunately this has been a recurring theme in my life, buy a car, get really involved then find an excuse to sell it, abandoning the dreams in the process to start all over again... It’s like an illness!!
I’m determined to see this one through and actually enjoy it!! Finances are tight but Rome wasn’t built in a day!
THE CAR...
Picked it up in December 2018, one owner from new and if I'm honest a bit of an impulse buy (aren’t all the best ones). A life time of Classic Fords have come and gone, amongst those some other weird and wonderful cars but now somehow ended up with a Fiat 127, always love Small cars, so this is perfect!
Car had been in a locked garage for around 12 years until Italicar picked it up, body wise it’s had a repair to the Cill and a NOS bonnet fitted by Italicar, mechanically it’s had fluids and service and was then put through an MOT which it passed, they then decided to put it up for sale, that’s where I come in.
Phone call was made, deal was struck, phoned my Dad and booked 2 train tickets from Essex.
Arrived on a cold rainy day at Norfolk station, coffee and pastry in hand ready to see this little Fiat.
My Dad really is the best but has literally no filter, so my joyous bound towards the car was met with his usual smile and comment “What the f*ck have you bought this time?” I have to admit, first impressions were mixed, body looked solid and interior had a wonderful charm to it but it had surface rust dotted all over, no scabs or holes so thankfully perfect to treat! Sat in the car and actually felt quiet spacious especially as I’m 6ft 3, only problem was the headlining sagging that badly that I had to really stoop and it was weirdly heavy, remained optimistic as only a 2 ½ drive back to Essex in a car that had not driven more than 5 miles in about 15 years!!
Engine fired up, ticking over nicely, I jump in, Dad hops in both slouched down in a car ready for the long drive back, still with that typical look that parents give and not the I’m proud of you one, first couple of miles were fun, scary but fun, brakes were there but didn’t install me with much confidence, engine revved along nicely, 10 miles in and its starts to rain, badly. I deployed my 2 speed window wipers in the hope they would actually do something, turns out perished window wipers do absolutely curse word all apart from smear! Cruising down the A12 at what felt like a million miles an hour (actually about 50) in the pouring rain and not being able to see is not an experience I would recommend but the rains passed and no internal leaks to report, although the windows were really starting to mist up, “Don’t worry son, il put the heater on” and with that, cable snaps no heating, hot or cold, no worries, we have a sponge and quarter windows so we can make do!
After the rain had cleared it became a much nicer place to be, trundled home the 100miles and didn’t miss a beat!
Having 2 kids and this being my side of the family car situation the lack of rear seat belts were a bit of a problem for the misses as until there fitted the car can’t really be used for outings (understandably) so that will need addressing..
Car has been used daily for the last 4 months, it’s been a joy but have started to notice some issues, fuel gauge stop working, speedo then went, radio cuts in when it wants to, seems to work better when the cigarette lighter is pushed in?? These electrical gremlins aren’t really much of an issue, it was the water pump and head gasket shitting itself that really concerned me, and car is now having a rest until work is completed.
Spoke with the local Fiat club and paid my membership, guys have been really helpful so far
Although my plan to lower the car and band the steels were met with “it should be kept standard”
I don’t think I will listen to that bit of advice….
I originally wanted to keep the patina and just modify suspension, engine etc. but it will be getting a respray as some point, I really wanted to put an UNO turbo engine in there, maybe one day I will.
I’ve recently made a couple of little purchases, Port and polished head, cat cam, bike carb/exhaust manifold, forged pistons, cam pulley and various other bits.. This engine was from a 105bhp race engine which I think will pull the car along nicely, would like to possible super charge it like the old minis seem to do. Could it be done? I don’t know. Would 105bhp be enough?
Would love to know what people think? Any ideas welcome with regards to any part of the car! Even show me some of your Fiats?
