Well, this is a bit of a trip down memory lane. And it’s a departure from any “Our Cars” kind of post I’ve done previously, as the car on it is a bit run-down and frankly in a state of complete disrepair. It’s our old second car, a 1984 Fiat 127.
It’s the old story, road salt likes devouring second-rate Italian steel. The car served us reliably from 1990 to 2000, but as the rust creeped on it more and more, we replaced it with a Nissan and drove the Fiat to the countryside where it could retire. I learned to drive on it, and so did my brother, during summer holiday days with absolutely nothing to do. Later on, the Fiat was parked for the rest of eternity under a tree. Since it’s not going anywhere, you might just as well take a look.
Eagle-eyed readers might point out the lack of snow on these photos. Right you are, as these were taken in the summertime, in the summer of 2010 to be exact. It’s likely the Fiat has devolved a bit after these shots.
Our Fiat is one of the 1982-on facelift models called Stella, with plastic treatment similar to the early-’80s Argentas and Regatas. The plastic was concrete grey on our car when we got it, but apparently it should have been quite a bit darker when new.
The surroundings are claiming the car, and it’s slowly blending into the flora.
The cloth interior isn’t faring any better. I can still feel the smell of the car having sat in the summer sunlight on hot days, a mixture of Italian plastics, glue and trapped moisture.
Still on its first round. We drove it for 50 000 km or so.
The 903cc pushrod engine produced 45 horsepower, and ours was the coveted 5-speed “Super” version. Still didn’t get a rev gauge.
It’s pretty likely the Fiat will remain where it sits, as is. It didn’t make any sense to restore it ten-fifteen years ago, and by now it’s far from that. But still, we didn’t have the heart to take it to a scrap yard, and it’s not likely that will be done anytime soon, either.
[Images: 2010 Antti Kautonen]
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