1976 Fiat 128 3P Review - The Classic Bargain of the Century

I blast around in the ultra-rare Fiat 128 3P to explain why it's an unbelievably fun, affordable Italian classic!
There are only 9 128 3P's on UK roads today, and a good one like this project car will set you back under £6000. Fitted with a revvy 1300 four-cylinder putting out 75bhp (when new), the 128 is full of character, flicking up and down the 4-speed 'box through which drive is sent to the front wheels. Eventually (with a bit of downhill!) the little Fiat reaches a very sketchy 100mph!
I hope you get a sense of what it's like to thrash around in the brilliant little 128, it really does get under your skin - stay tuned for updates as we modify it very soon!
Please subscribe to help us out and for future classic and supercar drives, and give me your thoughts on the 128 in the comments!

[@AshrafonCars]

Make sure to subscribe for upcoming reviews/messing about! 😄

[@alastairwatson3201]

I love this video. Every so often, I rewatch it just to remind myself what mine will be like when I finally get it back on the road. Such a pity that the promised follow-up videos never eventuated.

[@hartoz]

The 128 3P Berlinetta was my first car, That little 1300cc engine produced 74bhp, but a few simple mods to the Car allowed me to get 86bhp. 1st thing I did to mine was to swap the wheels for Fiat 131 wheels, which sorted out the massive understeer. I loved that car.

[@stevegreene9149]

Thanks for the video, reminding me of how much I miss my 3Ps. I had 2 of them, 1st was a 1 owner from new S reg 1978 3P. It was a similar red colour. and I loved that car. I then bought a 127 Sport which was a dud, so sold that and bought another 3P but a T reg Berlinetta in blue with the Berlinetta stripes. That car was awesome, so much fun! It had a twin choke carb on it and pulled like a train, even causing my mate driving his Dad's work Cavalier 2.0i some embarassment that he could not drop me. Great cars and miss them both!

[@1240enzo]

My brother in law has had two of these. My brother has owned a few 128 SLs that he hill climbed. A mate used to rally a 1283P but it had been properly setup with all the right gear. That one went hard. I have driven plenty over the years, cool cars for sure. I still have my ‘69 AC 124 Sport after 39 years of ownership. People too often dismiss Fiats, they are missing out though.

[@AshrafonCars]

They're fantastic. I think they've slipped under the radar, which is good news for enthusiasts that don't have mountains of cash! 😄

[@KenCozine]

When I was a G.I. stationed in Germany in the 70's I bought one of these new. I ordered the color I wanted (orange) and the total cost was $3600. I drove it all over Germany. I was constantly on the autobahn with it. It topped out at about 95mph. It was a great fun little car. It needed constant maintenance though. It went through 3 sets of brakes and 3 exhaust systems in 20,000 miles of use. The engine though was outstanding. Many happy memories of Germany with this car.

[@Markdmarque]

My friends mum had one and we used to take it out for a blast.The front lifts when you accelerate.Such fun and we loved taking it out

[@henryhol8538]

Awesome! Your next mission - if you choose to accept it, is to find and drive a Fiat 850 coupe from the early 1970's. It was our familly car in that era, and we loved it. Because we had an early Hilman Minx before, to us kids it was like a Ferrari.

[@AshrafonCars]

They're gorgeous, mission accepted! To the owners club I go...😄

[@brianofrugby]

The 850 Coupe was yet another stylish cheap, cheerful FIAT classic of its day

[@henryhol8538]

@@brianofrugby I was luck enough to film one at an event at Hevers Castle about a month back.

[@chestnut01111]

I had two of these in 1987/1989. Ignore the red line. I saw 105 mph in top but the needle was off the end of the tacho!

[@AshrafonCars]

Haha - brilliant! Bet that felt like a very fast 105mph...

[@RM-vv9eh]

I had a Silver one of these as my first car in 1988 🙂 Poor thing never got serviced, and as with a lot of my cars back then, it got left/dumped at the side of the road somewhere 🙄 Just watched an episode of Wheeler Dealers where they buy an Alfasud... Reminded me of my 128 3P and brought me here 👍🏼

[@AntPorr]

My first car was a 1976 128 3p. I worked all summer when I was 15 and it sat in my parent's garage waiting for me to turn 16. Cost $2,000; my parents paid half. I put about 60K miles on it over 6 years and it was constantly in the shop. Taught me a lot about car repairs. It succumbed to left-front rust erosion under the battery as it began its life in NJ, before coming to CA. I should have learned to weld. The Flea was a blast to drive, when it wasn't with the mechanic. My bicycle fit perfectly in the back as I left it to be repaired, often. Obviously, miss it still.

[@AntPorr]

June 1982 - May 1988, approximately. Taken to a dismantling yard with a good engine and transmission. 😞

[@RM-vv9eh]

Do they have many left in The States ? I haven’t seen one in the flesh on British roads for a long time. Just checked the ‘howmanyleft’ site, and apparently there’s 21 over here, 8 of which are off the road.

[@brianofrugby]

This is a great review.. Spot-on.. "FireCracker" is the perfect description. I owned one of these. Always terrific fun. My preceding car was a FIAT 126, and following, 2 x FIAT X1/9 and 2 x FIAT Barchetta. I still have one. I smile a lot when I drive

[@Hiswillalone]

You are exactly right about the old cars. Driving an old car is a very "sensual" experience. You are well aware of the all the sights, sounds, smells and how each car feels. And they were all different. That is why in the old days, people actually named their cars. Each one had its' own character and personality. These days, engineers design cars such that we really don't need to drive them and we are not aware as to how they are actually doing what they are doing. We just get in, turn the key and go. Even the worst new car is so competent that there isn't any challenge that it can't handle at street legal speeds. I used to have a 1967 Volvo 122S (Amazon). Getting on the freeway, the speed on cloverleaf entryways is 25 mph (40 kph) If you went that speed when it first started to rain, with the factory 4 inch tires, you could drive the whole ramp, tail out, at just over 25 mph. That's fun.

[@AshrafonCars]

My thoughts exactly Matthew! Thanks for watching.

[@johnchurch4705]

I owned 3 128 3p’s, one was bought from an old boy in South London ( silver with black graphics) sold to a fellow Fiat enthusiast when he saw it at the Enfield Pageant of motoring( it was stolen from his garage in Cheshunt). A pale blue one I rescued from a breakers yard in Southend on sea and a metallic blue one from a little village just outside Chelmsford, Essex. The pale blue one and the metallic blue were sold to some guys in Croydon. This was in the 90s when cool cars like this were pennies ☹️.

[@johncarroll9986]

Had one of these lovely cars love to have it now reg vki 425

[@dwaynefarrell6479]

I had one one there back in 1980, for its time it was an amazing car. Fast, compared to a Mini, handling batter that a Mini and looked better that a Mini. Everything is relevant, I now ride a 1200cc that’s putting down more HP and torque but this is old school FUN motoring. God I fucking loved my 3P. 🤌👍

[@TekAutomatica]

127 Sport 1050cc was also brilliant machine and amazing in Fiat Racing Challenge in 80s and 90s. Arancio Racing was one of the Fiat colours

[@brianclayton3340]

I had the same red car in the 70's, it was a great car to drive and it was reasonably fast for it's time. The downside was that I had to constantly weld up the body rot, it was appalling, I am not surprised they are now rare. I wish I still had it though!

[@martinnielsen5851]

My dad had one in the late eighties, he loved that car. Lot's of good memories of him "racing" my brother and i, after school. Would love to own one myself! 😉

[@Adi-S]

The 3P was a hot car were I grew up. You could really impress the ladies with it.

[@rossilookalike]

Had one back in the late 70s and lots of fun, twin webbers and a few tweaks. I now drive a GR Yaris

[@tel99]

I had one in the late 80's, best car I've ever had and my last car was a focus st & I currently have a Cupra 300. It was that light that you could pick the back end off the floor by the bumper!

[@AshrafonCars]

Haha! They're great little things. And the Cupra 300 is mega, you must be enjoying it.

[@tel99]

It is though all new cars are too heavy. The Fiat was like driving a kart and I remember going side ways around a corner once, made me feel like a far better driver than I am!

[@AshrafonCars]

@@tel99 too right - light weight, simplicity and skinny tyres are what you need for fun. I get the same feeling from my Giulia Super!

[@marclaukam6944]

Brilliant!! Old school motors - gotta love them! Great video 👍🏻

[@AshrafonCars]

It was amazing fun 🤣

[@darrenwilson8042]

Anything FIAT derived ( that includes SEAT's, Yugo's etc ) that is FWD and from the late 60's thru 70's and into the 80's are a hoot to drive. Often outright power isn't the issue - even an Uno 45 ( or a Yugo 45 or a FURA ) is a right laugh - you can be always on the limit with no threat to your license!

[@AshrafonCars]

Exactly right. You can use every ounce of performance and have a blast on the road - nobody can tell from the outside and you aren't breaking the speed limit!

[@darrenwilson8042]

@@AshrafonCars - I'm older than you s have had many different experiences. Don't listen when people wax lyrical about a 205 GTI. Best fun I had was in a 954 cc 205 basic model - no RWW no head rests even - skinny tyres but an engine that revved for fun. Maintaining momentum in that was awesome.

[@danieleregoli812]

@@darrenwilson8042 True! So true! The same goes for the old Fiat 500...if you were alone and could keep up the revs and maintain momentum, even that could be fun, especially on bendy narrow roads. But it needed a tad of driving skill, something most people these days can't be bothered to have....

[@Wakeupproductions]

That engine sounds like music 🧡 What a cute Fiat from the 70s!

[@AshrafonCars]

It's a fantastic little car! So much fun.

[@MrBeboopman]

Excellent vid... love Italian cars regardless of capacity... subbed and hello from Tipperary.😊

[@AshrafonCars]

Cheers! Me too mate, thanks a lot! 😄

[@grandadsworkshop]

Best car I have ever had

[@hakont.4960]

My dad used to have a car like this, most comfortable car ever, your butt is literally inches above the ground in proper bucket seats. The two stage carburettor was also fun. "vrooo-OOOM"

[@AshrafonCars]

They're brilliant cars. So much fun to drive and so much character!!

[@daffytree2605]

I had a 128 3p berlinetta in silver in the early 80swish I still had it now,traded it in for a 1275gt mini,wish I still had that too.

[@jayprosser6157]

Nice video

[@AshrafonCars]

Thanks mate 🙂

[@MsFidgetymidget]

My first car

[@alastairwatson3201]

Hey, Ashraf. I’m currently bidding to buy one of these as a project car to supplement my ex-UK registered ‘78 X1/9 Serie Speciale and my ‘75 Mitsubishi Galant hardtop. Didn’t you say you were going to do more videos on the 3P you drove here? I can’t find anything on your playlists. Cheers, Alastair of Australia.

[@RavPatvlogs]

I had this long time ago with me. Yes it’s a small fire cracker and a rally car of coz

[@danieleregoli812]

Hey there, cool car & great video! If you like Italian firecrackers (and vintage cars) then you should try to find (not easy!) a 127 Sport, or an Autobianchi A112 Abarth (even rarer in the UK)…. or for a trip back to the '60s a Fiat 850 Sport Coupe.... They really are a hoot to drive. And even if they are in fact quite quick overall, they feel like you are going at the speed of light, and are a lot of fun to drive, especially on bendy Italian B-roads..... !

[@AshrafonCars]

Thanks Daniele - I would love to try any of those! That's what cars are all about, on the road at least. I own a '72 Alfa Giulia with 90bhp, and I just love that I can rev it out and drive hard without being a hooligan! Thanks for watching.

[@danieleregoli812]

@@AshrafonCars Drive-wise I was born on the 127, the 500 and the 903cc-powered Pandas and A112, so we were well trained in extracting the best out of our small but peppery FIATs. Power alone -or high speed alone- are pointless unless mated to fun and driveability. I recently tested a big American muscle, and boy, what a let down that was... Yes, fun on straight acceleration, but give that thing a bend and you're left wrestling with the wheel...scary! I absolutely love your Giulia. Couple years ago I almost bought my mechanic's Giulia Nuova Super in verde pino green, with millerighe alloys.... So regretful I didn't.

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

Aujourd'hui je ne laisserais sûrement pas le 1300 abarth dedans mais un bon k20 300 ch 😮 et la Monica

[@artistphilb]

I had and rebuilt the engines on some of these in the 90's the crankshaft is amazing on these it only has a 55mm stroke, so all the bearing journals overlap with virtually no throw on them, apparently they can be tuned to rev way beyond 7g also they use the same con rods as a Ferrari Dino.

[@AshrafonCars]

That's amazing. Baffled that it shares con rods with a Dino 🤣

[@artistphilb]

@@AshrafonCars They lighten and polish them in the Dino, but they begin as the same part.

[@klerobi1]

guys just to know, if you need a cheap engine. Zastava101 or Yugo 55 has exactly the same engine. In Slovenia or Croatia, you can find an engine for 100 to 200 €.

[@AshrafonCars]

Cool 👍👍

[@garytaylor6169]

I may be mistaken but I think the Yugo engine was an 1,100.

[@AlbertManiscalco]

looks way better without the bumper, but are those stock tail lights?

[@BITTYBOY121]

Drop an Uno Turbo engine in it and have even more fun ! 🙂

[@sjdandco]

Did the mods ever happen?

[@AshrafonCars]

Yep, the car is currently having engine work done. Should come back to the channel when it's done!

[@ivorborland819]

Any updates on the build.

[@AshrafonCars]

The car was just finished today! There'll be a video when we're able to go outside again...

[@pierlucascardovi1747]

Ne ho avute due 1300cc ...quante soddisfazioni

[@F1YMS]

Lol... Looks like a fun car.

[@AshrafonCars]

It's hilarious 🤣

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

😇

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

Est moi en ville j ai pas besoins de beaucoup de chevaux pour être devant 😂 ❤ désoler si elle te plaît pas vend la moi ❤

[@zzebowa]

Slow, bad handling. I had one. Fitted an Alquatti 300 duration cam, flowed and ported the head. Got it down to 10 seconds to 60, still handled bad though.

[@ToyKingWonder]

I have the model prior to this, the 128 SL. If yours handled badly, there is one of three reasons--bad tires, bad suspension components, bad driver. The cars handle great.

[@zzebowa]

@@ToyKingWonder Mine was in good condition, but no where near how an ALfa Sud handles. Or a GTV,. Alfetta etc. The 128 was cheap and fin, great engine, but not a great chassis

[@jeancharlesrabaux5658]

C est que c est pas le 1300 abarth l origine et abarth c est comme si t acheter une caisse stok alors qu elle existe sport 😂