Fiat 124 Coupe - You Will NOT Believe How Good Fiat ONCE Was

Fiat has a pretty bad reputation but it wasn't always that way. In the 60s and 70s Fiat made some of the best cars in the world. This 124 Coupe exemplifies a time when Fiat still made some of the best cars around.
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[@bertelliott1456]

Thanks for doing this Jack. I had a '71 1608cc in the late 70's in New Jersey and absolutely loved it. The handling was pure magic compared to any of the American cars at the time. There was almost nothing else you could buy in 1971 that had a twin cam engine, 5 speed, and 4 wheel disc brakes. Rust killed mine, sadly. Fiats sold very well in America for most of the 70's.

[@philhawley1219]

I think you are forgetting about the concurrent Alfa Romeo cars of the same time. To me the Alfas are even better than the lovely Fiats and the sexy little Lancias. The good times when the Italians built lovely cars for the connoisseur at affordable prices. Now it is mega buck Lamborghini etcetera and crappy little hatchback commuter cars.

[@Nellis202]

I can confirm this. Just entering my teens in the seventies, and growing up in northern NJ , I saw quite a few Fiats about the roads. They really did stand out amongst all cars at the time, and I really grew to love them. Mind you, while they were no where near common, they weren’t exactly rare. I can also remember that the customer base was not of the younger generation and seemed to be more educated and of a quiet disposition.

[@neilcowan535]

Rust. The arch enemy of the Fiat, the Alfa and the Lancia. I remember reading a gushing review of the Alfa Sud..... mostly for the line. 'They rust like a bean can on a beach.' :( :( Such a shame.

[@jonathanwells10]

@@neilcowan535 to be honest they didn't really rust any worse than BMW's, Fords, Vauxhalls and VW's of the time. It just got highlighted a lot more in the news. My uncle handed back a new Vauxhall Chevette after a year because the whole of the roof had rusted. BMW 3.0CSL (fantastic car) but the engine bulkhead on those were a nightmare for rust

[@neilcowan535]

@@jonathanwells10 yes... I'm sure you are right. Rustproofing in general was not good in those days. Hence the scarcity and value of cars that were once common. My mark Iii Cortina certainly fell victim as did a early model Capri and an Anglia that my my parents had. I live in Australia these days... Cars here are relatively unaffected.

[@ritchardwilliams3874]

Had a 124 1800 - wish I still had it. The engine was super, really good looking. Had many BMW's, Audi's and other good cars but the Fiat 124 is the only car that I now would like again.

[@jamesmurphy1389]

I'll never forget driving this back in '75 as an air-headed student out for the weekend with my best friend and his glamorous girlfriend (it was her mum's car and she'd borrowed it with her mum's permission amazingly enough). The acceleration and willingness of the 124 absolutely stunned me. Couldn't wait for the next opportunity to overtake something. Looking back, it was the first time I realised driving could be an entertainment in itself rather than just a pleasant way to get from A to B. - Ah, what days!

[@davidrumsey3180]

In 1980 my wife and I bought a facelift 1600 124, after test-driving a large number of sports cars and "sporty" saloon cars. It was an easy choice: totally practical and easy to drive, great on a long road trip, and fun on a twisty road. The twin cam motor had two twin choke sidedraught carbs, so yes it was happy to rev, but equally you could leave it in 5th gear and cruise up some pretty steep hills at quite low revs without any problems. The build quality was pretty good, and the little touches like the dimmer control on the dash lights made it stand out from other cars of its era. Compared to Ford Cortinas etc, the 124 was a significant step up, and was a delight to drive.

[@James-ld2jc]

You kind of raised a thought I've had for a while - why can't we have modern cars like this? Small, elegant, and with just enough power. Who really needs a 400 bhp, 2 tonne SUV?

[@monaabbyhamedani917]

Almost nobody needs those awful things, but that's what the car buying public wants. Vile 😢

[@alantownsley6391]

We have the mx5 thank god😊

[@monaabbyhamedani917]

@@alantownsley6391 make it a 4 seater and I'm in 🙂

[@nagylevi3827]

Because it would cost far too much to design and build a car that is both light and small AND complies with modern safety and emissions regulations? In short, there is no money in it.

[@tilletter9826]

I own this exact model from 1972 ( the year my father was born), its such a classic and nice car. The handling is lovely and people always smile when they see a red fiat on the streets ;)

[@jackburtonstwin]

The 124 Coupe was such a pretty and well proportioned car. I regret not getting to own one myself. Along with the Lancia Fulvia Coupe and Alfa's 1750 Coupe the Italians were so very good at producing these wonderful, peppy, little coupes.

[@kidoctane]

The Holy Trinity of coupes

[@dielaughing73]

Absolutely, the 124's and 128's were quite affordable old cars in the 90s in Australia. I looked at a couple but ended up with a Mk1 Golf which was cheaper and cool in its own way, but nowhere near as sexy as this. I always wished I'd gone for the Fiat

[@Badastro59]

I had a 124 CC in the 1980's and Absolutely loved it, The CC had 1750 Motor and other enhancements, it would cruise easily at 90 mph, My version of choice,

[@Deutschtown]

My mom bought me the first 1968 Fiat 124 in the country at the West Virginia State fair. Black with cream interior and a wood dash. Beautiful.

[@memo3872]

I agree it is sad to see a marque that used to produce really fun and interesting cars slip to producing very unexceptional run of the mill boxes, but it's happened to many a manufacturer and certainly not just Italian ones. Still, it's one of the reasons why it was so joyous to see Alfa Romeo release the Giulia in 2016 which leapt so far ahead of the Germans. Brilliant!

[@bastogne315]

Wop crap my dad called em. He was a racist though.

[@HBP655]

I had one back in 79 to 89. Fun driving especially along wide winding road. Very predictable. Racing along once with BMW 320i It was fun. Love the car.

[@stephenbell-booth2648]

I bought an identical 124 to this for my wife in 1983, ours had different wheels but otherwise virtually identical. The doors were incredibly heavy. Our kids adored it, great days, hi from New Zealand

[@user-pu4xm1pd6e]

Jack, my Dad had a new series 1 in 1966. Very rare and very expensive here in Australia. While Dad was away overseas and Mum was just pottering around in it, this still new car holed a piston. When Dad returned the 124 exited stage left and was replaced by an also brand new, rare and expensive Volvo 123 GT with electric overdrive. No holed pistons here…

[@danieleregoli812]

Thanks Jack for bringing us such good videos. This car is from a golden era for Fiat, back when they had a whole array of amazing coupes in their range, going from the sweet little 850 Sport Couoe, through the fabled 124, and up to the Dino ❤ btw, that Lampredi engine sounds so so sexy.... So many memories of 1970s Italy 🇮🇹

[@danferrari8580]

While in the Army, Had a 76 Spider 75-78 then after a few years 79-80 found a 74 Coupe for $300( and sold it for $400 )to run me back and forth to work up motorpool road. Loved them both.

[@TheopolisQSmith]

In 1972 I purchased a 1969 124 Sport Coupe for $400. It was rusty but relatively low mileage although I can’t remember the amount. I drove it until 1974 and put probably 40,000 miles on it. It finally died from rust and the well known Fiat shear pins also known as bolts. I really liked it. Thanks for bringing back great memories. 😺 By the way, I am in the USA.

[@levelcrossing150]

Back in the 70's I used to work for a Fiat dealer and I loved the whole around package of both the Mk1 and Mk 2, they were everything a 20 year old guy like me wanted in a car, good looks, twin cam engine and 5 speed gearbox. When the Mk3 arrived I could not believe what they had done to it. This one brings back great memories for me, many thanks.

[@TD402dd]

I wanted a 1972 124 coupe as my first car, but chose the Ford Capri instead. I regret it even today, but later I bought a 131 Mirafiori that happened to be the best handling sedan I've ever owned. The last was the Lancia Beta Coupe in leather, and it was simply the best handling coupe I've ever owned including my Audi TT.

[@hhjones9393]

I had a 124 Coupe, it was a 1600. What a fantastic car to drive! Thanks for a great video Jack.

[@duncanyourmate2433]

Very First to arrive in NZ Dec 69 , Flat aqua -blue(ish) , straight factory RHD , single head lights 1.6 , did love corners, learn't about G Forces Vs Morris Oxford (Hindustan style) Tariffs were still in place , sweet tune , only ever saw one , Friend owned one Eastbourne became quicker from Lower Hutt , 250 Benz Auto sedan too heavy , Port Road (unsure if still exists) 105 -8 , Benz not quite , Hk Monaro 327 4Sp Saginaw fastest straight ,indicated 110, stopping slowest , No wonder Russians Made Ladas ,

[@pi.actual]

The first car my wife and I bought was a six year old '71 124 BC. We both loved it, had it for 12 years, put 130,000 miles on it and (gasp) never changed the timing belt.

[@banjopete]

Living on the edge,!

[@sonnysting2663]

It's true that those Fiat from the 60s look special today and were well engineered. But it's impossible to deny that Fiat was able to innovate after that and if we look at the "European Car of the Year" awards we will see that they won in 1970, 1972, 1984, 1989, 1995, 1996, 2004 and 2008 (they also got 2nd place in 1974, 1979, 1981, 1993, 2000 and 2021). Seems to me that it's unfair to judge the brand Fiat by the lack of "special cars" after 1970, or by the lack of innovation, because they were able to succeed more than any other brand, in terms of price/quality, price/inovation or price/coolness ratios.

[@dspada67]

Hi from Western Australia, Absolutely adore this car, had a few of them, the 1608 with Abarth cams, a ported and polished heads with twin 40 or 45 side or down drought webbers or delortos carburettors and extractors with an Ansa exhaust became an absolute beast for the time , 200 hp at 7500 rpm. My last one was an 1800 with all of the above plus lowered suspension. Was my wedding get away car 35 years ago. Incredibly the steel they were made of that rusted so badly was mostly from Australia. I could never afford and Alfa GTV 105 is the reason I went this way. Grazie.

[@dielaughing73]

I missed out on picking up one of these (124 Sport) in Perth in the 90s. There were a few around in those days. Always wished I'd done it

[@eminzide]

my father owned a Fiat 124 Sport CC 1800 back in the late 70s to early 80s replacing his Triumph 2500 PI..... he liked Fiat so much he bought another one, a 131 Mirafiori with square lights

[@Recon368]

My first automobile, I did love it: the light brown color of interior, but green exterior. 1972. Learned to drive manual transmission.

[@maestrovso]

I had one nearly identical to this car in the mid 70s. It is one of my favorite of all the cars I ever owned. It is really advanced compared to cars of that era. Most notable are the 4 wheel disc brake and all coil spring suspension. Even the Alfa GTV didn't have rear wheel disc brakes. It is such a gorgeous little car. The tail resembles the Lancia Fulvia Coupe which is another lovely Italian car of the era. I bought it from the original owner with only a few thousand miles at a bargain basement price because it had a gearbox problem that I summarily fixed. It was a delight to drive, and I drove it on rain and shine, and in snow in Toronto. Alas after 2 winter the salt ate it alive.

[@Palaemon44]

I tried to buy one back in the early 70’s when I was in the US Air Force. I had given my brother my Datsun 510 while I was in Thailand and needed to pick another car up quickly while on leave before going to my next base. A Lincoln dealer was advertising a used one, but when I went to look at it, it turned out to be a Spider, not the Coupe. I drove the Spider, loved it and since I was single and didn’t need a lot of room I just bought it anyway. Not the best car I ever owned but by far the most charming.

[@ranjanaluwihare1511]

Gosh when Fiat were great, my dad had a rare 2300S! Fiat “ Fix it again Tony!” Love them! Thanks Jack for bringing these gems!

[@MCS4FUN]

Owned from-new a USA-spec '72 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe' for a few years until replaced by a from-new '74 Alfa GTV subsequently owned nearly 25 years. Enjoyed that Fiat greatly with subtle mods such as Cosmic wheels, Spax shocks, Anza exhaust and a bit of carb tweaking before sold to a buddy as replacement for his older Fiat 124 Spider. He kept that Coupe' several years longer than I did!

[@786nunez]

I owned one, a 1971 Blue, drove it from 1978 to 1991. I knew that car to the last bolt, painted it my self and I loved every minute of it. Had to sell when the rust just could not be kept at bay. Brings back a lot of memories. Thank you.

[@grantmills4184]

What a gorgeous car. Fiat just built excitement back then

[@runarmagnussen4443]

Iam in the middle of restoring my 124. Watching this makes me even more eager to getting it back from the painter. So I can finish the car, and next year, I will enjoy the heck of the old Fiat

[@johnireland1629]

I love the greenhouse in this car...shows you why you didn't they didn't need back up cameras in those simpler days. My first two Italian cars were Fiats...a '68 500D and then a '72 128. I loved them both and will always have a place in my heart for the marque. If your run into a 128...they are truly fun. The best is the 2 door Berlineta...the 3 box, and in Rally trim and tune if you can find it. They were launched as the car that Enzo Ferrari drove to work. Mine handled beautifully and I would drive it through the city canyons of Los Angeles late at night. Another great video. Thanks.

[@free_gold4467]

Yes, I love the big windows, great visibility and a feeling of space.

[@alistairoxley490]

I used a 1608 BC1 as an every day car here in Italy, and it is so appreciated by the locals.❤

[@nicnak4475]

Loved those '70's Fiat engines.

[@pro4art]

With Twin Webers like that car has, there is a little more poke on acceleration. I've had 22 Fiats here in the US, we never had the twin carb cars. My first Fiat was a used 1969 124 Coupe. It got used a lot going to SCCA sports car races in East part of the country, My wife loved it, and she said my next car had to be another 124 coupe, Bought a new 1973 Coupe, 1608cc. Beautiful Dark Blue with saddle interior. Again going to SCCA races, wife, 2 kids, food and clothes for all. Cruising speed was what you thought safe, loved it. Wife ruined it, getting a power wash every week at her work. All traces of any oil deposits inside the body were removed, rust followed.

[@pereldh5741]

Insane, been googling series III 124 Coupe 1800 for three days! And now this Jack 😊 To my eyes the 124 Coupe beat Alfa Giulia Sprint, the proportions are just sublime. I love the series 3 Coupe (called ”CC”) front, like a small Mustang Mach 1… Just badass & ready to eat whatever in its way 😎 (Cabin ventilation good upgrade too..) Oh the 125 Special was a great sport sedan too, same 1608cc engine.

[@Rl469]

I had a 1969 Coupe. It was a fun car! That Italian sound is awesome. The engine was a work of art.

[@fredriksvardsten]

Finally someone has made a video about this fantastic car. Well done Jack!

[@andersthomasson9235]

My first car was a bc 1600 back in the 70s. Still got her! 😊

[@ralfhenke8148]

Mama mia! That sound had me hooked before you even changed gear for the first time. Absolutely marvellous!

[@robertjames6640]

I owned a light green Fiat 124 Sport Coupe way Bach: I purchased it new and covered a lot miles in it. Taught, very eager, smooth but a tad noisy in the cabin. The only car the could match it was it’s contemporary Alfa Romeo coupe. It was as fast, as planted and had a smoother transmission shift. A quieter car that like the Fiat, was pure Italiano on Asti. Both great cars.

[@grahambarton1942]

These 124s were way ahead of their time with good handling a revvy OHC motor and 5 speed box. My girlfriend had one in 1992 and I well remember thrashing it from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass.

[@PB200559]

Lovely video. I liked the look of the mark 1 better with the single headlights

[@christosthomasraounas2761]

This is the one I was waiting for😢...I had an avocado green series three with the 1800cc engine in ace condition. I have had 635csi had e30 BMW, but my biggest regret was selling my fiat over the BMW s. You've made me very sad and happy at the same time. Thanks dude, brought back good memories

[@Anomalous_Bosch]

That brought back some memories! I test drove a 1400 124 for my sister around some tight inner city streets. Because of road repairs some of these were just gravel. Perhaps I was a little exuberant with my driving. She ended up buying the car and I drove it quite a bit for the short time that she owned it. I loved it. An absolute jewel of an engine and, as spoken of in the video, very neutral in its handling. Further, the switchgear was quite bonkers, but I just put that down to Italian elan. I really wanted to buy that car off of her when she came to sell but it didn't come to pass. I was also a huge fan of the 850 Coupés. Terrific little things. Many thanks for the upload. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think you really nailed it.

[@cjpriustt]

Thanks for the memories. The video and sound does the car justice. I had a red one in 72 that lasted through college. It was a blast to drive, and listen to with the Anza exhaust. Only problems were having to change the valve gasket every 3 months, the belt yearly, and AC fails regularly. The reverse window crank was quirky. But love the wing windows for ventilation.

[@riczito]

I owned a beautiful olive green one of these in the early 80s as a young man. A Mk2 1608, exactly like this one. Wonderful car, peppy, quite quick and always so keen to get up and go! Everything was hunky dory until one day I was sitting at some traffic lights in London when the engine suddenly died and refused to start. The timing belt had stripped its teeth, one of the valves had collided with a piston, and things looked bad... I was lucky enough to find a perfectly restored cylinder head through the owners' club of the time, the Fiat Twin-Cam Register, and I rebuilt the engine entirely. It was my first ever rebuild and it was successful, starting first time! I was dead proud of myself ;) I kept the car a couple more years and then sold it to a friend who was impressed enough by it to prefer it to a BMW 316, which he had been considering. Wonderful car that Fiat, thanks for the video and the memories!

[@RobinCapper]

Great video Jack. My Aunt had one in NZ and took her friends Grandma up to a family holiday home, about a three hour drive. On arriving Grandma said that it didn't seem to take long but she was a very good driver and never went much over 60 (then mph open road limit) the whole way. Didn't sound like her until realised (and recently confirmed) from where Grandma sat in the back she could only see the tachometer... I never got to drive that car but did love that engine, lessor state of tune, in our family 132 1600.

[@jamesengland7461]

I certainly appreciate the melancholy tone of your video, and while others may be put off by it, I'm not, and I thank you for your honesty.

[@benfinesilver2250]

The first version looks the best to my eyes. Thanks as usual for an interesting episode.

[@Oscar_Charlie_Delta]

I had the AC 1400 and the CC 1800, I have fond memories of both! Fantastic cars!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I owned a 1969. Bought for $400 USD in 1974. I replaced the timing belt and drove it for 2 years. I wish I had not sold it. A superb automobile.

[@loveisall5520]

I live in Texas. I remember when the 124 coupe came out down here, I was in the high school. That was the one with single headlights on each side. I thought those were so beautiful. I agree that they were great cars, that living on the Texas golf coast here Next to the Gulf of Mexico would just literally run away while you watch sort of like The Alberta Did for you guys. I really enjoy your channel.

[@Treviscoe]

rust away?

[@jimmypratt6450]

I had one off these back in the 70's when i was just starting out selling cars , i could n't sell it for love or money , had it for 3months in the end took a part ex and dealed my way out off it . Nothing wrong with it but people didn't apprieciate them . Great vid brings back memories.

[@neuzeehland]

Thanks for showing us this wonderful car in action. And - you're absolutely right in being a FIAT-enthusiast

[@andrewhull3808]

In the words of the legend Aussie columnist and veteran mechanic George Ambrose about the state of the industry in the ‘70’s “… and at night, you could hear the Fiats rusting.” and yet I have still wanted one since I was a young boy!

[@theblackhand6485]

If FIAT would have badged the car a LANCIA I believed it too. Very nice 124 Coupé this is. Welldone.

[@zdendaderman5253]

Love Fiat's of the 70s and 80s.

[@princesssolace4337]

my dad used to got one in RHD .... sumthin about the old Fiat smell dat got me

[@dinodaniel2237]

The Fiat 124 Coupe was my favourite all time car. GREAT VIDEO! Subscribed

[@user-cn6re9jr1t]

I had a series 3 1800 during the mid eighties as a student. Full of rot but drove superbly it was mid brown colour, sad to see It go

[@onecookieboy]

These have been one of my favourite cars for as long as I can remember, I really like the way they look and with a set of widened steel wheels, and slightly lowered suspension they look rather sporty to me. The best colour for them is the factory yellow (IMHO). They were quite popular here in New Zealand back in the day, and quite a few had the 1800/2000 engine upgrade which made them perform very nicely. Sadly, they are few and far between these days, I think rust has claimed most of them.

[@duncanyourmate2433]

1.6 , Dec 69 just over 105 , great car , rhd factory , loved Rimutakas , i was just double digits , single h/light , weird aqua blue colour , even factory exhaust was great, steel wheels look squat , i never drove ,yet knew it was well mannered ,420G Jag , twice width (not quite) land yacht power to weight ratio ,as i say in lower post Benz Sedan 250 auto good but not corners , was German Taxi , not true sports car , Holden made weird stuff , straight line fine , 327 saginaw , Monaro stop not well

[@leolopezvalido1892]

Yes sir! I couldn't agree with you more Jack.. From the glorious days of the endless Italian sports cars available for the true enthusiast.. Thank you Jack!

[@robsomerton7390]

Jack, I was a rare car hunter/finder, when living in LA. Never heard of this coupe until today. Thanks!

[@goobanet]

The 124 Coupe was called a 124 Sport here in Australia. The first time I drove one I was sold. The car was just brilliant and just made you want to give it the stick! The owner told me his only gripe was access to the rear spark plug.

[@crawdaddy6969]

My parents had one back in 70's. Seafoam Green. Stolen right after they bought it. To this day my Dad says it was the best new car he ever bought. I tried to buy one in the late 80's but it would not start lol.

[@gsigs]

I had a 74 Fiat 128 coupe in which I commuted to college. It was great fun but not very reliable. My commute involved accelerating from a tollbooth up a fairly steep incline and it would habitually blow the tailpipe off the exhaust manifold. I took to carrying wire hangers in the trunk (steel, not copper!) so I could wire it back on when needed. The clutch cable snapped once, but fortunately I could shift 1-2 without using the clutch. The heater core blew up, so I carried a couple gallons of water so I could refill the radiator when I got to school. Unfortunately, the steam would get in the cabin and obscure the wind shield, so I had to drive with my head out the window. I dunno, maybe I shouldn't have driven it off a cliff that one time...

[@coldlakealta4043]

sounds a lot like my experience with a Fiat 850 Spyder 2-seater. I was a 1/3 user, sharing it equally with the garage and the rust repair shop. The electrics made one contemplate suicide. Somehow, though, lovely memories!

[@patrickdixon4945]

I had a 1971 1608 BC with the twin webers. It always leaked oil from the distributor onto the exhaust manifold and whenever I went to FIAT to buy parts they never had the microfilm for the BC. It was pretty knackered but it was a lot of fun. Mine was yellow.

[@lascm5237]

Had a couple of the CC 1800 models in the 80s/90s. Always considered them having rather awkward looks, but quite brisk and didn’t rot as much as reputation suggests. Bonded screens caused issues if replacing them but super little engines, lovely gearboxes and handled really well 👍

[@martinda7446]

Seriously I had one in yellow and it looked astonishing. I went to a guy up North who had a pair, a red one, and a yellow one.. It looked simply magnificent. I said he could keep the red one. Little things make a big difference and whatever it was about that particular one made it stand out. I can't remember it having any side trim for instance.. I must get some pictures out...

[@canerguener8664]

CC was very common. The interieur was in eco-mode.

[@pereldh5741]

Love the CC, such a badass Fiat. It looked like it ate children.. A bit like the Mustang Mach 1 or something. Love it

[@timothydrew993]

My red HOT124 (number plate) 1800 had terrible rust issues, sadly.

[@martinda7446]

@@pereldh5741 I can't understand how anyone could call it rubbish? A nice one was magnificent and looked loads better than the Americanised soft top 124.

[@tulliogarzetti1806]

Fantastica! Io ho avuto la 3ª serie ma questa serie 2 era la migliore ;il motore era della 125 (1608 cc) la 3ª serie 132 ( 1598 cc) mio fratello ha avuto la spider ‘72 con questo motore,complimenti per i tuoi video,li amo!👍👍

[@maximilianboost8498]

I had a Caterham with a Fiat 124 1756cc / 5 speed box power plant. It was superb.

[@howardlake6178]

110bhp from 1.6…then. Genius Lampredi strikes again! Brilliant video Jack 💚🤍❤

[@bennyhannover9361]

This is the 1600 dohc engine from the 125 Speciale Limousine… The 1430 cc engine with 90 bhp was also used with 80 bhp in the 124 Special T from 1971 to 1974…

[@jaaguero]

Beautiful car and a great performer when new. The major problem was always rust.

[@cam3002]

Whilst I've never driven a Fiat 124 Coupe, it reminds me of my old BMW 1602 and Opel Manta.

[@mikebaginy8731]

I brief trip down memory lane for me. My first car was a 1972 model 2, 124 Sport Coupé in yellow. Loved it and wish I still owned it today. Mine didn't have that small instrument board below the steering wheel with intermittent wiper switch.

[@spencerwright851]

Dad had a black one with the cheese shape rear lights. That sound as a kid :)

[@rhettcorcoran2879]

I used to hire these when I was in Cyprus, great fun cars.

[@robwelch7442]

I got one of these coupes new in 1974 (also dark blue) and greatly enjoyed it before trading it to buy a red 1976 Spyder. Very different body designs, both very appealing, which shared the basic driving character. I loved them both, really. Kept the Spyder for 25 years and sold it with about 75K miles. They were so much more modern feeling than my first car, a 1967 MGB. Particularly the FIAT twin cam engines. Thanks for the review Jack.

[@malcolmhardwick4258]

Saw one just a few weeks ago. Looked real good in the sun. Its probably parked away now the rains have come !

[@Don-kr5tp]

I owned two of the coupes. I would love to have them back. Mine kept up with the BMW 2002 and the Alfa coupe. I drove one from Miami to North Carolina with two other people. Very comfortable. I am 6 1". Very hard to find today.

[@tomonyszko6754]

Best sounding motor you've had on your channel!

[@stephenricketts7764]

This is a nice example of a great car of its time. The colour is spot on and the interior has been well done.I love the exhaust sound real Italian sound I think. I like the previous design with its lovely curves but I agree the successor to this was 'a dogs breakfast'! Thanks Jack for another great review. 👍👍

[@grayfool]

Definitely the best era for Fiat. The 124 and 128 were great cars. So good to see one out in the wild.

[@jann6995]

My older cousin used to drive his fiat 124 coupe to Italy from Copenhagen every year , never had any problems 😊 He worked at fiat in Copenhagen so I guess it was properly maintained though 😁

[@duggy788]

love these cars i have the mk1/ac version 1400cc which is a bit under powdered , i have a 1800cc engine from a 132 which i hope to fit in the future .

[@nigelknight7798]

likewise! the series ones have the best chassis

[@a1an611]

I had an 1800. I loved that car. We went to Greece init in ‘77, camping. It was quick and comfortable. In Italy, on a quiet autostrada, I had red line in top gear. I wouldn’t have wanted to go any faster, it had got a bit vague at the front. Sadly, despite my best efforts, the rust got it eventually…

[@ryanmccormick2150]

Excellent stuff as always Jack! It looks like you guys and girls down south are getting much better weather than us Geordie's 😂..... Keep up the awesome work 💪

[@geographyinaction7814]

In 1988 I had a silver 1975 124, I live in Canada, and I remember the guages being in Italian. I loved the car but the climate controls were bits of very thin aluminum, and between the seats, they were constantly being bent. Loved driving it!

[@grahamjesson5464]

the widebody fiat 131 was the coolest toy i had as a nipper, never seen one in the flesh but the dino and 124 are cool and on the up in a big way value wise

[@tuco5739]

My 1970 was one of the most fun cars I ever owned, besides my Alfa GTV and my 65 Abarth Berlina Corsa. I bought my 124 in 1973, took the engine out and "blue printed" the engine. I bored the engine .010 over and raised the CR to 11.0. The cams were alquati and for carburation, I added twin Webers 48mm IDF. The engine was dyno at 145 HP. I replaced the normal factory shocks with Konis and the rear sway bar was tuned with the front spring rates. This car was a conversation piece where ever it went. I had the opportunity to drive it at Sebring during a Vintage Club event (SVRA) and I could top out at 125 mph, not the best aerodynamics but decent.

[@heiner71]

The wiper and lights control you pointed out was not unusual at that time. The wiper interval feature was often an afterthought and aftermarket.

[@alanclarkeau]

Yes, I'd say an aftermarket addition.

[@Jordanmilo]

@@alanclarkeau Nope; my uncle's 69 124 SC had intermittent wipers.

[@knowname7289]

yeah my 69 has the dial which slows them down but no intermittent

[@Mark_T]

Beautiful inside and out. That thin wood rimmed steering wheel and the beautiful gauge pointers. I'd love one.

[@alvarofb]

SEAT also built these gorgeous coupé in Spain under FIAT license, both 1600 and 1800. As a young man, It was the most desirable car I could dream of. A friend of mine was lucky to get one, same blue as in the video. I still love them, thank you.

[@KenCozine]

I had one when I was stationed in Germany in the 70's. Mine was red. I loved that car. I would run it flat out on the autobahn. Great little car.

[@rover-t]

Great video. Best mate had an 1800 coupe so have good memories of this car.

[@alaricbragg7843]

Thank you for this video. 🙂 These cars have always been a firm favourite in New Zealand motorsport circles! Lol that SOUNDS like a Ferrari.

[@iankuah8606]

The 124 Sport Coupe's direct rivals in the late '60s and early 70s were the Alfa 105 GTV, BMW 02, Ford Capri and Opel Manta. The AC Series had a 1,438cc single carb motor with 90hp, and the early cars had the best chassis. The double wishbone coil sprung front suspension, live rear axle with coil springs, Panhard Rod, torque tube and anti-roll bar being a very sophisticated design for a car of this price segment. Legendary motoring journalist Leonard Setright praised its sweet and neutral handling, comparing it to the Lotus Elan for balance on the limit, especially in the wet! The BC you tested received the 1,608cc version of the Lampredi-desiged twin-cam, fed by a pair of Weber downdraft carbs for one throttle per cylinder. To make room for the twin carbs the distributor was moved to the other side of the engine, and went from being driven by a shaft through the block to a gear drive off the back of the exhaust cam. The 1,438cc single carb motor remained the entry-level model for the BC range. Unfortunately some customers had complained about the ride of the AC model, and so when Fiat introduced a five-speed gearbox late in AC production they also removed the torque tube and rear anti-roll bar. Sadly this encouraged understeer, and the handling of the BC model also suffered for this reason. When the CC model appeared the entry-level version was a 1.6, but not the old 1,608cc unit. The new 108hp 1,592cc unit was a reduced capacity variant of the new 118hp 1,756cc motor, both from the 132 saloon that replaced the 125. A detuned 95hp version of the 1,592cc unit powered the 124 Special T saloon. A proper Q-car in its day it was made famous by the spectacular car chase in the 1971 movie, The Burglars, which starred Jean-Paul Belmondo, Omar Sharif and Dyan Cannon.

[@Lemma01]

My Dear Chap - my 1994 Punto 1.8 twin- cam 8000rpm HGT Abarth is still my dream hot hatch. Wifey nudged a cycle at 3 mph, I boiled the oil and killed it at 118mph. Great Fiats are eager to please, till death. Fab. Fly that flag, Sir.

[@simonhjc]

Ive. Said it before, these are brilliant road tests and a walk down memory lane. Ive often thought that architecture and vehicle manufacturer reflect the “health” of a country. Youve validated that with you comments re fiat. Thanks Jack